CML Chart Top 100 for 2008: #100 to #91

Things have finally gotten finalized on the CML Chart for 2008, so I can now start to share what the Top 100 for 2008 is. Reminder, these are songs that peaked in 2008, even if they spent the majority of their chart time in another year. 

#100- “For These Times” by Martina McBride
CML Chart Peak: 32
Billboard Peak: 35
Opinion- Just about right

Overview- “For These Times” was an attempt by Martina as another encouraging song, but I felt the arrangement lacked enough energy to keep this song from being a big hit.  I really do think that the radio stations gave this song the right amount of airplay.

 

#99- “In My Next Life” by Terri Clark
CML: 31
Billboard: 36
Opinion: Overplayed

Overview:  You could tell that Terri Clark’s success in the US had come to an end when she wasn’t able to get the radio to play her music.  Of course, the quality of music she put out seemed to diminish as her sound became a thing of the past in the US.  “In My Next Life” was just a different way at looking at things compared to “I Wanna Do It All.”  This song went #1 in Canada, so I wish her luck at finding success in her home country.

 

#98- “Somebody Said A Prayer” by Billy Ray Cyrus
CML: 31
Billboard: 33
Opinion: Underplayed

Overview:  This song should still be climbing the charts as we speak.  However, it seems that Billy Ray without Miley is not what most country radio stations are looking for.  This song was vastly underplayed and was the best sounding “Billy Ray sans Miley” song he has had out in a long time.  I just hope that people give “Back To Tennessee” (single and album) a chance.

 

#97- “Busy Being Fabulous” by The Eagles
CML: 30
Billboard: 28
Opinion: Underplayed

Overview: The Eagles’ second country single from their Long Road To Eden was a great sounding song, but it wasn’t appreciated enough.  The Eagles sound in the 70s fits into today’s country, and this had a lot of the elements of it, but I think the novelty of an Eagles country single was worn off before this song hit the radio.

 

#96- “If You Didn’t Love Me” by Phil Stacey
CML: 30
Billboard: 28
Opinion: Just about right

Overview: There were as many weaknessess with this song as Phil showed during his stint on American Idol.  This was definitely not the sound that Phil should’ve been going for, and ultimately it left him right about where he should’ve been on the charts with the song.  I had a chance to hear a few of his songs on MySpace, and he had some really good sounding songs that would’ve been better for the radio than this.  However, this was the only single off the album.  Now, Phil is going to record a Christian album (see his page on wikipedia).  I wish him luck!  He can sing, I just think he didn’t get the right guidance in country music.

 

#95- “The Strong One” by Clint Black
CML: 29
Billboard: 37
Opinion: Underplayed

Overview:  The biggest problem I had with this song is that is was too similar to Craig Morgan’s “Tough” to be released really soon after that one was out.  It sounded good and Clint sang it well.  Unfortunately, Clint’s career as a singer has been in decline since 2000 (he’s had one Top 20 since his Top 5 duet with Steve Wariner).  I was happy it made it to the Top 30 on my chart, but felt that it had a chance at the Top 20.

 

#94- “Fifteen Minutes of Shame” by Kristy Lee Cook
CML: 27
Billboard: 28
Opinion: Underplayed

Overview:  As quickly as Kristy Lee Cook got a record deal, a single, and an album released, she was back to looking for each.  “Fifteen Minutes of Shame” was definitely underplayed.  I truly think that she sang it well enough to take it to the Top 20, which would’ve guaranteed a second single, but it didn’t make it (probably because the label didn’t promote it enough).  I’m not sure she would have a long, successful career, but at this single was a good song.

 

#93- “Some Things Never Change” by Sara Evans
CML: 27
Billboard: 26
Opinion: Just about right

Overview: This was not one of Sara’s better singles. It didn’t really stick with people and was not any better than its chart position warrants.  It was a disappointing follow up to “As If,” one of her better singles (it too was underplayed).

 

#92- “I Would” by Phil Vassar
CML: 25
Billboard: 26
Opinion: Just about right

Overview: After a big hit with “Love Is A Beautiful Thing,” Phil released a semi-mediocre follow up with “I Would.”  “I Would” was more of the classic Phil sound, with “Love…” wasn’t, but it was one of the weaker singles he’s ever released.  Fortunately for Phil, this won’t ruin his decent career he’s had.  I’m sure he’ll be back to singing and writing Top 10’s soon enough.

 

#91- “You Still Own Me” by Emerson Drive
CML: 25
Billboard: 22
Opinion: Just about right

Overview: Despite following their biggest hit “Moments,” Emerson Drive nearly cracked the Top 20 with this song.  A recent trend, radio stations playing a song so much in “recurrent” that the follow up never really gets off the ground, really didn’t apply here.  The song wasn’t strong enough to build from the success of “Moments,” but wasn’t so bad as to not earn what it got.

 

Coming Soon: #90 to #81

CML Chart Interactive for 2/8 to 2/14/09

The vote for the chart week of 2/8 to 2/14/09 is now open. The links can be found at the CML Chart Interactive page (link at top of page) where they will be from now on. Please vote for the number of songs requested in each poll.

Polls close promptly at 11am EST on Wednesday, February 4th.

Keith Anderson- “She Could’ve Been Mine”

When “I Still Miss You” was climbing up the charts, people knew, myself included, that it was the best song he’d put on the radio.  After mixed success on his first album (Two Top 10s, a Top 30,  a Top 40, and one song that didn’t chart) and a “tweener” song that made the Top 30 and eventually found its way onto his second album, to go to #2 was a big accomplishment (“Sunday Morning In America” had been off the charts for close to a year by the time “I Still Miss You” was released).  It was sign that he had grown as an artist and more good music was to come.

At least, that’s what you would think…after a Top 50 with “Somebody Needs A Hug,” Keith has released another song that just leaves you feeling like you never even listened to it and without a desire to hear it again.  Another in a long line of “love lost with regrets” songs, there’s nothing to make this song stick out.  Keith showed us his potential, let’s just hope that it wasn’t the only good thing we’ll ever get out of him.

Chart Prediction- Top 50

Listen (you may have to change the playlist to the C’Mon! playlist to here the whole song)

Want to influence how it the song does, at least on the CML Chart?  Just click the CML Chart Interactive link at the top of the page for details.

Lady Antebellum- “I Run To You”

Lady Antebellum has three things going for them right–they just won an award for Top New Group, they have a great, unique sound where they can pull off a song with shared lead vocals, and they know how to sing.  “I Run To You” is a laid back way of saying that no matter what, I’ll run to you and no one else.

Some people critcized “Lookin’ For A Good Time” because it seemed that the vocals were forced and that it didn’t sound good together.  I was told by someone when they released that song that “I Run To You” was better.  I agree. 

I definitely think that this song might do a little better on the charts, but I don’t think it’ll reach the same level as “Love Don’t Live Here.”    “Lookin’ For A Good Time” may have been a Top 5 if it hadn’t run into the “post-Christmas” problem (where the songs that have been on the charts for the longest normally get replaced on radio station playlist with new stuff in the new year).

Chart Prediction- Top 10

Listen

Want to influence on this song does on the CML Chart?  Click on the CML Chart Interactive link at the top of the page for details.

Carrie Underwood- “I Told You So”

Well, this song should prove one thing to anyone who doesn’t believe it already–Carrie Underwood sings Country Music and sings it well.  “I Told You So” is a remake of a Randy Travis #1 from the late 80s, and as we know, Randy Travis is Country as much as Country gets.  Carrie sings this song outstandingly well, but some people might argue that since it was written for a baritone male it’s not hard for a soprano to sing it so well.  The truth is, Carrie doesn’t oversing this song, which is something that happens more often when a female covers an older “male” song.

I was surprised to see this as the 5th single from Carnival Ride for two reasons–I figured that they’d have new music ready for her third album and on the radio after her 4th single and that it was a cover.  Not that this song is single worthy, I just figured with the label pushing “Carrie-written” songs for the first three singles, that if a 5th single came out, it would be the other song she wrote on the album (“Crazy Dreams”) or an “original.”

I think it’s safe to say that Carrie’s got her 7th straight Billboard #1, and 8th out of 9 singles (“Don’t Forget To Remember Me” came in at a pedestrian #2).

Chart Prediction- #1

Listen

Do you want to influence how this song does on the CML Chart?  Just click on the CML Chart Interactive link at the top of the page for details.

CML Chart for 1/25 to 1/31/09

Alan Jackson grabs this week’s #1 spot on the CML Chart with “Country Boy,” his third straight CML Chart #1.  Entering the chart at #38 this week is Carrie Underwood’s “I Told You So,” a remake of the Randy Travis #1 from the late 80s.  Also entering the Top 60 for the first time is Lady Antebellum’s third single “I Run To You.”  The final new entry this week is Keith Anderson’s third single from C’Mon!, “She Could’ve Been Mine.”

The Top 60

Check back later this week to read the single reviews for the three new songs.  Voting for the CML Chart Interactive for the CML Chart for 2/1 to 2/7/09 is ongoing and will continue until Thursday, 1/29 at 11am EST.  If you haven’t voted already, please click on the CML Chart Interactive link at the top of the page for details and a link to the votes for this week.

Crystal Shawanda- “My Roots Are Showing”

How do you follow up a heart-tugging debut single that was underplayed? Release an uptempo song about loving you when your roots are showing (i.e. when you’re coloring your gray hair as you get older).  Problem is, the verses are a little weak.  The chorus is catchy and sounds pretty good, but it just doesn’t seem to fit with the weak verses.  While I agree that Crystal has some pretty good vocals, I just don’t see this song really catching on with a lot of people.

Chart Prediction- Top 60

Listen

Do you think I’m foolish?  Do you want this song to fly up the charts?  Want to influence on it does on the CML Chart?  Click on the CML Chart Interactive link at the top of the page to vote for this song to move up to a higher Impression score and a higher spot on the Chart.

Matt Stillwell- “Shine”

Country newcomer Matt Stillwell has hits the charts with his debut single “Shine.”  Now, this isn’t one of those inspirational songs that encourages someone to “shine.”  Nope, it’s all about something that’d make the Dukes of Hazzard smile–moonshine (or shine for short).  Therefore, this is one of your typical drinking songs.

Well, for a debut single, this isn’t a bad choice as it’s uptempo.  However, the song does nothing to distinguish himself from all the other male acts that are on the radio.  While “Shine” might be fun enough to chart, it’s not exactly going to grab you with its hook, so it’s gonna have to be overpromoted to get much more success than it has gotten so far.

Matt doesn’t sound bad singing, the arrangement sounds fine, but it’s just a middle of the road drinking song.  With a better hook or if this was a follow up single to a song that really grabbed people’s attentions, Matt may score a good hit.  However, as it is, it’s not going to be a big hit.

Chart Prediction- Top 60

Listen

Do you like this song more than I do?  Do you want to have a say in how it does on the CML Chart?  Well, click on the CML Chart Interactive link at the top of the page to vote for it to increase it’s Impression score and reach a higher position on the CML Chart.

CML Chart for 1/18 to 1/24/09

This week’s chart features a familiar #1 as Brad Paisley and Keith Urban reclaim that spot Sugarland had taken away from them last week.  “Start A Band” now spends its third week at #1.

Crystal Shawanda’s “My Roots Are Showing”, at #60, is the only new song this week, but Sara Evans returns to the Top 60 with “Low,” her single off the soundtrack to the move about Billy Graham’s life.

The Top 60

Just a reminder, there’s still time to vote for what songs you want to have move up in Impression score on the CML Chart for the week of 1/25 to 1/31/09.  Just click on the CML Chart Interactive link at the top of the page and then click the link to this week’s vote.  The deadline for voting is Wednesday, January 21st at noon EST.

Steve Azar- “You’re My Life”

Steve Azar fans out there, please don’t get upset about what I’m about to say: this song is not that great.  The song doesn’t cover any new ground with Steve singing about how a woman is his life, the sound isn’t the greatest sound for today’s radio, and it’s really not the song he should be releasing to try to jump start his career.  It’s sounds good live (see Listen below), but the other version I heard just didn’t sound all that good.  It does have some early support by radio, so maybe it’ll out do what I think.  For now, I think he’s just got a Top 40 on his hands, at best.

Chart Prediction- Top 40

Listen

Do you disagree with my assessment and want to influence how it does on my CML Chart?  Click the link at the top of the page to go to the CML Chart Interactive page for the link to this week’s post to vote for this song!