January 4 and 11, 2021 Volume 38, Number 7
ARTIST, Title, Label Neg. Neu. Wait RECOMMENDED
CO LLECTIVE, The – Lo ve Is Stil l The Sam e ( PlayMPE) X FO LK, Larry – Go o d Fo r you (Fol kScript) X-½
CHRISTOS – Num b ( A p p reciated Music) PREVIOUS TEST: X-½ RE-TEST: X-½ CYRU S, Mil ey, feat. Dua Lipa – Priso ner ( RCA ) PREVIOUS TEST: X-½ RE-TEST: X-½ EM – Say What You Mean ( Sound o f L. A . ) PREVIOUS TEST: X-½ RE-TEST: X-½ FITZ – Head U p High ( El ek tra) PREVIOUS TEST: X-½ RE-TEST: X-½ LIPA, Dua – Levitating ( Warner) PREVIOUS TEST: X-½ RE-TEST: X-½ MENDES, Shawn, and Justin Bieb er – Monster ( Isl and / DefJam / Rep ub l ic) PREVIOUS TEST: X-½ RE-TEST: X-½ SWIFT, Tayl o r – Wil l o w ( U niversal ) PREVIOUS TEST: X-½ RE-TEST: X-½ THE ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC RESEARCH LETTER January 4 and 11, 2021 -- Page 2
Recommended Top Rotation AC Tracks Weeks of January 4 and 11, 2021
1. I SHOULD PR OBABLY GO TO BED -- Dan + Shay (W arner/W AR ) (2) X X (R ecommended 8/31) 2. PAST LIFE -- Trevor Daniel/Selena Gomez (Interscope) (3) X X (R ecommended 8/24) 3. LOYAL BR AVE TR UE -- Christina Aguilera (W altDisney) (1) X X (R ecommended 3/23) 4. MY W AY -- Aloe Blacc (BMG) (5) X X (R ecommended 10/12) 5. BLUEBIR D -- Miranda Lambert (Vanner/R CA) (6) X X (R ecommended 8/31) 6. THE GR EATEST -- James Blunt (Atlantic) (4) X X (R ecommended 6/22) 7. FR EE -- Charlie Puth (W altDisney) (7) X X (R ecommended 9/28) 8. PINK--Dolly Parton, Monica, Jordin Sparks, R ita W ilson, & Sara Evans( BrighterDay) (8) X X (R ecommended 11/2) 9. IT W OULD BE YOU -- Ben R ector, ft. Ingrid Michaelson (OK Kid R ecords) (10) X X (R ecommended 10/26) 10. CONVER SATIONS IN THE DAR K -- John Legend (Columbia) (11) X X (R ecommended 11/2) 11. LASTING LOVER -- Sigala, feat. James Arthur (Arista) (12) (R ecommended 11/30) 12. MAYBE IT’S TIME -- Sixx AM (R PM) (9) X X (R ecommended 9/7) 13. INTENTIONS -- Justin Bieber, feat. Quavo (DefJam) (13) X X (R ecommended 2/24) LP (R ecommended 12/21) (R ecommended 10/12)
Recommended “B” Rotation Menu
[No testing songs on the current playlist, at this time]
COLD (I’M SORRY...) -- James Blunt (Atlantic) (Recommended 9/30)
LOST IN THE WOODS -- Jonathan Groff (WaltDisney) X X (Recommended 1/20) ALL I WANT -- Olivia Rodrigo (Disney) X X (Recommended 2/10) MEMORIES -- Maroon 5 (Interscope) X X (Recommended 2/24) KINGS & QUEENS -- Ava Max (Atlantic) X X (Recommended 3/30) THE MAN -- Taylor Swift (Republic) X X (Recommended 5/18) I HOPE -- Gabby Barrett, feat. Charlie Puth (WB/WAR) X X (Recommended 5/25) DAISIES -- Katy Perry (Capitol) X X (Recommended 6/1) BRAVE -- The Sunset Kids (604 Records) X X (Recommended 6/1) LOSE SOMEBODY -- KYGO and OneRepublic (RCA) ( X X (Recommended 6/15) TOGETHER -- Sia (Atlantic) X X (Recommended 6/15) CONTROL -- Zoe Wees (Caroline) X X (Recommended 6/22) GET ME -- Anna Clendening (Atlantic) X X (Recommended 7/13) GIANTS -- Dermot Kennedy (Interscope) X X (Recommended 7/27) IF THIS IS THE LAST TIME -- LANY (Polydor/Interscope) X X (Recommended 8/3) NOBODY’S LOVE -- Maroon 5 (222/Interscope) X X (Recommended 8/17) ’CAUSE YOU ARE MY BABY -- NiaNell [UMG S.A. Nianell Ent LP] X X (Recommended 9/14) THE ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC RESEARCH LETTER January 4 and 11, 2021 -- Page 3
Borderline (“X-1/2”) songs, in our testing -- watch, but not now “Recommended” Tested previously to the songs in the list below, but still being tracked (alphabetical by title)
BEFORE YOU GO -- Lewis Capaldi (Vertigo/Capitol) BLINDING LIGHTS -- The Weeknd (Republic) GOOD JOB -- Alicia Keys (RCA) LOSE YOU TO LOVE ME -- Selena Gomez (Interscope) DON’T START NOW -- Dua Lipa (WB) SENORITA -- Shawn Mendes, and Camila Cabello (Republic) STUCK WITH U -- Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber (DefJam/Republic) WATERMELON SUGAR -- Harry Styles (Syco/Columbia)
Recent Borderline songs -- watch them, but they’re not yet “Recommended”
NOT READY TO SAY GOODBYE -- Jamie Alimorad (Knothole) SLOW GRENADE -- Ellie Goulding and Lauv (Interscope) FUNNY -- Zedd, and Jasmine Thompson (Interscope/Atlantic) ALL I WANT -- Domy B (AliveBeatsMusic) HOPELESS -- Clinton Kane (Columbia) LIFE EQUALS PURPOSE -- Stephen Thomas (CreativeHeartEntertainment) GOOD TIMES ROLL -- Jimmie Allen and Nelly (StoneyCreek) SOMEWHERE ELSE -- Jane Delaney (DirtyPrettyThings) SMILE -- Katy Perry (Capitol) ME AND YOU -- Cold Hart, with Lil Peep (Epitaph) I GOT YOU (2020) -- Michael Franti and Spearhead (BooBooWax) PUT A LITTLE LOVE IN YOUR HEART -- K C and the Sunshine Band (BFD) HERE ON EARTH -- Tim McGraw (BigMachine) LAST GREAT SUMMER -- The West Coast Feed (WorldSound) MIDNIGHT SKY -- Miley Cyrus (RCA) THE MESSAGE -- Franklin McKay (F McKay Music) THE WORLD CAN WAIT -- Paul Oakenfold and Luis Fonsi (Perfecto) KEEP YOUR LOVE TO YOURSELF -- Eileen Carey (RolleyCoaster) STRANGE LOVE -- Jawsh 685, and Jason Derulo (Columbia) SICK OF FEELING USELESS -- Neon Dreams (RPM) DYNAMITE -- B T S (Columbia) CHECKMATE -- Maxyme (Independent) RAIN ON ME -- Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande (Interscope) O.K. NOT TO BE O.K. -- Marshmello, and Demi Lovato (Island/Republic) INVISIBLE -- Yuna (Interscope) CAN’T STOP -- A is for Arrows (BigStoryEntertainment) LONELY (PA’ TI) -- Maluma & Jennifer Lopez (Arista) BROKEN BOYS -- Nicole Rayy (Patriam) DIAMONDS -- Sam Smith (Capitol) SURVIVIN’ -- Bastille (Republic) THIS OLD HOUSE -- Rob Georg (Coast) SPACE -- Adrian Vadim (MoconocoMusic) CRAZED AND DAZED -- Toni Land (Stagework Music) WONDER -- Shawn Mendes (Island/Republic) THE ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC RESEARCH LETTER January 4 and 11, 2021 -- Page 4
Borderline (“X-1/2”) songs, in our testing -- watch, but not yet “Recommended” Continued from previous page
BEFORE YOU GO -- Lewis Capaldi (Vertigo/Capitol) IN YOUR EYES -- The Weeknd, feat Kenny G (Republic) SCHOOL-GIRLS -- Black Pontiac (Appreciated Music) THE NEVERENDING STORY -- Devotchka, Amanda Shires, Tami Stronach (Cicero) LEVITATING -- Dua Lipa (Warner) SHINING THROUGH -- ReLove (AWAL) A LITTLE BIT YOURS -- JP Saxe (Arista) FEVER -- Final State (Appreciated Music) APPLE TREE -- December Rose (Slammin Media) GOLDEN -- Harry Styles (Syco/Columbia) ANOTHER LOVER -- Tortured Soul (Slammin Media) ALL I NEED -- Jake Bugg (Arista) HEAD UP HIGH -- Fitz (Elektra) I CAN’T GO ON LIVING WITHOUT YOU -- Elton John (UMe) TAKE YOU DANCING -- Jason Derulo (Atlantic) NUMB -- Christos (AppreciatedMusic) PRISONER -- Miley Cyrus, feat. Dua Lipa (RCA) MONSTER -- Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber (Island/DefJam/Republic) STUCK IN THE MIDDLE -- Tai Verdes, feat. Kiana Lede (Arista) MOOD -- 24kGolden, feat. Iann Dior (Columbia) SAY WHAT YOU MEAN -- Em (Sound of L.A.) WILLOW -- Taylor Swift (Universal) GOOD FOR YOU -- Larry Folk (FolkScript)
Notes
We mus t remind o ur readers that playing SESA C-lic ens ed s o ngs requires a SESA C lic ens e; SESA C was develo ped by lawyers and is no w o wned by an investment c o mpany -- they s ubs c ribe to airplay mo nito ring s ervic es, and you WILL be s uc c ess fully s ued fo r big buc k s fo r “ c o pyright vio latio n” if you play o f their s o ngs witho ut a lic ens e. The c o urt judgements have been extremely s evere -- exc eeding a millio n do llars ! No te that A LL s o ngs by bo th Neil Diamo nd and by Bo b Dylan are no w SESA C c o pyrights , o f what the reco rd label may s ho w. We c anno t guarantee we c an alert you to “ Reco mmended” s o ngs lic ens ed by SESA C, s inc e mus ic publis hing is us ually no t indic ated o n the trac k s we receive no wadays -- s o if you do n’t have a SESA C lic ens e, PLEA SE do the necess ary researc h to mak e s ure no SESA C lic ens ing is invo lved, fo r A LL your adds ! To o btain Jim Bric k man s ingles, o r to get a letter fro m Bric k man waiving a SESA C lic ens e fo r s o ngs o n whic h he is the c o mpo s er, in o rder to play his s o ngs witho ut a SESA C lic ens e, c all Bric k man Mus ic : 2 1 6 / 3 7 8 -3 6 2 4 ; FA X 2 1 6 / 3 7 8 -7 1 9 8 .
A dditio nally, Irving A zo ff’s “ Glo bal Mus ic Rights ” is us ing SESA C s trategy in lic ens ing mus ic -- Smo k ey Ro bins o n, Taylo r Swift, Bruc e Springsteen, and are amo ng its many represented s o ngwriters , with mo re to c o me. A tempo rary lic ens e is available, per the RMLC; you fac e millio n-do llar c o pyright vio latio n laws uits fo r playing their c o ntrac ted s o ngwriters ’ s o ngs if you do n’t have o ne. See: www.glo balmus ic rights .c o m. You c an als o c heck the latest lis t o f s o ngwriters (“ c lients ” ) they c laim to represent there, to o . THE ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC RESEARCH LETTER January 4 and 11, 2021 -- Page 5 Notes
, by Trevor Daniel & Selena Gomez, on Alamo/Interscope, has a “flip the switch in a random place” ending -- in the middle of a note! The AC core audience really likes the song, but simply this sort of ending. We have our own edit of the end of the song which tests much better -- contact us to get a broadcast-quality MP3 version of that one, which is the only version we “Recommend”. For a stereo broadcast-quality MP3 of from South African superstar NiaNell’s eighth album, “Beautiful Escape”, e-mail your request to us the e-mail address you wish it sent to. You’ll need e-mailbox with at least 13 MB capacity per e-mail. To play on the air song composed in full or in part by John Lennon, or many other stars, you’ll now need a GMR license: http://globalmusicrights.com. See more about this on Page 4 in “NOTES”. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
only
DROP WHEN YOU’RE READY; DO USE AS A RECURRENT; DO PUT IN YOUR PERMANENT LIBRARY [ None this week] DROP WHEN YOU’RE READY; OK TO USE AS A RECURRENT; NOT FOR YOUR PERMANENT LIBRARY [ None this week ] COMMENT
HERE’S TO THE NIGHTS
BROKEN BOYS WHY NOT ME
are licensed to play
THE BEST DA Y OF THE YEA R CHRISTMA S ISN’T CHRISTMA S THE ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC RESEARCH LETTER Published in the Special Double Issue dated January 4 and 11, 2021 AC 2020 “RECURRENT/OLDIE” LIST
MAXIMUM STRESS INTENTIONS -- Jus tin Bieber, featuring Quavo (Capitol/DefJam)
SECONDARY STRESS I SHOULD PROBABLY GO TO BED -- Dan + Shay (Warner) MEMORIES -- Maroon 5 (Inters cope)
ALSO ACCEPTABLE ADORE YOU -- Harry Styles (Columbia) BEFORE YOU GO -- Lewis Capaldi (Vertigo/Capitol) BLINDING LIGHTS -- The Weeknd (Republic) BLUEBIRD -- Miranda Lambert (Vanner/RCA Nashville) DON’T START NOW -- Dua Lipa (Warner) I HOPE -- Gabby Barrett, featuring Charlie Puth (Warner) KINGS & QUEENS -- Ava Max (Atlantic) LOSE YOU TO LOVE ME -- Selena Gomez (Interscope) 10,000 HOURS -- Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber (Warner) WATERMELON SUGAR -- Harry Styles (Columbia)
OK EXTENDED RECURRENT USE -- MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR TO NEW LISTENERS -- KILL BY 2023 LOST IN THE WOODS -- Jonathan Groff (WaltDisney) LOYAL BRAVE TRUE -- Christina Aguilera (WaltDisney)
NOTE: Since the one most important element of a NONCURRENT song for the listener is (without that, it is better to play a current less-familiar song instead), songs which originally tested as “borderline” (X-1/2) when current, but which now show significant familiarity across the AC psychographic, are elevated into the “Also Acceptable” category in these “Recurrent/Oldies” summaries (and we remind you of the importance of “picking and choosing” from this category in putting together your noncurrent playlist).
For those troubled by playing -- as a NONCURRENT -- a song that was not “Recommended” when it was current, just think of it as “adding a record late”. Conversely, songs which tested strongly when current, and had great programming value when current for that reason, will NOT be included in this list if they have so little familiarity OUTSIDE OF YOUR OWN STATION that they most likely won’t be familiar, as noncurrents, to your NEW listeners later on.