AT40: Niall Horan (1) - Week Of October 6, 2017

Hello, friends. This is the first countdown of October, and...unfortunately, I would like to begin my introduction on a very somber note. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims' families during this difficult time when at least 59 people were killed and many more were injured in a shooting that occurred in Las Vegas this past Sunday, which is now THE WORST MASS SHOOTING IN U.S. HISTORY. Before we get to the American Top 40 this week, let's take a moment of silence to remember the victims.























Now, let's begin reviewing, shall we? Here are the songs dropping out this week:

• Castle On The Hill by Ed Sheeran
  Last Week: #36 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 22

• Redbone by Childish Gambino
  Last Week: #27 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 14

• Back To You by Louis Tomlinson featuring Bebe Rexha and Digital Farm Animals
  Last Week: #24 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 7

The Countdown

Last Week's #1 Song: Attention by Charlie Puth

40. Shape Of You by Ed Sheeran [-1] [Spent 10 Weeks At #1]

Last Week: #39 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 38

39. Hoodie by Hey Violet [+1]

Last Week: #40 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 2

38. Something Different by Why Don't We [=]
Last Week: #38 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 2

37. Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers featuring Coldplay [-3] [Spent 1 Week At #1]

Last Week: #34 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 30

36. Two Ghosts by Harry Styles [+1]

Last Week: #37 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 4

35. Love So Soft by Kelly Clarkson (DEBUT)

Last Week: N/A | # Of Weeks On Chart: 1

34. That's What I Like by Bruno Mars [-3] [Spent 3 Weeks At #1]

Last Week: #31 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 35

33. New Rules by Dua Lipa (DEBUT)

Last Week: N/A | # Of Weeks On Chart: 1

32. It Ain't Me by Kygo featuring Selena Gomez [-4] [Spent 1 Week At #1]

Last Week: #28 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 31

31. Know No Better by Major Lazer featuring Travis Scott, Camila Cabello, and Quavo [+1]
Last Week: #32 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 7

30. Now Or Never by Halsey [-4]
Last Week: #26 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 24

29. Location by Khalid [=]
Last Week: #29 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 9

28. Lights Down Low by MAX featuring Gnash [+7]
Last Week: #35 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 5

27. Mi Gente by J. Balvin featuring Willy William [+3]
Last Week: #30 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 6

26. I'm The One by DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper, and Lil' Wayne [-3]
Last Week: #23 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 21

25. ...Ready For It? by Taylor Swift (DEBUT)

Last Week: N/A | # Of Weeks On Chart: 1

24. Too Good At Goodbyes by Sam Smith [+9]
Last Week: #33 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 2

23. Body Like A Back Road by Sam Hunt [-1]
Last Week: #22 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 18

22. Glorious by Macklemore featuring Skylar Grey [-1]
Last Week: #21 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 11

21. Bad At Love by Halsey [+4]
Last Week: #25 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 3

20. Fetish by Selena Gomez featuring Gucci Mane [-1]

Last Week: #19 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 8

19. Feels by Calvin Harris featuring Pharrell, Katy Perry, and Big Sean [-5]
Last Week: #14 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 13

18. Stay by Zedd featuring Alessia Cara [-2] [Spent 5 Weeks At #1]
Last Week: #16 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 30

17. What About Us by P!NK [=]
Last Week: #17 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 6

16. 1-800-273-8255 by Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid [+2]
Last Week: #18 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 12

15. What Lovers Do by Maroon 5 featuring SZA [+5]
Last Week: #20 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 3

14. Praying by Kesha [+1]
Last Week: #15 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 9

13. Despacito by Luis Fonsi featuring Justin Bieber and Daddy Yankee [-4] [Spent 5 Weeks At #1]
Last Week: #9 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 20

12. Friends by Justin Bieber featuring BloodPop® [-1]
Last Week: #11 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 5

11. Sorry Not Sorry by Demi Lovato [+2]
Last Week: #13 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 8

10. Wild Thoughts by DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller [-4]
Last Week: #6 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 14

9. Unforgettable by French Montana featuring Swae Lee [+1]
Last Week: #10 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 12

8. Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man [+4]
Last Week: #12 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 7

7. No Promises by Cheat Codes featuring Demi Lovato [+1]
Last Week: #8 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 18

6. Believer by Imagine Dragons [-1]
Last Week: #5 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 20

5. Look What You Made Me Do by Taylor Swift [+2]
Last Week: #7 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 4

4. There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back by Shawn Mendes [-1] [Spent 1 Week At #1]
Last Week: #3 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 21

3. Strip That Down by Liam Payne featuring Quavo [+1]
Last Week: #4 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 16

2. Attention by Charlie Puth [-1] [Spent 5 Weeks At #1]

Last Week: #1 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 19

1. Slow Hands by Niall Horan [+1] [1st Week At #1]

Last Week: #2 | # Of Weeks On Chart: 19

#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: Cold Water by Major Lazer featuring Justin Bieber and MØ (2nd And Final Week At #1)

Biggest Fall Of The Week: Feels by Calvin Harris featuring Pharrell, Katy Perry, and Big Sean (-5)

Biggest Rise Of The Week: Too Good At Goodbyes by Sam Smith (+9)

New Entrants

- To start off our round of new arrivals, we have the return of one of my favorite artists, Kelly Clarkson, in the form of Love So Soft, her lead single from her forthcoming album, Meaning Of Life. I have been a fan of Kelly Clarkson for a long time. She's been working her magic with many hits since she won American Idol back in 2002, with songs such as Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You), Catch My Breath, Since U Been Gone, and many more. As for this one, I can say it's pretty divine. I do like she is experimenting her new sound in which it is more soulful and R&B. While there are a few questionable lyrics, the rest of the song is still pretty good. I also like how she sounds like Adele, especially at the beginning before she starts singing. Overall, while it's not her best, I find it quite enjoyable.

- Next up, we have Dua Lipa making her second appearance on the American Top 40. Enter New Rules, her new single from her debut album. Earlier, she had her debut single Blow Your Mind (Mwah) charted here, but it failed to blow up elsewhere. Now, she's looking to redeem herself chart-wise for the second time around. And with New Rules still gaining slightly more steam as of this moment, it appears to be the case. Anyway, about this song, it showcases Dua Lipa's vocals more, and the lyrical content is slightly better when compared to its predecessor. While it's not quite her best song off of her debut album, it's still a solid track all around.

- Finally, we have more Taylor Swift once again, which excites me. Enter ...Ready For It?, the promo single for her upcoming album Reputation. Right off the bat, this one is less polarizing from a critical standpoint than Look What You Made Me Do and it basically sounds like the Taylor Swift people know and love. Here, there is more singing going on, and there is slightly more melody. The lyrical content is also better, in which it reflects her relationship and wanting to do things together. This was used in a commercial for a college football game early in September. It has that game-day feel to it, with the lines such as "Baby, let the games begin". Once again, Taylor Swift doesn't disappoint and it's good to see many people are finding this more likable.

I've Got New Blurbs, I Count 'Em

- On the note of exits, I did not expect Back To You to leave from a high position at #24. I'm very sad that one failed to take off and it deserved better. It's too bad people aren't buying into Louis Tomlinson's solo music as opposed to the other members of One Direction. Same with Bebe Rexha, seeing as many people still underrate her music in general, also. With that said, this song will sadly be missed by me. However, on a positive note, I'm happy about the departure of Redbone and it will certainly not be missed. Finally, we have the important exit, with Castle On The Hill departing from this countdown. Although it didn't quite live up to Shape Of You in terms of success on here, at least this one had a solid tenure. So, good-bye, Castle On The Hill, you will not be forgotten.

- Speaking of Shape Of You, it looks like this may be its final week here, what with it being on the tail end of the countdown at #40.

- I'm not necessarily happy about Lights Down Low making a big jump into the Top 30, but I can somewhat see the appeal to it. If you like it, that's fine. I do respect your opinions, though.

- Of course, we have Too Good At Goodbyes making a huge second-week jump here. That's kinda good news, because I'm starting to grow more into it. You can expect this to be in green pretty soon.

- Remember when I said that Friends was going to end up being another huge hit for Justin Bieber? Well, I think I've kinda jinxed it, because it's starting to falter elsewhere, both in sales and radio. I guess people really are sick of him at this point, especially after both I'm The One & Despacito got massively overplayed.

- Meanwhile, we have Feel It Still cracking the Top 10, which isn't surprising since both its sales and radio gains are massive. This has gotten slightly better for me, so I'm glad to see this one is catching on.

- And that brings us to our new #1, in which Niall Horan manages to dethrone Attention by Charlie Puth after spending five weeks at the top. With Slow Hands being near the top on most charts, I wasn't surprised to see this as #1. It was only a matter of time before this would occur. Despite me not enjoying this as much as I used to, I'm happy it came through this week.

Breakouts/On The Verge

• Why by Sabrina Carpenter
• Let Me Go by Hailee Steinfeld & Alesso featuring Florida Georgia Line and Watt
• Havana by Camila Cabello featuring Yung Thug

- Despite Thunder by Imagine Dragons gaining massive popularity, it still has yet to appear as a Breakout. It'll probably happen at some point eventually.

Extras/Optional Extras

• 2U by David Guetta featuring Justin Bieber
• Chains by Nick Jonas
• Just Give Me A Reason by P!NK featuring Nate Ruess
• Mama by Jonas Blue featuring William Singe
• Happy by Pharrell
• The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars
• Good Old Days by Macklemore featuring Kesha
• I Love It by Icona Pop featuring Charli XCX

- What you're seeing is not an error. Good Old Days by Macklemore featuring Kesha is indeed listed an extra. I'm surprised by this, since this single was just released.

- To this day, I still enjoy Just Give Me A Reason a lot more than I should, in large part because both singers' vocals blend really well together. I love the lyrical content and the production, especially with the piano being put to great use.

Top 20 Breakdown

0 - Awful:

20. Fetish by Selena Gomez featuring Gucci Mane

1 - Bad:

19. Strip That Down by Liam Payne featuring Quavo

2 - Mediocre:

None!

3 - Decent:

18. Stay by Zedd featuring Alessia Cara

4 - Good:

17. No Promises by Cheat Codes featuring Demi Lovato

5 - Great:

16. Slow Hands by Niall Horan

15. Sorry Not Sorry by Demi Lovato

14. Believer by Imagine Dragons

13. Attention by Charlie Puth

12. Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man

11. 1-800-273-8255 by Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid

10. What Lovers Do by Maroon 5 featuring SZA

9. Friends by Justin Bieber featuring BloodPop®

8. Feels by Calvin Harris featuring Pharrell, Katy Perry, and Big Sean

7. Unforgettable by French Montana featuring Swae Lee

6. What About Us by P!NK

5. Wild Thoughts by DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller

4. Despacito by Luis Fonsi featuring Justin Bieber and Daddy Yankee

3. There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back by Shawn Mendes

2. Look What You Made Me Do by Taylor Swift

BONUS: 6 - Best Song On The Countdown:

1. Praying by Kesha

Total Score: 89/100 (B+)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: Free Fallin' by Tom Petty (1989)

Most Missed Song: Symphony by Clean Bandit featuring Zara Larsson

#1 Recommendation For The American Top 40: 18 by Echosmith

My Top 5 Picks

1. Praying by Kesha

2. ...Ready For It? by Taylor Swift

3. Look What You Made Me Do by Taylor Swift

4. There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back by Shawn Mendes

5. Despacito by Luis Fonsi featuring Justin Bieber and Daddy Yankee

My Bottom 5 Picks

TIE: 1. Body Like A Back Road By Sam Hunt

TIE: 1. Mi Gente by J. Balvin featuring Willy William

3. Fetish by Selena Gomez

4. Location by Khalid

5. Know No Better by Major Lazer featuring Travis Scott, Camila Cabello, and Quavo