I think Ariana Grande was also trying to follow Bieber into a place of nonchalant R&B cred. When she decided to make radio records again, the muse wasn't quite there. It makes you further appreciate that Taylor Swift wanted hits and could still generate them.

Joined today by Global UK's "WSQK" Pop-Up radio station. www.globalplayer.com/live/wsqk/uk/

When I first heard “Him” on the radio, it was on an old-line MOR AM station which ended up apologizing after the first play because listeners took exception to “no one gets to get it for free.” #AT40 #Earworm

My audience (on a regular screen) wasn't nearly as lively, but I still appreciated it.

Watching the first one last December made it hard to sink into a fantasy world that was no longer fantasy.

I thought this one would be harder to watch; in the end, I appreciated the optimism.

There are a surprising number of songs that were inspired by losing a parent or loved one, but rewritten to sound like relationship songs. Just found out that Train's "Drops of Jupiter" is one of those. #AT40

It took me years to come around on "Float On" as anything but ridiculous. I always loved "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" and thought it was an odd but likable choice. "Float On" certainly sounds like something that started as part of the stage act, and this probably was, too. #AT40

I find "Heaven Help Us All" much more affecting than I ever did. From the same pen as "I've Never Been to Me," which I have *not* come around on. #AT40

The station that made Port Hueneme famous! Only heard KACY once near the end. But they were great in their early days on FM as Q105. #AT40

Happy Anniversary, Wilburys! "5-10-15-20..." is right up there with "Right Down the Line" for "we made it" songs. #AT40

Interesting to note: Charlie Puth's "Attention" is a very similar lyric to "Strange Way." Also, very minor chord and brooding in the same way. Women did make it a hit in 2018. You don't hear it on the radio very much now. #AT40

"You Are The Woman" was the one that endured, and in Denver, "Cinderella" also stayed on the radio for many years.

I think "Strange Way" faded because male reproach songs fared less well when women got sole power over what AC radio played. #AT40 musicmaster.com?p=5482

I think one of my high-school classmates gave me "Pieces of Eight" in exchange for typing a term paper. Even after their other hits, we were both still surprised how hard "Renegade" rocked! #AT40

I love how in 1978, that *was* the business haircut. (I've noticed we're sort of coming back to it now.) The hiring manager in "Signs" would have definitely found you a fine upstanding young man! #AT40

"Ready to Take a Chance Again" is also in that category of movie songs that a character alludes to (or in this case) sings along with, as if they were real hit songs with a life elsewhere. ("Tron" also had that.) #AT40

"Disco Duck"--intended as a slam against disco and R&B and then used as ammo against them in the "disco backlash." #AT40

It's the only music documentary still left to make and all the streaming services are fighting over the rights. Look for clips from artists like the Kid Leroi and Nicky Youre talking about Ron Fair's ongoing influence on this generation. #AT40

I always appreciated the call for Ak-Shawn! #AT40