#HitsOfTomorrow: A Weekly Rundown Of The ‘Should-Be’ Hits

The world lost a true icon this week with Tina Turner. While the tributes continue to flow, the charts also are honoring the legend with many of the star’s biggest hits reaching the top again.

While “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and “The Best” may be her most memorable solo hits, I’d also add “Goldeneye” from the James Bond film of the same name to the list. Bono and The Edge from U2 wrote the song for the diva and the single was produced by Nellee Hooper (of Massive Attack fame). The song brought Bond themes back from the grave after nearly a decade when Duran Duran hit #1 with their theme for A View To A Kill.

While the news cycle has been dominated by Turner’s passing, we do have some big new releases starting off with Lil Durk and his LP Almost Healed. The album features everyone from Alicia Keys to Morgan Wallen and is likely to zoom up the charts like nothing else. Meanwhile the hype machine for the upcoming live-action Barbie  begins with co-star Dua Lipa’s new single “Dance The Night.” The soundtrack is produced by Mark Ronson and his presence on the track is clear. Lipa will likely enjoy another hit with this track through the summer with this one!

A couple of older albums get single upgrades too. Beyonce gets a Kendrick Lamar verse for her “AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM” while Taylor Swift gets Ice Spice for her “Karma” remix and more Lana Del Rey for a new mix of “Snow On The Beach.” The LP now listed as the Midnights (The Til Dawn Edition) also features the previously unreleased single “Hits Different.”

Beyond these superstars making additional bank with their already released music, there are numerous collaborations this week that have us pumped! So without further ado, let’s get to the songs that deserve our little extra attention –   the SHOULD-BE hits of the week. Here are this week’s HITS OF TOMORROW. 

“CANDY” – Jay Park, Zion.T

Jay Park has been on a roll as of late dropping singles almost monthly. But “Candy” featuring Zion.T feels special. It also feels like the global blockbuster hit we’ve been waiting for from him. The track is a bop from the get-go and the chorus that features the infamous line from Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” – “Lend me some sugar baby, I am your neighbour” makes for the perfect bridge between Park’s current audience and a global market sweet on nostalgia and well any song about candy (from Bow Wow Wow to Cameo to Mandy Moore to 50 Cent to Lady Gaga/BLACKPINK). This deserves to be a smash this summer and here’s hoping programmers take note of the song (and the instantly memorable music video!). Tik Tok do your thing, give us a sweet sweet hit!

“HAPPY” – Plain White T’s

I love it when a band that’s had such a massive iconic hit keeps a steady profile despite the audience filtering away. Plain White T’s have done quite a bit since “Hey There Delilah” but nothing really could live up to that song’s massive success. But that might change if radio and programmers push the band’s latest single “Happy.” The upbeat single is as much about positivity as it is about getting through tough times. These days radio seldom offers positive messages (that’s left for the artists to showcase themselves on social media!) but some direct life-affirming music could do us all a little good, especially in these warmer months.

“WOLVES” – Lauren Jauregui, Russ, Ty Dolla $ign

Lauren Jauregui puts out another solid EP this week with In Between and while there are numerous winning tracks on the effort, the standout single has to be “Wolves” featuring her amicable-ex Ty Dolla $ign and Russ. The track is perhaps the most Top 40 friendly single the former Fifth Harmony singer has released in years. For all of those Jauregui fans who feel like she’s not gotten her due at mainstream radio play, this track is the best chance. The collab feels natural and not forced and much like “Happy,” the single has a positive vibe to it that we desperately need on playlists globally!

“WHEN I’M GONE” – Johnny Orlando, Ali Gatie

Johnny Orlando pairs up with fellow tourmate Ali Gatie on “When I’m Gone”, it’s another winner from the star who continues to change the landscape of how to be a star in today’s day and age. The single works sonically as well as lyrically as the two bounce off of each other really well. The only gripe here is the short length of the song. Clocking in at 2:21, the song feels a bit incomplete, but then again the whole industry has shorted the lengths of songs further and further and who knows, maybe part 2 is just around the corner?

“BITE ME” – ENHYPEN

First things first, Enhypen is as manufactured K-pop as it gets. Yet, I have to admit, “Bite Me” might possibly be the most daring single from a Korean boy band I’ve seen in quite a while. The single’s choreography music video is already generating complaints as many are deeming the dancing too “suggestive” with the female dancers. While all the members are over 18, it’s funny to see this kind of outrage from a genre that has usually prided itself on Disney-level purity. In many ways, I hope the single is the first step towards the evolution of the genre where bands can explore more lyrically and visually – because like it or not, sex sells and it also travels well! The single is instantly catchy and unlike most bands except of course BTS, Enhypen are in a sweet spot where this controversy could actually give them global mileage. The music has always been first-rate but it’s time the music got a slight maturity upgrade. Every age group should get to enjoy the genre and the constant bops produced!

Even More Hits!

HEARTBREAK BABY – Gretta Ray

ALRIGHT OK – Stace Cadet

POTENTIAL – BOBI ANDONOV

CUT TOO DEEP – BLESSED, bella amor

Listen To #HITSOFTOMORROW Playlist on Spotify!