NFL PICKS! Week 17

Last week: 10-6
Year to date: 153-87 (.638)

(Home teams denoted in bold.)

DeSean Jackson and Washington will likely make the playoffs if they can complete a regular-season sweep of the Giants Sunday. (Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports)

Sunday, January 1

New England (13-2) 31, Miami (10-5) 17
I'd say look for this to be a Divisional Round matchup in two weeks' time, but there's no way the Dolphins get out of the Wild Card game.

Indianapolis (7-8) 25, Jacksonville (3-12) 18
It will be the battle of field goal kickers as the Colts reach 8-8 for the second straight season. I'm hoping a six-for-six field goal performance from Adam Vinatieri will help me secure my first fantasy football championship in three years.

Tampa Bay (8-7) 29, Carolina (6-9) 21
For the Bucs to clinch a playoff spot, about seven other games have to finish a certain way. If this is anything like a certain team about 10 years ago (it may have been five seasons ago and I don't remember the team, so who knows), every single one of the other games will finish exactly how they need to for Tampa to get in, but the Buccaneers will lose anyway. I'm still picking Tampa Bay to win, but not get in the postseason.

Minnesota (7-8) 19, Chicago (3-12) 7
The Vikings are officially the sixth team in the Super Bowl era to start a season 5-0 or better and miss out on the playoffs. Hopefully their defense will play with some motivation against a highly inefficient Bears squad, because again, I want to win that fantasy championship.

Pittsburgh (10-5) 42, Cleveland (1-14) 2
There's no way the Cleveland Browns go into Pittsburgh in December, coming off the emotional high of their first win in 18 games, and win a second straight game. You can take that to the bank.

Jets (4-11) 30, Buffalo (7-8) 17
The Bills need a little continuity at head coach. Firing Rex Ryan after what could have been two straight .500 seasons seems a little hasty to me. Buffalo is now on its ninth head coach (interims included) in the 20 seasons since Marv Levy's final year with the team.

Dallas (13-2) 41, Philadelphia (6-9) 26
Ezekiel Elliott needs 178 yards to beat Eric Dickerson's rookie rushing record. I hope the Cowboys let Zeke try to break that record because, for the third time, I NEED FANTASY POINTS.

Houston (9-6) 20, Tennessee (8-7) 13
I'm a Titans fan, as most of you well know. I can't even stomach what happened to that team last week. On the bright side, 8-8 is way better than 3-13.

Baltimore (8-7) 24, Cincinnati (5-9-1) 16
The Ravens, with a win last week, would have had a chance to sweep the AFC North and earn a playoff bid with this week's game. However, the Ravens did not win last week and this game is essentially meaningless for them. Way to go, John Harbaugh.

Kansas City (11-4) 31, San Diego (5-10) 28
With a win and a Raiders loss, the Chiefs can still earn a first-round bye in the playoffs. But first they have to complete a season sweep of the AFC West with a win against the team that just lost to the Cleveland Browns.

Denver (8-7) 17, Oakland (12-3) 15
With nothing to lose now that their playoff hopes are dashed, the Broncos will throw everything they have into their 2016 finale. Nothing would send Broncos fans off on a happier note than if their team could stop their sworn enemies from winning the AFC West. The Derek Carr-less Raiders are absolutely beatable in the team's regular-season finale.

Seattle (9-5-1) 24, San Francisco (2-13) 6
The Seahawks need a little help from New Orleans to get a first round bye in the upcoming postseason; the teams play at the same time so Seattle needs not to scoreboard-watch lest the Hawks get distracted and slip up against should-be-an-easy-win San Francisco. Who knows, though, maybe Pete Carroll's squad would prefer having to play during Wild Card weekend.

Arizona (6-8-1) 29, Los Angeles (4-11) 12
Thank God the first season back on the West Coast is about to be over for Stan Kroenke and the Rams. The nightmare will continue through the beginning of 2017, as L.A. gave up its first round draft pick next year to grab a quarterback that barely contributed for the Rams all year.

Atlanta (10-5) 38, New Orleans (7-8) 31
After starting hot, the Falcons' quiet second half could result in a first round bye with a win, or as low as the NFC's fourth seed with a loss and wins by Seattle and Detroit. A 10-6 Falcons team could still end up hosting a Divisional Round game if the Seahawks and Lions both lose, but Dan Quinn's squad would much rather clinch things up with a win than have to worry about other games.

Washington (8-6-1) 41, Giants (10-5) 27
As long as the nightcap doesn't end in a tie, Washington will earn the NFC's last playoff berth with a win against the Giants. Everything is in Washington's favor; the Giants have absolutely nothing to play for seeding-wise and have a losing record on the road. Plus, Kirk Cousins is on my fantasy football team which means he needs to have another spectacular passing performance so I can win the championship.

Green Bay (9-6) 28, Detroit (9-6) 27
It's the Packers, on January 1, with probably a playoff berth and definitely an NFC North championship at stake. The only people who are picking against Green Bay in the regular season's final game are fools, Michiganders, and Vikings fans. I'm not saying the Lions don't have a chance, but I'm not going to pick against the Pack with this much on the line.

#Top100of2016: 10-1

This is part of my Top 100 Songs of 2016 series. To see specific entries click on the following links:

Intro | 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

10. Needed Me - Rihanna

Peak: 7 (July 2, July 16-August 6); Weeks on chart: 45; December 31 position: NR

Rihanna, one of my all-time favorite pop artists, had a monster 2016 with the release of her eighth studio album Anti. The album, nominated for several awards, featured the highest-ranking #Top100of2016 song not to spend any time in the Hot 100's top five. However, "Needed" had the fifth-longest Hot 100 run of any song on this list, ensuring its number-10 finish.

9. Can't Stop The Feeling! - Justin Timberlake*

 

Peak: 1 (May 28); Weeks on chart: 32; December 31 position: 39

I initially loved the newest single from white America's favorite R&B artist, but it only took a few listens to decipher the formula J.T. used for his first number one hit as a lead artist in a decade (his last number one as a featured artist came nine years ago with the Timbaland-produced "Give It To Me"). Timberlake stole the bass line from "Can't Feel My Face" and everything else (the community dance video, recorded for a Dreamworks animated movie, and so many other things) from Pharrell's "Happy." The formula helped Justin peak at the top, but he didn't have the staying power at number one that his two "inspirations" did.

8. Panda - Desiigner

Peak: 1 (May 7-14); Weeks on chart: 40; December 31 position: NR

Trap artist Desiigner burst onto the scene this spring with the annoyingly catchy "Panda." As I mentioned previously, I like the Brooklynite's follow-up better. "Panda" peaked right before this year's CUBS top song took over the number one position on the Hot 100 and remained on the chart into December.

7. This Is What You Came For - Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna*



Peak: 3 (August 6, 20-27); Weeks on chart: 32; December 31 position: NR

It was an interesting year for Calvin Harris. After his breakup up with Taylor Swift, it was uncovered that Swift co-wrote and even provided vocals for her then-beau's biggest hit of the year. While I always enjoyed the song because of Rihanna, I began listening to it even more frequently because of Taylor. Calvin's follow-up song "My Way" never got close to being a #Top100of2016 participant, possibly because he already whined enough on Twitter about the breakup.

6. Work - Rihanna feat. Drake

Peak: 1 (March 5-April 30); Weeks on chart: 36; December 31 position: NR

The King and Queen of 2016 spent nine weeks atop the Hot 100 together with this smash hit. A dancehall ode to Rihanna's island origins, "Work" had a lot of people scratching their heads trying to figure what exactly the chief export of Barbados was saying. Somewhere around the end of its reign atop the chart was the time I realized to appreciate this song, even if I never fully loved it.

5. Cheap Thrills - Sia feat. Sean Paul



Peak: 1 (August 6-27); Weeks on chart: 36; December 31 position: NR

Two versions of August's biggest song were popular this year. The Sia-only version was preferred by Spotify, while radio stations frequently played the Sean Paul remix version. Billboard officially lists the version featuring Sean Paul, which at first I didn't enjoy but grew to like as much as the original. "Cheap Thrills" provided Sia with her first ever number one song as a lead or featured artist, and the first number one to include Sean Paul's name in over a decade.

4. Love Yourself - Justin Bieber*



Peak: 1 (February 13 and 27); Weeks on chart: 41; December 31 position: NR

I think "Love Yourself" is my favorite Justin Bieber song to date. The third of three singles from Purpose to reach the top spot, Billboard named it the best-performing song of 2016. My metric ranked it slightly lower, but that doesn't necessarily mean I liked it any less than any of the songs above it on the #Top100of2016. Once again, I reiterate what I said last year that I have enjoyed Bieber's most recent chapter as a musician but Justin has done nothing as a person to earn any more of my respect than at any previous point in history.

3. Stressed Out - twenty one pilots



Peak: 2 (February 27); Weeks on chart: 52; December 31 position: NR

In 2015, little-known rock band twenty one pilots released their fourth studio album, Blurryface, after over a half decade of existence, touring, and independently-released music. "Tear In My Heart" was the first single from that album that I heard, and I enjoyed it. "Stressed Out" came next and catapulted the duo into international recognition. "Stressed" is one of two songs in the #Top100of2016 that spent the length of a full year on the Hot 100 and remains the pilots' most popular song to date. Thanks to this song, and two other high-ranking #Top100of2016 singles, it is without question that I declare twenty one pilots to be the CU:BS Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

2. Don't Let Me Down - The Chainsmokers feat. Daya*



Peak: 3 (July 16-23); Weeks on chart: 44; December 31 position: 43

Two of the artists that twenty one pilots beat out for their well-deserved recognition were collaborators on one of my favorite songs of the year. "Don't Let Me Down" cemented The Chainsmokers' place as serious EDM artists, whereas before this year they were best-remembered for a song that many people considered to be somewhat of a joke. Daya emerged as one of my favorite new vocalists of the year. "Don't Let Me Down" actually accrued 98 more points on my ranking scale than the song that tops the list, but my unwritten rules dictate that the number one song of the year has to have topped the Hot 100 for at least one week. As this song only peaked at number three, it is unfortunately ineligible for the honor of Song of the Year.

That honor, and the honor of CU:BS 2016 Artist of the Year, therefore goes to:

1. One Dance - Drake feat. Wizkid and Kyla

Peak: 1 (May 21, June 4-July 30); Weeks on chart: 36; December 31 position: NR

Considering Drake is responsible in whole or in part for 10 percent of this entire list, it seems only fitting that he should be the lead artist on the #Top100of2016's number one song. Undoubtedly the biggest song of the entire summer (in counting the summer period as existing between Memorial Day and Labor Day, "One Dance" spent more weeks atop the Hot 100 during said time than all other songs combined), Drake's first ever number-one track as a lead artist capped an insanely successful 2016 for the Canadian hip hop legend. Congratulations to Drake and "One Dance" for owning this year, I hope the Views from atop the list are satisfying to him.

As promised, here's that playlist of all the #Top100of2016 songs:


Enjoy, and here's hoping everyone an insanely prosperous 2017!

-c

#Top100of2016: 20-11

This is part of my Top 100 Songs of 2016 series. To see specific entries click on the following links:

Intro | 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

20. Me, Myself, & I - G-Eazy feat. Bebe Rexha

Peak: 7 (March 12-April 9); Weeks on chart: 37; December 31 position: NR

I can't decide who G-Eazy is trying to imitate with his rapping. At times he sounds like Big Sean, at others it seems he's going for a Macklemore vibe. Wait, this gives me an idea. How about he changes his stage name and combines the names of the two guys he wants to be? Ladies and gentleman, I give you the renamed rapping sensation: BIG MAC. (I'll see myself out now, on to the next one!)

19. Closer - The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey*

Peak: 1 (September 3-November 19); Weeks on chart: 20; December 31 position: 3

I was one of the millions of people who just couldn't get enough of the fall's biggest song; "Closer" spent more Hot 100 weeks at number one than any other song this year. The megahit spent 12 weeks atop the chart, most for any song since "Uptown Funk" last year. I streamed "Closer" more than any other song on the #Top100of2016. Had this song been released in the first half of the year, The Chainsmokers would have for sure had two top 10 singles on this list.

18. Cake By The Ocean - DNCE*



Peak: 9 (March 12, March 26-April 9; April 30); Weeks on chart: 46; December 31 position: NR

Last year, I threw out an honorable mention to this song, which only took half a year to get big. When "Cake By The Ocean" finally did take off, it became one of spring's biggest hits. Joe Jonas's band went double platinum with its debut single; a follow-up effort called "Toothbrush" got into the top 50 but had nowhere near "Cake's" success.

17. Ride - twenty one pilots



Peak: 5 (September 10); Weeks on chart: 39; December 31 position: NR

One of 2016's biggest bands, twenty one pilots (stylization theirs, not mine) was the only act not named Justin Bieber to chart at least three top-five hits as a lead artist this year. "Ride" is the lowest-peaking of the three singles from the alternative duo. My favorite part of the song is the bridge. Even though it is exceptionally repetitive, I enjoy the melodic line.

16. My House - Flo Rida 

Peak: 4 (March 19-26, April 9); Weeks on chart: 39; December 31 position: NR

Since breaking onto the scene eight years ago with "Low," the Miami-based Flo Rida has been nothing if not consistent. Nothing Flo has released since "Low" has been an all-time classic. It does, however, seem like every one of his singles cracks the top five for a while before disappearing into relative obscurity; like clockwork, you hear the song out of the blue two years later and remember how much of a jam it actually was. I fully expect to stumble upon "My House" in 2018 and react accordingly.

15. Sorry - Justin Bieber*



Peak: 1 (January 23-February 6); Weeks on chart: 42; December 31 position: NR

After spending the first two months of its Hot 100 life waiting just behind Adele at the number two position, "Sorry" finally got its time in the sun with a three-week run of its own atop the chart. Bieber promptly went and became the only artist this year to replace himself at number one, with a single that you'll be seeing tomorrow.

14. 7 Years - Lukas Graham

Peak: 2 (April 9-23, May 7); Weeks on chart: 36; December 31 position: NR

I never fell in love with the sing-songy hit from Danish foursome Lukas Graham, but "7 Years" was exceptionally popular during spring break season this year. "Years" was the fifth single by Graham to top pop charts in Denmark, but just the first of their songs to chart in the U.S. "Mama Said" also spent time on the Hot 100 this year, but the "Hard Knock Life" rip-off only reached number 36 here.

13. Heathens - twenty one pilots

Peak: 2 (September 24-October 15); Weeks on chart: 26; December 31 position: 15

I thought twenty one pilots' third single of the year was a good song right up until I realized what atrocious movie's soundtrack the song appears on. Just because I'll never be done ranting about Suicide Squad: Thanks, DC Comics, for killing off two of the best-portrayed characters in your entire TV universe just because Will Smith and How To Get Away With Murder Girl have more name recognition. Thanks a lot.

12. I Took A Pill In Ibiza (SeeB Remix) - Mike Posner*

Peak: 4 (May 21); Weeks on chart: 37; December 31 position: NR

Call me an old-timer, because I never forgot Mike Posner's former best pop song. The "Cooler Than Me" producer came back this year with one of my favorite tracks of 2016. The radio remix is definitely the better version of the song; its acoustic version puts me to sleep. I was glad to have Posner back on the airwaves either way.

11. Work From Home - Fifth Harmony feat. Ty Dolla $ign

Peak: 4 (June 11-18); Weeks on chart: 34; December 31 position: NR

In the time since I wrote about Second Harmony's lower song on the #Hot100of2016, the band's absolute worst member has departed the group. That still doesn't change the fact that the group still exists and this was by far the most annoying song on this entire list. Here's hoping that with Canola Cannelloni's exit these girls go the One Direction route and starting focusing on more actual music and less production, but until then I absolutely can not remotely enjoy this group.

Tomorrow, the countdown concludes with the revealing of the #CUBS artist of the year, best new artist, and the Top Song of 2016.

#Top100of2016: 30-21

This is part of my Top 100 Songs of 2016 series. To see specific entries click on the following links:

Intro | 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

30. I Hate U, I Love U - Gnash feat. Olivia O'Brien

Peak: 10 (October 22, November 12); Weeks on chart: 35; December 31 position: 25

Gnash has the vocal range of my best friend growing up (loved the guy to death, but he couldn't sing to save his life) and the capitalization skills of someone who has never seen a shift key, ever. I had a fun time the last time I heard this song making up lyrics to mock it, until I realized the chorus is melodically identical to one of my favorite pop songs of the year. What a ripoff.

29. Too Good - Drake feat. Rihanna

Peak: 14 (September 3-10); Weeks on chart: 29; December 31 position: NR

During a week in which rumors of Drake and Jennifer Lopez being an item are running rampant all over the internet, I would like to come out publicly as still being a believer in Dra'anna. Although Ri is way too good for The Artist Formerly Known As The Degrassi Wheelchair Kid, the way Drake has always been smitten with the Barbados Beauty is inspiring to me. As far as this song goes, it sounds a lot like "Controlla" but I like it better, mostly because its two singers are SO DARN CUTE TOGETHER.

28. Stitches - Shawn Mendes

Peak: 4 (one week in 2015); Weeks on chart: 52; December 31 position: NR

Dear America: Please explain to me your obsession with this kid. I don't get it. He is a C-minus singer at best, but for some unexplained reason his hit "Stitches" spent a full year on the Hot 100 in 2015 and 2016. The only reason I can think of is we enjoy torturing ourselves. I mean, if you need further proof, look no further than November 8.

27. Hello - Adele*



Peak: 1 (seven weeks in 2015; January 2-16); Weeks on chart: 26; December 31 position: NR

The number one hit at the year's beginning, and our re-introduction to Adele, is vastly superior to the previous song on this list yet somehow only spent half as long in the Hot 100. For only 19 of its 26 Hot 100 weeks to occur this year, I'd say "Hello" finished remarkably high on the #Top100of2016. There is another Adele song that finished slightly higher, which is a few spots ahead on this list.

26. Let Me Love You - DJ Snake feat. Justin Bieber



Peak: 4 (October 8, October 29-November 19); Weeks on chart: 19; December 31 position: 9

Bieber mania has continued throughout 2016, with Justin's music pleasingly much, much more prevalent than his face. Two Biebs collabs with recently-popular DJs were top 10 mainstays throughout the second half of the year. Probably my less favorite of the two is "Let Me Love You." While it's a solid track, I never really fell in love with the song.

25. Broccoli - D.R.A.M. feat. Lil Yachty



Peak: 5 (November 5-19); Weeks on chart: 27; December 31 position: 17

I may be the only one who thinks this way, but I'm pretty sure D.R.A.M. (abbreviation for "Does Real Ass Music") is actually a Jordan Peele character. Either way, "Broccoli" is a gimmicky hit that I surprisingly found enjoyable over the last quarter of the year. At its peak, the hip-hop track enjoyed a three-week top five run before "Black Beatles" jumped over it as the most-played rap song in the country.

24. Send My Love (To Your New Lover) - Adele

Peak: 8 (September 24); Weeks on chart: 27; December 31 position: NR

I enjoyed Adele's third single from 25 for about a month and a half, before it started getting overplayed on every radio station I listened to (I'm pretty sure it popped up on the rap station at one point, too). A cover featuring three of my favorite YouTubers of all time was one of my favorite videos of the year and may have helped just a little bit in making "Send My Love" the biggest Adele track of 2016.

23. Cold Water - Major Lazer feat. Justin Bieber and MØ



Peak: 2 (August 13 & 27, September 10-17); Weeks on chart: 21; December 31 position: 40

The second half of the year kicked off with Major Lazer and MØ's follow-up to the massively successful "Lean On." Featuring Justin Bieber as well, "Cold Water" spent most of the late summer and early fall in the top five and - despite its popularity - never got old to me. Check back the rest of this week for even more Bieber.

22. Pillowtalk - Zayn



Peak: 1 (February 20); Weeks on chart: 24; December 31 position: NR

Released by everyone's least-favorite former One Direction member, "Pillowtalk" was the first solo project from any of the five British heartthrobs. The Directioners, desperate for any music from any of their gods, predictably ate it up, so much so that "Pillowtalk" debut at number one on the Hot 100. For the entirety of its Hot 100 run, I avoided this song like the plague. However, after it was mostly off the airwaves I found the debut track from Malik's Mind of Mine (Tha Carter III knockoff, anyone?) to be at the very least tolerable.

21. Treat You Better - Shawn Mendes

Peak: 6 (October 8-15); Weeks on chart: 28; December 31 position: 32

In case I haven't said it already, enough with Shawn Mendes! The fangirls pushed his follow-up to "Stitches" all the way into the number six spot, and at year's end "Better" had already passed the half-year duration threshold that only about 40 other songs achieved in 2016. I'm done talking about this sorry excuse for a musician.

Tomorrow, I reveal my most-played song on the #Top100of2016 and we get Closer and closer to the reveal of the top 10 songs of the entire year.

#Top100of2016: 40-31

This is part of my Top 100 Songs of 2016 series. To see specific entries click on the following links:

Intro | 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

40. Low Life - Future feat. The Weeknd

Peak: 18 (May 7); Weeks on chart: 35; December 31 position: NR

Future is one of the few artists on this list about whom I can't find anything praiseworthy. The man's voice essentially reminds me of a computer who doesn't enunciate. As far as the song itself goes, "Low Life" has a haunting beat that I appreciate, but couldn't fall in love with. The Weeknd provided a solid but not exceptional vocal track to almost salvage this song from whatever it is Future does.

39. Jumpman - Drake feat. Future

Peak: 12 (one week in 2015, January 9, 23-30); Weeks on chart: 32; December 31 position: NR

Similarly, Future brings down an otherwise solid-enough Drake track in one of the year's first hits. "Jumpman" began a 2016 union of the two stars that featured a co-headlining tour this summer. There was an article I read at some point during the time the two were touring that recounts the author - himself a rap purist, so to speak - growing an appreciation for the "trap" style represented by Future. While I appreciated his willingness to accept new forms and can tolerate certain other trap artists, I still don't find Future specifically enjoyable. 

38. Never Forget You - Zara Larsson feat. MNEK*



Peak: 13 (June 4-11); Weeks on chart: 23; December 31 position: NR

One of my favorite tracks of 2016 was this collaboration between 19-year-old Swedish songstress Zara Larsson and 22-year-old British producer MNEK. Complete with a music video ripped straight out of the mind of Maurice Sendak, "Never Forget You" was an earworm for me throughout the summer and into the fall. This is just the second Hot 100 single for Larsson - who's been on the scene in Europe for already nearly a decade, and MNEK's first song to chart in the United States.

37. Starboy - The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk



Peak: 2 (October 22-November 19, December 17-31); Weeks on chart: 13; December 31 position: 2

The title track from The Weekend's third studio album has spent practically the entire last quarter of 2016 in the top three and finally hit the coveted top spot on the Hot 100 for the January 7, 2017 chart. Daft Punk produced the infectious beat for the profanity-laden "Starboy," which all but ensures The Weeknd's spot in the discussion of this decade's most prosperous artists.

36. Don't - Bryson Tiller

Peak: 13 (January 30); Weeks on chart: 34; December 31 position: NR

As I mentioned earlier this week, Tiller is an artist I haven't quite grown to enjoy yet. Of the two songs by him on this list I probably like "Don't" slightly better, if only because I can presently remember how it sounds. Perhaps with time and a few more Hot 100 hits I will grow to appreciate Bryson Tiller more, but for now he is a mostly forgettable rap artist.

35. Controlla - Drake

Peak: 16 (July 30); Weeks on chart: 26; December 31 position: NR

"Controlla" is the first of three Views songs on the #Top100of2016 that were all popular during the summer and fall and all sounded exceptionally similar. This is the only of the three to not include a featured artist, perhaps the reason it finished as the lowest of the trio. I didn't mind this song because I don't mind Drake, but I didn't love it because of its similarity to his two more successful singles from the album.

34. Just Like Fire - P!nk



Peak: 10 (June 18-25); Weeks on chart: 26; December 31 position: NR

I liked the newest P!nk single for a while, but never fell in love with it. After a couple of months I found "Fire" to be overplayed and really too average of a song to be worthy of the top 10. The fact that it was used to promote a sequel to the live-action Alice In Wonderland movie that I don't think many people were that excited to see in the first place likely added to my annoyance with the song.

33. Side To Side - Ariana Grande feat. Nicki Minaj



Peak: 4 (December 3, December 17); Weeks on chart: 16; December 31 position: 5

The second-most successful single from the Dangerous Woman era is probably my least-favorite song released from the album. The collaboration between two of the most recognizable women in their respective genres spent all of December in the top five, but never caught on with me like "Focus," "Dangerous Woman" or "Into You" did. Nicki Minaj, though tolerable in this track, nonetheless brings it down for me.

32. Dangerous Woman - Ariana Grande*



Peak: 8 (June 11); Weeks on chart: 21; December 31 position: NR

I am completely and utterly obsessed with the title track from Ariana's third studio album; "Dangerous Woman" was my third most-played song of the entire year and for good reason. The sultry song is one of the more unique tracks of 2016 from a chord structure perspective. Matched with Grande's powerful vocals (she still can't enunciate, but whatever), the song kind of makes me want #Clariana to be a thing again.

31. Roses - The Chainsmokers feat. Rozes

Peak: 6 (February 13); Weeks on chart: 31; December 31 position: NR

Remember the viral trend that was "let me take a selfie?" Well, those guys were back in 2016, in an absolutely yuuuge way (yuuuge, by the way, is my pick for word of the year). The Chainsmokers started off this year with this track, by no means the greatest song ever recorded, but certainly with far more musicality than the band's previous hit. It was a sign of things to come for the DJ duo, who you'll be seeing much more from in the coming days.

Tomorrow, I'll reveal the highest-ranking #Top100of2016 song to peak outside the top 10 (Spoiler alert: it's from a guy you've seen a lot of already).

#Top100of2016: 50-41

This is part of my Top 100 Songs of 2016 series. To see specific entries click on the following links:

Intro | 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

50. Same Old Love - Selena Gomez

Peak: 5 (January 30); Weeks on chart: 28; December 31 position: NR

Selena Gomez spent most of 2016 disappearing from the public eye then reappearing, but started the year with two of the hottest songs in the United States. "Same Old Love" was Selena's second straight single to reach number five on the Hot 100; it met its peak as her third single from Revival was beginning to climb the charts. Said third single makes its #Top100of2016 appearance today as well; keep reading to see where it wound up on the list.

49. Don't Mind - Kent Jones

Peak: 8 (July 16, August 8); Weeks on chart: 20; December 31 position: NR

Hip-hop newcomer Kent Jones reached the top 10 with his debut solo single during the middle of the summer. "Don't Mind" was one of the more enjoyable rap songs of the summer for me; its melody was catchy and the lyrics, though simplistic and unoriginal, were unique to this year. In fact, the most recent "I don't care what language you speak" song I can remember on the radio was Derulo's "Talk Dirty" two years ago. In pop music, two years is an awfully long time to recycle a lyrical concept.

48. For Free - DJ Khaled feat. Drake

Peak: 13 (August 20); Weeks on chart: 20; December 31 position: NR

The king of Snapchat and creator of our generation's victory anthem had a musical resurgence in 2016. The Miami-based hip-hop producer charted four singles in the same year for the first time in his decade-long career. So far the most successful single from his first-ever gold-certified album, Major Key, is this collaboration with Drake; Khaled also reached the top 30 this year with the Jay-Z/Future-featured "I Got The Keys" and "Do You Mind," a track featuring Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown.

47. The Hills - The Weeknd

Peak: 1 (six weeks in 2015); Weeks on chart: 48; December 31 position: NR

The Weeknd's most successful 2015 single was the third-longest tenured song to appear in the Hot 100 this year, sticking around through May's first issue of Billboard. After the song had been off the chart for a few months, I remember hearing "The Hills" again and remarkably enjoying it. Check back tomorrow for even more of the crazy-haired Canadian.

46. Gold - Kiiara*



Peak: 13 (October 22); Weeks on chart: 27; December 31 position: NR

After initially not knowing how I felt about this song, there came a point when I suddenly and irreversibly fell in love with "Gold." It has remained in the heaviest of rotations in my personal soundtrack ever since, and wound up among my 50 most-played songs of the entire year. I'm excited to see how 21-year-old Kiiara's career continues.

45. Hands To Myself - Selena Gomez

Peak: 7 (February 13); Weeks on chart: 20; December 31 position: NR

Spending one week in the top 10 (Gomez was one of two artists with multiple singles in the top 10 that week as "Same Old Love" was in the eight-spot), "Hands" quickly fell off the chart. Of Selena's recent singles, I found this one least enjoyable. I never could fall in love with her whisper-singing in the verses.

44. Hotline Bling - Drake

Peak: 2 (5 weeks in 2015); Weeks on chart: 36; December 31 position: NR

"Hotline" was one of America's hottest songs at the end of 2015. It remained a top 20 hit through February and fell off the Hot 100 altogether shortly before Drake released Views. I don't hate this song; however, unlike "The Hills" I never found it exceptionally enjoyable months after its chart departure.

43. One Call Away - Charlie Puth

Peak: 12 (March 5); Weeks on chart: 26; December 31 position: NR

The man behind the chorus of last year's "See You Again" is perhaps the most underrated male vocalist in pop music. Charlie Puth never got anywhere near the Hot 100 recognition he deserved for his sophomore solo single; the song did peak higher than his first effort, a collaboration with Meghan Trainor. To date, "One Call" is the Nine Track Mind crooner's second-most successful Hot 100 appearance.

42. We Don't Talk Anymore - Charlie Puth feat. Selena Gomez

Peak: 9 (October 8); Weeks on chart: 24; December 31 position: NR

The highest-peaking Puth single of all time comes next on this list. A collaboration with the most familiar face in today's segment reached number nine to become Charlie's first top 10 hit ever, and the third top 10 single to feature Selena this year. A ballad of love lost, "We Don't Talk" was out of the Hot 100 by year's end despite only peaking in October.

41. H.O.L.Y. - Florida Georgia Line



Peak: 14 (July 16-30); Weeks on chart: 22; December 31 position: NR

Duo Florida Georgia Line continues to be the most successful country-pop group of the decade. I've yet to meet a country music fan who speaks highly of this band, but they find chart success nonetheless. "H.O.L.Y." (stands for "High On Loving You") is by far a departure from previous FGL hits such as "Cruise" and "This Is How We Roll." Still, the ballad wound up the highest-ranking country song (again, my country music friends will tell you it's not actually country music) on the #Hot100of2016.

Tomorrow, the makers of 2014's biggest joke song return to pop music as serious artists. More Ariana, Drake and The Weeknd songs show up as well!

#Top100of2016: 60-51

This is part of my Top 100 Songs of 2016 series. To see specific entries click on the following links:

Intro | 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

60. Black Beatles - Rae Sremmurd feat. Gucci Mane

Peak: 1 (November 26-December 31); Weeks on chart: 14; December 31 position: NR

Currently the top song in the nation, "Black Beatles" is the first number one hit for rap group Rae Sremmurd. The song has risen to massive popularity as the soundtrack to the wildly popular mannequin challenge. Not since the Harlem Shake has a song been driven to the number one spot by its use in a viral meme, and of the two "Beatles" is far and away the better song.

59. Let It Go - James Bay

Peak: 16 (July 23); Weeks on chart: 34; December 31 position: NR

British singer-songwriter James Bay emerged quietly last year with "Hold Back The River," a song that was extremely popular overseas but never gained traction in the U.S. Still, he was rewarded with a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist then reached Billboard's top 20 with this follow-up song in 2016. "Let It Go" is a solid record, but not among my favorites on this list.

58. In The Night - The Weeknd



Peak: 12 (January 2); Weeks on chart: 20; December 31 position: NR

The final single from Beauty Behind The Madness to have extended success, "In The Night" was popular for The Weeknd at the start of the year. "Night" never reached the top 10; it is probably the most underrated single The Weeknd came out with last year.

57. 2 Phones - Kevin Gates 

Peak: 17 (April 23); Weeks on chart: 25; December 31 position: NR

From his debut studio album Islah comes Kevin Gates' first single to reach a CU:BS Top 100 list. I wasn't much of a fan of "2 Phones" this year; however, it was far from the worst track of the year. If nothing else, "Phones" provides the launching pad for the career of the heavily-inked Louisiana native. It will be interesting to see if Gates' career blossoms into future Hot 100 successes.

56. Starving - Hailee Steinfeld and Grey feat. Zedd*

 

Peak: 12 (December 17); Weeks on chart: 20; December 31 position: 19

I fell in love with this track almost immediately upon hearing it. The electro-pop track with a female leading vocal fit right into my musical aesthetic and has been one of my favorite tracks of the latter half of 2016. 20-year-old starlet Hailee Steinfeld has hopefully found her musical niche with just the third single of her budding career.

55. 24K Magic - Bruno Mars

Peak: 4 (December 10, December 24-31); Weeks on chart: 10; December 31 position: 4

Bruno Mars can do no wrong. The much-anticipated follow up to 2015's number one song "Uptown Funk" has not left the top 10 since its October debut. The infectious "24K Magic" has been one of my most-enjoyed songs of the last two months and ignited a renewed obsession with Bruno - six of the 100 or so songs I have in heavy rotation this month are Mars classics.

54. Into You - Ariana Grande*

Peak: 13 (August 27-September 3); Weeks on chart: 24; December 31 position: NR

Ariana Grande made her way back into my life with the release of her new album Dangerous Woman, and her third single from the album was one of my most enjoyed songs of the year. Ari puts the sad boys in their place and takes charge of her own love life in the only Dangerous single not to have cracked the top 10. It's nice that we can put the donut-licking Ariana of 2015 out of our minds...mostly.

53. NO - Meghan Trainor

Peak: 3 (April 16-23); Weeks on chart: 20; December 31 position: NR

"No" is kind of a cute song, but still is a thinly-veiled expression of Trainor's narcissism. At least the song somewhat represents the idea of independence and shuns the idea of needing to go home with someone every time you go out, which is very nice. If "No" came from an artist I had more respect for I may even have gone so far as to say I liked it.

52. Here - Alessia Cara*



Peak: 5 (February 6); Weeks on chart: 34; December 31 position: NR

Alessia Cara was a top-five newcomer this winter with her introverts' anthem "Here." This song was the catalyst for a 2016 that saw three Cara tracks land on my Spotify most-played list. To date, "Here" is the best-performing song from the 20-year-old Canadian songstress, who is nominated for a People's Choice Award for Best Breakout Artist in 2017.

51. What Do You Mean? - Justin Bieber

Peak: 1 (one week in 2015); Weeks on chart: 31; December 31 position: NR

The debut single from Bieber's Purpose went five-times platinum and remained a Hot 100 hit through the first quarter of 2016. "What Do You Mean" was the first of three songs from the album to hit number one, but the only one of the three to not end the year as one of my most-played songs. We'll be seeing much more of the Biebs as our countdown nears its conclusion later this week.

Tomorrow, look for two more songs that peaked last year, as well as a healthy dose of the man responsible for the vocals in another of 2015's biggest hits.

#Top100of2016: 70-61

This is part of my Top 100 Songs of 2016 series. To see specific entries click on the following links:

Intro | 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

70. Luv - Tory Lanez

Peak: 19 (September 24); Weeks on chart: 22; December 31 position: NR

As I mentioned yesterday, Tory Lanez is one of my least favorite artists of 2016. His heavily-autotuned whining barely counts as music, and "Luv" proves this all too well. The second of Lanez's two singles was most popular in the early fall and earned designation of his most successful song of 2016.

69. 697 - Fetty Wap feat. Remy Boyz


Peak: 4 (one week in 2015); Weeks on chart: 40; December 31 position: NR

2015's best new artist stayed on the Hot 100 through mid-April with "679," to date his second-most successful single behind his breakthrough hit "Trap Queen." Fetty released four singles in 2016 to little acclaim; "Jimmy Choo" and "Wake Up" both peaked within the top 20 of the hot R&B/hip-hop chart but had nearly nonexistent runs on the Hot 100.

68. The Greatest - Sia feat. Kendrick Lamar



Peak: 18 (December 10-24); Weeks on chart: 15; December 31 position: 28

Following her first number one single as a lead artist earlier this year, Sia had mild success with "Greatest." The collaboration with seven-time Grammy winner Kendrick Lamar has been popular throughout the last quarter of 2016. I haven't heard this song enough to decide whether I like it.

67. Unsteady - X Ambassadors



Peak: 20 (December 10); Weeks on chart: 31; December 31 position: 42

"Unsteady" is the follow-up from the band responsible for one of my favorite songs to go relatively under-the-radar so far this decade. While I don't mind this song, I still prefer "Renegades" to X Ambassadors' most popular song of 2016. However, "Unsteady" is more pleasing to me then the #Top100of2016 song which includes this band as a featured artist; keep reading to see my thoughts on said other song.

66. Close - Nick Jonas feat. Tove Lo

Peak: 14 (July 2); Weeks on chart: 20; December 31 position: NR

Perhaps my favorite pop artist of 2016 is Tove Lo, who released her steamy, f-bomb laden sophomore album just before Halloween. However, it's as a featured artist that she makes her only appearance on this list. The Swedish songstress teamed up with heartthrob Nick Jonas for the what was the latter's only #Top100of2016 performance as well. Speaking of Nick Jonas team-ups, his carpool karaoke session with Demi Lovato was one of the highlights of 2016.

65. Like I'm Gonna Lose You - Meghan Trainor feat. John Legend

Peak: 8 (one week in 2015); Weeks on chart: 39; December 31 position: NR

Shortly before dying her hair and stealing the Best New Artist Grammy from Tori Kelly and James Bay, Meghan Trainor entered 2016 with a top-10 hit. "Lose You" stayed in the top 10 for the entirety of January before eventually dropping out of the Hot 100 at the start of April. Her collaboration with Mr. Chrissy Teigen (John Legend may be a star, but the Queen of Twitter is second to none) is still one of Trainor's most tolerable songs.

64. Juju On That Beat (TZ Anthem) - Zay Hilfigerrr & Zayion McCall



Peak: 5 (December 10); Weeks on chart: 12; December 31 position: 8

After Silento's "Watch Me" last year, it was only a matter of time before the newest teen-infused dance craze took flight. Cue 15-year-old Zay and 17-year-old Zayion, whose infectious "Juju" ended 2016 in the top 10. For whatever reason, this jam is less annoying to me than last year's major dance hit. While on the topic of dance crazes a #Top100of2016 honorable mention goes to the Running Man, whose virality brought the Ghost Town DJ's 1995 hit "My Boo" back into the Hot 100 for five weeks this summer.

63. Me Too - Meghan Trainor

Peak: 13 (August 13); Weeks on chart: 20; December 31 position: NR

At last, a song that proves what I've been saying all along: Meghan Trainor is exceptionally conceited. That said, Meghan, I have news for you. Like this song suggests I am not you, but unlike this song suggests, I do not want to be you. America also seemed to take note of Trainor's me-first mentality; this is only her second single not to crack the Hot 100's top 10 after the equally self-centered "Dear Future Husband" last year.

62. Oui - Jeremih

Peak: 19 (April 23); Weeks on chart: 27; December 31 position: NR

This is Jeremih's most successful single since 2014's top-10 hit "Don't Tell 'Em," and one of the more underrated tracks of the year. "Oui" (spelled like the French word for yes but used as the first-person nominative pronoun in English) samples the 1992 Shai track "If I Ever Fall In Love," which was also covered this year by Pentatonix and Jason Derulo.

61. Sucker For Pain - Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa and Imagine Dragons with Logic and Ty Dolla $ign feat. X Ambassadors

Peak: 15 (August 27); Weeks on chart: 22; December 31 position: NR

While admittedly catchy, this six-way hip hop/rock mega crossover seems like somewhat of an ill-advised collaboration. Perhaps that's fitting though, considering "Sucker" comes from the soundtrack for the DC comic book movie literally no one asked for. I'm still enraged at the DC execs for killing off the Suicide Squad characters portrayed flawlessly by Cynthia Addai-Robinson and Michael Rowe in Arrow just to resurrect them as name-brand ticket-sellers in another terrible movie. I'll save more Suicide Squad ranting for next week.

In the meantime, come back tomorrow for two of the hottest songs out currently and a whole slew of this decade's pop icons.