Music News

Summer Twirls

EW.com rates the Fourth's hottest rock, pop, and country hits

More

'LOVE' SONGS Hill and hubby McGraw set the airwaves afire

Hill: Gregg DeGuire/LFI

By Craig Seymour

It just wouldn't be the Fourth of July weekend without those can't-avoid-'em summer radio hits. (Remember ''Bills, Bills, Bills'' by Destiny's Child or Len's ''Steal My Sunshine'' from last year? Of course you do.) To find out which songs will be drilled into your sun-baked noodle in the coming days and weeks, EW Online surveyed music directors at leading pop, rock, country, and urban radio stations across the nation. And we'll be checking back with them every few weeks as a part of our ongoing hit watch. Here're this week's picks.

POP
The tune ''Who Let the Dogs Out,'' by Baha Men -- a trio of young Jamaican dudes, including one with a short-cropped shock of Sisqó-like platinum hair.
The sound A bark-heavy frat chant over reggae lite beats
It's this year's... ''Mambo No. 5.''
Radio take ''It sticks in your head the first time you hear it,'' says John Ivey of KISS 108 in Boston. ''It's real catchy, with a little bit of a Latin feel.''
Our take Far from bitchin'. Should be put to sleep.

ROCK
The tune ''American Bad Ass,'' by Detroit's Kid Rock
The sound A ragin' tribute to his own randy success backed by a revved-up Metallica sample
It's this year's... ''Bawitaba.''
Radio take ''It's gonna be the summer anthem,'' says Tony Tilford, music director of WNNS in Cleveland, Ohio. ''Kid Rock has the [badass] attitude and the song has a big chant in it. You can't have an anthem without a chant.'' Our take How can this Porn in the U.S.A. classic not be a hit?

COUNTRY
The tune ''Let's Make Love,'' by Nashville marrieds Faith Hill and Tim ''Misdemeanor'' McGraw
The sound Easy on the twang. Heavy on the sap.
It's this year's... ''When I Said I Do'' by the equally wedded Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black.
Radio take ''It's already monstrous, and they're about to launch a nationwide tour,'' explains Rick McCracken, music director of WSOC in Charlotte, N.C. ''And country fans are very family oriented. They want to hear these two together.''
Our take Beach blanket cuddle music

URBAN
The tune ''No More,'' by Baltimore-bred newcomers Ruff Endz (no relation to the Ruff Ryders)
The sound The bounciest and breeziest way a guy has ever broken up with his gold-digging gal
It's this year's... response to last year's dude-dissin' anthems like ''Bills'' and ''No Scrubs.''
Radio take ''Guys are making a comeback this year,'' says Preeti Vasudeva, assistant music director at New York's HOT 97 of the currently male-dominated R&B chart (Carl Thomas, Donell Jones, Jagged Edge, Avant). ''And 'No More' is very laid back and summery.''
Our take A block-party essential

Posted Jun 30, 2000 | Order Article Reprints