We’re now into the first full week of 2025, and last week’s top four songs remain in place, with Dexter and The Moonrocks‘ boisterous “Sad In Carolina” holding on to the top spot for a second week. The song is now in its fifth week at #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart, making it their most successful single yet. “The Faithful Heart” by Wons Phreely + The Horses, “A Fragile Thing” by The Cure and “Hardcore Romance” by Beach Weather remain at #s 2, 3 and 4. Entering the top 10 are “Arrow” by The Head and the Heart, finally breaking loose and jumping seven spots to #8 (the song has spent the past three weeks at #1 on the Billboard AAA chart), and “In The Living Room” by Maggie Rogers, which advances five spots to #9.

Making their debut this week are the enchanting “She Wants To Go Dancing” by Los Angeles-based alternative roots rock band Mt. Joy, entering at #29. The single was released last October, but took a while to appear on my chart, unfortunately. It’s their sixth song to appear on my Top 30. The second debut, at #30, is “People Watching” by English singer-songwriter Sam Fender. Released in November, the song has a pleasing and fast-paced anthemic groove similar to his 2021 hit “Seventeen Going Under”, which went to #1 on my chart.

1. SAD IN CAROLINA – Dexter and The Moonrocks (1)
2. THE FAITHFUL HEART – Wons Phreely + The Horses (2)
3. A FRAGILE THING – The Cure (3)
4. HARDCORE ROMANCE – Beach Weather (4)
5. NEVERENDER – Justice & Tame Impala (7)
6. A TEAR IN SPACE (AIRLOCK) – Glass Animals (8)
7. BOBBY SOX – Green Day (10)
8. ARROW – The Head and the Heart (15)
9. IN THE LIVING ROOM – Maggie Rogers (14)
10. FAVOURITE – Fontaines D.C. (5)
11. DIE WITH A SMILE – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars (6)
12. GIVING UP – Michigander (16)
13. GILD THE LILY – Billy Strings (20)
14. NOBODY’S SOLDIER – Hozier (9)
15. CAN’T SLOW DOWN – almost monday (11)
16. AUTUMN LEAVES – Secret Postal Society (18)
17. ROUTINES IN THE NIGHT – twenty one pilots (19)
18. MIND GAME (3:33) – Collette McLafferty & John Serrano (12)
19. DOPAMINE – Sum 41 (13)
20. DARKERSIDE – David Kushner (22)
21. YOU’RE MY DRUG – Talk in Waves (23)
22. SO COLD – Balu Brigada (27)
23. DETROIT – Badflower (24)
24. SAILOR SONG – Gigi Perez (25)
25. DAY & NIGHT – Oli Barton (26)
26. PEACE SONG – Fat Dog (21)
27. SUPERSAD – Suki Waterhouse (17)
28. AFTERLIFE – Sharon Van Etten (30)
29. SHE WANTS TO GO DANCING – Mt. Joy (N)
30. PEOPLE WATCHING – Sam Fender (N)