Chart Methodology

Each week (most of the time—sometimes I fall behind), I rank my Top 50 favorite songs. How do songs become favorites to me, however? Well, it's a combination of their sound and lyrics. But, likely unusual for a charting scheme, lyrics are generally about twice as important as sound. Other factors can influence songs' rankings on my chart, however, such as radio airplay and/or time played on my computer or MP3 player. Generally, songs I hear more often, will rank higher than those I don't hear as often. But in the uncommon occasion that I start hearing a song too much, then I can start tiring of it, which can prompt it to start falling.

Now, more importantly, circumstances in and around my life, and people I'm close to, can influence the charting songs. For example, songs that bolster me, or have bolstered me, spiritually in times of trial will tend to rank high. One such song was Casting Crowns' Praise You In This Storm, which spent 2 consecutive years in my Top 5, because I think it's an awesome song all around, and because it really strengthened me in late 2005 and 2006; please see my 2006 summary, as well as my Christian background, for more details, if you're interested. Finally, songs that lead me to think of someone, or that remind me of something about her or him, will tend to rank high, and for a long time at that. For one example, Matthew West's You Know Where To Find Me reminds me of my closest friend online, a girl named Emily, and reminds me of how I love being a friend to anyone. I can also interpret the song as God speaking, saying that I know where to find Him. I love songs that can be interpreted in more than 1 way. Well, I hope I've said enough to clarify how I develop my charts, and I hope you enjoy your time here. Thanks for visiting!