3 years ago, we first counted down the then Top 100 artists in my iTunes library. Since that time, I’ve successfully managed to migrate my music collection to a new PC with the stats intact. So, I figured it was time to take another look, expanding out the field to the top 200 artists, based on number of plays from late 2007 through January 1, 2017.
We break in to the second half of the list today with a diverse mix of musical genres.
#97: Smash Mouth
iTunes stats: 46 plays
Previous ranking: #72
A scant 13 new listens over the past 3 years led to a 25 spot drop for the NorCal band.
#97: Oblivion
iTunes stats: 46 plays
Previous ranking: N/A
The local punk band, fronted by a co-worker, uses the 10 tracks from their final album to make up this total.
#97: Oasis
iTunes stats: 46 plays
Previous ranking: #84
The British band, who at one point claimed to be bigger than Jesus, drop 13 slots thanks to 18 new listens to their 3 songs.
#97: Arrested Development
iTunes stats: 46 plays
Previous ranking: #80
The Atlanta-based new age rap band drops 17 slots thanks to 16 new listens to their 3 songs in the past 3 years.
#96: Jewel
iTunes stats: 47 plays
Previous ranking: N/A
The chanteuse debuts on the chart thanks to 8 different tracks.
#95: Roxette
iTunes stats: 48 plays
Previous ranking: #88
The Swedish duo drop 7 spots despite 21 additional listens to their 5 tunes.
#94: The Beach Boys
iTunes stats: 49 plays
Previous ranking: #84
The surf rock pioneers drop 10 spots in the rankings despite 21 new listens to their 5 songs in the past 3 years.
#93: U2
iTunes stats: 50 plays
Previous ranking: #88
The self-satisfied Bono and crew drop 5 spots on the list thanks to 23 new listens over the last 3 years.
#92: Neil Diamond
iTunes stats: 52 plays
Previous ranking: #94
A 2 spot jump for the American singer-songwriter considered to be the third most successful adult contemporary artist ever on the Billboard charts, thanks to 28 new listens over the past 3 years.
#91: Salt-N-Pepa
iTunes stats: 53 plays
Previous ranking: N/A
The first ladies of rap make their debut thanks to the combined total of their 7 tunes.