Music. It is a powerful thing that brings people together, creates memories, and evokes emotions. It is the universal language that speaks to the soul. It forms the soundtrack of our lives.
It has now been five years since we last counted down the Top 200 artists in my iTunes library, featuring the songs I have listened to the most since 2007. It is time to do so again, seeing which performers still resonate and if any newer ones have joined the fray. So, without further ado, here are my most listened to artists, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2026.
We continue today with our next batch of ten artists, covering the genres of pop and rock, with an actor and a stadium organist for good measure. We have a single group making their debut on the list this week.
#180: Nancy Faust
iTunes stats: 64 plays
Previous ranking: #140
The former White Sox organist, who returned for a few Sunday appearances last season, drops another 40 spots due to the removal of her then-final performance of Take Me Out to the Ballgame from my victory playlist, which means she only gained four new listens over these past five years.
#178: Firehouse
iTunes stats: 65 plays
Previous ranking: #188
The glam band, who somehow beat out both Alice in Chains and Nirvana for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist at the 1992 American Music Awards, added 20 new listens to the three songs that make up their play total.
#178: Letters to Cleo
iTunes stats: 65 plays
Previous ranking: #164
The years have not been kind to the Boston-based band, who have dropped 86 spots on this last over the past nine years, adding twelve listens to the three songs, only two of which I have actually listened to, in my collection.
#176: Depeche Mode
iTunes stats: 66 plays
Previous ranking: #178
Members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2020, the English band formed in 1980 picks up 17 additional plays of their three songs in my collection.
#176: Jason Segel
iTunes stats: 66 plays
Previous ranking: #169
The human star of The Muppets picked up fourteen additional plays for the four songs credited to him in my collection.
#170: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
iTunes stats: 67 plays
Previous ranking: #161
The former Runaway and her backup band fall ten spots after adding thirteen additional listens to the three songs in my collection.
#170: Bill Haley & His Comets
iTunes stats: 67 plays
Previous ranking: NR
Two tracks, including one featured in Clue: The Movie, inform the total from this foundational rock and roll band, originally founded in 1947 and continuing to perform until Haley’s death in 1981.
#170: Three Dog Night
iTunes stats: 67 plays
Previous ranking: #194
Inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000, founded in 1967, add 22 plays over the past five years for the three songs I have in my collection.
#170: Juliana Hatfield
iTunes stats: 67 plays
Previous ranking: #171
The former Blake Babies member makes her second appearance, this time as a solo artist, adding 16 listens to the three solo tracks that have made their way into my collection.
#170: Cher
iTunes stats: 67 plays
Previous ranking: #143
Two solo tracks, including a remake of her most famous track with Beavis and Butt-head replacing her former husband, gave the Oscar and Grammy winner eight new listens over these past five years.