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, alternative rock, R&B, and metal, stretching from the 1960s through the 2000s.
#90: P.O.D.
iTunes stats: 122 plays
Previous ranking: #78
The San Diego band responsible for the entrance music for former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks added just ten new plays in the last five years.
#89: Bell Biv DeVoe
iTunes stats: 123 plays
Previous ranking: #83
A small 19% increase for the former members of New Edition cause them to drop six spots in the rankings.
#88: Ozzy Osbourne
iTunes stats: 124 plays
Previous ranking: #89
The one-time Prince of Darkness, who passed away last summer, picked up 31 new listens, for the six different tracks in my collection.
#85: UB40
iTunes stats: 126 plays
Previous ranking: #105
The British reggae band move up 20 spots on the list based on their 45 new listens, now spread across five different tracks.
#85: Christina Aguilera
iTunes stats: 126 plays
Previous ranking: #86
The former Mouseketeer and Voice star sees a 30% play increase, enabling her to rise a single spot.
#85: The Beach Boys
iTunes stats: 126 plays
Previous ranking: #93
The surf rock pioneers jump eight spots in the rankings thanks to 35 new listens to the five songs I’ve listened to in my collection in the past five years.
#84: Soul Asylum
iTunes stats: 128 plays
Previous ranking: #86
An additional 31 listens for the Minneapolis-based band pushes them up two spots in the rankings.
#83: Neil Diamond
iTunes stats: 130 plays
Previous ranking: #82
The 2011 inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame added 25 plays, good for a 24% increase.
#82: The Muffs
iTunes stats: 133 plays
Previous ranking: #88
A healthy six-spot jump for the southern California band most well-known for a Fruitopia commercial back in the day, thanks to 39 new plays over these past five years.
#81: 10,000 Maniacs
iTunes stats: 134 plays
Previous ranking: #81
Adding a fourth track to the collection, Natalie Merchant and pals from upstate New York picked up 26 new plays.