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 final batch of ten artists, bringing us to the brink of the top ten.
#20: Nirvana
iTunes stats: 495 plays
Previous ranking: #20
The seven-time Grammy nominees, and one time winner, stay even on the charts thanks to 121 new listens, good for a 32% increase.
#19: R.E.M.
iTunes stats: 503 plays
Previous ranking: #18
The 2007 inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame picked up 115 additional plays over the past five years, dropping them one spot.
#18: Elvis Presley
iTunes stats: 510 plays
Previous ranking: #16
The King of Rock & Roll, who died in 1977, adds 111 plays to his total from five years ago, dropping two spots in the rankings.
#17: Taylor Swift
iTunes stats: 212 plays
Previous ranking: #38
The fourteen-time Grammy winner, who is halfway towards an EGOT, saw a 158% increase with 336 new plays, thanks in part to a many new albums added to the collection.
#15: Alanis Morissette
iTunes stats: 576 plays
Previous ranking: #15
The former You Can’t Do That on Television star, who I saw in 1996 at the New World Music Theater, added 161 new listens to steady even in the rankings.
#15: Bon Jovi
iTunes stats: 576 plays
Previous ranking: #17
The boys from New Jersey, who I saw live twice in 1993, have racked up 185 new listens to rise two slots in the rankings.
#14: David Cross
iTunes stats: 567 plays
Previous ranking: #9
Funnyman David Cross saw a small 43.7% increase to his total number of listens, which caused him to move down five spots on the list.
#13: Poison
iTunes stats: 599 plays
Previous ranking: #14
The quintessential glam rock band, who I was supposed to see in concert in the early 90s after winning a radio contest before bassist Bobby Dall broke his hand, added 150 additional plays to rise a single slot.
#12: Mexican Cheerleader
iTunes stats: 633 plays
Previous ranking: #13
A 25% increase in listens for the local band headed up by the guy who use to sit across from me at work helps them rise one spot.
#11: Aerosmith
iTunes stats: 669 plays
Previous ranking: #12
Thanks to 30 tunes in my collection, the Toxic Twins and their bandmates, who I saw in concert all the way back in 1994, added 153 new plays over the last five years.