Category / Music

by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #1-10

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 wrap things up today with the top 10, which includes 3 new additions and a whopping 5,848 total listens.  These bands have accounted for 12 of the concerts I’ve seen over the years.

#10: AC/DC
iTunes stats: 342 plays
Previous ranking: #8

20 songs make up the total for the hard rockers, including one that has a tremendous amount of plays due to the White Sox use of it when running out on to the field.  Meaning, they likely would not have dropped 2 slots had the team played better these past few years and my victory playlist got a little more action.

#9: Pearl Jam
iTunes stats: 348 plays
Previous ranking: #9

The grunge godfathers stay even despite adding 2 new songs with plays, up to 39, and 157 new listens over the past 3 years.  I spent a good amount of time being burnt out on them after their 90s heyday, though I am now less likely to skip over them when they come up on the iPhone.

#8: The Cast of Buffy The Vampire Slayer
iTunes stats: 395 plays
Previous ranking: #4

Back in 2001, during the sixth season of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, the show produced a musical episode as Buffy and the Scooby Gang battled the musical demon Sweet.  The following year, the soundtrack was released, and those 21 songs make up this total.  Only 88 additional listens in the last 3 years caused this group to drop 4 slots.

#7: Tegan and Sara
iTunes stats: 438 plays
Previous ranking: #5

61 songs, up from 50, combined to make up this total for the Canadian sisters.  164 new listens since 2013 was good enough for a 3 slot drop for the group I saw live back in 2005.

#6: Patton Oswalt
iTunes stats: 466 plays
Previous ranking: #52

Funnyman Patton Oswalt makes a huge jump of 46 slots, thanks to 416 new listens and the purchase of a few new albums which bumped his “song” total to 96.

#5: George Carlin
iTunes stats: 507 plays
Previous ranking: #26

Purchasing a few new albums from the classic comedian, bumping his track total from 47 to 116, accounts for this big jump of 20 slots.

#4: Garfunkel and Oates Continue reading →

by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #11-20

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.

In our penultimate trip through the chart, we crack the top 20 and hit some of the more popular bands and musicians on my phone..

#20: Nirvana
iTunes stats: 211 plays
Previous ranking: #20

97 new listens to the same 19 songs from the grunge masters enable them to stay even at #20.

#19: Bon Jovi
iTunes stats: 214 plays
Previous ranking: #21

The boys from New Jersey have racked up 101 new listens, including 5 new songs, to raise 2 slots in the rankings.

#18: Eminem
iTunes stats: 215 plays
Previous ranking: #14

The same 16 tunes provided only 79 new listens, causing the Detroit rapper to fall 4 slots from 3 years ago.

#17: Elvis Presley
iTunes stats: 226 plays
Previous ranking: #27

One additional song, plus a trip to Graceland, helped the King of Rock & Roll more than double his total from 3 years ago and leap 10 spots in the rankings.

#16: Poison
iTunes stats: 243 plays
Previous ranking: #13

30 tracks, 2 more than 3 years ago, accounted for their 99 additional listens, causing the quintessential glam rock band to drop 3 slots.

#15: Def Leppard
iTunes stats: 255 plays
Previous ranking: #15

The troubled band from Sheffield used 36 songs to increase their total by 122, enabling them to retain their ranking from 3 years ago.

#14: The Lonely Island
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by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #21-30

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 continue today with the 10 performers who have combined for 1816 listens over the past 10 years.

#30: Klaus Badelt
iTunes stats: 161 plays
Previous ranking: #16

The composer dropped 14 spots in the rankings due to the White Sox no longer using his theme from Pirates of the Caribbean as part of their pre-game routine.

#29: Steam
iTunes stats: 164 plays
Previous ranking: #24

Another casualty of the White Sox victory playlist getting fewer plays over the last few years, Steam drops 5 spots in the rankings due to only 54 additional plays.

#28: Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers
iTunes stats: 173 plays
Previous ranking: #19

The novelty band responsible for the White Sox rally song from 1959 added 55 listens in the past 3 years, causing them to drop 9 spots in the rankings.

#27: Green Day
iTunes stats: 174 plays
Previous ranking: #30

The west coast punk rockers added 77 listens from their 18 songs to jump 3 spots in the rankings.

#26: Veruca Salt
iTunes stats: 175 plays
Previous ranking: #18

The girls from Chicago used 13 songs to increase their plays by 51, causing them to drop 8 spots.

#24: Stone Temple Pilots
iTunes stats: 182 plays
Previous ranking: #35

A 10 spot jump in the rankings, thanks to 100 new listens spurred on partially due to the death of singer Scott Weiland in December of 2015.

#24: Liz Phair
Continue reading →

by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #31-40

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.

Today we look at the next batch of artists, numbers 31-40, which includes a nice mix of musical genres.

#40: Tori Amos
iTunes stats: 128 plays
Previous ranking: #40

56 new listens for the same 11 songs over the past 3 years enable the singer/songwriter, who I was supposed to see live back in 1998 but missed due to a friend’s wedding, retain her position at #40.

#39: Harry Caray
iTunes stats: 129 plays
Previous ranking: #44

The legendary broadcaster moves up 5 spots in the rankings due to his 2 versions of Take Me Out To The Ballgame, one for the White Sox and one for the Cubs.

#38: Purdue All-American Marching Band
iTunes stats: 135 plays
Previous ranking: #34

The marching band for my alma mater drops 4 spots in the rankings due to only 49 new listens.

#37: No Doubt
iTunes stats: 136 plays
Previous ranking: #42

Thanks to 3 new songs and 65 new listens, the ska band I saw back in college before they hit it big jumps 5 spots in the rankings.

#35: Queen
iTunes stats: 148 plays
Previous ranking: #22

A big 13 spot drop for the band from England due mostly to their dropping off the White Sox victory playlist now more than 10 years removed from their 2005 World Series title.

#35: Metallica
iTunes stats: 148 plays
Previous ranking: #38

The one-time masters of metal manage to go up 3 spots in the rankings thanks to 69 new listens, despite Paul Konerko dropping them as his at bat music shortly before retiring.

#33: The Monkees
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by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #41-49

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 top 50 today, and cross the 100 listen barrier for the first time .

#49: Hole
iTunes stats: 97 plays
Previous ranking: #43

6 songs, written mostly by either Kurt Cobain or Billy Corgan, added only 28 new listens over the past 3 years for Courtney Love’s band, causing a 6 spot drop in the rankings.

#49: Boyz II Men
iTunes stats: 97 plays
Previous ranking: #53

The stars of my first concert added 48 new listens from their 9 tunes to raise 4 spots in the rankings.

#48: P.O.D.
iTunes stats: 99 plays
Previous ranking: #36

A big 12 spot drop in the rankings for the band responsible for Bobby Jenks’ walk-on music.

#47: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
iTunes stats: 103 plays
Previous ranking: #55

An average of just over 10 plays per track, thanks to more than doubling their number of listens over the past 3 years, enables the Florida rockers to jump 8 spots.

#46: Weird Al Yankovic
iTunes stats: 107 plays
Previous ranking: #49

The parody hit-maker nearly doubled the total number of listens for his 7 tracks over the past 3 years.

#45: Snoop Dogg
iTunes stats: 110 plays
Previous ranking: #46

The ganja-smoking gangsta rapper added 45 additional listens, enabling him to move up one spot in the rankings.

#44: The Offspring
Continue reading →

by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #51-59

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 finish up the first 2/3 of the list with listens from the high 70s through the mid 90s.

#59: Kermit the Frog
iTunes stats: 78 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The world’s most favorite Muppet makes the second highest debut on the list, clocking in with 7 tracks.

#59: 10,000 Maniacs
iTunes stats: 78 plays
Previous ranking: #53

Only 3 tracks make up this total, though a scant 29 new listens contributed to a 6 spot drop in the rankings.

#58: Smashing Pumpkins
iTunes stats: 81 plays
Previous ranking: #59

Doubling their play total, plus 1, over the past 3 years enables the Chicago based alternative band to jump up 1 whole spot in the rankings.

#57: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
iTunes stats: 83 plays
Previous ranking: #45

A mere 17 new listens over the past 3 years cause the Jersey Boys inspirations to drop 12 spots on the list.

#56: The Rolling Stones
iTunes stats: 84 plays
Previous ranking: #74

Listens from 17 songs, up from 9 three years ago, led to the British bad boys jumping 18 spots in the rankings.

#55: Cheap Trick
iTunes stats: 86 plays
Previous ranking: #56

The boys from Rockford add an additional 40 listens to rise 1 spot on the list.

#54: The Outfield
Continue reading →

by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #61-70

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 continue the long slog towards the top with today’s entry, which includes:

#70: The Muffs
iTunes stats: 62 plays
Previous ranking: #67

A slight 3 spot drop for the band most well known for a Fruitopia commercial back in the day.

#69: Bush
iTunes stats: 63 plays
Previous ranking: #68

The British band rode the alternative wave of the early to mid 90s to have 6 songs make up their total, with 28 additional listens in the past 3 years.

#68: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
iTunes stats: 64 plays
Previous ranking: #80

An impressive 12 spot jump for the rap duo, who added 1 new track and 34 new listens over the past 3 years.

#66: Mazzy Star
iTunes stats: 65 plays
Previous ranking: #59

Only 25 new listens contributed to the 7 spot drop for the tippy band.

#66: John Williams
iTunes stats: 65 plays
Previous ranking: #98

The composer of some of the most popular and recognizable film scores in cinematic history, including the Star Wars and Superman series, has a nice 32 spot jump thanks to 42 new listens over the last 3 years.

#65: Warrant
iTunes stats: 66 plays
Previous ranking: #74

The favorite of strip clubs everywhere, and the Adam Carolla Show, added 34 new listens, good enough for a 9 spot jump.

#64: TLC
Continue reading →

by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #71-79

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.

An eclectic group of musicians as we continue our march towards the top of the charts.

#79: Ludacris
iTunes stats: 58 plays
Previous ranking: #63

A 16 spot drop for the Atlanta-based rapper, despite 20 additional listens to his 3 songs over the past 3 years.

#79: Florence + The Machine
iTunes stats: 58 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

An impressive debut appearance, thanks mostly to their inclusion in last year’s road trip mix to placate Val.

#76: Ron Funches
iTunes stats: 59 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The comic makes his debut thanks to the tracks from his first album.

#76: Nancy Faust
iTunes stats: 59 plays
Previous ranking: #57

The former organist for the White Sox drops 19 spots due to the removal of her final performance of Take Me Out To The Ballgame from my victory playlist.

#76: Bell Biv DeVoe
iTunes stats: 59 plays
Previous ranking: #66

22 new listens for the former members of New Edition cause them to drop 10 spots in the rankings.

#74: Red Hot Chili Peppers
iTunes stats: 60 plays
Previous ranking: #84

A 10 spot leap for the California-based rockers due in part to 32 new listens over the past 3 years.

#74: Black Eyed Peas
Continue reading →

by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #81-88

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 continue our march up through the the top 100 with this next batch of artists, which includes:

#88: Soul Asylum
iTunes stats: 54 plays
Previous ranking: #70

20 new listens for the Minneapolis-based band causes them to drop 18 spots in the rankings.

#88: John Morris
iTunes stats: 54 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The composer of the score from the best movie ever made, Clue: The Movie.

#88: Artie Lange
iTunes stats: 54 plays
Previous ranking: #76

The comedy stylings of Arthur Lange drop 12 spots despite 23 new listens in the past 3 years.

#84: The Cranberries
iTunes stats: 56 plays
Previous ranking: #80

A small 4 spot drop for the Irish band, who picked up 26 new listens to their 8 tracks over the last 3 years.

#84: The Beastie Boys
iTunes stats: 56 plays
Previous ranking: #91

30 new listens in the last 3 years bumps the Beastie Boys up 7 spots in the rankings.

#84: Gin Blossoms
iTunes stats: 56 plays
Previous ranking: #63

25 years after the release of their debut album, the Arizona group drops 21 spots due to a small increase of 18 listens over the past 3 years.

#84: Christina Aguilera
Continue reading →

by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #91-97

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
Continue reading →