Tag / Billboard

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #120-129

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, and rap, stretching from the 1950s through 90s.

#129: The Lemonheads
iTunes stats: 83 plays
Previous ranking: #125

Formed in Boston in 1986, Evan Dando and crew added 17 additional plays to the three tracks in my collection from their 90s heyday.

#129: Dion & The Belmonts
iTunes stats: 83 plays
Previous ranking: #120

Inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000, the 50s stars from the Bronx added fifteen new plays, dropping nine spots on the chart.

#124: Styx
iTunes stats: 85 plays
Previous ranking: #137

The group, formed in Chicago in 1972, saw a 39% increase thanks to 24 new listens over these past five years to the three tracks in my collection.

#124: The Go-Go’s
iTunes stats: 85 plays
Previous ranking: #133

The seminal female new wave band, who came out of the LA punk scene of the late 1970s, added 23 additional listens to the four tracks in my collection.

#124: The Presidents of the United States of America
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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #138-150

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, and rap, stretching from the 1970s through 90s.

#150: Nine Inch Nails
iTunes stats: 75 plays
Previous ranking: #143

A 27% increase for Trent Reznor and company was fueled by 16 additional listens spread across three of the four songs I have in my collection.

#148: Billy Idol
iTunes stats: 76 plays
Previous ranking: #148

The 70s punk, who was a leader of the MTV-fueled second British Invasion in the early 80s, added 19 new listens to the three tracks in my collection, allowing him to stay perfectly even on the chart.

#148: Sponge
iTunes stats: 76 plays
Previous ranking: #140

The 90s alt rock band from Detroit added 16 new listens to the three tracks in my collection over these past five years.

#147: Led Zeppelin
iTunes stats: 77 plays
Previous ranking: #133

Originally formed in London in 1968, the quintessential rock band of the 1970s and noted musical thieves score fifteen new listens, a 24% increase.

#144: Janet Jackson
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by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #161-170

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.

#170: The Rembrandts
iTunes stats: 67 plays
Previous ranking: #186

Formed in 1989, the band combines the totals from their first single, which hit the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990, with various forms of the Friends theme song to rise up the chart, increasing their plays by nearly 43% over these past five years.

#166: Blur
iTunes stats: 68 plays
Previous ranking: #161

The English foursome, formed in London in 1988 and a key contributor to the Britpop genre in the 1990s, added only fourteen new listens over the past five years.

#166: Republica
iTunes stats: 68 plays
Previous ranking: #164

The technopop punk rock band from the UK added fifteen new plays, an increase of over 28% over the past five years.

#166: Tag Team
iTunes stats: 68 plays
Previous ranking: #154

Thank to their inclusion on my Cubs victory playlist, the one hit wonders from Denver, Colorado, who I have seen perform at half time of a Bulls game and before a White Sox game, increased their listens by thirteen.

#166: Dean Martin
iTunes stats: 68 plays
Previous ranking: #176

The Rat Pack member, who passed away in 1995, picked up 18 new plays over the past five years.

#165: Belinda Carlisle
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by admin

iTunes Top 200: #2

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 songs in my iTunes library, featuring he songs I have listened to the most since 2007.  It is time to do so again, seeing which older songs still resonate and if any newer ones have joined the fray.  So, without further ado, here are my most listened to songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2025.

Our penultimate entry is a track released as a single in 1990 and became associated with the White Sox in 2004.

#2: AC/DC – Thunderstruck
iTunes stats: 292 plays, most recently on 9/15/2024
Previous ranking: #1

The 12th studio album from AC/DC, The Razor’s Edge, was released in September of 1990, with Thunderstruck released as the first single.  It peaked at #5 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and is now considered one of the band’s signature songs.

The White Sox started taking the field to the song during the 2004 season, and it has been used off and on ever since.  Because of that, it has held a place on every version of my victory playlist since which has led to its high play total.

by admin

iTunes Top 200: #3

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 songs in my iTunes library, featuring he songs I have listened to the most since 2007.  It is time to do so again, seeing which older songs still resonate and if any newer ones have joined the fray.  So, without further ado, here are my most listened to songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2025.

We continue this week with the third most popular song in my collection, which became a sports staple in 1977 thanks to an organist on the south side of Chicago.

#3: Steam – Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye
iTunes stats: 215 plays, most recently on 10/16/2019
Previous ranking: #3

Originally written as a blues shuffle in the early 1960s, the song was recorded and released in 1969 by the then-fictitious band called Steam.  It reached #1 for two weeks in December, finishing as Billboard’s final multi-week number 1 hit of the 1960s.  The song got a second life in 1977, thanks to the South Side Hitmen and their organist, Nancy Faust.  With the White Sox hitting the cover off the ball and finding themselves in a surprising first place, Faust started playing the song after home runs.  Eventually, she also started playing it when the opposing pitcher was chased from the game.

The song became a hit once again, and Faust was awarded a RIAA gold record from Mercury Records to acknowledge her contributions.  It was a mainstay at Comiskey Park and its successors until Faust’s retirement in 2010.  Post-COVID, a recording of the song still makes the occasional appearance, though not as often as in Faust’s heyday.  The high play total is a result of the songs inclusion on every iteration of my White Sox victory playlists.

by admin

iTunes Top 200: #8

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 songs in my iTunes library, featuring he songs I have listened to the most since 2007.  It is time to do so again, seeing which older songs still resonate and if any newer ones have joined the fray.  So, without further ado, here are my most listened to songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2025.

Today, we continue with our in-depth look into each song in the top ten.  Two songs have tied for the eighth most listened to song in my library, with 144 plays since my stats began in late 2007.  Both have ties to the baseball team on the south side of Chicago and the various playlists I have made for them over the years.

#8: Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’
iTunes stats: 144 plays, most recently on 8/27/2024
Previous ranking: #8

Originally released in October of 1981 as the second single off the band’s Escape album, the song peaked at #9 on the Hot 100 and quickly became one of the band’s signature hits.  The song got a second life in the 2000s, starting locally after it became the rallying cry for the 2005 White Sox when A.J. Pierzynski and teammates heard it being sung in a bar in Baltimore.  Steve Perry, who was the band’s lead singer when the song was recorded, was on the field following Game 4 celebrating with the team and sang the song at the rally back in Chicago two days later.  It finally dropped off my White Sox victory playlist starting with the 2015 season.

In 2007, it appeared in the final episode of The Sopranos, which led to a surge in digital downloads of the song.  In 2012, it became the best-selling digital track from the 20th century, and it surpassed 7,000,000 downloads by 2017.  In 2021, the song inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

#8: Icona Pop – I Love It (Feat. Charli XCX)
iTunes stats: 144 plays, most recently on 9/28/2024
Previous ranking: #14

Featuring vocals from British singer Charli XCX, the song by the Swedish synth-pop duo became their first US hit, peaking at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2013 following an appearance of the HBO show Girls.  The song was written by Charli XCX after the group’s producer sent her two of the duo’s beats, but she knew she couldn’t release it on her own due to the difference in sound.

Over the last decade, the song has been played often at the former Guaranteed Rate Field both to pump up the crowd and for between inning highlight packages.  It’s inclusion on recent entries of my White Sox victory playlist has led to its rising total.

by admin

iTunes Top 200: #10

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 songs in my iTunes library, featuring he songs I have listened to the most since 2007.  It is time to do so again, seeing which older songs still resonate and if any newer ones have joined the fray.  So, without further ado, here are my most listened to songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2025.

Today, we enter the top ten, where we will go more in depth into each song.  The tenth most listened to song in my library, with 137 plays since my stats began in late 2007, was featured on many of my White Sox playlists, celebrating their World Series Championship in 2005.

#10: Queen – We Are The Champions
iTunes stats: 137 plays, most recently on 9/15/2024
Previous ranking: #9

We Are the Champions was released in 1977, coming from the group’s sixth studio album News of the World.  Written with audience participation in mind and usually played back-to-back with its B-side, We Will Rock You, it peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the late 70s.  In 2005, it was voted as the world’s favorite song in a poll by Sony Ericsson.

Also in 2005, It made its way back into my world thanks to the White Sox winning their first World Series championship in 88 years.  For the next decade, the song was included in my victory playlist, bringing up the end following a collection of highlights from that championship season.  I hope to include it once again someday, but the fellows on the South Side do not seem to be as keen on making that happen.

by admin

iTunes Top 200: #31 – 38

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 songs in my iTunes library, featuring he songs I have listened to the most since 2007.  It is time to do so again, seeing which older songs still resonate and if any newer ones have joined the fray.  So, without further ado, here are my most listened to songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2025.

We continue this week with the two remaining songs tied for 89th place with 42 plays and begin the first batch of tunes with 43 plays apiece, good enough for 77th place since my stats began in late 2007.

#38: 10,000 Maniacs – These Are Days
iTunes stats: 52 plays, most recently on 8/12/2024
Previous ranking: #51

The lead single from the band’s fifth studio album, it topped Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart in November of 1992.

#38: Metallica – Wherever I May Roam
iTunes stats: 52 plays, most recently on 2/26/2024
Previous ranking: #47

Used by former White Sox closer David Robertson as his entry music during his stint with the club, which got it added to some editions of my White Sox victory playlist.

#38: Foo Fighters – All My Life
iTunes stats: 52 plays, most recently on 8/1/2024
Previous ranking: #28

Only three new plays for this live version of the song from the Live in Hyde Park bootleg.

#34: Taylor Swift – Bad Blood
iTunes stats: 53 plays, most recently on 2/12/2024
Previous ranking: #60

Swift’s fourth #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, it was one of many walkup songs used by Anthony Rizzo during the 2016 season, earning it a place on my Cubs victory playlist.

#34: Katy Perry – I Kissed a Girl
iTunes stats: 53 plays, most recently on 8/17/2024
Previous ranking: #33

Perry’s debut single, it was ranked as the 66th top song for the decade of the 2000s by Billboard magazine.

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by admin

iTunes Top 200: #41 – 50

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 songs in my iTunes library, featuring he songs I have listened to the most since 2007.  It is time to do so again, seeing which older songs still resonate and if any newer ones have joined the fray.  So, without further ado, here are my most listened to songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2025.

We start the final quarter of this chart with the one remaining song tied for 50th place with 49 plays through the four tracks with 51 plays apiece, good enough for 41st place since my stats began in late 2007.

#50: The Beatles – Helter Skelter
iTunes stats: 49 plays, most recently on 8/15/2024
Previous ranking: #51

Considered by music historians as a key influence in the development of heavy metal, the song has added nine new plays over the past five years.

#45: The Lonely Island – Lazy Sunday (ft. Chris Parnell)
iTunes stats: 50 plays, most recently on 10/18/2024
Previous ranking: #29

A bit of a drop down the charts for the original SNL digital short that put the Lonely Island on the pop culture map and defined the phrase “viral video”.

#45: Foo Fighters – Everlong
iTunes stats: 50 plays, most recently on 3/29/2024
Previous ranking: #33

Recorded live in London’s Hyde Park, the song added five additional listens over these past five years.

#45: Elvis Presley – An American Trilogy
iTunes stats: 50 plays, most recently on 10/21/2024
Previous ranking: #60

A medley of three 19th century songs: Dixie, a blackface minstrel song that became the unofficial anthem of the Confederacy since the Civil War; All My Trials, originally a Bahamian lullaby, but closely related to African American spirituals; and The Battle Hymn of the Republic, the marching song of the Union Army during the Civil War.

#45: Dr. Dre Feat. Snoop Dogg – Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang
iTunes stats: 50 plays, most recently on 3/20/2024
Previous ranking: #43

The first single from Dr. Dre’s solo debut, which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was named the hip-hop song of the decade by XXL magazine.

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by admin

iTunes Top 200: #50 – 60

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 songs in my iTunes library, featuring he songs I have listened to the most since 2007.  It is time to do so again, seeing which older songs still resonate and if any newer ones have joined the fray.  So, without further ado, here are my most listened to songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2025.

Today we wrap up the third quarter of our list, jumping from the final song tied for 60th place with 46 plays all the way up to the first group of tunes with 49 plays apiece, good enough for 50th place since my stats began in late 2007.

#60: Bell Biv DeVoe – Do Me!
iTunes stats: 46 plays, most recently on 11/9/2023
Previous ranking: #41

A mere three new listens for this second single from the former New Edition members, which reached #3 on the Billboard charts.

#57: Weezer – Hash Pipe
iTunes stats: 47 plays, most recently on 6/26/2024
Previous ranking: #51

This first single from the band’s long awaited comeback album in 2001 peaked at #24 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

#57: Toad the Wet Sprocket – Walk on the Ocean
iTunes stats: 47 plays, most recently on 10/28/2024
Previous ranking: #56

Reaching #18 on the Hot 100, the song was written following a vacation singer Glen Phillips took to Orcas Island.

#57: Sir Mix-A-Lot – Baby Got Back
iTunes stats: 47 plays, most recently on 7/24/2024
Previous ranking: #43

The classic ode to large backsides sat atop the Hot 100 for five weeks in the summer of 1992.

#54: Garbage – Only Happy When It Rains
iTunes stats: 48 plays, most recently on 3/2/2024
Previous ranking: #68

A live version of the 1995 hit from the band’s One Mile High… Live video.

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