Tag / Billboard

by admin

iTunes Top 200: #167 continued

itunes_image3 years ago, we first counted down the then Top 100 songs 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 songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2016.

Today, we continue with the second grouping of 10 songs tied for 167th place with 17 plays apiece since late 2007, 2 more than what would have qualified for the top 100 3 years ago.

#167: Garfunkel and Oates – I Would Never (Dissect a Ewe)
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 11/17/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

A parody of another song on this album brings the comedy stylings of Garfunkel and Oates to this list for the first time.

#167: Goops – Build Me Up Buttercup
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 4/3/2014
Previous ranking: #76

A cover of the Foundations hit, the song was included on the Mallrats soundtrack in 1995.

#167: Green Day – American Idiot
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 9/28/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The title track from Green Day’s 7th studio album.

#167: Hole – Malibu
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 8/3/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The final hit from Hole peaked at #81 on the Billboard Hot 100.

#167: Ice Cube – It Was A Good Day
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 8/26/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

Ice Cube’s ode to a random day in the hood, considered one of the top hip hop songs of all time, was the second single from his third solo release.

#167: James – Laid
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by admin

iTunes Top 200: #167

itunes_image3 years ago, we first counted down the then Top 100 songs 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 songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2016.

We kick things off today with the first 13 songs tied for 167th place with 17 plays apiece since late 2007, 2 more than what would have qualified for the top 100 3 years ago.

#167: The McCoys – Hang On Sloopy
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 9/30/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

A #1 hit in October of 1965, this, for some reason, is the official rock song of Ohio.

#167: Mexican Cheerleader – Do The Stanley
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 5/30/2014
Previous ranking: Unranked

An impressive showing for the local punk band’s ode to Paul Stanley.

#167: The Monkees – I’m A Believer
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 12/11/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The song, composed by Neil Diamond, spent 7 weeks at the top of the Billboard charts between 1966 and 1967

#167: The Moopets – Rainbow Collection
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 9/9/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

This version of the Muppets classic, featured in the film The Muppets, features Fozzie Bear pushing the virtues of a casino.

#167: Neil Diamond – Cherry, Cherry
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 7/10/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

Neil Diamond’s first big hit, peaking at #6 on the charts in October of 1966.

#167: Neil Sedaka – Calendar Girl
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by admin

Mix Tape Monday – Volume 6 Revisited

Between 1989, my sophomore year of high school, and 1995, my fourth year of college, I put together a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD.  Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 3 years.

Volume 6 takes us through the end of high school, through the summer, and into the beginning of my freshman year of college.  Sadly, this is not the original version of volume 6, which was lost after being borrowed by my sister for a party.  The steady stream of hair metal and pop starts to become overtaken by alternative and hip-hop.

Side A

Genesis – I Can’t Dance

The last hit for Genesis has more than tripled its number of listens in the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 4/12/2015

Ugly Kid Joe – Everything About You

The first hit for the band who came up a few years too late has put together a decent increase over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 8/7/2014

Joe Public – Live and Learn

The one hit for the so-called new jack swing group managed to double its plays since our last check.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 4/2/2015

Boyz II Men – Please Don’t Go

I still haven’t listened to the final release from Cooleyhighharmony.

2012 iTunes stats: Never Played

2015 iTunes stats: Never Played

Def Leppard – Make Love Like A Man

The second hit from Adrenalize also managed to double its plays over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 8/16/2014

Guns N’ Roses – Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

Somehow, I haven’t listened to this song at all over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 3/31/2012

Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Under The Bridge

The mainstream breakthrough hit for the Chilli Peppers, and the first appearance of “alternative” music, has had a healthy increase.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 1/10/2015

Side B

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by admin

Mix Tape Monday – Volume 4 Revisited

Between 1989, my sophomore year of high school, and 1995, my fourth year of college, I put together a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 3 years.

Volume 4 places us smack dab in the middle of my junior year of high school, from late 1990 and into 1991, and once again features a healthy dose of hair metal and pop, with a little dance electronica thrown in for good measure.  Judging solely from this tape, you would have no idea that Nirvana’s Nevermind would be released later this year.

Side A

Damn Yankees – High Enough

The one big hit from the supergroup featuring Ted Nugent managed to double its number of plays despite not showing up in rotation in over a year.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 5/3/2014

Sweet Sensation – If Wishes Came True

The #1 hit more than doubled its number of plays and was last heard one year ago today.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 5/13/2014

Poison – Fallen Angel

Poison’s hit from 1988, the only single from Open Up and Say… Ahh! to not crack the top 10, only got 2 additional listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 11 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 1/29/2013

Simpsons – Do The Bart Man

I finally managed to listen to the first single from the animated TV family for the first time in years last August.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 1 play, on 8/30/2014

Roxette – The Look

A tremendous increase for the first hit from the Swedish group.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 9/5/2014

Poison – I Won’t Forget You

The fourth single from Poison’s debut album went up by only 2 listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 7/14/2014

Side B

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by admin

Mix Tape Monday – Volume 1 Revisited

Between 1989, my sophomore year of high school, and 1995, my fourth year of college, I put together a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD.  Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 3 years.

Volume 1, again, was started in 1989 when I was a sophomore and stretches to early 1990.  It features a steady stream of hair metal, with a smattering of pop, rap and dance thrown in for good measure.

Side A

Warrant – Heaven

The massive hit that put Warrant on the map doubled the number of times I listened to it in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 7/1/2014

Young MC – Bust A Move

One of the first tunes I bought on cassingle, this one hit wonder had an impressive increase, despite not having been heard in nearly a year and a half.

2012 iTunes stats: 13 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 11/23/2013

New Kids Got Run Over By A Reindeer

I doubt I will ever track down this parody song from the Welch & Woody morning show on Z95.

Bon Jovi – You Give Love A Bad Name

The old hit from Bon Jovi has only gotten 1 play in the last 3 years, and that was nearly 2 years ago.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 7/10/2013

B-52s –  Love Shack

I’m still waiting to pick up the full version of the song on MP3, which may explain why I’ve only listened to it once in the last three years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 7/2/2014

Paula Abdul – The Way That You Love Me

Paula Abdul got her first listen earlier this month.

2012 iTunes stats: 0 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 1 play, most recently on 3/12/2015

Richard Marx – Right Here Waiting

The smash ballad that gave Marx his third straight #1 increased its play total by 2.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 9/26/2014

Side B

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by admin

Top 200 Albums – #1 – 10

itunes_imageMy latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 3 iPhones, and an iPad later, that computer is still my main repository of music, with iTunes updating its stats every time I listen to something.

Having already gone through cassette tapes and CDs, and digital music, it’s time to roll everything up with the Top 200 albums whose songs I’ve listened to as of September 2014, according to iTunes. Today we finish up the list and look at the top 10 albums that I have listened to the most.

#1: The Cast of Buffy The Vampire Slaying – Once More, With Feeling
iTunes stats: 326 plays
The soundtrack album to the musical episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer takes the top spot thanks to 21 of the 23 tunes from the album.

#2: Various Artists – The Muppets
iTunes stats: 287 plays
The entire album contributed to this total for the soundtrack album from the big Muppets comeback movie in 2011.

#3: The Lonely Island – Incredibad
iTunes stats: 181 plays
7 tracks from the debut album, most of which originated as digital shorts on SNL.

#4: Foo Fighters – Live In Hyde Park 2006
iTunes stats: 180 plays
This bootleg makes the list thanks to 8 live versions of the band’s greatest hits.

#5: Various Artists – Billboard’s Top Rock ‘n’ Roll Hits: 1969
iTunes stats: 171 plays
8 of the 10 songs on this album contributed to this total, with the vast majority coming from Steam, thanks to its connection with the White Sox.

#6: Tegan and Sara – So Jealous
iTunes stats: 156 plays
The entire album, which I have also had loaded in my car’s CD player since 2005, makes up this total.

#7: Aerosmith – O, Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits
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by admin

Top 200 Albums – #164 – 171

itunes_imageMy latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 3 iPhones, and an iPad later, that computer is still my main repository of music, with iTunes updating its stats every time I listen to something.

Having already gone through cassette tapes and CDs, and digital music, it’s time to roll everything up with the Top 200 albums whose songs I’ve listened to as of September 2014, according to iTunes. Today we continue climbing up the list and look at the 8 albums tied for 164th with 25 listens.

#164: The Mamas And The Papas – California Dreamin’
iTunes stats: 25 plays
This compilation used 3 of the bands biggest hits to achieve this lofty total.

#164: Frente! – Marvin The Album
iTunes stats: 25 plays
The debut album for the Australian alternative group makes this list on the back of 2 hits, including their cover of New Order’s Bizarre Love Triangle.

#164: Various Artists – Grease (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
iTunes stats: 25 plays
The soundtrack to the 1978 hit film had 5 tracks, from film stars John Travolta, Olivia Newton John, and Stockard Channing, among others, contribute to this total.

#164: Various Artists – Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1970
iTunes stats: 25 plays
This compilation of the biggest hits of 1970 by bands that would allow themselves to be on such a compilation, like Ides of March or the Partridge Family, has 7 tunes making up its total.

#164: Fiona Apple – Tidal
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by admin

Top 200 Albums – #197 – 206

itunes_imageMy latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 3 iPhones, and an iPad later, that computer is still my main repository of music, with iTunes updating its stats every time I listen to something.

Having already gone through cassette tapes and CDs, and digital music, it’s time to roll everything up with the Top 200 albums whose songs I’ve listened to as of September 2014, according to iTunes. Today we start at the bottom of the list and begin our journey with the 10 albums tied for 197th with 21 listens.

#198: Great White – …Twice Shy
iTunes stats: 21 plays
The fourth album from Great White makes this list on the backs of one song, which was the band’s biggest hit.

#197: Weezer – Maladriot
iTunes stats: 21 plays
Weezer’s fourth offering, released in 2002, had 2 songs make up their total.

#197: Various Artists – The Beavis and Butt-head Experience
iTunes stats: 21 plays
Cashing in on the cultural phenomenon that was Beavis and Butt-head, this compilation makes this list thanks to the animated duo’s cover, with Cher, of I Got You Babe.

#197: Various Artists – Billboard Top Hits: 1987
iTunes stats: 21 plays
This compliation album of the top pop hits of 1987 by bands that were willing to be included on a random compilation album places on this list thanks to 4 different tracks, from U2, Belinda Carlisle, Chris de Burgh, and Crowded House.

#197: Various Artists – 8 Mile (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
iTunes stats: 21 plays
The soundtrack to Eminem’s first (and, to date, only) movie rode his smash hit Lose Yourself to this spot.

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by admin

Thursday Night Commute

Back to work after a 5 day weekend.

Theme From Shaft Isaac Hayes Shaft 9/5/2013 4:21 PM
Hold On Jamie Walters Poplife (Disc 2) 9/5/2013 4:26 PM
Heaven Is A Place On Earth Belinda Carlisle Billboard Top Hits: 1987 9/5/2013 4:30 PM
I Dream of Jeannie Buddy Kaye Television’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 9/5/2013 4:32 PM
Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? Tee Vee Toons TV’s Hits Vol. 7: Cable Ready 9/5/2013 4:34 PM
F**k You Garfunkel and Oates Music Songs 9/5/2013 4:36 PM
Free As A Bird The Beatles Anthology 1 [Disc 1] 9/5/2013 4:40 PM
Every Day Is Halloween Ministry Early Trax 9/5/2013 4:47 PM
Spirit In The Sky Norman Greenbaum Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1970 9/5/2013 4:51 PM
My Wife’s Crazy! David Cross Shut Up, You Fucking Baby! 9/5/2013 4:55 PM
Angel Main Theme Darling Violetta Angel: Live Fast, Die Never 9/5/2013 4:57 PM
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by jim

iTunes Top 100 Artists: #91-100

itunes_image

My latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 2 iPhones, and an iPad later, that computer is still my main repository of music, with iTunes updating its stats every time I listen to something.

Having already gone through cassette tapes and CDs, and digital music, it’s time to roll everything up with the Top 100 artists that I’ve listened to as of 8/21/2013, according to iTunes. Today we look at the the bottom 10, which includes plenty of rock royalty.

#91: Letters To Cleo

iTunes stats: 26 plays

Split across 2 songs, both of which achieved success due to their inclusion on soundtracks.  The band broke up in 2000.

#91: Beastie Boys

iTunes stats: 26 plays

7 different songs make up this total for the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, who have not been active since the death of Adam “MCA” Yauch.

#91: Bloodhound Gang

iTunes stats: 26 plays

2 songs make up this total for the band known for humorous and off-beat, satirical lyrics.

#94: Ozzy Osbourne

iTunes stats: 24 plays

The bumbling TV dad of reality series fame used 5 songs, including a duet with Lita Ford, to compile this total.

#94: K’s Choice

iTunes stats: 24 plays

5 songs make up this total for the arguable one hit wonder from Belgium.

#94: 2Pac

iTunes stats: 24 plays

The slain rapper makes the list with only 2 entries, including his collaboration with Dr. Dre.

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