iTunes Top 200: #124

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 next batch of songs tied for 124th place with 39 plays apiece since my stats began in late 2007.

#124: Warren G – Regulate
iTunes stats: 39 plays, most recently on 9/15/2024
Previous ranking: #125

Used as the at-bat music for Jacob Amaya during his brief tenure with the White Sox in 2024, this debut hit from Dr. Dre’s step-brother added seven new plays over the past five years.

#124: Van Halen – Panama
iTunes stats: 39 plays, most recently on 11/3/2024
Previous ranking: #125

Inspired by a race car, this third single from the band’s seminal 1984 album, it reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

#124: Tegan and Sara – Walking With A Ghost
iTunes stats: 39 plays, most recently on 5/11/2024
Previous ranking: #89

Used in a season three promo for the Patricia Arquette show Medium, the lead single from the duo’s 2005 album picked up just four new listens since 2020.

#124: Nerf Herder – Buffy Theme
iTunes stats: 39 plays, most recently on 10/29/2023
Previous ranking: #89

Having written and performed the theme song to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the band was the last guests to perform at The Bronze.

#124: Me First and the Gimme Giimmes – Rainbow Connection
iTunes stats: 39 plays, most recently on 11/5/2024
Previous ranking: #98

Written by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher for 1979’s The Muppet Movie, this 1999 cover by the punk rock supergroup adds a little more oomph to the festivities.

Continue reading →

iTunes Top 200: #98

itunes_image4 years ago, we last counted down the Top 200 songs in my iTunes library. Since my iTunes stats are still intact, across multiple PCs, iPods, iPads, and iPhones, I figured it was time to take another look at my most listened to songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2020.

Today, we wrap up the first half of our countdown, leading up to the top 100 with the next batch of songs tied with 34 plays dating back to late 2007, according to my iTunes stats.

#98: The Wonders – That Thing You Do
iTunes stats: 34 plays, most recently on 8/26/2019
Previous ranking: #65

The theme song from the 1996 movie of the same name, about a band that hits it big in the 60s before disintegrating before they can record a follow up.

#98: TLC – Creep
iTunes stats: 34 plays, most recently on 11/13/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

A nice debut for the lead single from the band’s second album, the group’s first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

#98: Tegan and Sara – Umbrella (Rihanna Cover)
iTunes stats: 34 plays, most recently on 8/21/2019
Previous ranking: #65

A live, bootleg version of the Rihanna hit covered by the Canadian darlings.

#98: Motley Crue – Kickstart My Heart
iTunes stats: 34 plays, most recently on 11/27/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

Written by bassist Nikki Six about an overdose where he was declared clinically dead before 2 adrenaline shots to the heart brought him back to life.

#98: Me First And The Gimme Gimmes – Rainbow Connection
iTunes stats: 34 plays, most recently on 11/9/2019
Previous ranking: #79

A punk cover of the quintessential Muppets hit.

#98: John Williams – Prelude And Main Title March
Continue reading →

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #185-194

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 begin with the 10 songs tied for 194th place, along with the first 3 tied for 185th.  These 13 bands and performers are all newcomers to his list, thanks to its expansion to 200 artists since the last time we did this.

#185: The Juliana Hatfield Three
iTunes stats: 25 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

Juliana Hatfield’s band after breaking up with the Blake Babies makes the list thanks to 2 tracks, including one from the Reality Bites soundtrack.

#185: Tony! Toni! Toné!
iTunes stats: 25 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The soul and R&B group split their total between 2 songs.

#185: Travis
iTunes stats: 25 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The Scottish band rode only 1 song, a live cover version of Britney Spears’ …Baby One More Time, to this lofty position.

#194: 4 Non Blondes
iTunes stats: 24 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The one hit wonders have 2 songs contributing to their total.

#194: Dakota Fanning
iTunes stats: 24 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The actress covered a song while playing Cherie Currie in The Runaways.

#194: Great White
iTunes stats: 24 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The band probably more famous now for their role in a 2003 club fire that killed 100 people make the list thanks to only 1 song.

#194: Jill Sobule
Continue reading →

iTunes Top 200: #118 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 songs tied for 118th place with 19 plays apiece since late 2007.

#118: Faith No More – Epic
iTunes stats: 19 plays, most recently on 9/28/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The biggest hit of the band’s career, the song ranked #30 on VH1’s list of 40 Greatest Metal Songs and #67 on their list of the top 100 one-hit wonders.

#118: Dr. Dre – Forgot About Dre
iTunes stats: 19 plays, most recently on 8/26/2015
Previous ranking: #96

Winner of the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 2001 Grammy Awards.

#118: DJ Danger Mouse – 99 Problems
iTunes stats: 19 plays, most recently on 11/20/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

A mash-up of Jay Z’s smash hit with the Beatles’ Helter Skelter.

#118: Dakota Fanning – Cherry Bomb
iTunes stats: 19 plays, most recently on 6/23/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The signature song from The Runaways, as performed by Dakota Fanning in the movie based on the band’s life story.

#118: Cee Lo Green – Fuck You
iTunes stats: 19 plays, most recently on 7/21/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The first single from Green’s third album, it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

#118: The Cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Overture/Going Through The Motions
Continue reading →

2014: The Year In Movies Part 2

Movie_Reel_22134 different people starred in the movies I saw last year (starring in being the first two named stars, a tradition dating back to the old Chicago Tribune TV guide), and a whopping 16 of them were in more than 1. Those 16 thespians are:

Name Films
Emily Blunt 3
Scarlett Johansson 3
Liam Neeson 3
Shailene Woodley 3
Kristen Bell 2
Lake Bell 2
Sandra Bullock 2
Bradley Cooper 2
Rob Corddry 2
Melissa McCarthy 2
Julianne Moore 2
Elizabeth Olsen 2
Chris Pratt 2
Jason Segel 2
Amanda Seyfried 2
Bruce Willis 2

Now let’s take a look at the remaining movies that I saw in 2014, following up on Tuesday’s post.

Her (2013)
Joaquin Phoenix falls in love with an operating system, and lives in a world where that isn’t considered odd.

Oculus (2014)
Karen Gillan stars in this horror tale about a mirror that makes its owners kill themselves and their loved ones.

Under The Skin (2013)
I’m sure some film buff will tell you that there was something worthwhile here, besides Scarlett Johansson’s first nude scenes, but I certainly didn’t get it.

Delivery Man (2013)
What would happen if a sperm bank oversold one man’s donations, leaving him the biological father of over 500 children?

X-Men: Days Of Future Past (2014)
This adaptation of Chris Claremont’s famous storyline mixes the casts of the old films and the new ones to great effect.

Liars All (2013)
Continue reading →

Goodbye, iPhone 4S – Music Edition

A little more than a week ago, I upgraded my phone from the iPhone 4S to the newly released iPhone 5S.  The biggest difference, aside from a slightly bigger screen, is the jump from 3G (or 4G, if you believe AT&T’s hype) to LTE.  I had the 4S for a little under 2 years, and in that time, we traveled the world together (well, at least going back to the UK) and have listened to a lot of podcasts and music. Here is every song (all 2079 of them) I’ve listened to on the phone, with some (ok, very little) bonus commentary.  Godspeed.

 

Let’s Go-Go-Go White Sox Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers 33
He’s a Pirate Klaus Badelt Pirates of the Caribbean (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) 32
Take Me Out To The Ballgame Harry Caray 31
Thunderstruck AC/DC The Razors Edge 31
Gordon Beckham Intro 29
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye Steam Billboard’s Top Rock ‘n’ Roll Hits: 1969 29
Don’t Stop Believin’ Journey Journey’s Greatest Hits 27
sox05_montage 27
We Are The Champions Queen Queen: Greatest Hits I & II 27
Your Love The Outfield Play Deep 27
2008 White Sox Central Division Champs Montage Chris Tannehill WSCR 670 The Score 25
Take Me Out To The Ballgame Nancy Faust 25
Harvester Of Sorrow Metallica …And Justice For All 20

You would hope that these numbers would have been higher, but this past season’s miserable performance by the White Sox has put the songs on their playlist out of mind more often than not.

Cannonball The Breeders The First 1000 Years- Rock 19
Man Or Muppet Jason Segel The Muppets 15
It’s Time For Our Song Miss Piggy The Muppets 14
Get Out There And Help Those Guys Jason Segel The Muppets 13
Main Title LOST Soundtrack LOST Soundtrack 13
Are You A Man Or A Muppet? Amy Adams The Muppets 12
How Charming, A Finale Uncle Deadly The Muppets 12
I’m On A Boat (ft. T-Pain) The Lonely Island Incredibad 12
Down At The Ole Barbershop Kermit The Muppets 11
Me and Drugs David Cross Bigger and Blackerer 11
The Antichrist Howard Stern Private Parts: The Album 11
Continue reading →

Return To Lifetime

For the first time since February, I took a trip to the gym this morning.  Despite some initial aching from my still gimpy right leg, I did manage to put in an hour on the treadmill.  Here’s the songs that got me through it.

Book Of Love The Monotones Rock N’ Roll Era: 1958 12/18/2012 8:27 AM
Right Thurr Chingy Jackpot 12/18/2012 8:31 AM
Cherry Bomb Dakota Fanning The Runaways: Music From The Motion Picture 12/18/2012 8:34 AM
Mary, Mary The Monkees The Monkees Greatest Hits 12/18/2012 8:37 AM
I’ve Got A Theory/Bunnies/If We’re Together The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer Once More, With Feeling 12/18/2012 8:39 AM
Wicked Garden Stone Temple Pilots Core 12/18/2012 8:44 AM
Jump Around House Of Pain Millennium Hip-Hop Party 12/18/2012 8:48 AM
Cradle of Love Billy Idol Billy Idol: Greatest Hits 12/18/2012 8:52 AM
The Impression That I Get The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Let’s Face It 12/18/2012 8:56 AM
Umbrella (Rihanna Cover) Tegan and Sara 12/18/2012 8:58 AM
Continue reading →

Goodbye, iPhone 3G – Music Edition

As I wait for tomorrow’s delivery of my new iPhone 4S, it is time to say goodbye to the 3G that has been my trusty companion for nearly the past 3 1/2 years.  We’ve traveled the world together (well, at least Canada and the UK) and have listened to a lot of music.  Here is every song (all 1597 of them) I’ve listened to on the phone, with some (ok, very little) bonus commentary!

He’s a Pirate Klaus Badelt Pirates of the Caribbean (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) 100
Gordon Beckham Intro 91
Let’s Go-Go-Go White Sox Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers 87
Thunderstruck AC/DC The Razors Edge 84
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye Steam Billboard’s Top Rock ‘n’ Roll Hits: 1969 83
sox05_montage 75
We Are The Champions Queen Queen: Greatest Hits I & II 73
Boom P.O.D. Satellite 70
Don’t Stop Believin’ Journey Journey’s Greatest Hits 69
2008 White Sox Central Division Champs Montage Chris Tannehill WSCR 670 The Score 65

No surprise that the top 10 are all part of (or were part of) my White Sox victory playlist.  This gets played on the way home from every White Sox winner, plus the occassional ride to a game.  Continue reading →

Saying Prayers In The Street Light

Friday night actually had a relatively decent 2 hour commute.  No Adam Carolla Podcast meant a steady stream of music.

Werewolves Of London Warren Zevon  Excitable Boy 10/22/2010 3:59 PM
Can’t Stop Fallin’ Into Love Cheap Trick The Greatest Hits 10/22/2010 4:03 PM
Back To Life Soul II Soul Volume I – Keep On Movin’ 10/22/2010 4:07 PM
We Didn’t Do It Tegan and Sara So Jealous 10/22/2010 4:11 PM
Something To Sing About The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer Once More, With Feeling 10/22/2010 4:16 PM
I’ll Be There For You (Long Version) The Rembrandts Friends-Music From The T.V. Series 10/22/2010 4:19 PM
Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) Mötley Crüe Motley Crue Greatest Hits 10/22/2010 4:24 PM
Unforgiven The Go-Go’s God Bless The Go-Go’s 10/22/2010 4:27 PM
Keep Ya Head Up 2Pac Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. 10/22/2010 4:32 PM
Silent Lucidity Queensrÿche Monster Madness (Disc 1) 10/22/2010 4:38 PM
Continue reading →

Thursday Night’s Commute

Thursday night’s ride home should not be this long.

Cherry Bomb Dakota Fanning The Runaways: Music From The Motion Picture 9/23/2010 4:33 PM
Fallen Angel Poison Poison’s Greatest Hits 1986-1996 9/23/2010 4:37 PM
Spin The Black Circle Pearl Jam Vitalogy 9/23/2010 4:40 PM
Kim the Waitress Material Issue Freak City Soundtrack 9/23/2010 4:45 PM
Yesterday The Beatles Help! [2009 Stereo Remaster] 9/23/2010 4:47 PM
Monkey Wrench Foo Fighters The Colour And The Shape 9/23/2010 4:51 PM
Glorified G Pearl Jam Vs. 9/23/2010 4:55 PM
Walking With a Ghost Tegan and Sara 5 Songs Live from the Phoenix – EP 9/23/2010 4:58 PM
Continue reading →