Tag / David Cross

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #11-20

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
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Top 200 Albums: #31 – 40

We last counted down the Top 200 albums in my iTunes library four years ago. Since that time, the world has literally changed, and my commute has decreased from 1+ hours each way to 25 steps. So, despite the decrease in potential listening time, I figured it was time to take another look, based on number of plays from late 2007 through the morning of January 1, 2022.

Today, we continue with the next batch of ten albums that I have listened to the most over the last 15 years, loading up on greatest hits collections, comedy, and 90s alternative rock debuts.

#40: David Cross – Shut Up, You Fucking Baby!
iTunes stats: 206 plays
Previous Ranking: 38

The 2002 double album saw a 58% increase in plays across its 17 tracks.

#38: Various Artists – Monsters of Rap
iTunes stats: 207 plays
Previous Ranking: 51

Ten tracks, from the likes of Onyx, Positive K, and 3rd Bass, added 95 new listens for this compilation album.

#38: Various Artists – Booty Jams
iTunes stats: 207 plays
Previous Ranking: 52

An 86% increase in plays over the past four years for the eight songs, from artists like Tag Team, Tone Loc, and 2 Live Crew, from this compilation of sexy jams.

#37: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Greatest Hits
iTunes stats: 208 plays
Previous Ranking: 133

Ten of Tom Petty’s biggest hits, both with The Heartbreakers and solo, gained 69 new listens over the past four years.

#36: Poison – Poison’s Greatest Hits 1986-1996
iTunes stats: 214 plays
Previous Ranking: 43

The first greatest hits package for the glam metal superstars saw a 72% increase in plays across the eleven songs that made their way on to my phone.

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Top 200 Albums: #51 – 60

We last counted down the Top 200 albums in my iTunes library four years ago. Since that time, the world has literally changed, and my commute has decreased from 1+ hours each way to 25 steps. So, despite the decrease in potential listening time, I figured it was time to take another look, based on number of plays from late 2007 through the morning of January 1, 2022.

As of today, we are three quarters of the way through of our countdown with the next batch of ten albums that I have listened to the most over the last 15 years, breaking the triple digit total play plateau with three compilations, and music from the 60s, 80s, 90s, and beyond.

#60: Various Artists – Forrest Gump
iTunes stats: 166 plays
Previous Ranking: 73

A 93% increase for the soundtrack, featuring artists like The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and CCR, from the Oscar-winning film.

#59: Bon Jovi – Cross Road
iTunes stats: 167 plays
Previous Ranking: 62

Ten of the band’s biggest hits earned an additional 66 plays over the last four years.

#56: The Beatles – Please Please Me
iTunes stats: 168 plays
Previous Ranking: 53

Seven tracks from this remastered version of the band’s 1963 debut album earned a 51% increase in plays.

#56: David Cross – It’s Not Funny
iTunes stats: 168 plays
Previous Ranking: 62

This 2004 comedy album from David Cross added 67 new plays, and that total would be significantly higher if I were to sync my old phone again, as I have listened to it while falling asleep plenty of times.

#56: Various Artists – Buffy The Vampire Slayer: The Album
iTunes stats: 168 plays
Previous Ranking: 46

A drop of ten spots on the chart for this initial soundtrack album to the hit television series, featuring eight tunes by bands like Nerf Herder, Guided By Voices, and The Sundays.

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #9

It’s been 4 years since we last counted down the Top 200 artists 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 the artists that have entertained me the most based on number of plays from late 2007 through January 1, 2021.

Widely known for his stand-up performances, the sketch comedy series Mr. Show, and his role as Tobias Fünke in Arrested Development, David Cross checks in today, at #9 as we continue with the top 10.  Cross began performing stand up comedy at 17, eventually becoming part of the Boston comedy scene after dropping out of Emerson College.

#9: David Cross
iTunes stats: 567 plays
Previous ranking: #11

Funnyman David Cross saw an 86% increase to his total number of listens, thanks in part to the addition of a new stand-up album, which allowed him to move up two spots on the rankings.  Encompassing 52 tracks from 4 different comedy albums, he is averaging just about 11 listens per track.  The first one, Shut Up, You Fucking Baby!, was released in 2002 and covered the post-9/11 world that we found ourselves in.  The most recent, …America…Great…, came out in 2016, and looked at the world that gave us Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

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Top 200 Albums – #31 – 40

itunes_imageNearly 4 years ago, we first counted down the Top 200 albums 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, based on number of plays from late 2007 through January 1, 2018.

We continue with the next batch of 10 albums ranked between #31 and 40, including 3 studio recordings, 3 greatest hits packages, and 1 live performance.

#40: Patton Oswalt – Finest Hour
iTunes stats: 128 plays
Previous Ranking: N/A

The fourth album from the mind of Patton Oswalt makes an impressive debut on the list.

#39: Garfunkel and Oates – Music Songs
iTunes stats: 129 plays
Previous Ranking: 36

8 tracks from the musical comedy duo of Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci make up this total.

#38: David Cross – Shut Up, You Fucking Baby!
iTunes stats: 130 plays
Previous Ranking: 54

Every track from the first comedy album from David Cross makes up this total.

#37: Garbage – Garbage
iTunes stats: 132 plays
Previous Ranking: 54

The debut album from the Garbagers, whose total would be higher if not for their greatest hits album, makes the list on the backs of 12 tunes.

#36: Motley Crue – Motley Crue Greatest Hits
iTunes stats: 133 plays
Previous Ranking: 29

9 of the glam metal bands biggest hits make up the total for this greatest hits package.

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Top 200 Albums – #41 – 49

itunes_imageNearly 4 years ago, we first counted down the Top 200 albums 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, based on number of plays from late 2007 through January 1, 2018.

With 3/4 of the list completed, we start the home stretch with the next batch of 10 albums ranked between #41 and 49, including 3 greatest hit collections, 2 studio recordings, 2 comedy albums, 1 compilation, 1 soundtrack, and 1 live performance.

#49: Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP
iTunes stats: 113 plays
Previous Ranking: 42

7 tracks make up the total for this breakthrough album.

#49: George Carlin – Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics
iTunes stats: 113 plays
Previous Ranking: 57

If I remember correctly, this special was my first introduction to George Carlin as a young man back in the late 80s. The whole album makes up its total.

#48: The Beatles – The Beatles (White Album)
iTunes stats: 120 plays
Previous Ranking: 33

This remastered version of the classic double album has 8 songs that make up its total.

#47: Various Artists – Monster Madness
iTunes stats: 121 plays
Previous Ranking: 46

9 tracks, from exciting artists like Faith No More, Lita Ford, and Nelson, make up the total for this hair metal compilation.

#46: Various Artists – Buffy The Vampire Slayer: The Album
iTunes stats: 122 plays
Previous Ranking: 34

The soundtrack album to the hit television series, featuring bands like Nerf Herder, Guided By Voices, and The Sundays, had 8 songs make up its total.

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Top 200 Albums – #60 – 70

itunes_imageNearly 4 years ago, we first counted down the Top 200 albums 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, based on number of plays from late 2007 through January 1, 2018.

We continue with the next batch of 10 albums ranked between #60 and 70, including 3 studio recordings, 2 compilations, 2 comedy albums, 1 greatest hits collection, 1 soundtrack, and 1 live performance.

#70: Foo Fighters – The Colour And The Shape
iTunes stats: 92 plays
Previous Ranking: 54

Many years ago, a few years after the album had been released, I picked this up for $5 at Best Buy on Black Friday. Since that time, 4 tracks have made up this total.

#68: The Beatles – Magic Mystery Tour
iTunes stats: 95 plays
Previous Ranking: 42

6 tracks make up the total for this remastered album.

#68: Sam Kinison – Have You Seen Me Lately
iTunes stats: 95 plays
Previous Ranking: 120

The seminal comedy album from Sam Kinison uses his standup routine and a twisted remake of Wild Thing to chart this high.

#66: Various Artists – Millennium Hip-Hop Party Vol. 2
iTunes stats: 98 plays
Previous Ranking: 65

7 tracks, from artists like Coolio, Naughty By Nature, and Paperboy, make up the total for this turn-of-the-century compilation.

#66: Snoop Dogg – Doggystyle
iTunes stats: 98 plays
Previous Ranking: 50

Snoop Dogg’s debut album uses 5 songs to make up this total.

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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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Tuesday Afternoon Commute

With the temperature finally breaking 50 degrees, it was time to roll the windows down, crank the volume up, and enjoy some music on the long drive home.

Salvation Rancid Let’s Go 3/10/2015 4:07 PM
Go Speed Racer Go Sponge Saturday Morning Cartoons’ Greatest Hits 3/10/2015 4:10 PM
I Wanna Sex You Up Color Me Badd C.M.B. 3/10/2015 4:14 PM
Let It Be The Beatles Let It Be [2009 Stereo Remaster] 3/10/2015 4:18 PM
Walking on Sunshine Katrina & The Waves Katrina & The Waves 3/10/2015 4:22 PM
The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana) Banana Splits Here Come The Banana Splits 3/10/2015 4:24 PM
Clarissa Explains It All Tee Vee Toons TV’s Hits Vol. 7: Cable Ready 3/10/2015 4:24 PM
The Gay Pride Parade Patton Oswalt Feelin’ Kinda Patton 3/10/2015 4:26 PM
Wings Tee Vee Toons TV’s Hits Vol. 7: Cable Ready 3/10/2015 4:27 PM
Glorified G Pearl Jam Vs. 3/10/2015 4:30 PM
Cream Prince & The New Power Generation Diamonds And Pearls 3/10/2015 4:34 PM
When All Is Said And Done, I Am Lonely And Miserable And Barely Able To Mask My Contempt For The Audience As I Trot Out The Same Sorry Act I’ve Been Doing Since The Mid-Eighties! David Cross It’s Not Funny 3/10/2015 4:43 PM
Cult Of Personality Continue reading →
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Top 200 Albums – #21 – 28

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 round out the 20s with the 8 albums ranked 27th through 21st and have between 88 and 98 listens.

#21: Garbage – Beautiful Garbage
iTunes stats: 98 plays
The third studio album from the group uses 13 tracks to make up this total.

#22: Various Artists – Living In The 90’s
iTunes stats: 97 plays
A whopping 22 songs, from bands like The Proclaimers, EMF, and Roxette, make up the total for this compilation of early 90s hits.

#23: David Cross – Bigger and Blackerer
iTunes stats: 94 plays
The entirety of the latest comedy album from David Cross makes up this total.

#24: Garbage – Bleed Like Me
iTunes stats: 93 plays
The fourth studio album from the group uses 11 tracks to make up this total.

#24: Mexican Cheerleader – Mexican Cheerleader
iTunes stats: 93 plays
The debut album from the local punk band uses 10 songs to make up its total.

#26: Foo Fighters – Skin And Bones
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