Tag / Depeche Mode

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #170-180

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.

#180: Nancy Faust
iTunes stats: 64 plays
Previous ranking: #140

The former White Sox organist, who returned for a few Sunday appearances last season, drops another 40 spots due to the removal of her then-final performance of Take Me Out to the Ballgame from my victory playlist, which means she only gained four new listens over these past five years.

#178: Firehouse
iTunes stats: 65 plays
Previous ranking: #188

The glam band, who somehow beat out both Alice in Chains and Nirvana for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist at the 1992 American Music Awards, added 20 new listens to the three songs that make up their play total.

#178: Letters to Cleo
iTunes stats: 65 plays
Previous ranking: #164

The years have not been kind to the Boston-based band, who have dropped 86 spots on this last over the past nine years, adding twelve listens to the three songs, only two of which I have actually listened to, in my collection.

#176: Depeche Mode
iTunes stats: 66 plays
Previous ranking: #178

Members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2020, the English band formed in 1980 picks up 17 additional plays of their three songs in my collection.

#176: Jason Segel
iTunes stats: 66 plays
Previous ranking: #169

The human star of The Muppets picked up fourteen additional plays for the four songs credited to him in my collection.

#170: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
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Fifty Years Of Music – 1990

Fifty years ago, I made my first appeared on the Earth.  In celebration, we are going to take a look at the year-end Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for each year of my life and see what songs resonated with me at the time and if they continue to do so to this day.

We continue our look back at the music of my lifetime with 1990, the year I finished my sophomore year of high school, started my junior year, turned 16 and got my driver’s license, and, oh yeah, found myself with my first girlfriend.  These songs formed the soundtrack of my high school years and continue to be some of my favorites.  A full 70 of the Hot 100 are still familiar to me now, with a whopping 50 of them appearing in my collection in one way or another.

#99: Mellow Man Ace – Mentirosa
iTunes stats: 17 plays

The lone single from the Cuban rapper, it spent 24 weeks on the chart, peaking at #14.

#96: Mötley Crüe – Without You
iTunes stats: 24 plays

Reaching #8 on the Hot 100, the song is said to be about drummer Tommy Lee’s relationship with Heather Locklear.

#94: Biz Markie – Just A Friend
iTunes stats: 39 plays

Markie’s highest charting single, it topped out at #9.

#91: Aerosmith – What It Takes
iTunes stats: 18 plays

Written with Desmond Child, it peaked at #9.

#88: Michael Bolton – When I’m Back on My Feet Again
iTunes stats: N/A

Reaching #7 in August, the song was Bolton’s third top ten hit.

#86: Paula Abdul – (It’s Just) The Way That You Love Me
iTunes stats: 15 plays

Originally released as the second single from Abdul’s debut album in 1988 to little success, it was re-released in the fall of 1989 and rose to #3.

#85: D Mob with Cathy Dennis – C’mon and Get My Love
iTunes stats: 21 plays

The song that introduced Cathy Dennis to the public, it just cracked the top ten.

#82: Billy Joel – I Go to Extremes
iTunes stats: N/A

The second single from Joel’s eleventh studio album, the song just missed the top five, peaking at #6

#81: Black Box – Everybody Everybody
iTunes stats: N/A

Featuring uncredited vocals by Martha Wash, the song reached #8 on the Hot 100.

#78: The B-52’s – Love Shack
iTunes stats: 22 plays

Making the year-end charts for the second consecutive year, the 47th biggest hit of 1989 spent 27 total weeks on the chart.

#76: Mariah Carey – Love Takes Time
iTunes stats: N/A

Spending three weeks at #1 in November, the second single from Carey was her second straight chart topper.

#75: Faith No More – Epic
iTunes stats: 26 plays

Ranked as the 30th greatest metal song of all time by VH1, it was the band’s breakthrough hit, reaching #9.

#73: Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K – Get Up! (Before the Night Is Over)
iTunes stats: 16 plays

Released in January of 1990, it rose to #7.

#72: Skid Row – I Remember You
iTunes stats: 19 plays

The New Jersey band’s second and final top ten hits, peaking at #6.

#70: Go West – King of Wishful Thinking
iTunes stats: 17 plays

Featured on the Pretty Woman soundtrack, the track reached #8 on the Hot 100.

#66: Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence
iTunes stats: 22 plays

Released in February, the song became the group’s highest charting single in the US, topping out at #8 in July.

#64: Tom Petty – Free Fallin’
iTunes stats: 34 plays

The highest and longest charting hit of Petty’s career, it peaked at #7, becoming his third and final top ten hit.

#63: Taylor Dayne – I’ll Be Your Shelter
iTunes stats: 6 plays

Reaching #4 on the Hot 100, the song, released in March, was written by Diane Warren and remains Dayne’s final top ten hit.

#62: Digital Underground – The Humpty Dance
iTunes stats: 43 plays

The group’s first Top 40 hit, it topped out at #11.

#61: Aerosmith – Janie’s Got a Gun
iTunes stats: 37 plays

Hitting #4 on the Hot 100, the song earned the group a Grammy award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

#59: Janet Jackson – Black Cat
iTunes stats: 12 plays

The sixth single from Jackson’s fourth studio album spent a single week atop the Hot 100 at the end of October.

#56: Phil Collins – I Wish It Would Rain Down
iTunes stats: N/A

Featuring guitar work from Eric Clapton, Collins reached #3 on the Hot 100 with this track.

#55: MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This
iTunes stats: 18 plays

The first rap song to be nominated for Record of the Year at the Grammys, it peaked at #8 on the Hot 100.

#52: Michael Bolton – How Can We Be Lovers
iTunes stats: N/A

Reaching #3, Bolton co-wrote this tune with both Diane Warren and Desmond Child.

Continue reading →

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #171-178

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.

We continue today with our next batch of 10 artists, the remaining 3 tied for 178th place, 2 tied for 176th, and the 5 tied for 171st, and zoom past the half a century mark in plays.  Once again, 5 of these bands and/or performers are newcomers to this list.

#178: Depeche Mode
iTunes stats: 49 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

Members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2020, the English band makes their debut by picking up 26 additional plays of their 3 songs in my collection.

#178: Coolio
iTunes stats: 49 plays
Previous ranking: #123

The 2 hit wonder, who won the 1996 Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance, drops 55 slots after parlaying those 2 hits into just 14 new listens over the past 4 years.

#178: Stan Bush
iTunes stats: 49 plays
Previous ranking: #159

The star of the TransFormers: The Movie soundtrack has 2 tracks comprise his total.

#176: Dean Martin
iTunes stats: 50 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

More than doubling his previous total gives the deceased Rat Packer a decent debut on the chart.

#176: Lita Ford
iTunes stats: 50 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The former Runaways guitarist jumps onto the list mostly due to now getting credit for her 1989 duet with Ozzy Osbourne.

#171: K.C. & The Sunshine Band
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Good Friday Playlist

To celebrate Good Friday and the whole Easter season, I put together a special playlist for the non-podcast part of my commute home Friday night.  Can you find the theme?

 

One of Us Joan Osborne Relish 4/18/2014 3:37 PM
God Tori Amos Under the Pink 4/18/2014 3:41 PM
Connecticut’s For F*cking Jesus H Christ and The Four Hornsmen of the Apocalypse Jesus H Christ and The Four Hornsmen Of The Apocalypse 4/18/2014 3:45 PM
You’re a God Vertical Horizon Everything You Want 4/18/2014 3:49 PM
Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand Primitive Radio Gods Rocket 4/18/2014 3:55 PM
Personal Jesus Depeche Mode Violator 4/18/2014 3:59 PM
Right Here, Right Now Jesus Jones Living In The 90’s (Disc 1) 4/18/2014 4:02 PM
Personal Jesus Johnny Cash American IV – The Man Comes Around 4/18/2014 4:05 PM
Just Like Heaven The Cure Greatest Hits 4/18/2014 4:09 PM
Heaven Warrant Monster Ballads (Disc 1) 4/18/2014 4:13 PM
Tears in Heaven Eric Clapton Unplugged 4/18/2014 4:18 PM
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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
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Mix Tape Monday – March 2003

After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended.  That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

March of 2003 looks to have a lot of cover songs, along with the latest hits from Kelly Osbourne, Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne, and the White Stripes.

Mariah Carey – Bringing On The Heartbreak

For a minute there, I thought I could get in to this remake of the old Def Leppard hit.

iTunes stats: Never played

The Donnas – Take It Off

The one big hit for the girl group.

iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 5/30/2012

Foo Fighters – Times Like These

The latest from the Foo Fighters had both an electric and acoustic version.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 1/4/2013

David Lee Roth – California Girls

After leaving Van Halen, David Lee Roth thought becoming a cheesy Vegas lounge act was the way to go.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 3/30/2012

Tatu – All The Things You Said

Nothing says pop music hit like lesbian Russian teenagers.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 8/10/2011

Tegan And Sara – I Hear Noises

My first introduction to Tegan and Sara.  I own all of their albums after this and have since seen them in concert.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 9/21/2011

Bif Naked – We’re Not Gonna Take It

A cover of the Twisted Sister hit from the Ready To Rumble soundtrack.

iTunes stats: Never played

Sixpence None The Richer – Don’t Dream It’s Over

A cover of the old Crowded House hit.

iTunes stats: Never played

Johnny Cash – Personal Jesus

A bizarre cover of the Depeche Mode hit by the Man in Black.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 5/19/2009

Kelly Osbourne – Shut Up

The first release from Kelly’s ill-fated album meant to capitalize on the success of The Osbournes.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 5/8/2012

Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting

The 70s ode to martial arts.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 3/21/2012

Continue reading →

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Mix Tape Monday – Tape #1

Earlier this year, we looked at the 20 volumes of mix tapes that I had made between 1989 and 1995, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD.  In addition to those, I had 2 tapes that consisted of songs that I liked, but, for differing reasons, did not make it to the main set.  I thought it would be fun to take another look back at those two cassettes, how much I listen to those songs now, and why they did not qualify for the main set of mix tapes.

 

Side A

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Soul To Squeeze

This song was from the Coneheads soundtrack, released in 1993.  I’m not sure what held the song back, as it ranks high today in my list of favorite Chili Pepper songs.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 8/29/2011

Aerosmith – Sweet Emotion

At some point, I stopped putting old songs on the main series of mix tapes and shunted them off to this collection.  This Aerosmith hit, originally released in the 70s, was re-released as the single from the Pandora’s Box boxset.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 6/17/2012

EMF – Unforgettable

The one hit from EMF certainly should have made it to the main series of tapes.  Maybe I just never got it recorded until it was too late?

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 9/1/2011

REM – Drive (Live)

This live version of the debut single from Automatic For The People was recorded for Greenpeace.

Stone Temple Pilots – Plush

One thing I did notice was that for bands I ended up reallly liking, like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and STP, their first breakthrough hit did not make it on to my favorites tapes.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 10/13/2010

Motley Crue – Kickstart My Heart

Again, not sure why this wouldn’t have made it to the main tapes, unless it came out before those tapes started.  The timing would have been close.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 6/17/2012

REM – Stand

The title song from the Chris Elliot show Get A Life would have pre-dated the other collection of favorite songs.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 7/13/2012

Guns N’ Roses – Patience

With the overwhelming success of Appetite For Destruction, a quickie EP was released with previously released material and this song, which would have come out right around the time the other series of tapes was starting off.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 8/15/2011

Van Halen – Jump

Since this song came out in 1984, it was relegated to this backup tape as opposed to the main stream.

iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 10/2/2012

Def Leppard – Bringin’ On The Heartbreak

This Def Leppard song easily pre-dates my collection of favorite songs, as it came out in the early 1980s.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 5/25/2012

Side B

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A Week Of Working Out Music

A week’s worth of workout music, that may have been posted individually had the website been up and available.

Tuesday

I Kissed A Girl Jill Sobule 90’s Style (Disc 1) 12/13/2011 8:33 AM
Hard To Explain The Strokes Is This It? 12/13/2011 8:37 AM
A Song For You Mexican Cheerleader Kings And Kings’ Hoots 12/13/2011 8:39 AM
Ruby Soho Rancid …And Out Come The Wolves 12/13/2011 8:42 AM
Big Bang Baby Stone Temple Pilots Tiny Music…Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop 12/13/2011 8:45 AM
Blue Suede Shoes Elvis Presley 2nd To None 12/13/2011 8:47 AM
Bizarre Love Triangle Frente! Marvin The Album 12/13/2011 8:50 AM
We Didn’t Do It Tegan and Sara So Jealous 12/13/2011 8:53 AM
Free Bird Lynyrd Skynyrd 20th Century Masters – The Milliennium Collection: The Best of Lynyrd Skynyrd 12/13/2011 9:03 AM
Wicked Garden Stone Temple Pilots Core 12/13/2011 9:07 AM
Alias Theme J.J. Abrams Alias Original Television Soundtrack 12/13/2011 9:09 AM
Drop It Like It’s Hot (Dirty) Snoop Dogg, featuring Pharrell R & G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece 12/13/2011 9:13 AM
It Was A Good Day Ice Cube The Predator 12/13/2011 9:18 AM
Celebration Kool & The Gang 12/13/2011 9:21 AM
Dope Nose Weezer Maladroit 12/13/2011 9:24 AM
Get Back The Beatles (With Billy Preston) Past Masters, Vol. 2 [2009 Stereo Remaster] 12/13/2011 9:27
Every Little Step Bobby Brown Don’t Be Cruel 12/13/2011 9:31 AM
Misery The Beatles Please Please Me [2009 Stereo Remaster] 12/13/2011 9:33 AM
All the Things She Said t.A.T.u. 200 KM/H in the Wrong Lane 12/13/2011 9:37 AM
“Are You A Man Or A Muppet?” Amy Adams The Muppets Soundtrack 12/13/2011 9:37 AM
Don’t Let Me Down The Beatles Let It Be… Naked 12/13/2011 9:40 AM

Wednesday Continue reading →

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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 →

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Wednesday Tunes

The songs that got me through the R2.2 SDP updates and the commute home yesterday.

Fade Into You Mazzy Star So Tonight That I Might See 1/5/2011 3:11 PM
I Am The Walrus The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour [2009 Stereo Remaster] 1/5/2011 3:15 PM
Here I Go Again Whitesnake Whitesnake 1/5/2011 3:20 PM
Suspicious Minds Elvis Presley Elv1s 30 #1 Hits 1/5/2011 3:24 PM
Kiss Off Violent Femmes Violent Femmes 1/5/2011 3:27 PM
Wishing Well Terence Trent D’Arby Billboard Top Hits 1988 1/5/2011 3:31 PM
Cherry, Cherry Neil Diamond Classics: The Early Years 1/5/2011 3:34 PM
Been Caught Stealing Jane’s Addiction The First 1000 Years- Rock 1/5/2011 3:37 PM
Personal Jesus Depeche Mode Violator 1/5/2011 3:41 PM
Continue reading →