Top 200 Albums: #131 – 139

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.

We continue today with the next batch of ten albums that I have listened to the most over the last 15 years, including one comedy album, one compilation, and an even one half of the albums coming from the 90s.

#139: Foo Fighters – Foo Fighters
iTunes stats: 91 plays
Previous Ranking: 129

Recovering from the death of Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl recorded this debut, which increased its plays by a scant 56.9%, alone and formed the band afterwards.

#139: Bell Biv DeVoe – Poison
iTunes stats: 91 plays
Previous Ranking: 120

The debut album from the former members of New Edition added 30 new listens to two of the ten songs from the album.

#136: The Beatles – Let It Be
iTunes stats: 92 plays
Previous Ranking: 129

Four of the twelve tracks from this remastered version of the Fab Four’s twelfth and final studio album earn a relatively small 58% increase over the past 4 years.

#136: Various Artists – TV Themes of the 80’s
iTunes stats: 92 plays
Previous Ranking: 161

Five different theme songs, from popular TV shows like WKRP in Cincinnati, Love Boat, and the Dukes of Hazzard, added 43 new plays to jump up 25 spots.

#136: Liz Phair – Whitechocolatespaceegg
iTunes stats: 92 plays
Previous Ranking: 127

Ten different songs make up this total, an increase of 56% from four years ago, for this third studio album by the one-time indie darling.

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #21-30

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 the next batch of 10 artists, zooming into the 300 listen territory with reckless abandon.

#30: Metallica
iTunes stats: 263 plays
Previous ranking: #35

The one-time masters of metal manage to go up 5 spots in the rankings thanks to 115 new listens, despite dropping off my myriad White Sox victory playlists.

#29: Guns N’ Roses
iTunes stats: 264 plays
Previous ranking: #33

Axl Rose and his sometimes friends add 115 new listens to the now 21 songs in my collection to enable them to move up 4 positions in the rankings.

#28: The Monkees
iTunes stats: 279 plays
Previous ranking: #33

The made-for-TV band, who lost Peter Tork in 2019, had an 87% increase in their listens, moving them up 5 spots in the rankings.

#27: Avril Lavigne
iTunes stats: 297 plays
Previous ranking: #32

The 8 time Grammy nominee, who somehow has 25 tracks that I’ve listened to in my collection, added 145 new plays, which moved her up 5 spots on the charts.

#26: Veruca Salt
iTunes stats: 300 plays
Previous ranking: #26

The girls from Chicago, who I saw live in Champaign back in the day, used 14 songs to increase their plays by 125, allowing them to stay in the exact same slot.

#25: Weezer
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iTunes Top 200: #29 – 36

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.

We enter Casey Kasem territory today, cracking the top 40 with 10 songs between 44 and 47 plays apiece, according to my iTunes stats dating back to late 2007.

#36: Weird Al Yankovic – Dare To Be Stupid
iTunes stats: 44 plays, most recently on 12/18/2019
Previous ranking: #32

Weird Al’s tribute to the style of Devo, as featured in TransFormers: The Movie.

#36: Dr. John – My Opinionation
iTunes stats: 44 plays, most recently on 8/8/2019
Previous ranking: #27

A slight decrease for the theme song to Blossom, the 90s pantheon to weird teenage girls being themselves.

#36: Taylor Swift – Shake It Off
iTunes stats: 44 plays, most recently on 11/12/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

A strong debut for the 22nd song in history to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

#36: Frank Sinatra – My Kind Of Town
iTunes stats: 44 plays, most recently on 9/25/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

Added to recent editions of my White Sox victory playlist, this is the second tune about the Second City from Ol’ Blue Eyes to hit the Billboard charts.

#36: Foo Fighters – Monkey Wrench
iTunes stats: 44 plays, most recently on 12/20/2019
Previous ranking: #65

A big jump up the charts for this first single from the band’s second album, chronicling the disintegration of singer/song writer Dave Grohl’s four-year marriage to Jennifer Youngblood..

#33: Katy Perry – I Kissed A Girl
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iTunes Top 200: #144

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.

We continue on today with the next batch of songs tied for 144th place with 31 listens since my stats began in late 2007.

#144: Hole – Celebrity Skin
iTunes stats: 31 plays, most recently on 12/20/2019
Previous ranking: #79

A big drop for Hole’s most commercially successful single, being the only one to reach #1 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.

#144: Harry Caray – Take Me Out To The Ballgame
iTunes stats: 31 plays, most recently on 10/2/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

An impressive debut for this version of the baseball classic, which features on my Cubs victory playlist.

#144: Green Day – Basket Case
iTunes stats: 31 plays, most recently on 8/30/2019
Previous ranking: #79

The third single from the band’s major label debut, it spent 5 weeks atop the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

#144: Great White – Once Bitten Twice Shy
iTunes stats: 31 plays, most recently on 12/11/2019
Previous ranking: #56

A big drop for the biggest hit from the band best known for a fire, which also appears on Volume 4 of my mix tapes.

#144: George Carlin – Telephone Mimes
iTunes stats: 31 plays, most recently on 11/25/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

Yet another entry from Carlin’s 17th album and twelfth HBO stand-up special.

#144: Foo Fighters – All My Life
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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 – #101 – 109

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 wrap up the first half with the next batch of 10 albums ranked between #101 and 109, including 6 studio recordings, 2 live performances, and 2 greatest hit packages.

#109: Eminem – The Eminem Show
iTunes stats: 65 plays
Previous Ranking: 74

The fourth studio album from Eminem uses 5 tracks to make up this total.

#109: The Beatles – Abbey Road
iTunes stats: 65 plays
Previous Ranking: 100

7 songs make up this total for the remastered version of the last Beatles album ever recorded.

#108: Bush – Sixteen Stone
iTunes stats: 66 plays
Previous Ranking: 80

5 tracks from Bush’s debut album place it on the list, with only 24 additional plays.

#106: Offspring – Smash
iTunes stats: 67 plays
Previous Ranking: 100

4 tunes, and an increase of 30 listens, from this debut album from the California punk band make up this total.

#106: Cracker – Kerosene Hat
iTunes stats: 67 plays
Previous Ranking: 80

The second album from the Georgia rockers makes the list thanks to 3 songs.

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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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iTunes Top 200: #56 – 65

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 finish off the remaining songs tied for 65th with 22 listens and start the group of songs tied for 56th with 23 listens since 2007.

#65: Foo Fighters – My Hero
iTunes stats: 22 plays, most recently on 9/28/2015
Previous ranking: #41

A live version from the bands live acoustic album released in 2006.

FooFighters#65: Foo Fighters – Monkey Wrench
iTunes stats: 22 plays, most recently on 8/30/2015
Previous ranking: #76

The first single from the band’s second album, the song chronicled the disintegration of singer/song writer Dave Grohl’s four-year marriage to Jennifer Youngblood.

#65: Eminem – Lose Yourself
iTunes stats: 22 plays, most recently on 9/2/2014
Previous ranking: #41

The song was written during the filming of the movie in which it appeared, 8 Mile.

#65: Cher with Beavis & Butt-head – I Got You Babe
iTunes stats: 22 plays, most recently on 5/16/2015
Previous ranking: #58

This remake featuring the cartoon duo also appeared on Volume 12 of my mix tapes.

#65: Bell Biv DeVoe – Do Me!
iTunes stats: 22 plays, most recently on 2/6/2015
Previous ranking: #58

This follow-up hit from the former members of New Edition also appeared on Tape 1 of my mix tapes.

#65: The Beatles – Help!
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iTunes Top 200: #79

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 next grouping of 10 songs tied for 79th place with 21 plays apiece since late 2007.

#79: Mexican Cheerleader – American Nice
iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 9/12/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The song that serves as a ringtone for the band’s singer on my phone.

#79: Me First And The Gimme Gimmes – Rainbow Connection
iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 8/9/2014
Previous ranking: #58

A punk cover of the quintessential Muppets hit.

#79: The Lonely Island – Dick In A Box (ft. Justin Timberlake)
iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 8/21/2015
Previous ranking: #76

The SNL Digital Short premiered on December 16, 2006 and became a viral hit when the uncensored version was posted online the following day.

#79: John Williams – Prelude and Main Title March
iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 12/18/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The iconic theme song to the original set of Superman films.

#79: Hole – Doll Parts
iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 8/16/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The hit from Courtney Love and company also appeared on Volume 16 of my mix tapes.

#79: Hole – Celebrity Skin
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iTunes Top 200: #141 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.

We continue today with the final grouping of songs tied for 141st place with 18 plays apiece since late 2007.

#141: Eminem – Cleaning Out My Closet
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 6/20/2015
Previous ranking: #70

Peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, this song became one of the highest-charting singles of Eminem’s career.

#141: Dr. Dre featuring RBX and Snoop Dogg – Let Me Ride
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 7/1/2014
Previous ranking: #76

This 1994 Grammy Award winner for Best Rap Solo Performance also appeared on Volume 11 of my mix tapes.

#141: Dr. Dre – Keep Their Heads Ringin’
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 8/26/2015
Previous ranking: #96

This 1995 hit from the Friday soundtrack also appeared on Volume 17 of my mix tapes.

#141: Cracker – Teen Angst (What The World Needs Now)
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 6/24/2014
Previous ranking: #76

Charted at number 1 on the US Modern Rock Tracks, arguably breaking Cracker into the mainstream.

#141: Bloodhound Gang – Bad Touch
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 9/19/2015
Previous ranking: #96

Ranked at No. 49 on the list of the 100 Worst Songs Ever released in 2010 by AOL Radio.

#141: The Beatles – I Want To Hold Your Hand
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