Tag / Evan Dando

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #120-129

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, alternative rock, and rap, stretching from the 1950s through 90s.

#129: The Lemonheads
iTunes stats: 83 plays
Previous ranking: #125

Formed in Boston in 1986, Evan Dando and crew added 17 additional plays to the three tracks in my collection from their 90s heyday.

#129: Dion & The Belmonts
iTunes stats: 83 plays
Previous ranking: #120

Inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000, the 50s stars from the Bronx added fifteen new plays, dropping nine spots on the chart.

#124: Styx
iTunes stats: 85 plays
Previous ranking: #137

The group, formed in Chicago in 1972, saw a 39% increase thanks to 24 new listens over these past five years to the three tracks in my collection.

#124: The Go-Go’s
iTunes stats: 85 plays
Previous ranking: #133

The seminal female new wave band, who came out of the LA punk scene of the late 1970s, added 23 additional listens to the four tracks in my collection.

#124: The Presidents of the United States of America
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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #120-128

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 3 tied for 128th place, 3 tied for 125th, 3 tied for 122nd, and the first of 2 tied for 120th.  We have a single newcomer making their debut this week, who kicks things off.

#128: Madonna
iTunes stats: 64 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

Certified as the best-selling female recording artist of all time by Guinness World Records, Madonna makes an impressive debut after adding 43 new listens, the highest total to date.

#128: Lenny Kravitz
iTunes stats: 64 plays
Previous ranking: #152

The son of TV’s Roxie Roker more than doubles his previous total for the 4 tracks in my collection.

#128: The Presidents Of The United States Of America
iTunes stats: 64 plays
Previous ranking: #145

Three songs from the band’s debut album doubled their listens to move 17 spots up the chart.

#125: The Lemonheads
iTunes stats: 66 plays
Previous ranking: #116

Evan Dando and crew add 28 additional plays to the 3 tracks in my collection from their 90s heyday.

#125: Rancid
iTunes stats: 66 plays
Previous ranking: #113

The punk band drops 12 slots after picking up a 69% increase in plays over the last 4 years.

#125: Me First And The Gimme Gimmes
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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #109-119

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.

We continue today with another wide variety of musical styles, including a couple of actors who appeared in a certain musical movie together.

#119: Bruce Springsteen
iTunes stats: 36 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The Boss debuts on the list thanks to 4 tunes, 3 of which are from his smash Born In The USA album.

#119: Blur
iTunes stats: 36 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The English band uses 2 tracks to make up their total.

#117: INXS
iTunes stats: 37 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

5 tracks from the Australian group combined to make up this total.

#117: Bloodhound Gang
iTunes stats: 37 plays
Previous ranking: #91

A slight increase of 11 plays for the two songs from the band known for humorous and off-beat, satirical lyrics.

#116: The Lemonheads
iTunes stats: 38 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

Evan Dando and crew make their debut on the list thanks to 3 tracks from their 90s heyday.

#113: Styx
iTunes stats: 39 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The local outfit used a surge in one of their tunes, thanks to the recently departed Chris Sale, to make the list.

#113: Rancid
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Mix Tape Monday – Volume 12

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. I thought it would be a fun exercise to look back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listen to today.

Volume 12 covers the summer of 1993 and into the fall and my sophomore year of college.  Alternative has mostly taken over, although there’s still a small smattering of pop and hair metal, or whatever we were calling Def Leppard and Guns ‘N Roses back then.

Side A

10,000 Maniacs – Because The Night

The unplugged hit was taped off the radio from Chicago’s new rock alternative, Q101.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 8/26/2011

Cracker – Low

The first hit from Cracker’s sophomore effort was also taped from Q101.

iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 5/1/2012

Def Leppard – Miss You In A Heartbeat

The ballad was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 8/18/2011

Cher w/ Beavis & Butthead – I Got You Babe

The remake from the animated duos hit film was taped off Lafayette’s hit music station, 96.5 WAZY.

iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 10/10/2011

Guns N’ Roses – Estranged

The GnR opus was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 8/1/2011

Lemonheads – Into Your Arms

The big hit for Evan Dando and the boys must have been taped off of a cassingle.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 7/22/2011

Side B

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