Top 200 Albums: #177 – 188

itunes_imageWe 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.

#187: Tegan and Sara – Sainthood
iTunes stats: 68 plays
Previous Ranking: 140

Eleven of the thirteen songs from this sixth studio album from the Canadian twins added only 13 new listens, causing it to drop 60 spots over the last four years.

#187: Pink – Missundaztood
iTunes stats: 68 plays
Previous Ranking: NR

Pink climbs on to the chart thanks to three singles from her 2001 smash release, which increased its listens by more than 74%.

#187: Cracker – Cracker
iTunes stats: 68 plays
Previous Ranking: 176

The 1992 debut from Cracker needed contributions from only two songs, which added a combined 22 new listens, while dropping 18 spots.

#187: The Muffs – The Muffs
iTunes stats: 68 plays
Previous Ranking: 179

The debut album from The Muffs, released in 1993, uses three songs, including one that was featured in a Fruitopia ad, to make up this total.

#186: Various Artists – Pure Disco Volume 2
iTunes stats: 69 plays
Previous Ranking: NR

Five tracks from this compilation album, featuring hits by Barry White, Wild Cherry, and others, powered a nearly 92% increase in plays.

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #81-89

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, breaking past the 100 play plateau with the 2 remaining tied for 89th place, the single artist at 88, 2 tied for 86th, and the single artists at 85th through 81st.

#89: Chance The Rapper
iTunes stats: 93 plays
Previous ranking: #139

Somehow the two clips from his intro video for the 2016 White Sox jumped 50 spots due to a 182% increase in plays over the last 4 years.

#89: Roxette
iTunes stats: 93 plays
Previous ranking: #95

Sweden’s second best selling musical act after Abba, the pop duo nearly doubled their listens while moving up 6 spots on the chart.

#88: The Muffs
iTunes stats: 94 plays
Previous ranking: #70

A big 18 spot drop for the band most well known for a Fruitopia commercial back in the day, thanks to a mere 32 new plays.

#86: Soul Asylum
iTunes stats: 97 plays
Previous ranking: #88

43 new listens for the Minneapolis-based band pushes them up 2 spots in the rankings.

#86: Christina Aguilera
iTunes stats: 97 plays
Previous ranking: #84

The former Voice star sees a 73% increase, enabling her to drop only 2 spots.

#85: The Outfield
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Top 200 Albums – #179 – 190

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 things with the next batch of 10 albums that rank between #179 and 190, including 6 studio recordings, 3 compilations, and 1 live recording.

#190: Various Artists – Billboard Top Hits 1988
iTunes stats: 42 plays
Previous Ranking: N/A

5 tracks from this compilation of the biggest hits of 1988 allow it to make its debut on the list.

#188: Tori Amos – Under The Pink
iTunes stats: 43 plays
Previous Ranking: 172

Tori makes her debut on the chart with her second solo album, thanks to its 2 hits.

#188: Montell Jordan – This Is How We Do It
iTunes stats: 43 plays
Previous Ranking: N/A

A single tune, used as the walkup music by former White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton, puts Montell Jordan on the list.

#182: Various Artists – Dazed And Confused
iTunes stats: 44 plays
Previous Ranking: 181

The soundtrack to the movie about high school in the 70s gets on the charts on the backs of 4 entries.

#182: Soundgarden – Superunknown
iTunes stats: 44 plays
Previous Ranking: N/A

4 tracks from the hit album from the Seattle group allow it to make its debut, thanks in part to White Sox catcher Kevan Smith.

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #61-70

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 the long slog towards the top with today’s entry, which includes:

#70: The Muffs
iTunes stats: 62 plays
Previous ranking: #67

A slight 3 spot drop for the band most well known for a Fruitopia commercial back in the day.

#69: Bush
iTunes stats: 63 plays
Previous ranking: #68

The British band rode the alternative wave of the early to mid 90s to have 6 songs make up their total, with 28 additional listens in the past 3 years.

#68: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
iTunes stats: 64 plays
Previous ranking: #80

An impressive 12 spot jump for the rap duo, who added 1 new track and 34 new listens over the past 3 years.

#66: Mazzy Star
iTunes stats: 65 plays
Previous ranking: #59

Only 25 new listens contributed to the 7 spot drop for the tippy band.

#66: John Williams
iTunes stats: 65 plays
Previous ranking: #98

The composer of some of the most popular and recognizable film scores in cinematic history, including the Star Wars and Superman series, has a nice 32 spot jump thanks to 42 new listens over the last 3 years.

#65: Warrant
iTunes stats: 66 plays
Previous ranking: #74

The favorite of strip clubs everywhere, and the Adam Carolla Show, added 34 new listens, good enough for a 9 spot jump.

#64: TLC
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Top 200 Albums – #164 – 171

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 continue climbing up the list and look at the 8 albums tied for 164th with 25 listens.

#164: The Mamas And The Papas – California Dreamin’
iTunes stats: 25 plays
This compilation used 3 of the bands biggest hits to achieve this lofty total.

#164: Frente! – Marvin The Album
iTunes stats: 25 plays
The debut album for the Australian alternative group makes this list on the back of 2 hits, including their cover of New Order’s Bizarre Love Triangle.

#164: Various Artists – Grease (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
iTunes stats: 25 plays
The soundtrack to the 1978 hit film had 5 tracks, from film stars John Travolta, Olivia Newton John, and Stockard Channing, among others, contribute to this total.

#164: Various Artists – Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1970
iTunes stats: 25 plays
This compilation of the biggest hits of 1970 by bands that would allow themselves to be on such a compilation, like Ides of March or the Partridge Family, has 7 tunes making up its total.

#164: Fiona Apple – Tidal
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iTunes Top 100 Artists: #62-70

itunes_image

My latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 2 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 100 artists that I’ve listened to as of 8/21/2013, according to iTunes. Today we look at the the the next batch, numbers 62-70, which includes a few actors that appeared on a certain soundtrack.

#62: Amy Adams

iTunes stats: 39 plays

The amazing actress makes the list thanks to her work on the soundtrack to The Muppets.

#63: Gin Blossoms

iTunes stats: 38 plays

The Tempe, AZ band makes the list thanks to 5 different tunes, mostly from their debut album.

#63: Jason Segel

iTunes stats: 38 plays

Another Hollywood type makes the list thanks to The Muppets.

#63: Ludacris

iTunes stats: 38 plays

The Atlanta-based rapper uses three songs, each with over 10 plays, to make up his total.

#66: Bell Biv DeVoe

iTunes stats: 37 plays

The former members of New Edition went off on their own and used 3 songs to make it to this position on the list.

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Mix Tape Monday – Undated

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.

From what I can tell, this undated CD was from the lost year of 2004.  In addition to songs that were released in 2004, we also have an ode to former White Sox infielder Willie Harris, which I believe was popular at the ballpark back in 04.

The Muffs – Everywhere I Go

You may recognize this song from a popular Fruitopia commercial.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 5/11/2012

J. J. Abrams – Alias theme

This is currently my ring tone for people I work with.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 8/21/2012

Avril Lavigne – Don’t Tell Me

The first single from Lavigne’s second album.

iTunes stats: 1 plays, on 8/8/2008

Green Day – American Idiot

Nominated for 4 Grammys, this was Green Day’s first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 1/11/2013

Avril Lavigne – My Happy Ending

The second single from Lavigne’s second album.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/27/2009

Ashlee Simpson – Pieces Of Me

The debut single from Jessica’s little sister.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 9/16/2012

Sweet – Little Willy

The 1972 hit was reintroduced to White Sox fans whenever Willie Harris would do something worthwhile/

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 11/9/2012

K’s Choice – Something’s Wrong

An album track from K’s Choice’s second album.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 1/2/2013

Nitty – Nasty Girl

Features a sample from the Archie’s hit Sugar, Sugar.

iTunes stats: Never played

Snoop Dogg – What’s My Name

The first single from Snoop’s solo debut.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 10/8/2012

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