Tag / Garfunkel and Oates

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iTunes Top 200: #77 – 89

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 songs in my iTunes library, featuring he songs I have listened to the most since 2007.  It is time to do so again, seeing which older songs still resonate and if any newer ones have joined the fray.  So, without further ado, here are my most listened to songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2025.

We continue this week with the two remaining songs tied for 89th place with 42 plays and begin the first batch of tunes with 43 plays apiece, good enough for 77th place since my stats began in late 2007.

#89: Cracker – Teen Angst (What The World Needs Now)
iTunes stats: 42 plays, most recently on 12/17/2024
Previous ranking: #68

This entry, which charted at #1 on the US Modern Rock Tracks, arguably broke Cracker into the mainstream.

#89: Concrete Blonde – Joey
iTunes stats: 42 plays, most recently on 3/31/2024
Previous ranking: #68

The band’s biggest hit, which spent four weeks atop the Modern Rock Tracks chart and hit #19 on the Billboard Hot 100.

#77: TLC – Creep
iTunes stats: 43 plays, most recently on 1/5/2024
Previous ranking: #98

The lead single from the band’s second album, the group’s first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

#77: Mott the Hoople – All the Young Dudes
iTunes stats: 43 plays, most recently on 12/27/2024
Previous ranking: #79

Written by the David Bowie, the song was rated #253 in the list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone.

#77: The Lonely Islands – Dick in a Box (ft. Justin Timberlake)
iTunes stats: 43 plays, most recently on 11/12/2024
Previous ranking: #68

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

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iTunes Top 200: #99

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 songs in my iTunes library, featuring he songs I have listened to the most since 2007.  It is time to do so again, seeing which older songs still resonate and if any newer ones have joined the fray.  So, without further ado, here are my most listened to songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2025.

We wrap up the first half of the countdown this week with the next batch of songs tied for 99th place with 41 plays apiece since my stats began in late 2007.

#99: Styx – Come Sail Away
iTunes stats: 41 plays, most recently on 12/7/2024
Previous ranking: #79

Once used at the ballpark on days Chris Sale was pitching for the White Sox, the 1977 hit from the Chicago band added five plays since 2020.

#99: Mexican Cheerleader – American Nice
iTunes stats: 41 plays, most recently on 9/23/2023
Previous ranking: #79

Only four new plays for the song that serves as a ringtone for the band’s singer on my phone.

#99: The Lonely Island – I Just Had Sex (feat. Akon)
iTunes stats: 41 plays, most recently on 2/5/2023
Previous ranking: #112

Released as the first single from the group’s second album, the video, featured as a Saturday Night Live digital short, features Akon, Jessica Alba, Blake Lively, and John McEnroe.

#99: Garfunkel and Oates – This Party Took a Turn for the Douche
iTunes stats: 41 plays, most recently on 10/22/2024
Previous ranking: #112

Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci add another tune to the charts.

#99: Garfunkel and Oates – Fuck You
iTunes stats: 41 plays, most recently on 7/24/2023
Previous ranking: #112

Eight new listens for this ode to wanting to be intimate with the object of your affection. Continue reading →

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iTunes Top 200: #158 Part II

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 songs in my iTunes library, featuring he songs I have listened to the most since 2007.  It is time to do so again, seeing which older songs still resonate and if any newer ones have joined the fray.  So, without further ado, here are my most listened to songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2025.

We continue this week with the next batch of songs tied for 158th place with 37 plays apiece since my stats began in late 2007.

#158: Green Day – Basket Case
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 9/28/2024
Previous ranking: #144

The third single from the band’s major label debut, it spent five weeks atop Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart and earned the group one of their four Grammy nominations in 1995.

#158: Green Day – American Idiot
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 9/19/2023
Previous ranking: NR

The band’s first hit to chart on the Hot 100, it has picked up 20 new plays over the past nine years.

#158: George Carlin – People Who Wear Visors
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 6/4/2024
Previous ranking: NR

A strong debut for this comedy bit from Carlin’s twelfth HBO special.

#158: Garfunkel and Oates – Pregnant Women are Smug
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 12/1/2024
Previous ranking: #170

Seven new listens for the comedic tune from Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci.

#158: Foo Fighters – My Hero
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 8/18/2024
Previous ranking: NR

Released in January of 1998 as the third single from the band’s second album, it reached #6 on the Alternative Songs chart.

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iTunes Top 200 Albums Wrap-Up

Last week, we wrapped up our latest look at the top 200 albums that I’ve listened to, according to iTunes, since late 2007.  Now it’s time to take a final look at those 200 albums and the 536 (or so) artists that contributed to them.  The average number of listens was just under 150, with the median number being 113.  There were 13 new entries, and of the returning entries, there was an average increase of just a tad over 58 listens per album.

Most Represented Band

The Beatles – 15
Garbage – 8
George Carlin – 7
Patton Oswalt – 6
Foo Fighters – 4
Tegan and Sara – 4
Garfunkel and Oates – 4
AC/DC – 4
R.E.M. – 4
Pearl Jam – 4

Largest Play Increase

400 – George Carlin – Complaints and Grievances
231 – George Carlin – It’s Bad For Ya
194 – Garbage – One Mile High… Live
182 – Patton Oswalt – Werewolves and Lollipops
174 – Various Artists – Television’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 3 (70’s & 80’s)

Smallest Play Increase

2 – 2008 Highlights – WSCR 670 The Score
9 – Queen – Queen: Greatest Hits I & II
9 – Garbage – Absolute Garbage
11 – The Outfield – Play Deep
11 – P.O.D. – Satellite

Largest Percent Increase

Infinite – Patton Oswalt – Annihilation
404.55% – George Carlin – Jammin’ In New York
186.11% – Florence + The Machine – Between Two Lungs
175.56% – Patton Oswalt – My Weakness is Strong
170% – Various Artists – The Osbourne Family Album

Smallest Percent Increase

1.83% – 2008 Highlights – WSCR 670 The Score
7.20% – Garbage – Absolute Garbage
7.26% – Queen – Queen: Greatest Hits I & II
8.43% – Various Artists – Pirates of the Caribbean (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
10.78% – P.O.D. – Satellite

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Top 200 Albums: #11 – 20

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.

It is our penultimate look at the albums I have listened to the most over the last 15 years. including three compilations, two comedy albums, two greatest hits collections, and a bootleg live performance.

#20: AC/DC – The Razors Edge
iTunes stats: 283 plays
Previous Ranking: 12

An eight-spot drop in the rankings, most likely thanks to a pandemic-shortened 2020 baseball season without crowds and the subsequent lack of playing my White Sox playlists.

#19: Various Artists – TV’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 7: Cable Ready
iTunes stats: 289 plays
Previous Ranking: 16

A 98-play increase for this collection of TV theme songs from shows like Mad About You, Saved By The Bell, and Blossom, among others.

#17: The Monkees – The Monkees Greatest Hits
iTunes stats: 292 plays
Previous Ranking: 18

19 different tracks from the made-for-TV band, which is now down to just Mickey Dolenz following Michael Nesmith’s December death, saw a nearly 65% increase in listens over the past four years.

#17: Patton Oswalt– Feelin’ Kinda Patton
iTunes stats: 292 plays
Previous Ranking: 20

The first comedy album from Patton Oswalt sees an impressive 73% increase, which would be significantly higher if I were to ever sync my old iPhone 4s again.

#16: Elvis Presley – Elv1s 30 #1 Hits
iTunes stats: 312 plays
Previous Ranking: 15

This greatest hits package from the King of Rock & Roll uses 14 tracks to add an additional 119 listens over the past four years.

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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: #41 – 50

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 kick off the final quarter 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.

#50: The Beatles – The Beatles
iTunes stats: 182 plays
Previous Ranking: 48

Colloquially known as The White Album, the band’s ninth studio album, released in 1968, garnered a nearly 52% increase in plays.

#48: George Carlin – You Are All Diseased
iTunes stats: 183 plays
Previous Ranking: 79

The comedian’s eleventh HBO special, recorded in 1999, added 102 listens to jump 31 spots in the rankings.

#48: Various Artists – Monster Ballads
iTunes stats: 183 plays
Previous Ranking: 55

This compilation of love songs from hair bands, featuring artists such as Warrant and Cinderella, added 74 new plays to the five different tracks in my collection.

#47: Garfunkel and Oates – Secretions
iTunes stats: 188 plays
Previous Ranking: 79

The latest offering from musical comedians Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci saw a 132% increase in listens.

#46: Van Halen – The Best of Both Worlds
iTunes stats: 190 plays
Previous Ranking: 56

This greatest hits compilation saw an increase of 83 listens thanks to eight tracks, split between David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar.

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: Wrapup

Last week, we wrapped up our latest look at the top 200 artists I’ve listened to, according to iTunes, since 2008. Now it’s time to take a final look at those 200 artists and the songs that put them on the list. The average number of listens per group was just over 172 1/2, with the median number being 84 1/2.  There were 23 new artists debuting on the list, with the highest being John Travolta at #117.

Largest Increase

George Carlin – 1211
Garbage – 954
Patton Oswalt – 812
The Beatles – 694
Garfunkel and Oates – 410

Largest Percentage Increase

Florence + The Machine – 284%
Taylor Swift – 248%
George Carlin – 239%
John Morris – 237%
Ron Funches – 234%

Smallest Increase

Artie Lange – 0
Nancy Faust – 1
The Outfield – 10
Jason Segel – 12
P.O.D. – 13

Smallest Percentage Increase

Artie Lange – 0%
Nancy Faust – 2%
Klaus Badelt – 10%
The Outfield – 11%
P.O.D. – 13%

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #6

6 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 and expanded the count down to the Top 200..  It’s been 3 years, so I figured it was time to take yet another look at my Top 200 artists, based on the number of plays from late 2007 through January 1, 2021.

We continue today with the musical comedy duo that takes the sixth spot on our charts.  Comedians Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci combine forces and take the stage as Garfunkel and Oates.

 

 

#6: Garfunkel and Oates
iTunes stats: 933 plays
Previous ranking: #4

Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci, performing as Garfunkel and Oates since 2007, see a slight drop down the charts despite increasing their play total by 78%, an increase of 410 listens.  Those were spread amongst 49 songs from 5 different releases, including one Christmas single.  Similar to last week’s entry, I’ve had plenty of exposure to the duo over the years, including a television show and a concert or two, at Abbey Pub and the House of Blues.

The first show, at Abbey Pub in 2013, had the girls came out and do their thing, mixing banter between themselves with their comedic songs.  In addition to the “hits” from their existing albums, they performed some of their newer songs, including Bernadette’s Song, which they wrote and had debuted on The Big Bang Theory the night before, and God’s Loophole, an exciting ditty about anal sex.  Once the show finished, both Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci came out to sign autographs and take pictures.  I got their autographs on my tickets and got my picture taken with both of them.

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iTunes Top 200: #60 – 68

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.

Today, we wrap up the final three songs with 37 plays and move on to the first group of songs with 38 plays, according to my iTunes stats dating back to late 2007.

#68: Cracker – Teen Angst (What The World Needs Now)
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 9/4/2019
Previous ranking: #141

A nice increase in the rankings, thanks to a more than doubling of its listens, for this entry which charted at number 1 on the US Modern Rock Tracks, arguably breaking Cracker into the mainstream.

#68: Concrete Blonde – Joey
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 10/26/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

A strong debut for the band’s biggest hit, which spent four weeks atop the Modern Rock Tracks chart and hit #19 on the Billboard Hot 100.

#68: Britney Spears – Toxic
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 10/25/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

A strong debut for the song that earned Spears her only Grammy award, for Best Dance Recording.

#60: Taylor Swift – Bad Blood
iTunes stats: 38 plays, most recently on 12/12/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

An impressive debut for one of Anthony Rizzo’s walkup songs, earning it a place on my Cubs victory playlist.

#60: Garfunkel and Oates – Handjob, Blandjob, I Don’t Understand Job
iTunes stats: 38 plays, most recently on 10/26/2019
Previous ranking: #96

A big jump for the comedy duo’s tune about never learning how to use their hands for foreplay during high school.

#60: Foo Fighters – Everlong
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