Tag / Katy Perry

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Fifty Years Of Music – 2009

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 2009, the year I celebrated my 35th birthday.  Only twelve of these songs remain familiar to me today, with half of them appearing in my collection in one way or another.

#62: Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind
iTunes stats: N/A

Spending five weeks atop the Hot 100, it was Jay-Z’s first #1 hit as lead artist.

#55: Coldplay – Viva la Vida
iTunes stats: N/A

The group’s first US #1 hit, it spent a single week atop the charts in June of 2008.

#29: Miley Cyrus – Party in the U.S.A.
iTunes stats: N/A

Spending three weeks at #2, it was Cyrus’ most successful single to date.

#25: Katy Perry – Hot n Cold
iTunes stats: 0 plays

Perry’s follow-up to I Kissed a Girl peaked at #3.

#14: Kings of Leon – Use Somebody
iTunes stats: 28 plays

Winner of three Grammy awards, this breakthrough single reached #4.

#11: Taylor Swift – You Belong with Me
iTunes stats: 2 plays

Nominated for three Grammy awards, it reached #2 on the Hot 100 while topping the Hot Country Songs chart.

#8: Beyonce – Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
iTunes stats: N/A

Spending four non-consecutive weeks atop the Hot 100 between the end of 2008 and the start of 2009, the track garnered three Grammy wins.

#5: Taylor Swift – Love Story
iTunes stats: 1 play

Topping out at #4 on the Hot 100, the single spent 49 weeks on the chart.

#4: Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling
iTunes stats: 33 plays

The group’s second consecutive #1 single, it spent fourteen weeks atop the Hot 100.

#3: Lady Gaga featuring Colby O’Donis – Just Dance
iTunes stats: N/A

The singer’s debut single, it spent three weeks at #1 in the winter of 2009.

#2: Lady Gaga – Poker Face
iTunes stats: N/A

The singer’s second single, it spent a single week at #1 in the spring of 2009.

#1: Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow
iTunes stats: 29 plays

The lead single from the group’s fifth studio album, it spent twelve weeks at #1 and, combined with its follow-up, gave the band 26 consecutive weeks, from mid-April until mid-October, with the #1 song in the nation.

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Fifty Years Of Music – 2008

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 2008, the year I celebrated my 34th birthday.  A mere seven of these songs remain familiar to me today, with just three of them appearing in my collection in one way or another.

#85: Kid Rock – All Summer Long
iTunes stats: N/A

The biggest solo hit of his career, it peaked at #23.

#81: Taylor Swift – Love Story
iTunes stats: 1 play

The lead single from her sophomore effort, it reached #4 and spent 49 weeks on the charts.

#36: Katy Perry – Hot n Cold
iTunes stats: 0 plays

The second single from her second album, it became her second straight top five hit, going to #3.

#17: Rihanna – Don’t Stop the Music
iTunes stats: N/A

Peaking at #3, it was her fourth single to land in the top three.

#14: Katy Perry – I Kissed a Girl
iTunes stats: 52 plays

Perry’s debut single, it spent seven weeks atop the Hot 100, becoming the 1000th #1 song of the rock era.

#13: Coldplay – Viva la Vida
iTunes stats: N/A

Winner of the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2009, it spent one week atop the Hot 100.

#1: Flo Rida – Low
iTunes stats: N/A

The most downloaded single of the decade, it spent ten weeks at #1.

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Yet Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 18

33 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would eventually become 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.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes for the fourth time and see how, or if, the soundtrack of my youth still resonates in today’s digital world and how much has changed over the past four years.

Volume 18 covers the summer of 1995, the first summer that I worked at First Suburban National Bank in Maywood.  I would end up spending three summers working there, the first two as a teller and the third attempting to create a database to track their safe deposit boxes.  I met a lot of interesting people from many different backgrounds, some of whom became friends for a time.

After I graduated and started working towards my career, my involvement at the bank started decreasing.  For a while, I kept my bank account there and would occasionally pop in to see how the old gang was doing, but eventually the on-site branch of a much-larger banking institution got my business.  By October of 2010, when the bank was closed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, I no longer had any contact with anyone from the bank.

Side A

Stone Temple Pilots – Dancing Days
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 12/22/2022

A radio hit despite never being officially released as a single, the Led Zeppelin cover added ten new listens to its impressive total over the past four years.

PJ Harvey – Down By The Water
iTunes stats: 24 plays, most recently on 5/26/2021

Eight new plays for the surprise mainstream hit by the indie darling, which hit #2 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart.

R.E.M. – Strange Currencies
iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 9/9/2022

Nearly left off the Monster album due to its rhythmic similarities to Everybody Hurts, the song picked up five new plays over the past four years.

Live – All Over You
iTunes stats: 22 plays, most recently on 6/7/2022

Hitting #4 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart despite never being released as a single in the US, Live’s latest has more than doubled its plays in the last four years.

Soul Asylum – Misery
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 3/1/2022

Originally recorded off of Q101, the debut single from Soul Asylum’s follow-up to their breakthrough album added seven new listens over these past four years.

Collective Soul – December
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 5/13/2022

Peaking at #20 on the Billboard charts, the second single from the band’s second album more than doubled its output over the last four years.

Elastica – Connection
iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 5/9/2022

The first US hit from Elastica, peaking at #53 on the Billboard charts, added just four listens in the last four years.

Juliana Hatfield – Universal Heart-Beat
iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 12/22/2022

Hitting #5 on the Modern Rock Tracks charts, the solo release from Juliana Hatfield garnered eight additional listens in the last four years.

Side B

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #140-148

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 are a quarter of the way through the countdown and continue today with our next batch of 10 artists, the remaining 3 tied for 148th place, the single artist in 147th, the 4 tied for 143rd, and the first 2 holding down the 140th spot.  For the first time, we have no newcomers making their debut this week.

#148: The Dandy Warhols
iTunes stats: 57 plays
Previous ranking: #105

A big 43 spot drop, thanks to only 14 new listens, for the band responsible for the original Veronica Mars theme song.

#148: Lisa Loeb
iTunes stats: 57 plays
Previous ranking: #185

The first artist to ever hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 without a recording contract, Loeb adds a track and 32 new listens to power her 37 slot jump.

#148: The Doors
iTunes stats: 57 plays
Previous ranking: #164

A 29 play increase for the 3 tracks in my collection from the seminal LA rock group fronted by Jim Morrison.

#147: Alice Cooper
iTunes stats: 58 plays
Previous ranking: #167

The so-called Godfather of Shock Rock rises 20 spots on the chart thanks to 31 additional plays spread across 3 different tracks.

#143: Katy Perry
iTunes stats: 59 plays
Previous ranking: #108

Despite adding 2 new tracks to my collection, although 2 tracks which never made it to my phone, the pop singer suffers a 35 spot drop after adding a mere 17 new listens spread across 3 songs.

#143: Cher
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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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Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 18

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become 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. We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 18 covers the summer of 1995, my first working at the bank, and the lead up to the first of my two senior years of college.

Side A

Stone Temple Pilots – Dancing Days

A radio hit despite never being officially released as a single, the Led Zeppelin cover more than doubled its impressive total over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
7 plays 13 plays 27 plays, most recently on 8/28/2018 

PJ Harvey – Down By The Water

The surprise mainstream hit for the indie darling, which hit #2 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart, added a mere 3 listens in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
7 plays 13 plays 16 plays, most recently on 10/9/2018 

REM – Strange Currencies

Nearly left off the Monster album due to its rhythmic similarities to Everybody Hurts, the song more than tripled its number of plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
0 plays 2 plays 7 plays, most recently on 7/18/2018 

Live – All Over You

Hitting #4 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart despite never being released as a single in the US, Live’s latest has doubled its plays in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
5 plays 5 plays 10 plays, most recently on 6/24/2018 

Soul Asylum – Misery

Originally recorded off of Q101, the debut single from Soul Asylum’s follow-up to their breakthrough album nearly tripled its listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 4 plays 11 plays, most recently on 12/15/2018 

Collective Soul – December

Peaking at #20 on the Billboard charts, the second single from the band’s second album nearly tripled its output over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 3 plays 8 plays, most recently on 10/9/2018 

Elastica – Connection

The first US hit from Elastica, peaking at #53 on the Billboard charts, added 6 listens in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
7 plays 11 plays 17 plays, most recently on 12/17/2018 

Juliana Hatfield – Universal Heart-Beat

Hitting #5 on the Modern Rock Tracks charts, the solo release from Juliana Hatfield garnered 5 additional listens in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 8 plays 13 plays, most recently on 1/2/2019 

Side B

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Top 200 Albums – #190 – 196

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 start things off with the 11 albums (thanks to ties) that rank between #190 and 196, including 5 studio recording, 3 compilations, 1 greatest hits package, 1 live recording, and 1 comedy record.

#196: George Carlin – Back In Town
iTunes stats: 40 plays
Previous Ranking: N/A

The 15th comedy album from George Carlin was released in 1996 and uses all of it’s tracks to make its debut on the chart.

#196: Katy Perry – One Of The Boys
iTunes stats: 40 plays
Previous Ranking: 141

Katy Perry’s debut single, I Kissed A Girl, makes up this entire total all by itself, which accounts for a 55 spot drop in the rankings.

#196: Toad The Wet Sprocket – Dulcinea
iTunes stats: 40 plays
Previous Ranking: 152

Only 2 songs from Toad the Wet Sprocket’s fourth studio album contributed to this total, an increase of 13 plays since our last look.

#196: TLC – Ooooooohhh…On The TLC Tip
iTunes stats: 40 plays
Previous Ranking: 158

3 songs make up this total for TLC’s debut album, which I remember getting at Musicland along with Toad the Wet Sprocket’s Fear.

#196: Various Artists – The Runaways: Music from the Motion Picture
iTunes stats: 40 plays
Previous Ranking: N/A

2 tracks from the soundtrack to The Runaway’s biopic allows it to make its debut on the list.

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #101-109

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 wrap up the first half of the list today with a mix of pop and alternative, with a little weirdness thrown in for good measure..

#109: Sam Phillips
iTunes stats: 41 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

Thanks to 4 musical cues from her work on Gilmore Girls, the alternative artist makes her debut on the list.

#109: Color Me Badd
iTunes stats: 41 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The early 90s boy band makes the list thanks to 3 tracks from their debut album, one of which was used as the walkup music for former White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers.

#108: Katy Perry
iTunes stats: 42 plays
Previous ranking: #83

A 25 spot drop for the pop princess, who added only 13 new listens to the 2 versions of her debut hit.

#105: Dandy Warhols
iTunes stats: 43 plays
Previous ranking: #98

A small 7 spot drop despite 20 new listens to the band responsible for the Veronica Mars theme song.

#105: Bobby Brown
iTunes stats: 43 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The former member of New Edition debuts on the list thanks to 5 of his solo tracks.

#105: Alice In Chains
iTunes stats: 43 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The Seattle-based alternative band combined 5 tracks to make up this total.

#103: The Strokes
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iTunes Top 200: #21 – 30

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 10 songs that comprise #s 21-30, with plays throughout the 30s, four of which come from the same band and another three are television show theme songs.

#30: Foo Fighters – Everlong
iTunes stats: 31 plays, most recently on 10/23/2015
Previous ranking: #36

A live version of the band’s biggest hit, from their Skin and Bones album.

#29: Garbage – Bad Boyfriend
iTunes stats: 32 plays, most recently on 10/17/2015
Previous ranking: #27

The first track from the band’s fourth album features Dave Grohl, of Foo Fighters and Nirvana fame, on drums.

#27: Dr. John – My Opinionation
iTunes stats: 33 plays, most recently on 11/7/2015
Previous ranking: #32

The theme song to Blossom, the 90s pantheon to weird teenage girls being themselves.

#27: Katy Perry – I Kissed A Girl
iTunes stats: 33 plays, most recently on 10/27/2015
Previous ranking: #24

A small drop for the song ranked #66 for the decade of the 2000s by Billboard magazine..

FooFighters#25: Foo Fighters – Everlong
iTunes stats: 35 plays, most recently on 10/30/2015
Previous ranking: #23

The second version of the song to make the countdown this week, this one being a live version from the band’s concert in London’s Hyde Park.

#25: The Crystal Method – Bones Theme
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Top 200 Albums – #139 – 148

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, looking at the 8 albums tied for 141st with 29 listens and the 2 albums tied for 139th with 30 listens.

#139: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince: Greatest Hits
iTunes stats: 30 plays
The greatest hits compilation for the one-time Philly based duo used 6 songs to comprise this total.

#139: Various Artists – On The Edge
iTunes stats: 30 plays
This compilation, featuring 80s alternative hits from the likes of The Smiths, Love & Rockets, and Michael Penn, had 5 different tunes make up its total.

#141: Katy Perry – One Of The Boys
iTunes stats: 29 plays
Katy Perry’s debut single, I Kissed A Girl, makes up this entire total all by itself.

#141: REM – Automatic For The People
iTunes stats: 29 plays
5 songs, led by the first single Drive, make up this total for the Athens, Georgia based group.

#141: Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream
iTunes stats: 29 plays
The smash second album from the Chicago alternative royalty used only 3 songs to make up this total.

#141: The Beatles – Beatles For Sale [2009 Stereo Remaster]
iTunes stats: 29 plays
Only 3 tunes make up this abbreviated total for the remastered version of the Beatles fourth studio album.

#141: Various Artists – Reality Bites
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