Tag / Lonely Island

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #21-29

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 the next batch of ten artists, half of which I have seen perform live at least once.

#29: Guns N’ Roses
iTunes stats: 360 plays
Previous ranking: #29

Axl Rose and his sometimes friends add 96 new listens to the now 21 songs in my collection, enabling them to remain at the same position in the rankings.

#29: Avril Lavigne
iTunes stats: 360 plays
Previous ranking: #27

The eight-time Grammy nominee, who somehow has 25 tracks that I’ve listened to in my collection, added just 63 new plays, which moved her down two spots on the charts.

#28: The Monkees
iTunes stats: 371 plays
Previous ranking: #28

The made-for-TV band, who are down to two living members following the death of Peter Tork in 2019, had a 33% increase in their listens, keeping them even in the rankings.

#27: Veruca Salt
iTunes stats: 373 plays
Previous ranking: #26

The girls from Chicago, who I saw live in Champaign back in the day, used fourteen songs to increase their plays by 73, allowing them to drop just a single slot.

#26: Weezer
iTunes stats: 400 plays
Previous ranking: #25

The 19 songs in my collection picked up 98 new listens, helping the band drop a spot in the rankings. Continue reading →

by admin

iTunes Top 200 Wrap-Up

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 had been five years since we last counted down the Top 200 songs in my iTunes library.  Last week, we finished our journey through the latest list of my most listened to songs since late 2007.  Now it’s time to take a final look at those 210 songs and the artists that made them.  The average number of listens was just over 52, with the median number being 41.  There were 35 new entries, and, overall, there was an average increase of just a tad over nine listens per song.

Most Represented Band

15 – Foo Fighters
9 – The Beatles
8 – The Cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
7 – Garbage
6 – The Lonely Island

Largest Increase

74 – Harry Caray – Take Me Out To The Ballgame
71 – Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers –Let’s Go-Go-Go White Sox
69 – Steam – Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye
68 – AC/DC – Thunderstruck
64 – Blues Brothers – Sweet Home Chicago

Smallest Increase

0 – The Beatles – Can’t Buy Me Love
0 – The Crystal Method – Bones Theme
2 – Dr. John – My Opinionation
2 – Chance The Rapper – Stand Up Part 2
2 – The Lonely Island – Natalie’s Rap (ft. Natalie Portman & Chris Parnell)
2 – P.O.D. – Boom

Most Recently Played

12/27/2024 7:51 PM – Mott the Hoople – All the Young Dudes
12/18/2024 5:26 PM – Foo Fighters – Everlong
12/18/2024 4:48 PM – Jay Z – Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
12/18/2024 11:59 AM – Steam – Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye
12/18/2024 4:27 PM – The Beatles – Eight Days a Week

Least Recently Played

9/30/2019 5:13 PM – The Beates – Can’t Buy Me Love
11/27/2019 6:02 PM – The Crystal Method – Bones Theme
10/11/2021 12:09 AM – Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child o’ Mine
10/29/2021 11:32 PM – The Wonders – That Thing You Do
1/4/2022 12:16 PM – Aerosmith – Janie’s Got a Gun

by admin

iTunes Top 200: #11 – 19

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.

With the top of the charts in sight, we continue this week with songs ranking from 19th place with 65 plays, breaking past the century mark, and finishing with the one track with 114 plays, good enough for 11th place since my stats began in late 2007.

#19: Metallica – Harvester of Sorrow
iTunes stats: 65 plays, most recently on 11/5/2024
Previous ranking: #19

Released as the first single from the band’s fourth studio album, it was used as the at-bat music for former White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko for the majority of his career and thus featured on most of my victory playlists leading up to his retirement.

#19: The Lonely Island – Natalie’s Rap (ft. Natalie Portman & Chris Parnell)
iTunes stats: 65 plays, most recently on 11/1/2022
Previous ranking: #17

A slight drop for the second digital short from The Lonely Island, which featured Natalie Portman playing against type as a lewd gangsta.

#18: Foo Fighters – My Hero
iTunes stats: 67 plays, most recently on 9/30/2024
Previous ranking: #19

The highest-ranking tune from the Foo Fighters, up one spot from five years ago, is this live version from their previously mentioned concert in London’s Hyde Park.

#16: P.O.D. – Boom
iTunes stats: 94 plays, most recently on 9/25/2022
Previous ranking: #12

The entrance song for former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, it made a number of appearances on my early victory playlists.

#16: Blues Brothers – Sweet Home Chicago
iTunes stats: 94 plays, most recently on 9/15/2024
Previous ranking: #170

Getting added to my White Sox victory playlist helped make this classic jump up the chart. Continue reading →

by admin

iTunes Top 200: #41 – 50

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 start the final quarter of this chart with the one remaining song tied for 50th place with 49 plays through the four tracks with 51 plays apiece, good enough for 41st place since my stats began in late 2007.

#50: The Beatles – Helter Skelter
iTunes stats: 49 plays, most recently on 8/15/2024
Previous ranking: #51

Considered by music historians as a key influence in the development of heavy metal, the song has added nine new plays over the past five years.

#45: The Lonely Island – Lazy Sunday (ft. Chris Parnell)
iTunes stats: 50 plays, most recently on 10/18/2024
Previous ranking: #29

A bit of a drop down the charts for the original SNL digital short that put the Lonely Island on the pop culture map and defined the phrase “viral video”.

#45: Foo Fighters – Everlong
iTunes stats: 50 plays, most recently on 3/29/2024
Previous ranking: #33

Recorded live in London’s Hyde Park, the song added five additional listens over these past five years.

#45: Elvis Presley – An American Trilogy
iTunes stats: 50 plays, most recently on 10/21/2024
Previous ranking: #60

A medley of three 19th century songs: Dixie, a blackface minstrel song that became the unofficial anthem of the Confederacy since the Civil War; All My Trials, originally a Bahamian lullaby, but closely related to African American spirituals; and The Battle Hymn of the Republic, the marching song of the Union Army during the Civil War.

#45: Dr. Dre Feat. Snoop Dogg – Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang
iTunes stats: 50 plays, most recently on 3/20/2024
Previous ranking: #43

The first single from Dr. Dre’s solo debut, which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was named the hip-hop song of the decade by XXL magazine.

Continue reading →

by admin

iTunes Top 200: #60

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 first ten songs tied for 60th place with 46 plays since my stats began in late 2007.

#60: Weird Al Yankovic – White & Nerdy
iTunes stats: 46 plays, most recently on 6/21/2024
Previous ranking: #47

A parody of the song Ridin’ by Chamillionaire and Krayzie Bone, which became Weird Al’s first ever top ten hit.

#60: Dr. John – My Opinionation
iTunes stats: 46 plays, most recently on 11/4/2023
Previous ranking: #36

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

#60: Motley Crue – Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
iTunes stats: 46 plays, most recently on 12/19/2023
Previous ranking: #125

The fourth single from the band’s fifth studio album, it reached #19 on the Billboard Hot 100.

#60: The Lonely Island – Shy Ronnie 2: Ronnie & Clyde (feat. Rihanna)
iTunes stats: 46 plays, most recently on 6/26/2024
Previous ranking: #68

A track from the comedy group’s second album, it earned them a Creative Arts Emmy Award nomination.

#60: Ice Cube – It Was a Good Day
iTunes stats: 46 plays, most recently on 11/27/2024
Previous ranking: #89

Peaking at #15, it remains the highest-charting single of Ice Cube’s career.

Continue reading →

by admin

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.

Continue reading →

by admin

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 →

by admin

Top 200 Albums: #21 – 30

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, breaking into the top 25 with, mostly, some good old-fashioned rock and roll.

#30: Veruca Salt – American Thighs
iTunes stats: 240 plays
Previous Ranking: 29

Ten of the thirteen songs from the Chicago band’s 1994 debut album added 85 new listens over the past four years.

#29: Garbage – Bleed Like Me
iTunes stats: 241 plays
Previous Ranking: 22

Released in 2005, the band’s fourth studio album saw a 44% increase in plays compiled across all eleven tracks.

#28: Garbage – Version 2.0
iTunes stats: 244 plays
Previous Ranking: 31

92 new listens for the twelve tunes comprising the band’s 1998 sophomore release.

#27: Mexican Cheerleader – Mexican Cheerleader
iTunes stats: 246 plays
Previous Ranking: 25

The debut album from the local punk band headed up by a former co-worker sees a nearly 56% play increase over the past four years.

#26: Mexican Cheerleader – King and Kings’ Hoots
iTunes stats: 248 plays
Previous Ranking: 28

The twelve tunes off this sophomore effort from the local punk band added 92 new listens.

Continue reading →

by admin

Top 200 Albums: #91 – 100

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 second half 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 four compilations, and music from the 60s, 80s, 90s, and beyond.

#100: The Beatles – Help!
iTunes stats: 115 plays
Previous Ranking: 94

A 55% increase in plays for the five of the fourteen tracks from this 1965 album, the band’s fifth, and the soundtrack to their same-named film.

#99: Various Artists – Saturday Morning Cartoons’ Greatest Hits
iTunes stats: 117 plays
Previous Ranking: 165

This collection of cartoon theme songs from the 60s and 70s covered by some of the bigger alternative acts of the 90s, including Liz Phair, Material Issue, and Sponge, amongst others, saw an increase of 69 listens to jump 66 spots in the rankings.

#97: Various Artists – Rock N’ Roll Era: 1964
iTunes stats: 119 plays
Previous Ranking: 109

An 83% increase in plays over the past four years for this edition of the Time Life series, featuring songs by Chuck Berry, The Drifters, and Roy Orbison, among others.

#97: The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
iTunes stats: 119 plays
Previous Ranking: 127

The remastered version of this Beatles’ eighth studio album adds 40 new listens across the five songs out of thirteen in my collection.

#94: The Lonely Island – Turtleneck & Chain
iTunes stats: 120 plays
Previous Ranking: 79

A 48% increase for the four tracks from this second album from the SNL digital short maestros.

Continue reading →

by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #11-20

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 400 and 500 listen territory with reckless abandon.

#20: Nirvana
iTunes stats: 374 plays
Previous ranking: #20

The 7 time Grammy nominees, and one time winner, stay even on the charts thanks to 163 new listens.

#19: The Lonely Island
iTunes stats: 375 plays
Previous ranking: #14

The comedy troupe sees a 5 spot drop after increasing their listens by a scant 38%.

#18: R.E.M.
iTunes stats: 388 plays
Previous ranking: #22

The 2007 inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nearly doubled their plays over the past 4 years, enabling them to jump 4 spots.

#17: Bon Jovi
iTunes stats: 391 plays
Previous ranking: #19

The boys from New Jersey have racked up 177 new listens to raise 2 slots in the rankings.

#16: Elvis Presley
iTunes stats: 300 plays
Previous ranking: #26

The King of Rock & Roll adds 173 plays to his total from 4 years ago and leaps 10 spots in the rankings.

#15: Alanis Morissette
Continue reading →