Tag / Me First and the Gimme Gimmes

by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #111-120

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 a little hip hop and a lot of 90s alternative rock.

#120: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
iTunes stats: 87 plays
Previous ranking: #125

The punk rock supergroup, formed in San Francisco in 1995 and who only do covers, added 21 additional listens to the four tracks that are in my collection.

#119: Arrested Development
iTunes stats: 88 plays
Previous ranking: #122

The Atlanta-based new age rap band rises three slots thanks to 21 new listens to their three songs in my collection over the past five years.

#116: K’s Choice
iTunes stats: 91 plays
Previous ranking: #110

Only 18 new listens spread across the five different tracks from the arguable one-hit wonders from Belgium over these past five years led to a six-spot drop.

#116: MC Hammer
iTunes stats: 91 plays
Previous ranking: #122

The Oakland-born rapper, who served as a batboy for the A’s and earned the Hammer name due to a resemblance to Hank Aaron, added 24 plays to the five tracks in my collection.  Oh yeah, he was also the headliner of my first concert way back in 1992.

#116: Collective Soul
Continue reading →

by admin

iTunes Top 200: #124

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 124th place with 39 plays apiece since my stats began in late 2007.

#124: Warren G – Regulate
iTunes stats: 39 plays, most recently on 9/15/2024
Previous ranking: #125

Used as the at-bat music for Jacob Amaya during his brief tenure with the White Sox in 2024, this debut hit from Dr. Dre’s step-brother added seven new plays over the past five years.

#124: Van Halen – Panama
iTunes stats: 39 plays, most recently on 11/3/2024
Previous ranking: #125

Inspired by a race car, this third single from the band’s seminal 1984 album, it reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

#124: Tegan and Sara – Walking With A Ghost
iTunes stats: 39 plays, most recently on 5/11/2024
Previous ranking: #89

Used in a season three promo for the Patricia Arquette show Medium, the lead single from the duo’s 2005 album picked up just four new listens since 2020.

#124: Nerf Herder – Buffy Theme
iTunes stats: 39 plays, most recently on 10/29/2023
Previous ranking: #89

Having written and performed the theme song to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the band was the last guests to perform at The Bronze.

#124: Me First and the Gimme Giimmes – Rainbow Connection
iTunes stats: 39 plays, most recently on 11/5/2024
Previous ranking: #98

Written by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher for 1979’s The Muppet Movie, this 1999 cover by the punk rock supergroup adds a little more oomph to the festivities.

Continue reading →

by admin

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
Continue reading →

by admin

iTunes Top 200: #98

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 first half of our countdown, leading up to the top 100 with the next batch of songs tied with 34 plays dating back to late 2007, according to my iTunes stats.

#98: The Wonders – That Thing You Do
iTunes stats: 34 plays, most recently on 8/26/2019
Previous ranking: #65

The theme song from the 1996 movie of the same name, about a band that hits it big in the 60s before disintegrating before they can record a follow up.

#98: TLC – Creep
iTunes stats: 34 plays, most recently on 11/13/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

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

#98: Tegan and Sara – Umbrella (Rihanna Cover)
iTunes stats: 34 plays, most recently on 8/21/2019
Previous ranking: #65

A live, bootleg version of the Rihanna hit covered by the Canadian darlings.

#98: Motley Crue – Kickstart My Heart
iTunes stats: 34 plays, most recently on 11/27/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

Written by bassist Nikki Six about an overdose where he was declared clinically dead before 2 adrenaline shots to the heart brought him back to life.

#98: Me First And The Gimme Gimmes – Rainbow Connection
iTunes stats: 34 plays, most recently on 11/9/2019
Previous ranking: #79

A punk cover of the quintessential Muppets hit.

#98: John Williams – Prelude And Main Title March
Continue reading →

by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #150-159

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.

Today, we continue our journey with the last group of artists that make up the bottom 50 on our list.

#159: Divinyls
iTunes stats: 29 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The Australian band touched themselves all the way up to tie for this spot on the chart.

#159: Bree Sharp
iTunes stats: 29 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

2 tracks from the singer’s debut album combine to place her on the chart.

#152: Violent Femmes
iTunes stats: 30 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The debut album from the Wisconsin band contributes 4 songs that make up their total.

#152: Robin Sparkles
iTunes stats: 30 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The alter ego of Cobie Smulders character from How I Met Your Mother combines her 2 Canadian pop hits to make up this total.

#152: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
iTunes stats: 30 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The punk rock supergroup, who only do covers, use 4 tracks to combine for their total.

#152: Lenny Kravitz
iTunes stats: 30 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The son of TV’s Roxie Roker makes the list thanks to 4 tracks.

#152: Kanye West
Continue reading →

by admin

iTunes Top 200: #79

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.

Today, we continue with the next grouping of 10 songs tied for 79th place with 21 plays apiece since late 2007.

#79: Mexican Cheerleader – American Nice
iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 9/12/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The song that serves as a ringtone for the band’s singer on my phone.

#79: Me First And The Gimme Gimmes – Rainbow Connection
iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 8/9/2014
Previous ranking: #58

A punk cover of the quintessential Muppets hit.

#79: The Lonely Island – Dick In A Box (ft. Justin Timberlake)
iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 8/21/2015
Previous ranking: #76

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

#79: John Williams – Prelude and Main Title March
iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 12/18/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The iconic theme song to the original set of Superman films.

#79: Hole – Doll Parts
iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 8/16/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The hit from Courtney Love and company also appeared on Volume 16 of my mix tapes.

#79: Hole – Celebrity Skin
Continue reading →

by admin

Top 200 Albums – #197 – 206

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 start at the bottom of the list and begin our journey with the 10 albums tied for 197th with 21 listens.

#198: Great White – …Twice Shy
iTunes stats: 21 plays
The fourth album from Great White makes this list on the backs of one song, which was the band’s biggest hit.

#197: Weezer – Maladriot
iTunes stats: 21 plays
Weezer’s fourth offering, released in 2002, had 2 songs make up their total.

#197: Various Artists – The Beavis and Butt-head Experience
iTunes stats: 21 plays
Cashing in on the cultural phenomenon that was Beavis and Butt-head, this compilation makes this list thanks to the animated duo’s cover, with Cher, of I Got You Babe.

#197: Various Artists – Billboard Top Hits: 1987
iTunes stats: 21 plays
This compliation album of the top pop hits of 1987 by bands that were willing to be included on a random compilation album places on this list thanks to 4 different tracks, from U2, Belinda Carlisle, Chris de Burgh, and Crowded House.

#197: Various Artists – 8 Mile (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
iTunes stats: 21 plays
The soundtrack to Eminem’s first (and, to date, only) movie rode his smash hit Lose Yourself to this spot.

Continue reading →

by admin

Goodbye, iPhone 4S – Music Edition

A little more than a week ago, I upgraded my phone from the iPhone 4S to the newly released iPhone 5S.  The biggest difference, aside from a slightly bigger screen, is the jump from 3G (or 4G, if you believe AT&T’s hype) to LTE.  I had the 4S for a little under 2 years, and in that time, we traveled the world together (well, at least going back to the UK) and have listened to a lot of podcasts and music. Here is every song (all 2079 of them) I’ve listened to on the phone, with some (ok, very little) bonus commentary.  Godspeed.

 

Let’s Go-Go-Go White Sox Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers 33
He’s a Pirate Klaus Badelt Pirates of the Caribbean (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) 32
Take Me Out To The Ballgame Harry Caray 31
Thunderstruck AC/DC The Razors Edge 31
Gordon Beckham Intro 29
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye Steam Billboard’s Top Rock ‘n’ Roll Hits: 1969 29
Don’t Stop Believin’ Journey Journey’s Greatest Hits 27
sox05_montage 27
We Are The Champions Queen Queen: Greatest Hits I & II 27
Your Love The Outfield Play Deep 27
2008 White Sox Central Division Champs Montage Chris Tannehill WSCR 670 The Score 25
Take Me Out To The Ballgame Nancy Faust 25
Harvester Of Sorrow Metallica …And Justice For All 20

You would hope that these numbers would have been higher, but this past season’s miserable performance by the White Sox has put the songs on their playlist out of mind more often than not.

Cannonball The Breeders The First 1000 Years- Rock 19
Man Or Muppet Jason Segel The Muppets 15
It’s Time For Our Song Miss Piggy The Muppets 14
Get Out There And Help Those Guys Jason Segel The Muppets 13
Main Title LOST Soundtrack LOST Soundtrack 13
Are You A Man Or A Muppet? Amy Adams The Muppets 12
How Charming, A Finale Uncle Deadly The Muppets 12
I’m On A Boat (ft. T-Pain) The Lonely Island Incredibad 12
Down At The Ole Barbershop Kermit The Muppets 11
Me and Drugs David Cross Bigger and Blackerer 11
The Antichrist Howard Stern Private Parts: The Album 11
Continue reading →
by admin

iTunes Top 100: #58 – 69

itunes_imageMy 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, it is now time to look at digital music with the Top 100 songs that I’ve listened to as of 6/2/2013, according to iTunes. Today we look at the 12 songs tied for #58 with 18 overall plays.

#58: AC/DC – Back In Black

Written as a tribute to former lead singer Bon Scott, who had died during the songwriting for the album.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 7/14/2012

#58: The Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour

The only theme song to a Beatles film to not be released as a single.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 5/15/2013

#58: The Beatles – Getting Better

The initial idea for the song’s title came from a phrase often spoken by Jimmie Nicol, the group’s stand-in drummer for the Australian leg of a 1964 tour.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 3/23/2013

#58: Bell Biv DeVoe – Do Me!

This followup hit from the former members of New Edition also appeared on Tape 1 of my mix tapes, and has been listened to three times since then.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 3/29/2013

#58: Cher with Beavis and Butthead – I Got You Babe

This remake featuring the cartoon duo also appeared on Volume 12 of my mix tapes, and has been listened to once since then.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 7/9/2012

#58: Eminem – Bitch Please II

The first song to feature both Eminem and Snoop Dogg.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 4/17/2013

#58: Garbage – Only Happy When It Rains (live)

A live version of the hit from their debut album that appeared as a B-side on the Shut Your Mouth single.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 3/29/2013

#58: Great White – Once Bitten Twice Shy

This one big hit from the band best known for a fire also appeared on Volume 4 of my mix tapes, and has been listened to twice since then.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 9/6/2012

#58: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes – Rainbow Connection

A punk cover of the quintessential Muppets hit.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 11/23/2011

#58: Mexican Cheerleader – Chickyn

From the second album by the local punk band.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 9/28/2012

#58: Tegan and Sara – Umbrella (Rihanna Cover)

The Canadian darlings cover the Rihanna hit live in concert.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 12/18/2012

#58: 2Pac and Dr. Dre – California Love

2Pac got out of jail and teamed up with Dr. Dre when he joined Death Row Records.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 1/28/2013

by admin

Mix Tape Monday – September 2002

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.

This CD was likely the first one I burned here in the (then) new house, which is now just the house.  It includes the latest from Eminem, Pink, and Avril Lavigne.

Eminem – Cleaning Out My Closet

Eminem’s latest is another ode to all of the bad things that happened to him growing up.

iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 10/23/2012

Whale – Hobo Humpin Slobo Babe

The first single from the Swedish pop group reached #24 on the US Modern Rock charts.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 3/31/2012

Pink – Just Like A Pill

The third single from Missundaztood was Pink’s first number 1 single in the UK.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 5/14/2012

Bjork – Big Time Sensuality

The fourth single from Bjork’s first post-Sugarcubes solo album.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 11/19/2012

Avril Lavigne – Sk8r Boi

The second single from the debut album from the Canadian pop punk princess.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 11/9/2012

Weezer – Keep Fishin

The video for this remix featured the Muppets.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 9/27/2012

Me First And The Gimmee Gimmees – The Rainbow Connection

Speaking of the Muppets, this punk cover of Kermit’s big hit is from the group’s second album.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 11/23/2011

The Hives – Hate To Say I Told You So

Originally released in 2000, this signature hit for the Swedish garage band was re-released in 2002 and became a hit.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 7/30/2012

Sponge – Plowed

Rotting Pinata first charted on the Billboard 200 nearly a year after its release thanks to this song.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 9/27/2012

Nirvana – Verse Chorus Verse

A hidden track from the AIDS-benefit compilation No Alternative that apparently should have been called “Sappy.”

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 10/16/2012

Continue reading →