Tag / Motley Crue

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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
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iTunes Top 200: #125

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 continue on with the next group of songs tied for 125th place with 32 listens since my iTunes stats began in late 2007.

#125: Tori Amos – Cornflake Girl
iTunes stats: 32 plays, most recently on 9/30/2019
Previous ranking: #167

The track peaked at number two on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 and appeared on Volume 14 of my mix tapes.

#125: Tommy James & The Shondells – Crimson and Clover
iTunes stats: 32 plays, most recently on 11/5/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

An impressive debut for the song that hit #1 on the charts in February 1969.

#125: Andrew Gold – Final Frontier (TV Theme)
iTunes stats: 32 plays, most recently on 6/26/2019
Previous ranking: #96

The theme song from Mad About You, the mid-90s NBC hit about the Buchman clan that recently returned for a new run on some streaming platform nobody has ever heard of.

#125: Saved By The Bell Theme
iTunes stats: 32 plays, most recently on 4/4/2019
Previous ranking: #56

A big drop for the theme song from NBC’s Saturday morning staple.

#125: Snoop Dogg – Who Am I (What’s My Name)?
iTunes stats: 32 plays, most recently on 9/13/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

An impressive debut for the solo debut from Snoop, the 62nd biggest single of 1994 and member of Volume 11 of my mix tapes.

#125: Motley Crue – Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
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Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 5

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 5 takes us from the end of my junior year of high school, through the summer, and all the way to spring of my senior year, from mid 1991 through early 1992, and once again features a healthy dose of hair metal and pop.  It also covers the acquisition of my first CD player, a Christmas gift in 1991.

Side A

Firehouse – Don’t Treat Me Bad

Peaking at #19 on the Billboard charts, the first hit from Firehouse picked up 7 new listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 5 plays 12 plays, most recently on 12/2/2018 

Color Me Badd – I Wanna Sex You Up

Featured on the soundtrack for New Jack City, the first single from the R&B boy band nearly tripled its spins over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 5 plays 14 plays, most recently on 9/3/2018 

Boyz II Men – Motownphilly

The debut release from the Philadelphia crooners, which hit #3 on the Billboard charts, had a healthy 15 play increase since last we checked.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
1 plays 4 plays 19 plays, most recently on 11/8/2018 

Mötley Crüe – Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)

The fourth single off of Dr. Feelgood, originally recorded off 103.5 The Blaze, gets a nice 8 listen increase to keep it in the running for one of the most listened to songs.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
18 plays 22 plays 30 plays, most recently on 9/1/2018 

Slaughter – Fly To The Angels

The second single from the band’s debut album, which peaked at #19 on the Billboard charts, more than doubled its plays in the last 3 years..

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 6 plays 13 plays, most recently on 8/21/2018 

Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye

A cover of song originally written for the film Cooley High, the song saw a 20 spin increase over the past 3 years, covering both the radio and album versions of the tune.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
17 plays 28 plays 48 plays, most recently on 12/18/2018 

Salt-N-Pepa – Let’s Talk About Sex

Nominated for the 1992 Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Grammy, the tune nearly doubled its output over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 9 plays 17 plays, most recently on 10/20/2018 

Side B

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Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 2

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 2 picks up in early 1990 and takes us through early summer, book-ended by Roxette hits and featuring another steady stream of hair metal and pop, with a little rap and R&B thrown in for flavor.

Side A

Roxette – Dangerous

Originally recorded from American Top 40, the fifth and final single from Roxette’s second album added 5 listens to its play total over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
7 plays 12 plays 17 plays, most recently on 12/18/2018 

Skid Row – Youth Gone Wild

The first release from Skid Row, which peaked at #99 on the Billboard charts, picked up 5 new plays over the past 4+ years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 8 plays 13 plays, most recently on 10/3/2018 

Biz Markie – Just A Friend

Ranked #81 on VH1s list of Greatest One Hit Wonders, Biz Markie’s smash more than doubled its listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
6 plays 12 plays 25 plays, most recently on 11/8/2018 

Mötley Crüe – Without You

Peaking at #8 on the Billboard charts, the ballad, said to be about drummer Tommy Lee’s relationship with Heather Locklear, picked up 6 additional spins since 2015.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
10 plays 11 plays 17 plays, most recently on 11/26/2018 

Aerosmith – What It Takes

Aerosmtih returns to my charts with this smash hit, which peaked at #9 on the charts and picked up a mere 3 plays over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
8 plays 12 plays 15 plays, most recently on 8/14/2018 

MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This

The first rap song to be nominated for the Record of the Year Grammy, MC Hammer’s signature tune more than doubled its play total over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 6 plays 13 plays, most recently on 12/15/2018 

Aerosmith – Rag Doll

A 1988 hit from Aerosmith, which makes an appearance on this tape thanks to my absconding my friend Scott’s cassette of their previous album, also more than doubled its play total in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 6 plays 13 plays, most recently on 10/2/2018 

Side B

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Top 200 Albums – #31 – 40

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 with the next batch of 10 albums ranked between #31 and 40, including 3 studio recordings, 3 greatest hits packages, and 1 live performance.

#40: Patton Oswalt – Finest Hour
iTunes stats: 128 plays
Previous Ranking: N/A

The fourth album from the mind of Patton Oswalt makes an impressive debut on the list.

#39: Garfunkel and Oates – Music Songs
iTunes stats: 129 plays
Previous Ranking: 36

8 tracks from the musical comedy duo of Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci make up this total.

#38: David Cross – Shut Up, You Fucking Baby!
iTunes stats: 130 plays
Previous Ranking: 54

Every track from the first comedy album from David Cross makes up this total.

#37: Garbage – Garbage
iTunes stats: 132 plays
Previous Ranking: 54

The debut album from the Garbagers, whose total would be higher if not for their greatest hits album, makes the list on the backs of 12 tunes.

#36: Motley Crue – Motley Crue Greatest Hits
iTunes stats: 133 plays
Previous Ranking: 29

9 of the glam metal bands biggest hits make up the total for this greatest hits package.

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #41-49

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 break in to the top 50 today, and cross the 100 listen barrier for the first time .

#49: Hole
iTunes stats: 97 plays
Previous ranking: #43

6 songs, written mostly by either Kurt Cobain or Billy Corgan, added only 28 new listens over the past 3 years for Courtney Love’s band, causing a 6 spot drop in the rankings.

#49: Boyz II Men
iTunes stats: 97 plays
Previous ranking: #53

The stars of my first concert added 48 new listens from their 9 tunes to raise 4 spots in the rankings.

#48: P.O.D.
iTunes stats: 99 plays
Previous ranking: #36

A big 12 spot drop in the rankings for the band responsible for Bobby Jenks’ walk-on music.

#47: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
iTunes stats: 103 plays
Previous ranking: #55

An average of just over 10 plays per track, thanks to more than doubling their number of listens over the past 3 years, enables the Florida rockers to jump 8 spots.

#46: Weird Al Yankovic
iTunes stats: 107 plays
Previous ranking: #49

The parody hit-maker nearly doubled the total number of listens for his 7 tracks over the past 3 years.

#45: Snoop Dogg
iTunes stats: 110 plays
Previous ranking: #46

The ganja-smoking gangsta rapper added 45 additional listens, enabling him to move up one spot in the rankings.

#44: The Offspring
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iTunes Top 200: #56 – 65

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 finish off the remaining songs tied for 65th with 22 listens and start the group of songs tied for 56th with 23 listens since 2007.

#65: Foo Fighters – My Hero
iTunes stats: 22 plays, most recently on 9/28/2015
Previous ranking: #41

A live version from the bands live acoustic album released in 2006.

FooFighters#65: Foo Fighters – Monkey Wrench
iTunes stats: 22 plays, most recently on 8/30/2015
Previous ranking: #76

The first single from the band’s second album, the song chronicled the disintegration of singer/song writer Dave Grohl’s four-year marriage to Jennifer Youngblood.

#65: Eminem – Lose Yourself
iTunes stats: 22 plays, most recently on 9/2/2014
Previous ranking: #41

The song was written during the filming of the movie in which it appeared, 8 Mile.

#65: Cher with Beavis & Butt-head – I Got You Babe
iTunes stats: 22 plays, most recently on 5/16/2015
Previous ranking: #58

This remake featuring the cartoon duo also appeared on Volume 12 of my mix tapes.

#65: Bell Biv DeVoe – Do Me!
iTunes stats: 22 plays, most recently on 2/6/2015
Previous ranking: #58

This follow-up hit from the former members of New Edition also appeared on Tape 1 of my mix tapes.

#65: The Beatles – Help!
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Mix Tape Monday Revisited Roundup

Between 1989, my sophomore year of high school, and 1995, my fourth year of college, I put together 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. Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 3 years.

Last week, we finished up the last of the 20 volumes.  The 287 songs from 144 different bands or performers have been played an average of just over 8.5 times each, according to my iTunes stats, up from just over 5 times 3 years ago. Let’s take one final look back at the bands and songs that made up my youth.

Most Played Song

30 – Veruca Salt – Seether

28 – Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye

25 – Mazzy Star – Fade Into You

22 – Motley Crue – Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)

22 – Coolio – Gangsta’s Paradise

22 – Cher with Beavis and Butthead – I’ve Got You Babe

22 – Great White – Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Most Played Song – Largest Total Increase

16 – Mazzy Star – Fade Into You

13 – Pearl Jam – Go

12 – 10,000 Maniacs – Because The Night

11 – Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye

11 – Coolio – Gangsta’s Paradise

Most Played Song – Largest Percentage Increase

800% – REM – Bang and Blame

700% – Roxette – The Look

500% – Collective Soul – Gel

500% – Green Day – Geek Stink Breath

400% – 6 songs

Most Represented Band

11 – Poison

10 – Aerosmith

10 – Pearl Jam

7 – Def Leppard

7 – Guns N’ Roses

Most Played Tape

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Mix Tape Monday Revisited– Volume 10

Between 1989, my sophomore year of high school, and 1995, my fourth year of college, I put together 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.  Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 3 years.

Volume 10 covers the spring and summer of 1993, following my freshman year of college, and features the top rap and alternative hits of the summer, along with some pop and the last remnants of hair metal.

Side A

Pearl Jam – Black

The first song from Pear Jam’s post-video phase, falling victim to my Pearl Jam burnout, was only listened to once in the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 8/3/2014

Def Leppard – Two Steps Behind

The big hit from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bomb Last Action Hero, originally recorded from The Blaze during a nightly song battle, garnered only 2 additional listens over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 1/10/2015

UB40 – Can’t Help Falling In Love

Somehow, the big hit from the Sliver soundtrack completely escaped my notice over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 5/1/2012

Aerosmith – Cryin’

Only 2 additional listens for the first installment of Alicia Silverstone’s video trilogy.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 4/24/2014

TLC – Get It Up

I did acquire the “hit” from the Poetic Justice soundtrack at some point over the past 3 years, but still have not listened to it.

2015 iTunes stats: Never played

4 Non Blondes – What’s Up?

A large increase of 7 listens for the ubiquitous debut from 4 Non Blondes.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 5/1/2015

whoompTag Team – Whoomp! (There It Is)

The unofficial theme to the Bulls third straight NBA championship, who showed up for 90s night at the game I attended in February, added 5 new listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 2/27/2015

Side B

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Mix Tape Monday – Volume 5 Revisited

Between 1989, my sophomore year of high school, and 1995, my fourth year of college, I put together 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.  Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 3 years.

Volume 5 takes us from the end of my junior year of high school, through the summer, and all the way to spring of my senior year, from mid 1991 through early 1992, and once again features a healthy dose of hair metal and pop.  It also includes the appearance of my first CD player, a Christmas gift in 1991.

Side A

Firehouse – Don’t Treat Me Bad

I haven’t listened to the first hit from Firehouse in nearly 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 7/11/2012

Color Me Badd – I Wanna Sex You Up

The first hit for ths so-called R&B boy band had a decent increase over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 3/10/2015

Boyz II Men – Motownphilly

The debut hit from Philadelphia crooners had a healthy 3 play increase since last we checked.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 2/14/2015

Motley Crue – Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)

The last hit off of Dr. Feelgood gets a nice increase to keep it in the running for most listened to song.

2012 iTunes stats: 18 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 22 plays, most recently on 2/6/2011

Slaughter – Fly To The Angels

It’s been almost 2 years since I heard the big ballad from the hair band.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 5/21/2013

Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye

Big increases for both versions of the cover song originally written for the film Cooley High.

2012 iTunes stats (Radio version): 11 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 3/14/2014

2012 iTunes stats (Album version): 6 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 4/3/2015

Salt-N-Pepa – Let’s Talk About Sex

A big three fold increase for the first ladies of rap.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 4/14/2015

Side B

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