Tag / Neil Diamond

by admin

Fifty Years Of Music – 1981

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 1981, the year I moved from first to second grade and turned 7.  This year, we start to see songs that I remember from their original release, though, in this case, it is due to movies and television.  Only twelve of the Hot 100 are familiar to me now, with nine of them appearing in my collection in one way or another.

#94: Devo – Whip It
iTunes stats: 22 plays

The new wave classic spent 25 weeks on the Hot 100, peaking at #14 in November of 1980.

#76: Billy Squier – The Stroke
iTunes stats: 13 plays

Squier’s first and only single to hit the pop charts, it topped out at #17.

#71: The Police – Don’t Stand So Close to Me
iTunes stats: 11 plays

Reaching #10 on the charts, the song took home the 1982 Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

#65: Queen – Another One Bites the Dust
iTunes stats: N/A

At 31 weeks, it was the longest charting song of 1980, spending fifteen weeks in the top ten, thirteen weeks in the top five, and three weeks at #1.

#62: Neil Diamond – America
iTunes stats: 16 plays

Featured on the soundtrack to Diamond’s film The Jazz Singer. the song reached #8 on the Hot 100 and was Diamond’s sixth chart-topper on the Adult Contemporary chart.

#46: Pat Benatar – Hit Me with Your Best Shot
iTunes stats: N/A

Peaking at #9, the song, which Benatar no longer plays to protest school shootings in the US, was her first Top 10 hit in the US.

#25: Juice Newton – Angel of the Morning
iTunes stats: 14 plays

Written by Angelina Jolie’s uncle in 1967, the track, which earned Newton a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary-Pop Vocal Performance, Female, reached #4 on the Hot 100.

#11: Joey Scarbury – Theme from The Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)
iTunes stats: 28 plays

Quite possibly the first single I even owned, the song spent a total of 18 weeks in the Top 40, peaking at #2 in mid-August.

#9: Dolly Parton – 9 To 5
iTunes stats: 12 plays

The theme song from the movie of the same name, the tune was released as a single in November of 1980 and reached the top of the charts in January.

#6: Kool & the Gang – Celebration
iTunes stats: 16 plays

A wedding reception staple for the last 40 years or so, it was the band’s first and only single to reach #1 on the Hot 100.

#5: Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl
iTunes stats: 19 plays

In one of the slowest climbs to the top of the charts, the song spent 19 weeks on the Hot 100 before reaching #1.

#1: Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes
iTunes stats: N/A

Originally recorded by Jackie DeShannon in 1974, this cover by Carnes spent nine non-consecutive weeks atop the charts on its way to winning 1981 Grammys for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

by admin

Yet Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 16

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.

On October 14, 1994, I hopped in the car with some friends, crossed the Wabash River into Lafayette, and pulled into the local movie theater.  I hadn’t heard of the movie before, but I was up for an entertaining time.  Over the next 154 minutes, a tour de force was unleashed upon the screen, thanks to John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Tim Roth, Ving Rhames, and Uma Thurman, among others.  That’s right, I had somehow managed to see Pulp Fiction on its opening night.

Over the coming weeks, it was everywhere: quotes flying around campus, songs from the soundtrack on the radio, and its stars all over late-night television.  The movie was inescapable.  Nearly 30 years later, it still is, in some ways.  I can’t tell you the last time I watched it, though I have a special edition DVD sitting on the shelf behind me.  But it has permeated pop-culture so thoroughly that it feels like I’ve just seen it all over again.

Volume 16 takes us from the early fall of 1994 towards the end of the year and the first semester of my junior year of college. The song selection is nearly completely alternative, with just one or two hip-hop and pop hits to go along with it.

Side A

Hole – Doll Parts
iTunes stats: 34 plays, most recently on 11/4/2021

The band’s first release after the death of bassist Kristen Pfaff in June 1994 picked up an additional six listens over the last four years.

Live – I Alone
iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 11/23/2022

Ranked as the 62nd best song of the 90s by VH1, the band’s second single added five listens over the last four years.

Deadeye Dick – New Age Girl
iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 12/31/2022

The one hit wonder, featured on the Dumb and Dumber soundtrack, doubled its listens.

Nirvana – About A Girl
iTunes stats: 31 plays, most recently on 10/10/2022

An additional eight listens for this performance from MTV Unplugged, which reached #1 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart.

Aerosmith – Blind Man
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 8/21/2020

The extra B-side thrown onto Aerosmith’s then-current greatest hits package picked up five new listens, despite not being heard in over two years.

Real McCoy – Another Night
iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 10/5/2019

Last heard a good four months before anyone had heard of the corona virus, the international dance hit, ranked as both the 63rd best single of 1994 and the sixth best of 1995, added five new plays to its total since last we checked.

Warren G – Do You See
iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 10/4/2021

A 250% increase in plays for this Warren G release, which failed to make the Top 40 in the US and hasn’t been heard over a year.

Urge Overkill – Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 11/5/2021

The Neil Diamond cover, featured on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack, added seven additional plays over these last four years.

Side B

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by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #81-89

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, breaking past the 100 play plateau with the 2 remaining tied for 89th place, the single artist at 88, 2 tied for 86th, and the single artists at 85th through 81st.

#89: Chance The Rapper
iTunes stats: 93 plays
Previous ranking: #139

Somehow the two clips from his intro video for the 2016 White Sox jumped 50 spots due to a 182% increase in plays over the last 4 years.

#89: Roxette
iTunes stats: 93 plays
Previous ranking: #95

Sweden’s second best selling musical act after Abba, the pop duo nearly doubled their listens while moving up 6 spots on the chart.

#88: The Muffs
iTunes stats: 94 plays
Previous ranking: #70

A big 18 spot drop for the band most well known for a Fruitopia commercial back in the day, thanks to a mere 32 new plays.

#86: Soul Asylum
iTunes stats: 97 plays
Previous ranking: #88

43 new listens for the Minneapolis-based band pushes them up 2 spots in the rankings.

#86: Christina Aguilera
iTunes stats: 97 plays
Previous ranking: #84

The former Voice star sees a 73% increase, enabling her to drop only 2 spots.

#85: The Outfield
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by admin

iTunes Top 200: #170 Continued

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 continue today with the next group of ten songs tied for 170th place with 30 plays apiece since my stats began in late 2007.

#170: The Offspring – Come Out And Play
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 8/16/2019
Previous ranking: #96

A precipitous drop for this breakthrough single for the punk band, which garnered a mere 10 new listens over the past 4 years. It also appears on Volume 14 of my mix tapes.

#170: The Moopets – Rainbow Connection
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 11/9/2019
Previous ranking: #167

A 13 song increase keeps this version of the Muppets classic, featuring Fozzie Bear pushing the virtues of a casino from The Muppets, about even from 4 years ago, ranking wise.

#170: The Monkees – I’m A Believer
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 10/23/2019
Previous ranking: #167

Composed by Neil Diamond, the song spent 7 weeks at the top of the Billboard charts between 1966 and 1967.

#170: Lustra – Scotty Doesn’t Know
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 11/18/2019
Previous ranking: #118

The main song from the film Eurotrip, explaining how poor Scotty doesn’t know his girlfriend is cheating on him, adds only 11 new listens, dropping quite a bit in the rankings.

#170: Ludacris – Get Back
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 7/28/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

Having peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2005, the song makes an impressive debut on the chart.

#170: Letters To Cleo – Here & Now
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by admin

Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 16

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 16 takes us from the early fall of 1994 towards the end of the year and the first semester of my junior year of college. The song selection is nearly completely alternative, with just one or two hip-hop and pop hits to go along with it.

Side A

Hole – Doll Parts

The band’s first release after the death of bassist Kristen Pfaff in June 1994 picked up an additional 9 listens over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
12 plays 19 plays 28 plays, most recently on 12/9/2018 

Live – I Alone

Ranked as the 62nd best song of the 90s by VH1, the band’s second single added 9 listens over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 7 plays 16 plays, most recently on 10/2/2018 

Deadeye Dick – New Age Girl

The one hit wonder, featured on the Dumb and Dumber soundtrack, quadrupled its listens after not having been heard for over 3 years.

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

Nirvana – About A Girl

The performance from MTV Unplugged, which reached #1 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart, added an additional 8 listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
13 plays 15 plays 23 plays, most recently on 8/7/2018 

Aerosmith – Blind Man

The extra B-side thrown onto Aerosmith’s then-current greatest hits package picked up 4 new listens over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
5 plays 8 plays 12 plays, most recently on 11/9/2018 

Real McCoy – Another Night

Ranked as both the 63rd best single of 1994 and the 6th best of 1995, the international dance hit doubled its total since last we checked.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 5 plays 10 plays, most recently on 10/11/2018 

Warren G – Do You See

The Warren G release, which failed to make the Top 40 in the US, hasn’t been heard in 2 1/2 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
0 plays 3 plays 4 plays, most recently on 7/1/2016 

Urge Overkill – Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon

The Neil Diamond cover, featured on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack, added 5 additional plays over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
8 plays 13 plays 23 plays, most recently on 11/14/2018 

Side B

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by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #91-97

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 second half of the list today with a diverse mix of musical genres.

#97: Smash Mouth
iTunes stats: 46 plays
Previous ranking: #72

A scant 13 new listens over the past 3 years led to a 25 spot drop for the NorCal band.

#97: Oblivion
iTunes stats: 46 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The local punk band, fronted by a co-worker, uses the 10 tracks from their final album to make up this total.

#97: Oasis
iTunes stats: 46 plays
Previous ranking: #84

The British band, who at one point claimed to be bigger than Jesus, drop 13 slots thanks to 18 new listens to their 3 songs.

#97: Arrested Development
iTunes stats: 46 plays
Previous ranking: #80

The Atlanta-based new age rap band drops 17 slots thanks to 16 new listens to their  3 songs in the past 3 years.

#96: Jewel
iTunes stats: 47 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The chanteuse debuts on the chart thanks to 8 different tracks.

#95: Roxette
iTunes stats: 48 plays
Previous ranking: #88

The Swedish duo drop 7 spots despite 21 additional listens to their 5 tunes.

#94: The Beach Boys
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by admin

iTunes Top 200: #167

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 kick things off today with the first 13 songs tied for 167th place with 17 plays apiece since late 2007, 2 more than what would have qualified for the top 100 3 years ago.

#167: The McCoys – Hang On Sloopy
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 9/30/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

A #1 hit in October of 1965, this, for some reason, is the official rock song of Ohio.

#167: Mexican Cheerleader – Do The Stanley
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 5/30/2014
Previous ranking: Unranked

An impressive showing for the local punk band’s ode to Paul Stanley.

#167: The Monkees – I’m A Believer
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 12/11/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The song, composed by Neil Diamond, spent 7 weeks at the top of the Billboard charts between 1966 and 1967

#167: The Moopets – Rainbow Collection
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 9/9/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

This version of the Muppets classic, featured in the film The Muppets, features Fozzie Bear pushing the virtues of a casino.

#167: Neil Diamond – Cherry, Cherry
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 7/10/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

Neil Diamond’s first big hit, peaking at #6 on the charts in October of 1966.

#167: Neil Sedaka – Calendar Girl
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by admin

Mix Tape Monday Revisited – Volume 16

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 16 takes us from the early fall of 1994 towards the end of the year and the first semester of my junior year of college. The song selection is nearly completely alternative, with just one or two hip-hop and pop hits to go along with it.

Side A

Hole – Doll Parts

The latest hit from Courtney Love and company picked up an additional 7 listens over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 12 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 19 plays, most recently on 5/29/2015

Live – I Alone

The Live hit added 5 listens, though none in over a year.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 6/5/2014

Deadeye Dick – New Age Girl

The one hit wonder, featured on the Dumb and Dumber soundtrack, has not been heard in over 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 5/15/2012

Nirvana – About A Girl

The performance from MTV Unplugged added an additional 2 listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 13 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 1/10/2015

Aerosmith – Blind Man

The extra B-side thrown onto Aerosmith’s the then-current greatest hits package picked up 3 new listens over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 5/11/2015

Real McCoy – Another Night

An extra 3 listens for the international dance hit.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 10/9/2014

Warren G – Do You See

The Warren G release (hit being such a strong term) was heard 3 times in the last 3 years, but not once in the past year.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 6/26/2014

Urge Overkill – Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon

The Neil Diamond cover, featured on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack, added 5 additional plays over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 6/13/2015

Side B

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
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by jim

iTunes Top 100 Artists: #91-100

itunes_image

My 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, and digital music, it’s time to roll everything up with the Top 100 artists that I’ve listened to as of 8/21/2013, according to iTunes. Today we look at the the bottom 10, which includes plenty of rock royalty.

#91: Letters To Cleo

iTunes stats: 26 plays

Split across 2 songs, both of which achieved success due to their inclusion on soundtracks.  The band broke up in 2000.

#91: Beastie Boys

iTunes stats: 26 plays

7 different songs make up this total for the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, who have not been active since the death of Adam “MCA” Yauch.

#91: Bloodhound Gang

iTunes stats: 26 plays

2 songs make up this total for the band known for humorous and off-beat, satirical lyrics.

#94: Ozzy Osbourne

iTunes stats: 24 plays

The bumbling TV dad of reality series fame used 5 songs, including a duet with Lita Ford, to compile this total.

#94: K’s Choice

iTunes stats: 24 plays

5 songs make up this total for the arguable one hit wonder from Belgium.

#94: 2Pac

iTunes stats: 24 plays

The slain rapper makes the list with only 2 entries, including his collaboration with Dr. Dre.

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