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.

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Top 200 Albums: #51 – 60

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.

As of today, we are three quarters of the way through 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 three compilations, and music from the 60s, 80s, 90s, and beyond.

#60: Various Artists – Forrest Gump
iTunes stats: 166 plays
Previous Ranking: 73

A 93% increase for the soundtrack, featuring artists like The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and CCR, from the Oscar-winning film.

#59: Bon Jovi – Cross Road
iTunes stats: 167 plays
Previous Ranking: 62

Ten of the band’s biggest hits earned an additional 66 plays over the last four years.

#56: The Beatles – Please Please Me
iTunes stats: 168 plays
Previous Ranking: 53

Seven tracks from this remastered version of the band’s 1963 debut album earned a 51% increase in plays.

#56: David Cross – It’s Not Funny
iTunes stats: 168 plays
Previous Ranking: 62

This 2004 comedy album from David Cross added 67 new plays, and that total would be significantly higher if I were to sync my old phone again, as I have listened to it while falling asleep plenty of times.

#56: Various Artists – Buffy The Vampire Slayer: The Album
iTunes stats: 168 plays
Previous Ranking: 46

A drop of ten spots on the chart for this initial soundtrack album to the hit television series, featuring eight tunes by bands like Nerf Herder, Guided By Voices, and The Sundays.

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iTunes Top 200: #89 – 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 begin the second half of our countdown, breaking the top 100 with the remaining three songs with 34 plays before moving on to the first group of songs with 35 plays, according to my iTunes stats dating back to late 2007.

#98: The Breeders – Cannonball
iTunes stats: 34 plays, most recently on 8/30/2019
Previous ranking: #96

The first single for the new band fronted by former Pixie Kim Deal and her sister Kelley.

#98: The Beatles – Help!
iTunes stats: 34 plays, most recently on 10/27/2019
Previous ranking: #65

The title song for both the 1965 film and its soundtrack album.

#98: Bad Religion – Infected
iTunes stats: 34 plays, most recently on 7/11/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

A nice debut for the tune which peaked at number 27 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart.

#89: Travis – Baby One More Time
iTunes stats: 35 plays, most recently on 10/25/2019
Previous ranking: #141

A tremendous jump for this cover of the Britney Spears “classic”.

#89: Tegan and Sara – Walking With A Ghost
iTunes stats: 35 plays, most recently on 8/16/2019
Previous ranking: #65

Released in 2005 as the debut single from the So Jealous album.

#89: Nerf Herder – Buffy Theme
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Top 200 Albums – #41 – 49

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.

With 3/4 of the list completed, we start the home stretch with the next batch of 10 albums ranked between #41 and 49, including 3 greatest hit collections, 2 studio recordings, 2 comedy albums, 1 compilation, 1 soundtrack, and 1 live performance.

#49: Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP
iTunes stats: 113 plays
Previous Ranking: 42

7 tracks make up the total for this breakthrough album.

#49: George Carlin – Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics
iTunes stats: 113 plays
Previous Ranking: 57

If I remember correctly, this special was my first introduction to George Carlin as a young man back in the late 80s. The whole album makes up its total.

#48: The Beatles – The Beatles (White Album)
iTunes stats: 120 plays
Previous Ranking: 33

This remastered version of the classic double album has 8 songs that make up its total.

#47: Various Artists – Monster Madness
iTunes stats: 121 plays
Previous Ranking: 46

9 tracks, from exciting artists like Faith No More, Lita Ford, and Nelson, make up the total for this hair metal compilation.

#46: Various Artists – Buffy The Vampire Slayer: The Album
iTunes stats: 122 plays
Previous Ranking: 34

The soundtrack album to the hit television series, featuring bands like Nerf Herder, Guided By Voices, and The Sundays, had 8 songs make up its total.

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #167-179

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.

After a brief hiatus, we pick up this week with the final 2 bands/performers tied for 179th place and the first 8 tied for 167th, including a few radio personalities.

#167: Fall Out Boy
iTunes stats: 27 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

1 song from Fall Out Boy, used as the intro music for the White Sox in 2015, drives their inclusion on this list.

#167: Gnarls Barkley
iTunes stats: 27 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The collaboration between CeeLo Green and DJ Danger Mouse has 2 songs to make up their total.

#167: Live
iTunes stats: 27 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The Pennsylvania band used a pretty even split amongst 3 different tunes to mark their spot on the chart.

#167: Mott The Hoople
iTunes stats: 27 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

One track, featured on the Juno soundtrack and written by David Bowie, makes up the total for English rock band.

#167: Naughty By Nature
iTunes stats: 27 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

2 mega-hits from the hip hop trio make up their total.

#167: Nerf Herder
iTunes stats: 27 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The band, who got their name from a Princess Leia quote in Star Wars, contributed the theme song to Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

#167: OutKast
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iTunes Top 200: #46 – 56

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 reach the 3/4ths mark today, looking at the remaining songs tied for 56th with 23 listens and starting the songs tied for 46th with 24 listens.

#56: Darling Violetta – Angel Main Theme
iTunes stats: 23 plays, most recently on 12/11/2015
Previous ranking: #76

The band performed 2 songs in a third season episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer before being tasked to perform the theme to the spin-off.

#56: Coolio f/ L.V. – Gangsta’s Paradise
iTunes stats: 23 plays, most recently on 11/15/2015
Previous ranking: #96

This 1995 hit from the Dangerous Minds soundtrack also appeared on Volume 19 of my mix tapes.

#56: The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer – Where Do We Go From Here?
iTunes stats: 23 plays, most recently on 9/22/2015
Previous ranking: #41

The last tune from the musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer following the defeat of the dancing demon Sweet.

#56: The Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour
iTunes stats: 23 plays, most recently on 9/21/2015
Previous ranking: #58

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

#56: The Beatles – Helter Skelter
iTunes stats: 23 plays, most recently on 6/13/2014
Previous ranking: #54

Considered by music historians as a key influence in the development of heavy metal.

#46: Weird Al Yankovic – White & Nerdy 
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Top 200 Albums – #29 – 37

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 crack the top 30 with the 9 albums ranked from 37th to 29th with between 76 and 86 listens.

#29: Motley Crue – Motley Crue Greatest Hits
iTunes stats: 86 plays
9 of the glam metal bands biggest hits make up the total for this greatest hits package.

#29: Garbage – Chicago ’05
iTunes stats: 86 plays
This bootleg, from the bands 2005 show at the Metro, uses all 17 songs from its setlist to make up this total.

#29: P.O.D. – Satellite
iTunes stats: 86 plays
2 tunes, and former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, are responsible for this total.

#32: The Beatles – Past Masters, Vol. 2 [2009 Stereo Remaster]
iTunes stats: 84 plays
This remastered version of the album has 10 songs that make up its total.

#33: The Beatles (White Album) [Disc 1] [2009 Stereo Remaster]
iTunes stats: 82 plays
This remastered version of the classic double album has 8 songs that make up its total.

#34: Garbage – Version 2.0
iTunes stats: 80 plays
12 tracks from the band’s second album make up this total.

#34: Various Artists – Buffy The Vampire Slayer: The Album
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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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iTunes Top 100: #41 – 57

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 17 songs tied for #41 and #54 with 19 and 20 overall plays.

#41: The Beatles – Can’t Buy Me Love

Had the biggest jump to number one (from #27) until Billboard began using SoundScan for their charts.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 4/29/2013

#41: The Cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Where Do We Go From Here?

The last tune following the defeat of the dancing demon Sweet.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 4/27/2013

#41: The Cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer – End Credits (Broom Dance/Grr Argh)

Broadway-ified version of the end theme of the show.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 2/15/2013

#41: Divinyls – I Touch Myself

The only US hit for the Australian band which formed in 1980.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 4/26/2013

#41: Eminem – Lose Yourself

Written during the filming of the movie in which it appeared, 8 Mile.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 2/25/2013

#41: Foo Fighters – Monkey Wrench

The live version from their 2006 show in London’s Hyde Park.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 3/13/2012

#41: Foo Fighters – My Hero

The live version from their live acoustic album released in 2006.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 3/26/2013

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

This hit from the former glam band also appeared on Volume 5 of my mix tapes, and has been listened to twice since then.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 3/14/2013

#41: Nerf Herder – Buffy Theme

The theme song from the hit television show.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 10/31/2012

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Snowplow Shuffle

Another snowstorm has hit.  Here’s the soundtrack that got me through clearing the driveway both yesterday afternoon and this morning.

 

Loser (LP Version) Beck Loser 1/20/2012 4:00 PM
Smells Like Teen Spirit Tori Amos Crucify 1/20/2012 4:04 PM
Sunny Came Home Shawn Colvin A Few Small Repairs 1/20/2012 4:08 PM
The Taste Oblivion Sweatpants USA 1/20/2012 4:12 PM
Buffy Theme Nerf Herder Buffy The Vampire Slayer: The Album 1/20/2012 4:13 PM
Finish What Ya Started Van Halen The Best Of Both Worlds [Disc 1] 1/20/2012 4:17 PM
Everlong (Acoustic Version) Foo Fighters Greatest Hits 1/20/2012 4:22 PM
C’mon And Get My Love Cathy Dennis featuring D-Mob Move to This 1/20/2012 4:25 PM
Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) Mötley Crüe Motley Crue Greatest Hits 1/20/2012 4:30 PM
The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite R.E.M. Automatic For The People 1/21/2012 9:19 AM
Oh Yeah Yello Stella 1/21/2012 9:22 AM
Walking After You Foo Fighters The Colour And The Shape 1/21/2012 9:27 AM
I Want You Back The Jackson 5 Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5 1/21/2012 9:30 AM
True Colors Cyndi Lauper True Colors 1/21/2012 9:34 AM

Small break to get a new snowblower.

Everything Zen Bush Sixteen Stone 1/21/2012 10:41 AM
Life’s A Happy Song Finale The Muppets The Muppets 1/21/2012 10:43 AM
This Is Love PJ Harvey Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back 1/21/2012 10:47 AM
Mr. Bass Man Floyd & Scooter Muppet Hits 1/21/2012 10:49 AM
Downtown Tegan and Sara So Jealous 1/21/2012 10:54 AM