iTunes Top 200: #145 – 158

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 final batch of songs tied for 158th place with 37 plays apiece and move on to the first group of songs with 38 plays since my stats began in late 2007, good for 145th place.

#158: The Beatles – Help!
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 3/31/2024
Previous ranking: #98

A mere three new plays in the last five years for this title track from both the 1965 film and its soundtrack album.

#158: Aerosmith – Janie’s Got a Gun
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 1/4/2022
Previous ranking: #170

This Grammy winner for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1990 has somehow picked up seven new listens despite having gone unheard in over three years.

#158: Aerosmith – Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 10/28/2024
Previous ranking: #170

The 1987 hit, which earned the band their first VMA nominations, for Best Group Video and Best Stage Performance, picked up seven new plays in the last five years.

#145: The Wonders – That Thing You Do
iTunes stats: 38 plays, most recently on 10/29/2021
Previous ranking: #98

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, has somehow not been heard in over three years.

#145: No Doubt – Just A Girl
iTunes stats: 38 plays, most recently on 11/13/2023
Previous ranking: NR

The band’s first charting single in the US, which spent 29 weeks on the Hot 100, topping out at #23, added 36 plays since I upgraded to the iPhone 5S in September of 2013.

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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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Mix Tape Monday – Hair Bands 2

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.

In addition to the occasional series of CDs I had burned in order to keep abreast of new music, I had created a bunch of genre-specific mixes that could be used both in the car and at the gym. This week we will take a look at the second disc covering the world of hair bands.  Because even though the calendar said it was the early 21st century, one edition of spandex and hair spray infused rock and roll would not suffice. So, without further ado, I bring you Hair Bands, volume 2.

Firehouse – When I Look In Your Eyes

The last hit for Firehouse hit #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1992.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 4/22/2011

Motley Crue – Kickstart My Heart

Nikki Six wrote the song about his overdose where he was declared clinically dead before 2 adrenaline shots to the heart brought him back to life.

iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 2/15/2013

Lita Ford & Ozzy Osbourne – Close My Eyes Forever

The duet with Ozzy peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 8/14/2012

Skid Row – 18 And Life

Named the 60th best hard rock song of all time by VH1.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 12/15/2012

Slaughter – Fly To The Angels

The second release by Slaughter peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 12/3/2012

Warrant – Sometimes She Cries

The fourth single from Warrant’s debut album charted at #11 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 6/16/2012

White Lion – Wait

Released on June 1, 1987, but did not make waves until MTV began airing the video in January 1988, pushing the single to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 7/21/2010

Bon Jovi – Never Say Goodbye

Left off the North American release of the band’s first greatest hits package.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 11/17/2012

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