Tag / REM

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Top 200 Albums: #131 – 139

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.

We continue today with the next batch of ten albums that I have listened to the most over the last 15 years, including one comedy album, one compilation, and an even one half of the albums coming from the 90s.

#139: Foo Fighters – Foo Fighters
iTunes stats: 91 plays
Previous Ranking: 129

Recovering from the death of Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl recorded this debut, which increased its plays by a scant 56.9%, alone and formed the band afterwards.

#139: Bell Biv DeVoe – Poison
iTunes stats: 91 plays
Previous Ranking: 120

The debut album from the former members of New Edition added 30 new listens to two of the ten songs from the album.

#136: The Beatles – Let It Be
iTunes stats: 92 plays
Previous Ranking: 129

Four of the twelve tracks from this remastered version of the Fab Four’s twelfth and final studio album earn a relatively small 58% increase over the past 4 years.

#136: Various Artists – TV Themes of the 80’s
iTunes stats: 92 plays
Previous Ranking: 161

Five different theme songs, from popular TV shows like WKRP in Cincinnati, Love Boat, and the Dukes of Hazzard, added 43 new plays to jump up 25 spots.

#136: Liz Phair – Whitechocolatespaceegg
iTunes stats: 92 plays
Previous Ranking: 127

Ten different songs make up this total, an increase of 56% from four years ago, for this third studio album by the one-time indie darling.

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Top 200 Albums: #161 – 170

itunes_imageWe 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.

We continue today with the next batch of ten albums that I have listened to the most over the last 15 years, including two live DVD rips, one movie soundtrack, and an appearance by my alma mater’s marching band.

#170: Alanis Morissette – VH1 Storytellers
iTunes stats: 75 plays
Previous Ranking: 192

Ripped from the DVD, six tracks from the live performance first aired in 1999 as the fifth episode of season six of VH1 Storytellers bumped up nearly 83% while jumping 12 spots on the chart.

#165: R.E.M. – Monster
iTunes stats: 76 plays
Previous Ranking: 171

The ninth studio album from R.E.M., released in 1994, takes contributions from five of the twelve tracks to add 29 new listens over the past 4 years.

#165: Purdue “All-American” Marching Band – Back Home in Indiana
iTunes stats: 76 plays
Previous Ranking: 120

A huge 45 spot drop thanks to a small 15 listen increase to this newer version (Boiler Up included) of my alma mater’s fight song.

#165: Boyz II Men – Cooleyhighharmony
iTunes stats: 76 plays
Previous Ranking: 171

Another one of the six CDs that I owned when I left for college, this 1991 debut from Boyz II Men uses 29 new listens to jump up 6 spots on the chart.

#165: Various Artists – Grease (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
iTunes stats: 76 plays
Previous Ranking: 165

The soundtrack to the 1978 hit film had five tracks, from film stars John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, and Stockard Channing, among others, contribute its 58% increase.

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iTunes Top 200: #170 Part The Third

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: Garfunkel and Oates – Pregnant Women Are Smug
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 10/14/2019
Previous ranking: #167

Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci add 13 new listens to pretty much keep pace with their previous showing.

#170: Garbage – Cherry Lips (Live)
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 11/9/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

An impressive debut for this live version of the song, performed at Chicago’s Virgin Megastore and broadcast live on WXRT.

#170: Florence + The Machine – Shake It Out
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 12/30/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

Nominated for the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, the song has put in 30 listens since being added to my collection in early 2016 prior to a certain road trip.

#170: DJ Danger Mouse – 99 Problems
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 9/26/2019
Previous ranking: #118

A big drop off for this mash-up of Jay Z’s 99 Problems and The Beatles Helter Skelter.

#170: The Cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Overture/Going Through The Motions
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 11/9/2019
Previous ranking: #118

A bit of a drop off for the opening tune, performed by series star Sarah Michelle Gellar, from the musical episode in season 6.

#170: Blues Brothers – Sweet Home Chicago
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iTunes Top 200: #170

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 kick things off today with the first ten songs tied for 170th place with 30 plays apiece since my stats began in late 2007.

#170: 10,000 Maniacs – Because The Night
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 10/22/2018
Previous ranking: #65

A precipitous drop for this cover of the Patti Smith classic from the band’s MTV Unplugged appearance, which garnered a mere 8 new listens over the past 4 years.  It also appears on Volume 12 of my mix tapes.

#170: Young MC – Bust A Move
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 10/27/2019
Previous ranking: #96

Another big drop, thanks to a mere 10 listens over the past 4 years, for this Grammy winning hit, which also appeared on Volume 1 of my mix tapes.

#170: Weezer – Buddy Holly
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 11/12/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

Released on what would have been Buddy Holly’s 58th birthday, the big breakthrough hit for Weezer, which scored 4 MTV Video Music Awards in 1995, pushes the 25 year old song into the Top 200.

#170: Terror Squad Ft. Fat Joe (Aka Joey Crack) & Remy – Lean Back
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 8/19/2019
Previous ranking: Unranked

A strong debut for the one hit wonders who spent three weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 charts in August of 2004.

#170: Tegan and Sara – Speak Slow
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 7/8/2019
Previous ranking: #79

The live version of the song, from the 5 Songs Live from the Phoenix EP, drops nearly 100 slots.

#170: Stone Temple Pilots – Dancing Days
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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #21-30

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 continue today with the 10 performers who have combined for 1816 listens over the past 10 years.

#30: Klaus Badelt
iTunes stats: 161 plays
Previous ranking: #16

The composer dropped 14 spots in the rankings due to the White Sox no longer using his theme from Pirates of the Caribbean as part of their pre-game routine.

#29: Steam
iTunes stats: 164 plays
Previous ranking: #24

Another casualty of the White Sox victory playlist getting fewer plays over the last few years, Steam drops 5 spots in the rankings due to only 54 additional plays.

#28: Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers
iTunes stats: 173 plays
Previous ranking: #19

The novelty band responsible for the White Sox rally song from 1959 added 55 listens in the past 3 years, causing them to drop 9 spots in the rankings.

#27: Green Day
iTunes stats: 174 plays
Previous ranking: #30

The west coast punk rockers added 77 listens from their 18 songs to jump 3 spots in the rankings.

#26: Veruca Salt
iTunes stats: 175 plays
Previous ranking: #18

The girls from Chicago used 13 songs to increase their plays by 51, causing them to drop 8 spots.

#24: Stone Temple Pilots
iTunes stats: 182 plays
Previous ranking: #35

A 10 spot jump in the rankings, thanks to 100 new listens spurred on partially due to the death of singer Scott Weiland in December of 2015.

#24: Liz Phair
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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 19

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 19 stretches from late summer 1995 and into the fall semester of the first of my two senior years of college.  Again, it mostly features what was considered alternative music, with Coolio interjecting some street flavor for good measure.

Side A

Tripping Daisy – I Got A Girl

The one hit for Tripping Daisy managed to double its number of plays in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 7/22/2015

Foo Fighters – This Is A Call

The debut for Dave Grohl’s new venture earned a relatively paltry 4 additional plays in the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 13 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 4/2/2015

Pearl Jam – Whipping

The final appearance of Pearl Jam, which I barely even recall, picked up 2 listens in the past 3 years, none in nearly 2.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 9/7/2013

Hootie and the Blowfish – Only Wanna Be With You

Hootie’s ode to, among other things, the Miami Dolphins added 3 new listens in the past 3 years, despite not having been heard in over a year.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 6/8/2014

Elastica – Stutter

The follow up from Elastica picked up 2 listens in the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 2/10/2015

Cranberries – Ridiculous Thoughts

2 listens for the latest from the Cranberries in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

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

Green Day – J.A.R.

3 new listens for Green Day’s contribution to the Angus soundtrack.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 5/8/2015

Alanis Morissette – Hand In My Pocket

The second release from the juggernaut that was Jagged Little Pill tripled its number of listens in the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 1/15/2015

Side B

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Mix Tape Monday Revisited – Volume 18

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 18 covers the summer of 1995 and the lead up to the first of my two senior years of college.

Side A

Stone Temple Pilots – Dancing Days

The Led Zeppelin cover nearly doubled its impressive total over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 6/28/2015

PJ Harvey – Down By The Water

The surprise mainstream hit for the indie darling also nearly doubled its total in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 2/4/2015

REM – Strange Currencies

I finally listened to this tune from the Athens, GA boys.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 7/12/2015

Live – All Over You

Live’s latest has gone unheard in nearly 4 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/15/2011

Soul Asylum – Misery

Only one new listen for the follow-up from Soul Asylum over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 1/2/2013

Collective Soul – December

A slight increase for Collective Soul’s latest, which hasn’t been heard in nearly 2 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 9/10/2013

Elastica – Connection

The debut hit from Elastica added 4 listens in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 6/17/2015

Juliana Hatfield – Universal Heart-Beat

The first solo release from Juliana Hatfield more than doubled its number of listens in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 7/12/2015

Side B

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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

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Mix Tape Monday Revisited – Volume 15

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 15 takes us into through the summer of 1994 and into the fall and my junior year of college. The song selection is, again, mostly alternative with some west coast gangsta rap.

Side A

Frente! – Labour Of Love

The hit from Marvin! The Album picked up an impressive 6 additional listens over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 10 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 4/29/2015

Mazzy Star – Fade Into You

The mesmerizing tune from Hope Sandoval and company nearly tripled its total for an amazing 16 play increase.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 25 plays, most recently on 6/23/2015

Nirvana – Verse Chorus Verse

A modest 2 listen increase for this posthumous B-side from the trio from Seattle.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 3/14/2013

Warren G – This D.J.

An infinite increase for the lesser-received follow up to Regulate.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 7/3/2015

Cracker – Eurotrash Girl

The hidden track picked up 3 additional listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 10 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 2/10/2015

Stone Temple Pilots – Interstate Love Song

The latest hit from STP added 4 new listens over the past 3 years, despite not being heard in over a year.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play, on 10/3/2010

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 7/1/2014

Gin Blossoms – Allison Road

The Gin Blossoms latest nearly doubled its total over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 5/8/2015

Weezer – Undone (The Sweater Song)

The debut hit from Weezer added 4 new listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 4/14/2015

Side B

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