Tag / Rolling Stones

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #31-40

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 artists in my iTunes library, featuring the songs I have listened to the most since 2007.  It is time to do so again, seeing which performers still resonate and if any newer ones have joined the fray.  So, without further ado, here are my most listened to artists, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2026.

We hit the top 40 today with the next batch of ten artists, much of which is tied in some way, shape, or form to one of the local baseball clubs.

#40: Tori Amos
iTunes stats: 263 plays
Previous ranking: #43

66 new listens for the same eleven songs over the past five years push the singer/songwriter, who I was supposed to see live at the Rosemont Horizon back in 1998 but missed due to a friend’s wedding, up three spots.

#39: The Rolling Stones
iTunes stats: 289 plays
Previous ranking: #37

The 1989 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame added 76 additional listens, which dropped them two spots in the rankings.

#38: Steam
iTunes stats: 296 plays
Previous ranking: #36

A casualty of my White Sox victory playlist getting fewer plays over the last couple of years, Steam drops two spots in the rankings despite 76 additional plays.

#37: Harry Caray
iTunes stats: 300 plays
Previous ranking: #40

Two versions of Take Me Out to the Ballgame, one from his tenure in the White Sox booth and one from the Cubs, scored a 44% increase for the legendary broadcaster.

#36: Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers
iTunes stats: 308 plays
Previous ranking: #34

The novelty band, responsible for the White Sox rally song from 1959, added 79 listens in the past five years, causing them to drop two spots in the rankings.

#35: Dr. Dre
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Yet Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 17

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.

Courtney Love is certainly one of the more interesting characters to come out of the 90s.  She moved to LA in the 80s, hoping for an acting career, but managed just a few bit parts before forming Hole with guitarist Eric Erlandson in 1989.  Following the release of their first album, Pretty on the Inside, in 1991, Love briefly dated Billy Corgan and Kurt Cobain.  By late 1991, Love and Cobain had re-united and, in February of 1992, the pair were married.

In October of 1993, Hole recorded their second album, Live Through This, which, according to rumors, was heavily ghost-written by Cobain.  The album was released on April 12, 1994, just one week following Cobain’s suicide.  The album was both a critical, and commercial, success, opening more doors for Love.  When not touring, she returned back to Hollywood, getting small roles in Basquiat and Feeling Minnesota before scoring a starring role in The People vs. Larry Flynt.

1998 saw the release of Celebrity Skin, the band’s last album before disbanding in 2002.  Love’s former boyfriend Billy Corgan, by now a huge star in his own right, officially has co-writer credit on five of the album’s twelve tracks, including the first two singles.  Rumors, again, say he had a much larger part in defining the sound of the album.

Thirty years later, YouTube videos have started calling into question Love’s musical talents.  Isolated tracks of her voice and guitar playing during live performances show a dramatic difference from the album versions.  How much of Hole’s success was due to Love and how much was due to her romantic relationships?  We probably will never know.

What we do know is the Hole appears twice on Volume 17, which picks up in early 1995 and the second semester of my junior year and takes us into early summer.  At this point, it is nearly all alternative, with just one hip-hop breakthrough.

Side A

Hole – Asking For It
iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 4/22/2021

One of three Hole songs to officially feature a contribution from Kurt Cobain, the latest from Courtney Love and company increased its play total by four after and hasn’t been heard in well over a year.

Cranberries – Twenty One
iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 6/6/2021

The minor hit from the band’s second album more than doubled its number of plays in the last four years.

Veruca Salt – Number One Blind
iTunes stats: 25 plays, most recently on 11/11/2021

The follow up single to Seether added eight new listens, despite not being heard in over a year.

Stone Temple Pilots – Unglued
iTunes stats: 33 plays, most recently on 10/21/2022

Peaking at #16 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart, the track added ten new plays in the last four years.

Pearl Jam – Better Man
iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 11/9/2019

Last heard prior to the global shutdown thanks to the corona virus, the biggest hit from the grunge superstars’ third album, which spent eight weeks at the top of Mainstream Rock chart, added a paltry three listens.

Nirvana – Where Did You Sleep Last Night
iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 6/8/2022

The traditional American folk song, recorded for MTV Unplugged and released following the death of lead singer Kurt Cobain, picked up a mere five new listens.

Weezer – No One Else
iTunes stats: 23 plays, most recently on 3/19/2021

Never released as a single but with plenty of radio airplay, Weezer’s latest picked up six new listens over the past four years.

Offspring – What Happened To You?
iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 10/14/2018

Not a single listen for the final offering from Offspring’s debut album, which was never officially released as a single.

Side B

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Top 200 Albums: #31 – 40

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.

Today, we continue with the next batch of ten albums that I have listened to the most over the last 15 years, loading up on greatest hits collections, comedy, and 90s alternative rock debuts.

#40: David Cross – Shut Up, You Fucking Baby!
iTunes stats: 206 plays
Previous Ranking: 38

The 2002 double album saw a 58% increase in plays across its 17 tracks.

#38: Various Artists – Monsters of Rap
iTunes stats: 207 plays
Previous Ranking: 51

Ten tracks, from the likes of Onyx, Positive K, and 3rd Bass, added 95 new listens for this compilation album.

#38: Various Artists – Booty Jams
iTunes stats: 207 plays
Previous Ranking: 52

An 86% increase in plays over the past four years for the eight songs, from artists like Tag Team, Tone Loc, and 2 Live Crew, from this compilation of sexy jams.

#37: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Greatest Hits
iTunes stats: 208 plays
Previous Ranking: 133

Ten of Tom Petty’s biggest hits, both with The Heartbreakers and solo, gained 69 new listens over the past four years.

#36: Poison – Poison’s Greatest Hits 1986-1996
iTunes stats: 214 plays
Previous Ranking: 43

The first greatest hits package for the glam metal superstars saw a 72% increase in plays across the eleven songs that made their way on to my phone.

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #31-40

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, with ties at 50th, 48th, and 43rd.

#40: Harry Caray
iTunes stats: 208 plays
Previous ranking: #39

A scant 61% increase, due in part to my attending no baseball games in 2020 due to the corona virus, for the legendary broadcaster for both the White Sox and the Cubs.

#39: The Offspring
iTunes stats: 210 plays
Previous ranking: #44

The winners of the 1999 Billboard Music Award for Modern Rock Artist of the Year gained 96 new listens from the 9 tunes in my collection, inching them up five spots in the rankings.

#38: Taylor Swift
iTunes stats: 212 plays
Previous ranking: #71

The 10-time Grammy winner, who is halfway towards an EGOT, saw a 248% increase with 151 new plays, thanks in part to a new album added to the collection.

#37: The Rolling Stones
iTunes stats: 213 plays
Previous ranking: #56

The 1989 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame added 129 additional listens, which moved them up 19 spots in the rankings.

#36: Steam
iTunes stats: 220 plays
Previous ranking: #29

Another casualty of the White Sox victory playlist getting fewer plays over the last few years, especially this last summer thanks to the corona virus, Steam drops 7 spots in the rankings due to only 56 additional plays.

#35: Florence + The Machine
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by admin

Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 17

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 17 picks up in early 1995 and the second semester of my junior year and takes us into early summer.  At this point, it is nearly all alternative, with just one hip-hop breakthrough.

Side A

Hole – Asking For It

One of three Hole songs to feature a contribution from Kurt Cobain, the latest from Courtney Love and company more than quadrupled its play total after not being heard in 2 1/2 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 4 plays 17 plays, most recently on 12/4/2018 

Cranberries – Twenty One

The minor hit from the band’s second album, helped in part by the death of singer Dolores O’Riordan, added a mere 5 plays in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
0 plays 1 play 6 plays, most recently on 12/12/2018 

Veruca Salt – Number One Blind

The follow up single to Seether added 8 listens over the past 5 1/2 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
7 plays 9 plays 17 plays, most recently on 12/18/2018 

Stone Temple Pilots – Unglued

Peaking at #16 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart, the track added 10 new plays in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
9 plays 13 plays 23 plays, most recently on 11/30/2018 

Pearl Jam – Better Man

The biggest hit from the grunge superstars’ 3rd album, spending 8 weeks at the top of Mainstream Rock chart, added a paltry 5 listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 6 plays 11 plays, most recently on 11/9/2018 

Nirvana – Where Did You Sleep Last Night

The traditional American folk song, recorded for MTV Unplugged and released following the death of lead singer Kurt Cobain, picked up a mere 4 new listens.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 3 plays 7 plays, most recently on 8/27/2018 

Weezer – No One Else

Never released as a single but with plenty of radio airplay, Weezer’s latest picked up 7 new listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
7 plays 10 plays 17 plays, most recently on 10/4/2018 

Offspring – What Happened To You?

The final offering from Offspring’s debut album, also never officially released as a single, added 8 additional plays in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
8 plays 12 plays 20 plays, most recently on 10/14/2018 

Side B

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Top 200 Albums – #51 – 60

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 finish off the first 3 quarters with the next batch of 10 albums ranked between #51 and 60, including 4 studio recordings, 3 compilations, 2 greatest hits collectoins, and 1 live performance.

#60: P.O.D. – Satellite
iTunes stats: 102 plays
Previous Ranking: 29

2 tunes, and former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, are responsible for this total.

#59: Garbage – Not Your Kind Of People
iTunes stats: 103 plays
Previous Ranking: 59

48 additional plays over the past 3 years gives this album the exact same ranking.

#58: Poison – Swallow This Live
iTunes stats: 105 plays
Previous Ranking: 38

The first CD I ever owned, which I received for Christmas in December of 1991, makes the list thanks to 8 tracks from the double album.

#57: Pearl Jam – Vs.
iTunes stats: 106 plays
Previous Ranking: 40

Pearl Jam’s second album, which I purchased as a midnight release at the record store in Purdue West whose name escapes me, makes the list thanks to 7 tunes.

#56: Van Halen – The Best Of Both Worlds
iTunes stats: 107 plays
Previous Ranking: 68

This greatest hits compilation makes the list thanks to 8 tracks, split between David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar.

Continue reading →

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #51-59

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 finish up the first 2/3 of the list with listens from the high 70s through the mid 90s.

#59: Kermit the Frog
iTunes stats: 78 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The world’s most favorite Muppet makes the second highest debut on the list, clocking in with 7 tracks.

#59: 10,000 Maniacs
iTunes stats: 78 plays
Previous ranking: #53

Only 3 tracks make up this total, though a scant 29 new listens contributed to a 6 spot drop in the rankings.

#58: Smashing Pumpkins
iTunes stats: 81 plays
Previous ranking: #59

Doubling their play total, plus 1, over the past 3 years enables the Chicago based alternative band to jump up 1 whole spot in the rankings.

#57: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
iTunes stats: 83 plays
Previous ranking: #45

A mere 17 new listens over the past 3 years cause the Jersey Boys inspirations to drop 12 spots on the list.

#56: The Rolling Stones
iTunes stats: 84 plays
Previous ranking: #74

Listens from 17 songs, up from 9 three years ago, led to the British bad boys jumping 18 spots in the rankings.

#55: Cheap Trick
iTunes stats: 86 plays
Previous ranking: #56

The boys from Rockford add an additional 40 listens to rise 1 spot on the list.

#54: The Outfield
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A Quarter Century Of Memories Part II

Last week, we looked at the first two regions of memories the White Sox had selected to celebrate the 25th anniversary of US Cellular Field.  Today, we finish the job by looking at the last 2 brackets: Records and Milestones and Honors and More.

records_milestonesThe Records and Milestones region spans the gamut of the 25 years the Comiskey Park II/US Cellular Field has been in service.  Unlike the last 2 regions, I only attended 2 of these 8 games.

We start with the most recent game, from last October, where Chris Sale set the franchise’s single season strikeout total, doing battle against a July 2000 matchup between the Sox and Cardinals, where Frank Thomas surpassed Luke Appling as the franchise’s all time RBI leader with a first inning home run.  I’ll select Thomas’ mark, as it represents a career mark over Sale’s single season record.

The second match-up is between Carlton Fisk breaking Bob Boone’s career record for games caught on June 22, 1991 against Bobby Jenks tying the MLB record for consecutive batters retires with 41, a mark that would be broken by teammate Mark Buehrle 2 years later.

Next, we have the first interleague game between the White Sox and the Cubs on June 16, 1997 versus Jim Thome’s 500th home run, a walk-off against the Angels on September 16, 2007, which just so happened to also be Jim Thome bobblehead day.  How can you beat that kind of drama?

The final battle is between Jack McDowell, picking up his 20th win of the year on September 8, 1992, against Mark Buehrle’s perfect game on July 23, 2009.  Buehrle easily takes this one.

honors_moreFinally, we have the Honors and More region, where I’ve attended at least 5 of the events in the running.

The first match-up is the afternoon in 2010 when Frank Thomas’ #35 was retired going up against the dedication of the Harold Baines statue in 2008.

Next, we have the dedication of the Luis Aparicio and Nellie Fox statues in 2006 versus the Minnie Minoso statue dedication in 2004.

The next match-up is the August 2010 game where the city’s world champions were honored following the Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup battling the Rolling Stones concert that took place in September of 2002, the last concert to date at the ballpark.

Finally, we have the dedication of Championship Plaza in April 2008 going up against the All Star game in 2003.

None of these match-ups have anything to do with something on the field, so I don’t know how you choose one statue dedication over another.

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iTunes Top 200: #141

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 continue today with the next grouping of songs tied for 141st place with 18 plays apiece since late 2007.

#141: TLC – Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 9/14/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The debut single from the girl group peaked at #6 on the Billboard charts back in 1992.

#141: Republica – Drop Dead Gorgeous
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 9/7/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The third single from the British band’s debut album.

#141: Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 12/23/2014
Previous ranking: Unranked

The first single from the band’s second album, it ushered in the grunge era and instantly brought to an end the reign of the hair bands.

#141: The Muffs – Kids In America
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 9/12/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

A cover of the Kim Wilde hit featured in the film Clueless.

#141: Green Jelly – Three Little Pigs
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 11/7/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

This comedy metal song somehow reached #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1993.

#141: Garbage – Wild Horses (Live)
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Top 200 Albums – #84 – 91

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 get closer to the top of the list and crack the 80s by looking at the 3 albums tied for 84th with 40 listens and the 5 albums tied for 87th with 39 listens.

#84: Rolling Stones – Forty Licks
iTunes stats: 40 plays
This all-encompassing, double CD hits package has 13 different tracks to make up its total.

#84: Tegan and Sara – If It Was You
iTunes stats: 40 plays
8 tracks from Tegan and Sara’s second album, and the one that introduced them to me, makes up its total.

#84: Purdue University Marching Band – Back Home In Indiana
iTunes stats: 40 plays
A version of the fight song for my alma mater makes up this entire total all by its lonesome.

#87: Nirvana – MTV Unplugged in New York
iTunes stats: 39 plays
7 songs from Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance, the first Nirvana album released following the death of Kurt Cobain, put it on this list.

#87: Def Leppard – Hysteria
iTunes stats: 39 plays
The first album that I fell in love with back in junior high makes this list on the back of 7 different tracks.

#87: Dr. Dre – 2001
iTunes stats: 39 plays
3 tracks from Dr. Dre’s second, and, to date, last, solo album make up this total.

#87: Gin Blossoms – New Miserable Experience
iTunes stats: 39 plays
The debut album for the alt rock band lands on this chart thanks to 4 different tunes.

#87: Various Artists – Austin Powers
iTunes stats: 39 plays
The soundtrack to the original Austin Powers film, featuring the work of artists like Strawberry Alarm Clock and Divinyls, makes this list thanks to 4 songs.