Tag / Sarah McLachlan

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #181-188

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 continue today with our next batch of ten artists, covering the genres of pop, punk, rock, and hip-hop.  We have three performers making their debut on the list this week.

#188: Bowling For Soup
iTunes stats: 61 plays
Previous ranking: NR

Formed in Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1994, the band makes their debut appearance on this chart thanks for two versions, one from the studio and one live on the Adam Carolla Show, of the Phineas and Ferb theme song.

#188: Chicago
iTunes stats: 61 plays
Previous ranking: #188

The ten-time Grammy nominees, who named themselves Chicago Transit Authority in 1968 and shortened to its current version the following year, show up on the list on the strength of three tracks, two from the early 1970s and one from the mid-80s.

#188: Coolio
iTunes stats: 61 plays
Previous ranking: #178

The 1996 Grammy winner for Best Rap Solo Performance, who passed away in 2022, parlayed his two hits into just twelve new listens over the past five years.

#184: Bad Religion
iTunes stats: 62 plays
Previous ranking: #182

The punk rock band from LA, who I saw open for Pearl Jam at Soldier Field back in 1995, add fourteen new plays to the two songs in my collection.

#184: Bloodhound Gang
iTunes stats: 62 plays
Previous ranking: #164

The band known for humorous and off-beat, satirical lyrics, formed in Pennsylvania in 1992, picked up only nine new listens, which resulted in a 20-spot fall in the charts.

#184: Sarah McLachlan
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Fifty Years Of Music – 1999

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 1999, the year I turned 25 and Angelina was born.  At 33 songs, we see a slight rebound in the Hot 100 that remain familiar to me today for the first time, with 17 of them appearing in my collection in one way or another.

#94: Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
iTunes stats: 19 plays

Featured on the soundtrack to City of Angels, the track debuted, and peaked, at #9 in December of 1998 following the change to allow songs with no commercial single release to chart.

#89: Jay-Z – Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
iTunes stats: 35 plays

Featuring samples and the chorus from the Annie song, it reached #15.

#78: Len – Steal My Sunshine
iTunes stats: 18 plays

The group’s only charting single in the US, it went to #9

#77: Shania Twain – Man, I Feel Like a Woman
iTunes stats: 12 plays

The Grammy winner for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 2000, it topped out at #4 on the Hot Country Singles chart and #23 on the Hot 100.

#70: Sarah McLachlan – I Will Remember You
iTunes stats: 0 plays

Originally released in 1995, this live version peaked at #14 and earned McLachlan her second Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

#57: Shania Twain – From This Moment On
iTunes stats: N/A

The song reached #4 on the Hot 100, #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and #6 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

#54: Jewel – Hands
iTunes stats: 20 plays

The lead single from the singer’s sophomore effort, it went to #6.

#53: Will Smith – Miami
iTunes stats: 1 play

Topping out at #17, the song garnered Smith a VMA for Best Male Video.

#51: Tal Bachman – She’s So High
iTunes stats: 28 plays

The debut single from the Canadian singer-songwriter peaked at #14.

Continue reading →

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Fifty Years Of Music – 1998

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 1998, the year I turned 24.  The chart formula for the Hot 100 changed again in December, allowing songs to chart based on airplay alone if there was no commercial single released.  Thanks to my newly acquired hour plus commute, you’d think I’d have picked up more of the music of the day, but the numbers keep going down.  A mere 21 songs remain familiar to me today, with just twelve of them appearing in my collection in one way or another.

#87: Jewel – You Were Meant for Me
iTunes stats: 37 plays

Jewel hits the year-end chart for the second straight year thanks to a total of 65 weeks in the Hot 100.

#81: Spice Girls – Spice Up Your Life
iTunes stats: 9 plays

The lead single from the group’s sophomore album, it peaked at #18 on the Hot 100 in just its fourth week on the chart.

#79: The Verve – Bittersweet Symphony
iTunes stats: N/A

Considered one of the defining songs of the Britpop era, it reached #12.

#74: Edwin McCain – I’ll Be
iTunes stats: 16 plays

McCain’s second charting single, it went to #5, becoming his first and only top ten hit.

#58: Lisa Loeb – I Do
iTunes stats: 16 plays

Peaking at #17, it became Loeb’s second-highest charting single, following her debut single.

#57: Third Eye Blind – Semi-Charmed Life
iTunes stats: 18 plays

The highest charting single about a crystal meth addiction, it reached #4 and spent a total of 43 weeks on the chart.

#51: Barenaked Ladies – One Week
iTunes stats: 17 plays

True to its name, it spent a single week atop the Hot 100 in October.

Continue reading →

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Fifty Years Of Music – 1997

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 1997, the year I graduated from college, started working at my current company, and celebrated my 23rd birthday.  Thanks to my newly acquired hour plus commute, you’d think I’d have picked up more of the music of the day, but the numbers keep going down.  A mere 25 songs remain familiar to me today, with 15 of them appearing in my collection in one way or another.

#95: The Cranberries – Free to Decide
iTunes stats: 16 plays

The group’s final charting hit in the US, it peaked at #8 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart and #22 on the Hot 100.

#94: Aqua – Barbie Girl
iTunes stats: N/A

Leading to a lawsuit from Barbie’s corporate masters, the song reached #7.

#87: Madonna – Don’t Cry for Me Argentina
iTunes stats: N/A

Recorded for the Evita soundtrack, with Madonna in the title role, it went to #8 and was the first song to originate in a stage musical to hit the top ten since 1985.

#82: Los del Rio – Macarena (Bayside Remix)
iTunes stats: N/A

The #1 song of 1996 returns for its second straight year end chart.

#81: Luscious Jackson – Naked Eye
iTunes stats: 13 plays

Hitting #36, it remains the band’s lone charting single.

#69: Chumbawamba – Tubthumping
iTunes stats: 31 plays

The only single from the group to chart in the US, it peaked at #6.

#67: Eric Clapton – Change the World
iTunes stats: N/A

A 43-week stay on the Hot 100 gives Clapton a second year-end spot for his final top ten hit.

#64: Donna Lewis – I Love You Always Forever
iTunes stats: 12 plays

A nine-week stay at #2 propelled Lewis to the year-end chart for the second year in a row.

#63: Sarah McLachlan – Building a Mystery
iTunes stats: 22 plays

The Grammy winner for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1998, it reached #13.

#60: Sheryl Crow – Everyday Is a Winding Road
iTunes stats: 30 plays

Featuring background vocals from Neil Finn of Crowded House, it went to #11 on the Hot 100.

#55: Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy
iTunes stats: 14 plays

Spending 27 weeks on the Hot 100 across 1996 and 1997, it made the year-end chart both years.

#50: Celine Dion – It’s All Coming Back to Me Now
iTunes stats: N/A

Recorded three times, by Pandora’s Box, Dion, and Meat Loaf, Dion’s most was the most successful, charting at year-end for the second straight year.

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Yet Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 14

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.

Back in February, Soundgarden was announced as a 2023 nominee for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  If they were to make it, they would be the fifth band featured on this cassette to receive the honor.  Aerosmith was elected in 2001, followed by Tthe Pretenders in 2005, Green Day in 2015, and Pearl Jam in 2017.

What does that mean?  Well, nothing, really, aside from some level of durability and commercial success.  I can’t think of anything less rock and roll than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and trying to rank something as subjective as music.  In fact, I purposely avoided the museum during my trip to Cleveland back in 2019.  But, it seems to mean something to the artists themselves, so I guess, for today at least, we will celebrate the honor.

Volume 14 takes us into the early summer of 1994, following the end of my sophomore year of college.  The song selection continues to be  mostly alternative, with a little G-funk added for flavor.

Side A

Stone Temple Pilots – Big Empty
iTunes stats: 22 plays, most recently on 7/7/2022

This entry from The Crow soundtrack picked up an additional five listens over the past four years.

Aerosmith – Crazy
iTunes stats: 26 plays, most recently on 10/16/2020

Only a three-play increase for the final installment of the Alicia Silverstone video trilogy, now with extra Liv Tyler.

Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 10/1/2021

Winner of the Best Hard Rock Performance Grammy and nominated for Best Rock Song, the band’s biggest commercial hit picked up just four plays over the past four years.

Green Day – Longview
iTunes stats: 22 plays, most recently on 10/10/2022

The “debut” that pushed Green Day into the mainstream, hitting #1 on the Alternative Songs chart, added eight new listens over these last four years.

Hole – Miss World
iTunes stats: 28 plays, most recently on 3/12/2022

Hitting #13 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, the introduction of Courtney Love to a mainstream audience picked up six additional listens over the past four years.

Pearl Jam – Dissident
iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 11/12/2019

Last heard prior to the pandemic, the song, which peaked at #3 on the Album Rock Tracks chart, saw just four listens over the previous four years.

Sarah McLachlan – Possession
iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 6/7/2022

Inspired by letters written to McLachlan by two deranged fans, the 27th biggest hit of 1994 on the Alternative songs chart doubled its play total over the past four years.

Side B

Continue reading →

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Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 14

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 14 takes us into the early summer of 1994, following the end of my sophomore year of college.  The song selection continues to be  mostly alternative, with a little G-funk added for flavor.

Side A

Stone Temple Pilots – Big Empty

This entry from The Crow soundtrack picked up an additional 12 listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 5 plays 17 plays, most recently on 11/30/2018 

Aerosmith – Crazy

A 5 play increase for the final installment of the Alicia Silverstone video trilogy, now with extra Liv Tyler.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
11 plays 18 plays 23 plays, most recently on 11/19/2018 

Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun

Winner of the Best Hard Rock Performance Grammy and nominated for Best Rock Song, the band’s biggest commercial hit picked up 8 plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 5 plays 13 plays, most recently on 12/11/2018 

Green Day – Longview

The “debut” that pushed Green Day into the mainstream, hitting #1 on the Alternative Songs chart, doubled its number of listens over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 7 plays 14 plays, most recently on 8/25/2018 

Hole – Miss World

Hitting #13 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, the introduction of Courtney Love to a mainstream audience picked up 8 additional listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
9 plays 14 plays 22 plays, most recently on 8/20/2018 

Pearl Jam – Dissident

The song, which peaked at #3 on the Album Rock Tracks chart, more than doubled its listens over the previous 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
8 plays 8 plays 17 plays, most recently on 7/10/2018 

Sarah McLachlan – Possession

Inspired by letters written to McLachlan by two deranged fans, the 27th biggest hit of 1994 on the Alternative songs chart added a paltry 3 plays to its total over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
1 plays 4 plays 7 plays, most recently on 12/6/2018 

Side B

Continue reading →

by admin

Mix Tape Monday Revisited – Volume 14

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 14 takes us into the early summer of 1994, following the end of my sophomore year of college.  The song selection continues to be  mostly alternative, with a little G-funk added for flavor.

Side A

Stone Temple Pilots – Big Empty

This entry from The Crow soundtrack picked up a paltry 2 additional listens and hasn’t been heard in well over 2 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 3/23/2013

Aerosmith – Crazy

A healthy 7 play increase for the final installment of the Alicia Silverstone video trilogy, now with extra Liv Tyler.

2012 iTunes stats: 11 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 12/18/2014

Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun

The big hit for Soundgarden more than doubled its number of plays over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/29/2014

Green Day – Longview

The “debut” that pushed Green Day into the mainstream more than doubled its number of listens over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 6/4/2015

Hole – Miss World

The introduction of Courtney Love to a mainstream audience picked up 5 additional listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 12/15/2014

Pearl Jam – Dissident

The latest from Pearl Jam has not been heard once in over 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 3/19/2012

Sarah McLachlan – Possession

The first hit for Sarah McLachlan quadrupled its paltry total over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 11/20/2014

Side B

Continue reading →

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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
Continue reading →
by admin

Mix Tape Monday – Volume 14

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. I thought it would be a fun exercise to look back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listen to today.

Volume 14 takes us into the early summer of 1994, following the end of my sophomore year of college.  The song selection continues to be  mostly alternative, with a little G-funk added for flavor.

Side A

Stone Temple Pilots – Big Empty

The entry from The Crow soundtrack was taped off the radio, from what I’m guessing was the new Rock 103.5.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 10/2/2010

Aerosmith – Crazy

The final installment of the Alicia Silverstone video trilogy, now with extra Liv Tyler, was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 3/30/2012

Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun

The big hit for Soundgarden was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 3/17/2012

Green Day – Longview

The “debut” that pushed Green Day into the mainstream was taped off the radio, specifically Q101.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 3/30/2011

Hole – Miss World

The introduction of Courtney Love to a mainstream audience was taped off the radio, again from Q101.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 5/3/2012

Pearl Jam – Dissident

The latest from Pearl Jam was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 3/19/2012

Sarah McLachlan – Possession

The first hit for Sarah McLachlan was taped off what must have been a cassingle.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 3/31/2012

Side B

Continue reading →

by admin

Goodbye, iPhone 3G – Music Edition

As I wait for tomorrow’s delivery of my new iPhone 4S, it is time to say goodbye to the 3G that has been my trusty companion for nearly the past 3 1/2 years.  We’ve traveled the world together (well, at least Canada and the UK) and have listened to a lot of music.  Here is every song (all 1597 of them) I’ve listened to on the phone, with some (ok, very little) bonus commentary!

He’s a Pirate Klaus Badelt Pirates of the Caribbean (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) 100
Gordon Beckham Intro 91
Let’s Go-Go-Go White Sox Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers 87
Thunderstruck AC/DC The Razors Edge 84
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye Steam Billboard’s Top Rock ‘n’ Roll Hits: 1969 83
sox05_montage 75
We Are The Champions Queen Queen: Greatest Hits I & II 73
Boom P.O.D. Satellite 70
Don’t Stop Believin’ Journey Journey’s Greatest Hits 69
2008 White Sox Central Division Champs Montage Chris Tannehill WSCR 670 The Score 65

No surprise that the top 10 are all part of (or were part of) my White Sox victory playlist.  This gets played on the way home from every White Sox winner, plus the occassional ride to a game.  Continue reading →