iTunes Top 200: #41 – 50

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 start the final quarter of this chart with the one remaining song tied for 50th place with 49 plays through the four tracks with 51 plays apiece, good enough for 41st place since my stats began in late 2007.

#50: The Beatles – Helter Skelter
iTunes stats: 49 plays, most recently on 8/15/2024
Previous ranking: #51

Considered by music historians as a key influence in the development of heavy metal, the song has added nine new plays over the past five years.

#45: The Lonely Island – Lazy Sunday (ft. Chris Parnell)
iTunes stats: 50 plays, most recently on 10/18/2024
Previous ranking: #29

A bit of a drop down the charts for the original SNL digital short that put the Lonely Island on the pop culture map and defined the phrase “viral video”.

#45: Foo Fighters – Everlong
iTunes stats: 50 plays, most recently on 3/29/2024
Previous ranking: #33

Recorded live in London’s Hyde Park, the song added five additional listens over these past five years.

#45: Elvis Presley – An American Trilogy
iTunes stats: 50 plays, most recently on 10/21/2024
Previous ranking: #60

A medley of three 19th century songs: Dixie, a blackface minstrel song that became the unofficial anthem of the Confederacy since the Civil War; All My Trials, originally a Bahamian lullaby, but closely related to African American spirituals; and The Battle Hymn of the Republic, the marching song of the Union Army during the Civil War.

#45: Dr. Dre Feat. Snoop Dogg – Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang
iTunes stats: 50 plays, most recently on 3/20/2024
Previous ranking: #43

The first single from Dr. Dre’s solo debut, which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was named the hip-hop song of the decade by XXL magazine.

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iTunes Top 200: #50 – 60

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.

Today we wrap up the third quarter of our list, jumping from the final song tied for 60th place with 46 plays all the way up to the first group of tunes with 49 plays apiece, good enough for 50th place since my stats began in late 2007.

#60: Bell Biv DeVoe – Do Me!
iTunes stats: 46 plays, most recently on 11/9/2023
Previous ranking: #41

A mere three new listens for this second single from the former New Edition members, which reached #3 on the Billboard charts.

#57: Weezer – Hash Pipe
iTunes stats: 47 plays, most recently on 6/26/2024
Previous ranking: #51

This first single from the band’s long awaited comeback album in 2001 peaked at #24 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

#57: Toad the Wet Sprocket – Walk on the Ocean
iTunes stats: 47 plays, most recently on 10/28/2024
Previous ranking: #56

Reaching #18 on the Hot 100, the song was written following a vacation singer Glen Phillips took to Orcas Island.

#57: Sir Mix-A-Lot – Baby Got Back
iTunes stats: 47 plays, most recently on 7/24/2024
Previous ranking: #43

The classic ode to large backsides sat atop the Hot 100 for five weeks in the summer of 1992.

#54: Garbage – Only Happy When It Rains
iTunes stats: 48 plays, most recently on 3/2/2024
Previous ranking: #68

A live version of the 1995 hit from the band’s One Mile High… Live video.

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iTunes Top 200: #113 – 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 final batch of songs tied for 124th place with 39 plays apiece and begins the first group of songs scoring 40 plays, tied for 113th place, since my stats began in late 2007.

#124: Crew Cuts – Sh-Boom
iTunes stats: 39 plays, most recently on 3/10/2023
Previous ranking: #125

The hit by the Canadian doo-wop group spent nine weeks at #1 during August and September of 1954 and may have appeared in Clue: The Movie.

#124: Cracker – Get Off This
iTunes stats: 39 plays, most recently on 11/5/2024
Previous ranking: #112

Written as a response to fans who accused the band of selling out for making music that was more mainstream than singer David Lowery’s previous band, Camper Van Beethoven.

#124: Cracker – Low
iTunes stats: 39 plays, most recently on 2/9/2024
Previous ranking: #112

The debut single from the band’s sophomore effort, it reached #3 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in November 1993 and #5 on the Album Rock Tracks chart in March 1994.

#124: The Cast of Buffy the Vampire SlayerThe Parking Ticket
iTunes stats: 39 plays, most recently on 12/15/2024
Previous ranking: #112

Included in the seventh episode of the sixth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it features vocals from producer Marti Noxon.

#124: Boyz II Men – End of the Road
iTunes stats: 39 plays, most recently on 12/6/2024
Previous ranking: NR

Originally released on the Boomerang soundtrack, the song won two Grammys and set a then-record of thirteen straight weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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Fifty Years Of Music – 2005

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 2005, the year Michael was born, I went to Europe for the first time, I celebrated my 31st birthday, and the White Sox won the World Series.  22 of these songs remain familiar to me today, with just nine of them appearing in my collection in one way or another.

#77: Ludacris – Get Back
iTunes stats: 36 plays

Featured as the ending theme to Tropic Thunder, the song peaked at #13 in January.

#68: Foo Fighters – Best of You
iTunes stats: 31 plays

Topping the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for four weeks and the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart for seven weeks, it was their highest charting single on the Hot 100, reaching #18.

#46: Green Day – Wake Me Up When September Ends
iTunes stats: 31 plays

Written about the death of frontman Billy Joe Armstrong’s father when he was 10, it went to #6 and remains their final top ten hit.

#43: Nickelback – Photograph
iTunes stats: N/A

The lead single from their fifth studio album, it became the band’s third top ten hit, going to #2.

#39: Green Day – Holiday
iTunes stats: 26 plays

Topping both the Hot Modern Rock Tracks and Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks charts, it peaked at #19 on the Hot 100.

#35: DHT featuring Edmee – Listen to Your Heart
iTunes stats: 21 plays

This cover of the Roxette hit reached #8.

#32: Black Eyed Peas – My Humps
iTunes stats: 26 plays

The 2007 Grammy winner for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, it topped out at #3.

#31: Gwen Stefani featuring Eve – Rich Girl
iTunes stats: 11 plays

Produced by Dr. Dre, it spent more than six months on the Hot 100, going as high as #7.

#23: Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell – Drop It Like It’s Hot
iTunes stats: 27 plays

Featuring on the year-end chart for the second time, it spent three weeks at #1.

#20: Weezer – Beverly Hills
iTunes stats: 18 plays

The band’s most successful single on the Hot 100, it peaked at #10 and was their first charting track since 1994.

#16: The Killers – Mr. Brightside
iTunes stats: 35 plays

First released in 2003, it was re-released in 2004, where it went to #10.

#13: Black Eyed Peas – Don’t Phunk with My Heart
iTunes stats: 26 plays

The 2007 Grammy winner for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, it topped out at #3.

#9: The Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes – Don’t Cha
iTunes stats: 26 plays

The track spent three weeks at #2 and remains the group’s highest-charting song.

#7: Green Day – Boulevard of Broken Dreams
iTunes stats: 20 plays

Peaking at #2, it is still the highest-charting sone of the band’s career.

#6: Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx – Gold Digger
iTunes stats: 26 plays

The Grammy winner for Best Rap Solo Performance, it spent ten weeks at #1 in the fall of 2005.

#4: Kelly Clarkson – Since U Been Gone
iTunes stats: 35 plays

The lead single from the American Idol winner’s sophomore effort, it topped out at #2 while spending 20 weeks in the top ten.

#2: Gwen Stefani – Hollaback Girl
iTunes stats: 24 plays

Nominated for the two Grammys, the song spent four weeks atop the Hot 100 in the spring.

 

Fifty Years Of Music – 2004

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 2004, the year I celebrated my 30th birthday.  22 of these songs remain familiar to me today, with just nine of them appearing in my collection in one way or another.

#92: Avril Lavigne – Don’t Tell Me
iTunes stats: 17 plays

The lead single from her sophomore effort, it peaked at #22 on the Hot 100.

#88: The Black Eyed Peas – Let’s Get It Started
iTunes stats: 45 plays

The fourth and final single from the group’s third studio album, it reached #21.

#87: Chingy featuring Ludacris and Snoop Dogg – Holidae In
iTunes stats: 11 plays

Making the year-end chart for the second straight year, the track went to #3.

#76: Jet – Are You Gonna Be My Girl
iTunes stats: 24 plays

The Australian group’s debut single, it topped out at #29.

#71: Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell – Drop It Like It’s Hot
iTunes stats: 27 plays

Spending the final three weeks of the year at #1, it was the first chart topping hit for both artists.

#70: Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz featuring Ying Yang Twins – Get Low
iTunes stats: N/A

Ranked as the 99th greatest song of hip-hop by VH1, it peaked at #2.

#54: Avril Lavigne – My Happy Ending
iTunes stats: 23 plays

Spending four weeks at #9, it became her fourth top ten hit.

#48: Britney Spears – Toxic
iTunes stats: 44 plays

Giving Spears the lone Grammy of her career, the song reached #9, her first top ten hit since 2000.

#45: Ludacris featuring Shawnna – Stand Up
iTunes stats: 17 plays

Topping the Hot 100 for a week in December of 2003, it makes the year-end chart for the second straight year.

#41: Kelis – Milkshake
iTunes stats: N/A

Her highest-charting single to this day, it topped out at #3 in December of 2003.

#39: Ashlee Simpson – Pieces of Me
iTunes stats: 24 plays

The debut single from Jessica Simpson’s sister, it went to #5, becoming her lone top ten hit.

#38: No Doubt – It’s My Life
iTunes stats: N/A

Recorded for their greatest hits package, this cover of the Talk Talk hit from 1984 spent 28 weeks on the chart, peaking at #10.

#28: Sheryl Crow – The First Cut Is the Deepest
iTunes stats: N/A

Recorded for her greatest hits package, it reached #14 and remains her final hit to breach the top 20.

#10: Terror Squad featuring Fat Joe and Remy Ma – Lean Back
iTunes stats: 36 plays

It spent seven weeks atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and three weeks on top of the Hot 100.

#8: Outkast – Hey Ya!
iTunes stats: 26 plays

First written in 2000 by Andre 3000, it spent nine weeks at #1 between 2003 and 2004.

#6: Hoobastank – The Reason
iTunes stats: N/A

The title track of the group’s sophomore effort, it reached #2 while spending 38 weeks on the chart.

#1: Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris – Yeah!
iTunes stats: 34 plays

The longest running #1 hit of 2004, it spent twelve weeks atop the Hot 100.

Fifty Years Of Music – 2003

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 2003, the year I celebrated the completion of my 28th trip around the sun.  A mere 22 songs remain familiar to me today, with just 15 of them appearing in my collection in one way or another.

#98: Eminem – Superman
iTunes stats: 12 plays

Peaking at #15, it was the third single from his fourth studio album.

#89: Eminem – Sing for the Moment
iTunes stats: 12 plays

Sampling Aerosmith’s Dream On, it reached #14 on the Hot 100.

#79: Christina Aguilera – Fighter
iTunes stats: 13 plays

Inspired by November Rain by Guns N’ Roses, it topped out at #20.

#76: Chingy featuring Ludacris and Snoop Dogg – Holidae In
iTunes stats: 11 plays

The second single from the rapper’s debut album, it went to #3 on the Hot 100.

#73: Jewel – Intuition
iTunes stats: 0 plays

Starting a shift to a more pop sound, the lead single from her fifth studio album peaked at #20.

#70: Puddle of Mudd – She Hates Me
iTunes stats: 21 plays

Originally written in 1993, it became the fourth and final single released from the band’s debut album, reaching #13.

#59: No Doubt featuring Lady Saw – Underneath It All
iTunes stats: 12 plays

Spending two weeks at #3, the song remains their highest charting single.

#55: Jennifer Lopez – Jenny from the Block
iTunes stats: N/A

Topping out at #3, it was the lead single from the actress/singer’s third studio album.

#51: Ludacris featuring Shawnna – Stand Up
iTunes stats: 33 plays

Spending a single week atop the Hot 100 in December of 2003, it spent 28 total weeks on the chart.

#36: Missy Elliot – Work it
iTunes stats: 21 plays

The rapper’s most successful single, it spent ten weeks at #2.

#35: Dixie Chicks – Landslide
iTunes stats: N/A

A cover of the Fleetwood Mac song, it went to #7 on the Hot 100 before its run was cut short by singer Natalie Maines’ criticisms of President George W. Bush triggered a boycott.

#30: Justin Timberlake – Cry Me a River
iTunes stats: N/A

Inspired by his relationship with Britney Spears, it peaked at #3.

#28: Eminem – Lose Yourself
iTunes stats: 55 plays

Spending 16 weeks in the top ten, it spent twelve of those weeks at #1 to wrap up 2002 and start 2003.

#18: Avril Lavigne – I’m with You
iTunes stats: 11 plays

Reaching #4, the singer’s third single was inspired by her feelings of loneliness over being single.

#16: Christina Aguilera – Beautiful
iTunes stats: 18 plays

Written and produced by Linda Perry, the song became Aguilera’s longest-charting solo hit, spending 27 weeks on the Hot 100 topping out at #2.

#13: Nelly, P. Diddy, and Murphy Lee – Shake Ya Tailfeather
iTunes stats: N/A

Featured on the Bad Boys II soundtrack, it spent four weeks atop the Hot 100 in the fall of 2003.

#11: Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz featuring Ying Yang Twins – Get Low
iTunes stats: N/A

The debut single from Lil Jon and friends went to #2.

#10: Evanescence featuring Paul McCoy – Bring Me To Life
iTunes stats: 32 plays

The lead single from the group’s debut album, it topped the Modern Rock chard and reached #5 on the Hot 100.

#7: Chngy – Right Thurr
iTunes stats: 20 plays

The rapper’s debut single, it spent five non-consecutive weeks at #2.

#4: Beyonce featuring Jay-Z – Crazy in Love
iTunes stats: N/A

The lead single from Beyonce’s solo debut, it spent eight weeks at #1.

#2: R. Kelly – Ignition
iTunes stats: N/A

Parodied by Dave Chappelle on his Comedy Central show, it spent five weeks at #2.

#1: 50 Cent – In da Club
iTunes stats: 12 plays

The lead single from his debut album, it spent nine weeks atop the Hot 100.

Fifty Years Of Music – 2000

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 2000, the year I celebrated my 26th birthday.   A mere 24 songs remain familiar to me today, with 10 of them appearing in my collection in one way or another.

#99: Jennifer Lopez – Waiting for Tonight
iTunes stats: N/A

Earning Lopez a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording in 2000, the track peaked at #8.

#88: Alice Deejay – Better Off Alone
iTunes stats: 21 plays

Only reaching #27 on the Hot 100, the song landed at #3 on the Dance Club Songs chart.

#76: Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg – The Next Episode
iTunes stats: 33 plays

A sequel of sorts to Nuthin’ but a “G” Thang, this third single from Dre’s second studio album went to #23,

#73: Dr. Dre featuring Eminem – Forgot About Dre
iTunes stats: 42 plays

This second single from Dre’s sophomore solo effort topped out at #25.

#71: DMX – Party Up (Up in Here)
iTunes stats: 32 plays

Decreed as the 388th Greatest Song of All Time by Rolling Stone in 2021, it peaked at #27.  It charted a second time, reaching #40, in 2021 following DMX’s death.

#68: Mystikal – Shake Ya Ass
iTunes stats: 13 plays

Rising to #13, it remains Mystikal’s highest charting single as a lead artist.

#55: Britney Spears – Oops!… I Did It Again
iTunes stats: 17 plays

The lead single from her sophomore album, it cracked the top ten, going up to #9.

#51: Eminem – The Real Slim Shady
iTunes stats: 36 plays

His biggest hit to date, topping out at #4, it earned him two MTV VMAs and a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance.

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Fifty Years Of Music – 1994

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 1994, the year I settled on a major, finished my second year of college, started my third year, and turned 20.   Only 57 songs on the Hot 100 remain familiar to me today, with 42 of them appearing in my collection in one way or another.

#97: Haddaway – What Is Love
iTunes stats: N/A

The debut single from the singer managed to make the year-end charts two years running despite peaking at #11 in the fall of 1993.

#95: General Public – I’ll Take You There
iTunes stats: N/A

Featured in the film Threesome, this cover of the classic by The Staple Singers reached #22 on the Hot 100.

#92: Melissa Etheridge – I’m the Only One
iTunes stats: 20 plays

The lead single from Etheridge’s fourth studio album, it was re-released following the success of Come to My Window and managed to surpass it, hitting #8.

#91: Bon Jovi – Always
iTunes stats: 2 plays

The requisite new song added to the greatest hits album, it became the band’s eleventh, and final, top ten hit, topping out at #4.

#89: The Four Seasons – December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)
iTunes stats: 27 plays

This remix spent 27 weeks on the chart, matching its original run across 1975 and 1976, and peaked at #14.

#85: Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper
iTunes stats: N/A

Spending two weeks at #1 in December of 1994, it was the only single from the Jamaican artist to break into the Top 40.

#82: Queen Latifah – U.N.I.T.Y.
iTunes stats: 21 plays

Confronting the disrespect of women in society and slurs against women in hip-hop culture, the song remains Latifah’s biggest pop hit, reaching #23.

#77: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Mary Jane’s Last Dance
iTunes stats: 32 plays

Petty’s first Top 20 hit since 1989, it topped out at #13 on the Hot 100 and topped the Album Rock Tracks chart for two weeks.

#76: Culture Beat – Mr. Vain
iTunes stats: 13 plays

The German group’s only single to chart in the US, it went to #17.

#72: Aerosmith – Amazing
iTunes stats: 17 plays

Featuring backing vocals from Don Henley, the track peaked at #3 on the Album Rock Tracks chart and #24 on the Hot 100.

#68: Aerosmith – Crazy
iTunes stats: 28 plays

Accompanied by a video featuring Alicia Silverstone and Liv Tyler, this last single from Get a Grip reached #17.

#65: 69 Boyz – Tootsee Roll
iTunes stats: 19 plays

The group’s debut single, it became the only one to crack the Top 30, topping out at #8.

#63: Real McCoy – Another Night
iTunes stats: 20 plays

The German group’s first single to chart in the US, it went all the way to #3, where it spent a record-setting eleven non-consecutive weeks.

#62: Snoop Doggy Dogg – What’s My Name?
iTunes stats: 57 plays

The first solo outing from the west coast rapper, it peaked at #8

#61: 2Pac – Keep Ya Head Up
iTunes stats: 19 plays

Focusing on black womanhood, the rap track reached #12.

#60: Jodeci – Cry for You
iTunes stats: 19 plays

Topping out at #15 on the Hot 100, the lead single from the group’s sophomore album sat atop both the R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart and the Billboard Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart.

#59: Warren G – This D.J.
iTunes stats: 15 plays

The second single from the rapper’s debut album, it was his second straight top ten hit, going to #9.

#55: Domino – Getto Jam
iTunes stats: 15 plays

The rapper’s debut single became his one and only top ten hit, peaking at #7.

#54: Bruce Springsteen – Streets of Philadelphia
iTunes stats: N/A

Recorded for the soundtrack to Philadelphia, it reached #9, becoming Springsteen’s twelfth and final top ten hit.

#52: Snoop Doggy Dogg – Gin and Juice
iTunes stats: 49 plays

Nominated for a Grammy, the second solo single from Snoop went to #8.

#51: Gin Blossoms – Found Out About You
iTunes stats: 23 plays

Originally written in the mid-80s by the band’s former guitarist, it peaked at #25.

#50: Beck – Loser
iTunes stats: 16 plays

Beck’s first single to chart on any major chart, it reached #10 in April and was named one of the 500 best pop songs of all time by Billboard magazine.

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Yet Another Mix Tape Monday Roundup

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 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 more than 22 times each, according to my iTunes stats, up from just under sixteen times four years ago. The lack of a commute over most of these four years has certainly made an impact, as the gains are considerably lower than they’ve been in the past.  Let’s take one final look back at the bands and songs that made up my youth.

Most Played Song

62 – Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye
62 – Tag Team – Whoomp! (There It Is)
54 – Snoop Dogg – What’s My Name?
51 – Veruca Salt – Seether
47 – Snoop Dogg – Gin And Juice
47 – Bell Biv Devoe – Poison

Least Played Song

7 – Bon Jovi – 99 In The Shade
8 – TLC – Get It Up
9 – Silk – Freak Me
9 – Shanice – Saving Forever For You
10 – Saigon Kick – Love Is On The Way
10 – Madonna – Vogue
10 – Def Leppard – Miss You In A Heartbeat
10 – Bon Jovi – Lay Your Hands On Me
10 – Edwyn Collins – A Girl Like You
10 – Warren G – Do You See

Most Played Song – Largest Total Increase

19 – Tag Team – Whoomp! (There It Is)
15 – Snoop Dogg – What’s My Name?
15 – Stone Temple Pilots – Creep
14 – Cranberries – Zombie
14 – Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye

Least Played Song – Smallest Total Increase

0 – Offspring – What Happened To You?
1 – Nelson – Love And Affection
1 – Bon Jovi – 99 In The Shade
2 – Ugly Kid Joe – Everything About You
2 – Soup Dragons – Divine Thing
2 – Weezer – Say It Ain’t So
2 – Bon Jovi – You Give Love A Bad Name
2 – Ugly Kid Joe – Busy Bee
2 – Genesis – I Can’t Dance
2 – Poison – Every Rose Has It’s Thorn
2 – Silk – Freak Me

Most Played Song – Largest Percentage Increase

175% – Liz Phair – Whip-Smart
166.67% – 4 Non Blondes – Spaceman
150% – Warren G – Do You See
137.5% – Aerosmith – Living On The Edge
133.33% – Radiohead – Stop Whispering

Least Played Song – Smallest Percentage Increase

0% – Offspring – What Happened To You?
9.09% – Nelson – Love And Affection
9.09% – Ugly Kid Joe – Everything About You
9.67% – Warrant – Cherry Pie
10% – Soup Dragons – Divine Thing

Most Represented Band

11 – Poison
10 – Aerosmith
10 – Pearl Jam
7 – Def Leppard
7 – Guns N’ Roses

Most Played Tape

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Yet Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 15

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.

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
iTunes stats: 24 plays, most recently on 1/31/2022

Originally recorded via Chicago’s new rock alternative, Q101, the hit from Marvin! The Album picked up seven additional listens.

Mazzy Star – Fade Into You
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 5/13/2022

Ranked at #19 by Pitchfork Media on their Top 200 Tracks of the 90s, the mesmerizing tune from Hope Sandoval and company increased its play total by eight over the last four years.

Nirvana – Verse Chorus Verse
iTunes stats: 23 plays, most recently on 11/1/2019

Released as a hidden track on the AIDS-benefit compilation album No Alternative, the posthumous B-side from the trio from Seattle added five new listens despite going unheard since the COVID pandemic.

Warren G – This D.J.
iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 10/29/2021

Peaking at #9 on the Billboard charts, the second single from the rapper’s debut album added four new listens over the last four years.

Cracker – Eurotrash Girl
iTunes stats: 24 plays, most recently on 9/2/2022

Six new listens for the hidden track, originally recorded off the radio via Q101.

Stone Temple Pilots – Interstate Love Song
iTunes stats: 33 plays, most recently on 10/26/2022

Named the 58th best hard rock song of all time by VH1, the latest hit from STP added eleven new listens over the past four years.

Gin Blossoms – Allison Road
iTunes stats: 22 plays, most recently on 7/6/2022

Peaking at #20 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, the Gin Blossoms hit added just three new listens over these last four years.

Weezer – Undone (The Sweater Song)
iTunes stats: 33 plays, most recently on 11/11/2022

Nine new listens for the debut single from Weezer, which hit #6 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.

Side B

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