Tag / Tegan and Sara

by admin

Wasting The Summer Away

For reasons any right-thinking person could not possibly understand, traffic this summer has been particularly brutal.  No matter what time I leave work, it will take at least 2 hours to get home.  One example of this was this past Thursday, when I took off around 3:40 and pulled into my garage just after 5:46.  Because of this, I’ve been able to listen to a lot of music.  Here is Thursday’s playlist, which kept from killing people in the cars around me.

Cult Of Personality Living Colour Monsters Of Rock [Disc 2 Of 2] 6/26/2014 3:46
Dreams The Cranberries Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? 6/26/2014 3:51
Only You Garfunkel and Oates Music Songs 6/26/2014 3:53
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) The Proclaimers Living In The 90’s (Disc 2) 6/26/2014 3:56
I Won’t Forget You Poison Poison’s Greatest Hits 1986-1996 6/26/2014 4:00
Sk8er Boi Avril Lavigne Let Go 6/26/2014 4:03
Jane Says Jane’s Addiction Nothing’s Shocking 6/26/2014 4:08
The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana) Banana Splits Here Come The Banana Splits 6/26/2014 4:10
I Saw Red Warrant Cherry Pie 6/26/2014 4:14
What The World Needs Now Is Love Jackie De Shannon Forrest Gump (Disc 1) 6/26/2014 4:17
Smells Like Teen Spirit Continue reading →
by admin

Concert Flashback: Tegan & Sara

05tegan&sara

The night started early, as I left work a little early to head down to the city to Rock Bottom in order to catch the end of Game 3 of the ALDS, with the White Sox looking to sweep the Red Sox and win their first post season series since the 1917 World Series.  After the game, which, of course, the White Sox did win, Tina, Andy, and I hopped on the Red Line and headed north to Wrigleyville to check out Tegan and Sara at the Metro.

Apparently, there were 2 opening acts, neither one I remember or have even heard of.  To be honest, I don’t remember much about the show at all.  The album they were touring in support of, So Jealous, is one of my favorites and I’m sure I enjoyed the performance.  But, my favorite baseball team was headed for the ALCS, I’d just been to two playoff games, and the Weezer and Foo Fighters show was earlier that week.  It’s all sort of jumbled together at this point.

by jim

iTunes Top 100 Artists: #1-10

itunes_image

My latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 2 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 100 artists that I’ve listened to as of 8/21/2013, according to iTunes. Today we finally get to the top 10 and the end of this journey.

#1: The Beatles

iTunes stats: 665 plays

The boys from Liverpool used 95 different songs to make up this total.  The most impressive thing is that the total should be higher, as all of the counts got reset back to zero when the remastered albums came out in 2009 and I deleted all of the old versions and ripped the remastered versions.

#2: Garbage

iTunes stats: 614 plays

I have seen this band live 4 times over the past 11 years, and look forward to doing so again in the future.  There are 112 songs, many of which are live versions, that made up the total.

#3: Foo Fighters

iTunes stats: 425 plays

Only 39 songs put the Foo Fighters in third place with nobody on their tail.  I saw the Foo Fighters with Weezer back in 2005 and would love to do so again.

#4: The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer

iTunes stats: 307 plays

Back in 2001, during the sixth season of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, the show produced a musical episode as Buffy and the Scooby Gang battled the musical demon Sweet.  The following year, the soundtrack was released, and those 21 songs make up this total.  One of the standouts was Amber Benson, who autographed my copy of the CD at a Wizard World appearance back in 2004.

#5: Tegan and Sara

iTunes stats: 274 plays

An even 50 songs combined to make up this total for the Canadian sisters.  I saw them live back in 2005, less than a week after the Foo Fighters/Weezer show and the same day the White Sox won the ALDS against the Red Sox.  It was a busy week.

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by admin

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
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by admin

Thursday Night Commute

Back to work after a 5 day weekend.

Theme From Shaft Isaac Hayes Shaft 9/5/2013 4:21 PM
Hold On Jamie Walters Poplife (Disc 2) 9/5/2013 4:26 PM
Heaven Is A Place On Earth Belinda Carlisle Billboard Top Hits: 1987 9/5/2013 4:30 PM
I Dream of Jeannie Buddy Kaye Television’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 9/5/2013 4:32 PM
Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? Tee Vee Toons TV’s Hits Vol. 7: Cable Ready 9/5/2013 4:34 PM
F**k You Garfunkel and Oates Music Songs 9/5/2013 4:36 PM
Free As A Bird The Beatles Anthology 1 [Disc 1] 9/5/2013 4:40 PM
Every Day Is Halloween Ministry Early Trax 9/5/2013 4:47 PM
Spirit In The Sky Norman Greenbaum Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1970 9/5/2013 4:51 PM
My Wife’s Crazy! David Cross Shut Up, You Fucking Baby! 9/5/2013 4:55 PM
Angel Main Theme Darling Violetta Angel: Live Fast, Die Never 9/5/2013 4:57 PM
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by admin

iTunes Top 100: #30 – 40

itunes_imageMy latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 2 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, it is now time to look at digital music with the Top 100 songs that I’ve listened to as of 6/2/2013, according to iTunes. Today we look at the 11 songs that take up spots 30 – 40, with between 25 and 21 plays.

#30: The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer – I’ve Got A Theory/Bunnies/If We’re Together

A plot moving tune that features most of the main cast.

iTunes stats: 25 plays, most recently on 4/28/2013

#30: Foo Fighters – All My Life

A live version of the song from the Live in Hyde Park bootleg.

iTunes stats: 25 plays, most recently on 2/6/2013

#32: Blossom Theme

The catchy theme song from the 90s pantheon to weird teenage girls being themselves.

iTunes stats: 24 plays, most recently on 3/10/2013

#33: Foo Fighters – Everlong

The album version from their second studio release.

iTunes stats: 23 plays, most recently on 3/22/2013

#33: Foo Fighters – Best Of You

A live version of the song from the Live in Hyde Park bootleg.

iTunes stats: 23 plays, most recently on 11/18/2012

#33: The Office Theme

The theme song from the hit NBC comedy that came to a close this spring.

iTunes stats: 23 plays, most recently on 5/15/2013

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by admin

iTunes Top 100: #41 – 57

itunes_imageMy latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 2 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, it is now time to look at digital music with the Top 100 songs that I’ve listened to as of 6/2/2013, according to iTunes. Today we look at the 17 songs tied for #41 and #54 with 19 and 20 overall plays.

#41: The Beatles – Can’t Buy Me Love

Had the biggest jump to number one (from #27) until Billboard began using SoundScan for their charts.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 4/29/2013

#41: The Cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Where Do We Go From Here?

The last tune following the defeat of the dancing demon Sweet.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 4/27/2013

#41: The Cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer – End Credits (Broom Dance/Grr Argh)

Broadway-ified version of the end theme of the show.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 2/15/2013

#41: Divinyls – I Touch Myself

The only US hit for the Australian band which formed in 1980.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 4/26/2013

#41: Eminem – Lose Yourself

Written during the filming of the movie in which it appeared, 8 Mile.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 2/25/2013

#41: Foo Fighters – Monkey Wrench

The live version from their 2006 show in London’s Hyde Park.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 3/13/2012

#41: Foo Fighters – My Hero

The live version from their live acoustic album released in 2006.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 3/26/2013

#41: Motley Crue – Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)

This hit from the former glam band also appeared on Volume 5 of my mix tapes, and has been listened to twice since then.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 3/14/2013

#41: Nerf Herder – Buffy Theme

The theme song from the hit television show.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 10/31/2012

Continue reading →

by admin

iTunes Top 100: #58 – 69

itunes_imageMy latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 2 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, it is now time to look at digital music with the Top 100 songs that I’ve listened to as of 6/2/2013, according to iTunes. Today we look at the 12 songs tied for #58 with 18 overall plays.

#58: AC/DC – Back In Black

Written as a tribute to former lead singer Bon Scott, who had died during the songwriting for the album.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 7/14/2012

#58: The Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour

The only theme song to a Beatles film to not be released as a single.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 5/15/2013

#58: The Beatles – Getting Better

The initial idea for the song’s title came from a phrase often spoken by Jimmie Nicol, the group’s stand-in drummer for the Australian leg of a 1964 tour.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 3/23/2013

#58: Bell Biv DeVoe – Do Me!

This followup hit from the former members of New Edition also appeared on Tape 1 of my mix tapes, and has been listened to three times since then.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 3/29/2013

#58: Cher with Beavis and Butthead – I Got You Babe

This remake featuring the cartoon duo also appeared on Volume 12 of my mix tapes, and has been listened to once since then.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 7/9/2012

#58: Eminem – Bitch Please II

The first song to feature both Eminem and Snoop Dogg.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 4/17/2013

#58: Garbage – Only Happy When It Rains (live)

A live version of the hit from their debut album that appeared as a B-side on the Shut Your Mouth single.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 3/29/2013

#58: Great White – Once Bitten Twice Shy

This one big hit from the band best known for a fire also appeared on Volume 4 of my mix tapes, and has been listened to twice since then.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 9/6/2012

#58: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes – Rainbow Connection

A punk cover of the quintessential Muppets hit.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 11/23/2011

#58: Mexican Cheerleader – Chickyn

From the second album by the local punk band.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 9/28/2012

#58: Tegan and Sara – Umbrella (Rihanna Cover)

The Canadian darlings cover the Rihanna hit live in concert.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 12/18/2012

#58: 2Pac and Dr. Dre – California Love

2Pac got out of jail and teamed up with Dr. Dre when he joined Death Row Records.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 1/28/2013

by admin

iTunes Top 100: #96 – 118

itunes_image

My latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop.  2 iPods, 2 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, it is now time to look at digital music with the Top 100 songs that I’ve listened to as of 6/2/2013, according to iTunes.  Today we look at the 23 songs tied for #96 with 15 overall plays.

#96: Aerosmith – Dude (Looks Like A Lady)

This 1987 hit from Aerosmith also appeared on Volume 2 of my mix tapes, and has been listened to twice since then.

iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 7/25/2012

#96: The Beatles – Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

Recorded for the White Album in 1968, the song didn’t chart in the US until 1976.

iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 4/27/2013

#96: The Beatles – A Hard Day’s Night

From 1964, the song is the title track to both the album and the movie.

iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 4/27/2013

#96: Bloodhound Gang – Bad Touch

Ranked at No. 49 on the list of the 100 Worst Songs Ever released in 2010 by AOL Radio.

iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 3/19/2013

#96: The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer – The Parking Ticket

Writer and producer Marti Noxon protests a parking ticket through song from the musical episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 11/1/2012

#96: Coolio featuring LV – Gangsta’s Paradise

This 1995 hit from Coolio also appeared on Volume 19 of my mix tapes, and has been listened to four times since then.

iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 5/31/2013

#96: Digital Underground – The Humpty Dance

This 1990 smash climbed all the way to #11 on the pop charts, #7 on the R&B charts, and #1 on the Billboard Rap Singles chart.

iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 4/27/2013

#96: Dr. Dre – Keep Their Heads Ringin’

This 1995 hit from the Friday soundtrack also appeared on Volume 17 of my mix tapes, and has been listened to three times since then.

iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 3/13/2013

#96: Dr. Dre – Forgot About Dre

Winner of the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 2001 Grammy Awards.

iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 10/8/2012

#96: Elvis Presley – An American Trilogy

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.

iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 5/8/2013

#96: Foo Fighters – Best Of You

This live version was recorded over the course of three shows in late August, 2006 at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles.

iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 6/11/2012

#96: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – Big Girls Don’t Cry

Spent 5 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1962.

iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 3/25/2012

Continue reading →

by admin

Wednesday’s Commute

Snow finally hit the Chicagoland area this week, but Wednesday was the one day with a break. Here’s the tunes that got me through a pretty decent commute.

Temptation Waits Garbage Version 2.0 2/6/2013 4:48 PM
Teenage Dirtbag Wheatus Wheatus 2/6/2013 4:53 PM
Mama Said Knock You Out LL Cool J Mama Said Knock You Out 2/6/2013 4:59 PM
18 And Life Nina Gordon 2/6/2013 5:04 PM
Pretty Fly (For A White Guy) The Offspring Americana 2/6/2013 5:08 PM
American Nice Mexican Cheerleader Kings And Kings’ Hoots 2/6/2013 5:13 PM
Walk This Way Run-D.M.C. Millennium Hip-Hop Party 2/6/2013 5:17 PM
Pregnant Women Are Smug Garfunkel and Oates All Over Your Face 2/6/2013 5:20 PM
Deuces Are Wild Aerosmith O, Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits (Disc 2) 2/6/2013 5:24 PM
Unskinny Bop Poison Poison’s Greatest Hits 1986-1996 2/6/2013 5:29 PM
All My Life Foo Fighters Live In Hyde Park 2006 2/6/2013 5:34 PM
No Scrubs TLC Fanmail 2/6/2013 5:38 PM
Fuck You Cee Lo Green The Lady Killer 2/6/2013 5:42 PM
Speak Slow Tegan and Sara So Jealous 2/6/2013 5:45 PM
Unglued Stone Temple Pilots Purple 2/6/2013 5:48 PM
Stupid Girl Garbage Garbage 2/6/2013 5:52 PM
Baby Got Back Sir Mix-A-Lot Millennium Hip-Hop Party 2/6/2013 5:58 PM
That Thing You Do The Wonders That Thing You Do! 2/6/2013 6:02 PM
That Took Stones Mexican Cheerleader Mexican Cheerleader 2/6/2013 6:05 PM