Tag / The Outfield

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #100-110

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 wrap up the first half of the list today with our next batch of ten artists, crossing over from play totals of two digits into three and featuring the highest charting debut.

#110: Chance the Rapper
iTunes stats: 99 plays
Previous ranking: #89

The two clips from the Chicago born rapper’s intro video for the 2016 White Sox gained only six new plays over the last five years.

#109: Pink
iTunes stats: 100 plays
Previous ranking: #107

The three-time Grammy winner added 22 additional listens to the four songs that are in my collection.

#108: The Strokes
iTunes stats: 102 plays
Previous ranking: #110

The alternative band from New York rises two spots on the list thanks to 29 new listens to four songs off their debut album, not including a mash-up with Christina Aguilera.

#107: The Outfield
iTunes stats: 103 plays
Previous ranking: #85

With their only song in my collection being the walkup music for former White Sox infielder Gordon Beckham, the group from London’s East End added a mere four plays over these past five years.

#106: Blues Brothers
Continue reading →

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iTunes Top 200: #6

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 two tracks tied for sixth on this countdown with 152 plays apiece, both of which have ties to the local ballclub and neither of which would classify as a traditional song.

#7: sox05_montage
iTunes stats: 152 plays, most recently on 8/28/2024
Previous ranking: #6

In 2005, the White Sox won their first division title since 2000, their first ALDS and ALCS ever, and, finally, their first World Series championship since 1917.  This track contains radio highlights from John Rooney and Ed Farmer, courtesy of the team’s flagship ESPN 1000, of the entire 2005 season, starting with a 1-0 victory over Cleveland at US Cellular Field and culminating in a 1-0 victory against the Astros in Houston to give the White Sox their first championship in 88 years.  It featured on my White Sox victory playlists for the next decade, finally dropping off in 2015.

#6: Gordon Beckham Intro
iTunes stats: 152 plays, most recently on 6/27/2024
Previous ranking: #6

Drafted by the White Sox as the eighth overall pick in 2008, Gordon Beckham made a splash when he first broke into the Major Leagues in 2009.  He used The Outfield’s hit Your Love as his walkup song, which was not part of my collection at the time.  This recording, featuring Gene Honda introducing the former White Sox infielder as he came up to the plate, was a part of my White Sox victory playlist until I was able to track down a copy of the real thing.

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iTunes Top 200: #11 – 19

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.

With the top of the charts in sight, we continue this week with songs ranking from 19th place with 65 plays, breaking past the century mark, and finishing with the one track with 114 plays, good enough for 11th place since my stats began in late 2007.

#19: Metallica – Harvester of Sorrow
iTunes stats: 65 plays, most recently on 11/5/2024
Previous ranking: #19

Released as the first single from the band’s fourth studio album, it was used as the at-bat music for former White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko for the majority of his career and thus featured on most of my victory playlists leading up to his retirement.

#19: The Lonely Island – Natalie’s Rap (ft. Natalie Portman & Chris Parnell)
iTunes stats: 65 plays, most recently on 11/1/2022
Previous ranking: #17

A slight drop for the second digital short from The Lonely Island, which featured Natalie Portman playing against type as a lewd gangsta.

#18: Foo Fighters – My Hero
iTunes stats: 67 plays, most recently on 9/30/2024
Previous ranking: #19

The highest-ranking tune from the Foo Fighters, up one spot from five years ago, is this live version from their previously mentioned concert in London’s Hyde Park.

#16: P.O.D. – Boom
iTunes stats: 94 plays, most recently on 9/25/2022
Previous ranking: #12

The entrance song for former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, it made a number of appearances on my early victory playlists.

#16: Blues Brothers – Sweet Home Chicago
iTunes stats: 94 plays, most recently on 9/15/2024
Previous ranking: #170

Getting added to my White Sox victory playlist helped make this classic jump up the chart. Continue reading →

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Fifty Years Of Music – 1986

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 today with 1986, the year I finished grammar school, moved on to junior high and the seventh grade, and turned 12.  I am starting to become more familiar with the songs of the day, although there are quite a few here, even in the top ten, which did not stand the test of time.  38 of the Hot 100 are familiar to me now, with 18 of them appearing in my collection in one way or another.

#89: Run-D.M.C. featuring Aerosmith – Walk This Way
iTunes stats: 55 plays

Charting higher than the original did in the 70s, it became the first hip-hop single reach the top five, peaking at #4.  It became Run-D.M.C.’s biggest hit and helped Aerosmith revitalize their career.

#76: Madonna – True Blue
iTunes stats: N/A

The title track from Madonna’s third album, it spent three weeks at #3.

#74: Mike + The Mechanics – All I Need Is a Miracle
iTunes stats: 7 plays

Nominated for the Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group Grammy, it topped out at #5 on the Hot 100.

#72: John Cougar Mellencamp – Small Town
iTunes stats: N/A

Reaching #6, Mellencamp wrote the song to detail his experiences growing up in small-town Indiana.

#69: Van Halen – Why Can’t This Be Love
iTunes stats: 13 plays

The group’s first single with new singer Sammy Hagar, it shot to #3 on the Hot 100.

#68: Cameo – Word Up
iTunes stats: 10 plays

The lead single from the group’s thirteenth studio album, it became their first Top 40 hit, topping out at #6.

#67: El DeBarge – Who’s Johnny
iTunes stats: 23 plays

Featured in Short Circuit, the debut solo single from DeBarge peaked at #3.

#66: John Cougar Mellencamp – R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.
iTunes stats: N/A

The third single from Mellencamp’s Scarecrow, it reached #2 on the Hot 100.

#65: James Brown – Living in America
iTunes stats: 27 plays

Featured prominently on the Rocky IV soundtrack, the tune, which reached #4, earned Brown a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

#62: The Outfield – Your Love
iTunes stats: 101 plays

Peaking at #6, the song became a popular sports anthem and was used locally as the walkup music for former White Sox infielder Gordon Beckham.

#59: Eddie Money – Take Me Home Tonight
iTunes stats: 22 plays

Featuring Ronnie Spector in the chorus, the single topped out at #4 in November.

#58: Janet Jackson – Nasty
iTunes stats: N/A

Reaching #3 on the Hot 100, the song ranked at #11 on Rolling Stone’s 200 Best Songs of the 1980s.

#56: INXS – What You Need
iTunes stats: N/A

The band’s first top ten hit in the US, it peaked at #5 on the Hot 100.

#54: Genesis – Invisible Touch
iTunes stats: N/A

The first of five consecutive top five singles, it was their first and, to date, only #1 single in the United States.

#53: OMD – If You Leave
iTunes stats: 24 plays

Recorded for the Pretty in Pink soundtrack, the song topped out at #4, becoming the group’s highest-charting single.

#51: Stacey Q – Two of Hearts
iTunes stats: 19 plays

The first single my sister owned, which took her years to realize she was playing on the wrong speed, it peaked at #3 in the fall of 1986. Continue reading →

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iTunes Top 200 Albums Wrap-Up

Last week, we wrapped up our latest look at the top 200 albums that I’ve listened to, according to iTunes, since late 2007.  Now it’s time to take a final look at those 200 albums and the 536 (or so) artists that contributed to them.  The average number of listens was just under 150, with the median number being 113.  There were 13 new entries, and of the returning entries, there was an average increase of just a tad over 58 listens per album.

Most Represented Band

The Beatles – 15
Garbage – 8
George Carlin – 7
Patton Oswalt – 6
Foo Fighters – 4
Tegan and Sara – 4
Garfunkel and Oates – 4
AC/DC – 4
R.E.M. – 4
Pearl Jam – 4

Largest Play Increase

400 – George Carlin – Complaints and Grievances
231 – George Carlin – It’s Bad For Ya
194 – Garbage – One Mile High… Live
182 – Patton Oswalt – Werewolves and Lollipops
174 – Various Artists – Television’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 3 (70’s & 80’s)

Smallest Play Increase

2 – 2008 Highlights – WSCR 670 The Score
9 – Queen – Queen: Greatest Hits I & II
9 – Garbage – Absolute Garbage
11 – The Outfield – Play Deep
11 – P.O.D. – Satellite

Largest Percent Increase

Infinite – Patton Oswalt – Annihilation
404.55% – George Carlin – Jammin’ In New York
186.11% – Florence + The Machine – Between Two Lungs
175.56% – Patton Oswalt – My Weakness is Strong
170% – Various Artists – The Osbourne Family Album

Smallest Percent Increase

1.83% – 2008 Highlights – WSCR 670 The Score
7.20% – Garbage – Absolute Garbage
7.26% – Queen – Queen: Greatest Hits I & II
8.43% – Various Artists – Pirates of the Caribbean (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
10.78% – P.O.D. – Satellite

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Top 200 Albums: #119 – 129

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, breaking the triple digit total play plateau with three compilations, and music from the 60s, 80s, 90s, and beyond.

#129: Various Artists – Fonzie’s Make Out Music
iTunes stats: 97 plays
Previous Ranking: 143

Six classic tracks from the 1950s, from artists such as The Flamingos, The Platters, and Fats Domino, powered a nearly 80% increase in plays for this compilation.

#129: Green Day – American Idiot
iTunes stats: 97 plays
Previous Ranking: 120

The seventh studio album from the East Bay punk band added 36 new listens to four of the thirteen songs from the album.

#128: The Beatles – Let It Be… Naked
iTunes stats: 98 plays
Previous Ranking: 115

Released in 2003, this remastered and remixed version of the Beatles final album, minus Phil Spector’s patented “Wall of Sound”, adds 34 new listens to the five different tracks that make up its total.

#125: Bush – Sixteen Stone
iTunes stats: 100 plays
Previous Ranking: 108

Five out of the twelve tracks from the band’s 1994 debut album totaled only 34 additional plays over the past four years.

#125: Bon Jovi – VH1 Storytellers
iTunes stats: 100 plays
Previous Ranking: 151

Ripped from the DVD of the band’s September 2000 appearance on VH1 Storytellers, the boys from New Jersey nearly double their total from four years ago.

Continue reading →

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: Wrapup

Last week, we wrapped up our latest look at the top 200 artists I’ve listened to, according to iTunes, since 2008. Now it’s time to take a final look at those 200 artists and the songs that put them on the list. The average number of listens per group was just over 172 1/2, with the median number being 84 1/2.  There were 23 new artists debuting on the list, with the highest being John Travolta at #117.

Largest Increase

George Carlin – 1211
Garbage – 954
Patton Oswalt – 812
The Beatles – 694
Garfunkel and Oates – 410

Largest Percentage Increase

Florence + The Machine – 284%
Taylor Swift – 248%
George Carlin – 239%
John Morris – 237%
Ron Funches – 234%

Smallest Increase

Artie Lange – 0
Nancy Faust – 1
The Outfield – 10
Jason Segel – 12
P.O.D. – 13

Smallest Percentage Increase

Artie Lange – 0%
Nancy Faust – 2%
Klaus Badelt – 10%
The Outfield – 11%
P.O.D. – 13%

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #81-89

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, breaking past the 100 play plateau with the 2 remaining tied for 89th place, the single artist at 88, 2 tied for 86th, and the single artists at 85th through 81st.

#89: Chance The Rapper
iTunes stats: 93 plays
Previous ranking: #139

Somehow the two clips from his intro video for the 2016 White Sox jumped 50 spots due to a 182% increase in plays over the last 4 years.

#89: Roxette
iTunes stats: 93 plays
Previous ranking: #95

Sweden’s second best selling musical act after Abba, the pop duo nearly doubled their listens while moving up 6 spots on the chart.

#88: The Muffs
iTunes stats: 94 plays
Previous ranking: #70

A big 18 spot drop for the band most well known for a Fruitopia commercial back in the day, thanks to a mere 32 new plays.

#86: Soul Asylum
iTunes stats: 97 plays
Previous ranking: #88

43 new listens for the Minneapolis-based band pushes them up 2 spots in the rankings.

#86: Christina Aguilera
iTunes stats: 97 plays
Previous ranking: #84

The former Voice star sees a 73% increase, enabling her to drop only 2 spots.

#85: The Outfield
Continue reading →

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iTunes Top 200: #6 – 10

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’ve reached the Top 10, and today we will look at the 5 songs ranked from #10 to #6 since my stats began in late 2007.

#10: 2008 White Sox Central Division Champs Montage
iTunes stats: 111 plays, most recently on 3/28/2019
Previous ranking: #9

Dropping a bit since being removed from my White Sox victory play list, this track contains radio highlights, courtesy of The Score, from the 2008 season, culminating in the team’s Division Series loss to the Rays.

#9: Queen – We Are The Champions
iTunes stats: 128 plays, most recently on 8/24/2019
Previous ranking: #7

Reaching #4 on the Billboard charts in the late 70s, the song made it on to my White Sox playlist following their 2005 World Series championship but has fallen off in recent years.

Sox Win#8: Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’
iTunes stats: 132 plays, most recently on 11/13/2019
Previous ranking: #8

The rallying cry for the 2005 White Sox after A.J. Pierzynski and teammates heard it being sung in a bar in Baltimore, it finally dropped off my playlist for the 2015 season.

#7: sox05_montage
iTunes stats: 146 plays, most recently on 11/27/2019
Previous ranking: #6

Radio highlights, courtesy of ESPN 1000, of the 2005 White Sox season, culminating in the team’s first World Series title since 1917.

#6: Gordon Beckham Intro
iTunes stats: 148 plays, most recently on 6/22/2019
Previous ranking: #5

The Outfield’s hit Your Love, featuring Gene Honda introducing the former White Sox third baseman.

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iTunes Top 200: #11 – 19

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 break in to the the top 20 today, with the last batch of songs that scored less than 100 listens since my stats began in late 2007.

#19: Metallica – Harvester Of Sorrow
iTunes stats: 59 plays, most recently on 10/10/2019
Previous ranking: #15

Released as the first single from the band’s fourth studio album, it was used as the at-bat music for former White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko for the majority of his career.

#19: Foo Fighters – My Hero
iTunes stats: 59 plays, most recently on 10/14/2019
Previous ranking: #21

The highest ranking tune from the Foo Fighters, up 2 spots from four years ago, is this live version from their previously mentioned concert in London’s Hyde Park.

#18: Nancy Faust – Take Me Out To The Ballgame
iTunes stats: 60 plays, most recently on 3/28/2019
Previous ranking: #14

A slight decrease for the final 7th inning stretch performance of Nancy Faust’s career as White Sox organist.

#17: The Lonely Island – Natalie’s Rap (ft. Natalie Portman & Chris Parnell)
iTunes stats: 63 plays, most recently on 2/14/2019
Previous ranking: #15

A slight drop for the second digital short from The Lonely Island, which featured Natalie Portman playing against type as a lewd gangsta.

#16: Purdue “All-American” Marching Band – Hail, Purdue!
iTunes stats: 71 plays, most recently on 10/25/2019
Previous ranking: #17

A slight increase for this older version of the Purdue fight song, used during my time at the school.

#15: Purdue “All-American” Marching Band – Hail Purdue
Continue reading →