Tag / The Strokes

by admin

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
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by admin

Top 200 Albums: #161 – 170

itunes_imageWe 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, including two live DVD rips, one movie soundtrack, and an appearance by my alma mater’s marching band.

#170: Alanis Morissette – VH1 Storytellers
iTunes stats: 75 plays
Previous Ranking: 192

Ripped from the DVD, six tracks from the live performance first aired in 1999 as the fifth episode of season six of VH1 Storytellers bumped up nearly 83% while jumping 12 spots on the chart.

#165: R.E.M. – Monster
iTunes stats: 76 plays
Previous Ranking: 171

The ninth studio album from R.E.M., released in 1994, takes contributions from five of the twelve tracks to add 29 new listens over the past 4 years.

#165: Purdue “All-American” Marching Band – Back Home in Indiana
iTunes stats: 76 plays
Previous Ranking: 120

A huge 45 spot drop thanks to a small 15 listen increase to this newer version (Boiler Up included) of my alma mater’s fight song.

#165: Boyz II Men – Cooleyhighharmony
iTunes stats: 76 plays
Previous Ranking: 171

Another one of the six CDs that I owned when I left for college, this 1991 debut from Boyz II Men uses 29 new listens to jump up 6 spots on the chart.

#165: Various Artists – Grease (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
iTunes stats: 76 plays
Previous Ranking: 165

The soundtrack to the 1978 hit film had five tracks, from film stars John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, and Stockard Channing, among others, contribute its 58% increase.

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by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #110-120

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 our next batch of 10 artists, the second tied for 120th place, 3 tied for 127th, the single artist at 116th and 115th, 3 tied for 112nd, and the first of 2 tied for 110th.  We have our final newcomer making their debut this week.

#120: Bruce Springsteen
iTunes stats: 68 plays
Previous ranking: #119

The Boss adds 32 new listens while dropping one spot on the list thanks to the 4 tunes in my collection.

#117: P.M. Dawn
iTunes stats: 69 plays
Previous ranking: #150

The trip-hop duo jumps 33 spots thanks to 38 new plays for 3 of their hit singles.

#117: John Travolta
iTunes stats: 69 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The actors combines his contributions to two movie soundtracks, Grease and Pulp Fiction, to make the highest ranking debut.

#117: Color Me Badd
iTunes stats: 69 plays
Previous ranking: #109

The early 90s boy band drops 8 places, with 28 new listens, now one of their three tracks in my collection is no longer being used as the walkup music for former White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers.

#116: Skid Row
iTunes stats: 70 plays
Previous ranking: #119

The New Jersey band added 34 additional listens to the 5 songs that are in my collection.

#115: Oasis
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by admin

Top 200 Albums – #151 – 158

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 continue things with the next batch of 10 albums that rank between #151 and 158, including 7 studio recordings, 2 soundtracks, and 1 live performance.

#158: Icona Pop – This Is… Icona Pop
iTunes stats: 50 plays
Previous Ranking: N/A

A single entry, used as part of my White Sox playlist, allows this album to make its debut.

#158: R.E.M. – Automatic For The People
iTunes stats: 50 plays
Previous Ranking: 141

5 songs, led by the first single Drive, make up this total for the Athens, Georgia based group.

#158: Various Artists – OST – Veronica Mars
iTunes stats: 50 plays
Previous Ranking: 100

2 different tracks, from The Dandy Warhols and Tegan & Sara, make up the total for the soundtrack from the cult television show, which suffered a huge drop.

#151: Bon Jovi – VH1 Storytellers
iTunes stats: 51 plays
Previous Ranking: N/A

A strong debut for this live offering from the boys from New Jersey, thanks to 8 different tracks.

#151: The Strokes – Is This It?
iTunes stats: 51 plays
Previous Ranking: 127

One of the 4 songs making up this total, New York City Cops, was dropped from the American version of the album, released weeks after the 9/11 attacks.

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by admin

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #101-109

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 wrap up the first half of the list today with a mix of pop and alternative, with a little weirdness thrown in for good measure..

#109: Sam Phillips
iTunes stats: 41 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

Thanks to 4 musical cues from her work on Gilmore Girls, the alternative artist makes her debut on the list.

#109: Color Me Badd
iTunes stats: 41 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The early 90s boy band makes the list thanks to 3 tracks from their debut album, one of which was used as the walkup music for former White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers.

#108: Katy Perry
iTunes stats: 42 plays
Previous ranking: #83

A 25 spot drop for the pop princess, who added only 13 new listens to the 2 versions of her debut hit.

#105: Dandy Warhols
iTunes stats: 43 plays
Previous ranking: #98

A small 7 spot drop despite 20 new listens to the band responsible for the Veronica Mars theme song.

#105: Bobby Brown
iTunes stats: 43 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The former member of New Edition debuts on the list thanks to 5 of his solo tracks.

#105: Alice In Chains
iTunes stats: 43 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The Seattle-based alternative band combined 5 tracks to make up this total.

#103: The Strokes
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by admin

Top 200 Albums – #120 – 130

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 continue climbing up the list and look at the 6 albums tied for 120th with 34 listens and the 5 albums tied for 127th with 33 listens.

#120: Arrested Development – 3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of …
iTunes stats: 34 plays
The debut album from the Atlanta-based alternative hip-hop group has a nearly even split amongst its 3 hit singles to make up this total.

#120: Various Artists – Clueless
iTunes stats: 34 plays
The hit movie soundtrack makes the list thanks to songs from Smoking Popes, Jill Sobule, and The Muffs.

#120: Sam Kinison – Have You Seen Me Lately
iTunes stats: 34 plays
The seminal comedy album from Sam Kinison uses his standup routine and a twisted remake of Wild Thing to chart this high.

#120: Hole – Celebrity Skin
iTunes stats: 34 plays
The second Hole album, alledgedly written by Billy Corgan, Courtney Love’s boyfriend at the time, has 2 tracks make up this total.

#120: George Carlin – You Are All Diseased
iTunes stats: 34 plays
Another standup routine from George Carlin puts him on the list again.

#120: Stone Temple Pilots – Purple
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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 jim

iTunes Top 100 Artists: #72-80

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 look at the the the next batch, numbers 72-80, which includes a few comedians along with the usual favorites.

#72: Smash Mouth

iTunes stats: 33 plays

4 songs make up this total for the band from northern California.

#72: The Strokes

iTunes stats: 33 plays

The alternative band from New York makes the list thanks to 5 songs, including one mash-up with Christina Aguilera.

#74: The Rolling Stones

iTunes stats: 32 plays

The boys from Britain use 9 different tunes to make up this total.

#74: Warrant

iTunes stats: 32 plays

The hair band superstars use 6 different songs to make the list.

#76: Fiona Apple

iTunes stats: 31 plays

The first appearance by someone I have seen perform live, Apple makes the list thanks to 5 different songs.

#76: The Crystal Method

iTunes stats: 31 plays

The theme from Bones places the Crystal Method this high all by its lonesome.

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by admin

Mix Tape Monday – September 2002

After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended.  That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

This CD was likely the first one I burned here in the (then) new house, which is now just the house.  It includes the latest from Eminem, Pink, and Avril Lavigne.

Eminem – Cleaning Out My Closet

Eminem’s latest is another ode to all of the bad things that happened to him growing up.

iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 10/23/2012

Whale – Hobo Humpin Slobo Babe

The first single from the Swedish pop group reached #24 on the US Modern Rock charts.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 3/31/2012

Pink – Just Like A Pill

The third single from Missundaztood was Pink’s first number 1 single in the UK.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 5/14/2012

Bjork – Big Time Sensuality

The fourth single from Bjork’s first post-Sugarcubes solo album.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 11/19/2012

Avril Lavigne – Sk8r Boi

The second single from the debut album from the Canadian pop punk princess.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 11/9/2012

Weezer – Keep Fishin

The video for this remix featured the Muppets.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 9/27/2012

Me First And The Gimmee Gimmees – The Rainbow Connection

Speaking of the Muppets, this punk cover of Kermit’s big hit is from the group’s second album.

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

The Hives – Hate To Say I Told You So

Originally released in 2000, this signature hit for the Swedish garage band was re-released in 2002 and became a hit.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 7/30/2012

Sponge – Plowed

Rotting Pinata first charted on the Billboard 200 nearly a year after its release thanks to this song.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 9/27/2012

Nirvana – Verse Chorus Verse

A hidden track from the AIDS-benefit compilation No Alternative that apparently should have been called “Sappy.”

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 10/16/2012

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by admin

Mix Tape Monday – June 2002

After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended.  That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

This CD has a crazy mix of songs used as part of talk radio shows and odd live cover versions of songs along with the latest releases from Eminem, Abandoned Pools, and reality TV star Kelly Osbourne.

Soup Dragons – Running Wild (edit)

This edit of the Soup Dragons song was used as the opening theme of the old Q101 morning show hosted by Wendy Snyder and Bill Leff.

Eminem – Without Me

The latest smash hit from the non-Vanilla Ice.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 5/30/2012

Kelly Osbourne – Papa Don’t Preach

Fresh off the surprise reality smash of the year comes Ozzy’s youngest daughter.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 9/7/2011

Abandoned Pools – The Remedy

The debut single from a band that was never heard from again.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 7/30/2012

Garbage – Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go)

The unofficial third release from Beautiful Garbage was a number 1 hit in Australia.

iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 8/2/2012

Dave Grohl – TIny Dancer (Live)

This live performance of the Elton John hit comes from the old Craig Kilborn show.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 3/13/2012

Ednaswap – Torn (Acoustic)

This live performance by the original performers of the Natalie Imbruglia hit comes from the Howard Stern show.

iTunes stats: Never Played

Pink – Janie’s Got A Gun (Live)

Pink’s cover of the Aerosmith hit comes from a performance on MTV.

iTunes stats: Never Played

Weezer – American Gigolo

Another in a long line of Weezer songs that I had completely forgotten about.

The Strokes – Hard To Explain

The first UK single from The Strokes was their third in the US.

iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 5/25/2012

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