Tag / Veruca Salt

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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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iTunes Top 200: #30 – 40

itunes_image3 years ago, we first counted down the then Top 100 songs 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 songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2016.

Today, we enter Casey Kasem territory, cracking the top 40 with 10 songs between 27 and 31 plays apiece since late 2007.

#40: Garbage – Androgyny
iTunes stats: 27 plays, most recently on 11/21/2015
Previous ranking: #36

The debut single from their third album that was strangely left off their greatest hits package.

#36: Purdue “All-American” Marching Band – Go Purdue Cheer
iTunes stats: 28 plays, most recently on 12/18/2015
Previous ranking: #76

An impressive increase in the rankings for this cheer for the old alma mater.

#36: Mazzy Star – Fade Into You
iTunes stats: 28 plays, most recently on 11/4/2015
Previous ranking: #76

An equally impressive increase for this biggest hit from Mazzy Star, which appeared on Volume 15 of my mix tapes.

GarbageS07#36: Garbage – Only Happy When It Rains (Live)
iTunes stats: 28 plays, most recently on 10/21/2015
Previous ranking: #58

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

#36: The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer – Coda
iTunes stats: 28 plays, most recently on 4/7/2015
Previous ranking: #39

The final bit of cast singing from the musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

#35: The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer – I’ve Got A Theory/Bunnies/If We’re Together
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iTunes Top 200: #141 – 167

itunes_image3 years ago, we first counted down the then Top 100 songs 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 songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2016.

We continue today with the fourth, and final, grouping of songs tied for 167th place with 17 plays apiece and finally break into the group tied for 141st place with 18 listens since late 2007.

#167: The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer – What You Feel (Reprise)
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 7/15/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

#167: The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer – The Parking Ticket
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 1/18/2015
Previous ranking: #96

Two entries from the 6th season musical episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

#167: Blur – Girls & Boys
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 9/28/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The first single from Blur’s third album, it reached #5 on the UK charts #4 on the US Modern Rock charts.

#167: The Beatles – Paperback Writer
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 7/6/2013
Previous ranking: #76

The single went to the number one spot in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, West Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Norway.

#141: Waylon Jennings – The Dukes Of Hazzard (Theme)
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 12/1/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

We finally move up in plays, starting with the theme song to the CBS staple of the early 1980s.

#141: Warrant – Cherry Pie
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Mix Tape Monday Revisited Roundup

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.

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 just over 8.5 times each, according to my iTunes stats, up from just over 5 times 3 years ago. Let’s take one final look back at the bands and songs that made up my youth.

Most Played Song

30 – Veruca Salt – Seether

28 – Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye

25 – Mazzy Star – Fade Into You

22 – Motley Crue – Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)

22 – Coolio – Gangsta’s Paradise

22 – Cher with Beavis and Butthead – I’ve Got You Babe

22 – Great White – Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Most Played Song – Largest Total Increase

16 – Mazzy Star – Fade Into You

13 – Pearl Jam – Go

12 – 10,000 Maniacs – Because The Night

11 – Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye

11 – Coolio – Gangsta’s Paradise

Most Played Song – Largest Percentage Increase

800% – REM – Bang and Blame

700% – Roxette – The Look

500% – Collective Soul – Gel

500% – Green Day – Geek Stink Breath

400% – 6 songs

Most Represented Band

11 – Poison

10 – Aerosmith

10 – Pearl Jam

7 – Def Leppard

7 – Guns N’ Roses

Most Played Tape

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Mix Tape Monday Revisited – Volume 18

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 18 covers the summer of 1995 and the lead up to the first of my two senior years of college.

Side A

Stone Temple Pilots – Dancing Days

The Led Zeppelin cover nearly doubled its impressive total over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 6/28/2015

PJ Harvey – Down By The Water

The surprise mainstream hit for the indie darling also nearly doubled its total in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 2/4/2015

REM – Strange Currencies

I finally listened to this tune from the Athens, GA boys.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 7/12/2015

Live – All Over You

Live’s latest has gone unheard in nearly 4 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/15/2011

Soul Asylum – Misery

Only one new listen for the follow-up from Soul Asylum over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 1/2/2013

Collective Soul – December

A slight increase for Collective Soul’s latest, which hasn’t been heard in nearly 2 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 9/10/2013

Elastica – Connection

The debut hit from Elastica added 4 listens in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 6/17/2015

Juliana Hatfield – Universal Heart-Beat

The first solo release from Juliana Hatfield more than doubled its number of listens in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 7/12/2015

Side B

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Mix Tape Monday Revisited – Volume 17

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 17 picks up in early 1995 and the second semester of my junior year and takes us into early summer.  At this point, it is nearly all alternative, with just one hip-hop breakthrough.

Side A

Hole – Asking For It

One of three Hole songs to feature a contribution from Kurt Cobain, the latest from Courtney Love and company doubled its play total, despite not being heard in 2 1/2 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 10/11/2012

Cranberries – Twenty One

The minor hit from the band’s second album added its only play in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 1 play, on 8/25/2014

Veruca Salt – Number One Blind

The follow up single to Seether added a paltry 2 listens over the past 3 years, most recently over 2 years ago.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 5/1/2013

Stone Temple Pilots – Unglued

4 new plays for the latest from STP in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 6/26/2015

Pearl Jam – Better Man

The biggest hit from the grunge superstars’ 3rd album added a paltry 2 listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 6/23/2015

Nirvana – Where Did You Sleep Last Night

Only 1 new listen for the posthumous unplugged hit from the Seattle rockers.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 3/18/2015

Weezer – No One Else

Weezer’s latest picked up 3 new listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 3/10/2015

Offspring – What Happened To You?

The final offering from Offspring’s debut album added 4 additional plays in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 4/14/2015

Side B

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Mix Tape Monday Revisited – Volume 16

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 16 takes us from the early fall of 1994 towards the end of the year and the first semester of my junior year of college. The song selection is nearly completely alternative, with just one or two hip-hop and pop hits to go along with it.

Side A

Hole – Doll Parts

The latest hit from Courtney Love and company picked up an additional 7 listens over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 12 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 19 plays, most recently on 5/29/2015

Live – I Alone

The Live hit added 5 listens, though none in over a year.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 6/5/2014

Deadeye Dick – New Age Girl

The one hit wonder, featured on the Dumb and Dumber soundtrack, has not been heard in over 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 5/15/2012

Nirvana – About A Girl

The performance from MTV Unplugged added an additional 2 listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 13 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 1/10/2015

Aerosmith – Blind Man

The extra B-side thrown onto Aerosmith’s the then-current greatest hits package picked up 3 new listens over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 5/11/2015

Real McCoy – Another Night

An extra 3 listens for the international dance hit.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 10/9/2014

Warren G – Do You See

The Warren G release (hit being such a strong term) was heard 3 times in the last 3 years, but not once in the past year.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 6/26/2014

Urge Overkill – Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon

The Neil Diamond cover, featured on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack, added 5 additional plays over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 6/13/2015

Side B

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Mix Tape Monday Revisited – Volume 15

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 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

The hit from Marvin! The Album picked up an impressive 6 additional listens over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 10 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 4/29/2015

Mazzy Star – Fade Into You

The mesmerizing tune from Hope Sandoval and company nearly tripled its total for an amazing 16 play increase.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 25 plays, most recently on 6/23/2015

Nirvana – Verse Chorus Verse

A modest 2 listen increase for this posthumous B-side from the trio from Seattle.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 3/14/2013

Warren G – This D.J.

An infinite increase for the lesser-received follow up to Regulate.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 7/3/2015

Cracker – Eurotrash Girl

The hidden track picked up 3 additional listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 10 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 2/10/2015

Stone Temple Pilots – Interstate Love Song

The latest hit from STP added 4 new listens over the past 3 years, despite not being heard in over a year.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play, on 10/3/2010

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 7/1/2014

Gin Blossoms – Allison Road

The Gin Blossoms latest nearly doubled its total over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 5/8/2015

Weezer – Undone (The Sweater Song)

The debut hit from Weezer added 4 new listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 4/14/2015

Side B

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Top 200 Albums – #11 – 20

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 near the end of the list and look at the bottom half of the top 20 albums, breaking the 100 listen mark.

#11: Garbage – Absolute Garbage
iTunes stats: 123 plays
The greatest hits package from Garbage uses 17 songs to make up this total.

#12: Various Artists – TV’s Hits Vol. 7: Cable Ready
iTunes stats: 119 plays
This collection of TV theme songs, mostly from the early to mid 90s, uses 13 different tunes, from shows like Mad About You. Saved By The Bell, and Blossom.

#13: Patton Oswalt – Werewolves And Lollipops
iTunes stats: 114 plays
This total for Patton Oswalt’s standup set would be significantly higher if I were to sync my old phone again.

#14: The Monkees – The Monkees Greatest Hits
iTunes stats: 110 plays
19 different tracks from the made-for-TV band make up this total.

#14: Journey – Journey’s Greatest Hits
iTunes stats: 110 plays
4 different tunes make up this total, although 1 of them contributes 106 of the listens.

#16: Queen – Queen: Greatest Hits I & II
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A Long Thursday Commute

For the first time in 2015, let’s take a look at the tunes that got me through a 1 hour and 45 minute commute home tonight.

You’re Invited (But Your Friend Can’t Come) Vince Neil Exposed 1/15/2015 4:28 PM
We Built This City Starship The Muppets 1/15/2015 4:32 PM
No Excuses Alice In Chains Greatest Hits 1/15/2015 4:37 PM
Instant Karma (We All Shine On) John Lennon Lennon Legend 1/15/2015 4:40 PM
Get Free The Vines Highly Evolved 1/15/2015 4:42 PM
Something’s Wrong K’s Choice Paradise In Me 1/15/2015 4:46 PM
Truth About Romeo Pancho’s Lament Pancho’s Lament 1/15/2015 4:49 PM
Don’t Tell Me Avril Lavigne The Best Damn Tour Live In Toronto 1/15/2015 4:51 PM
Nothin’s Gonna Stand In Our Way Spectre General The Transformers: The Movie 1/15/2015 4:55 PM
Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg TLC Continue reading →