Tag / Wilson Phillips

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Fifty Years Of Music – 1991

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 1991, the year I broke up with my first girlfriend, finished my junior year of high school, started my senior year, and got my first job.  Z95 flipped to Hot 94.7 before going away altogether and a new rock station, 103.5 The Blaze, entered the Chicago radio scene, providing the majority of the soundtrack of that year.  At 82 songs, we have broken past 80% of the Hot 100 that remain familiar to me today for the first time, with 62 of them appearing in my collection in one way or another.

#100: R.E.M. – Shiny Happy People
iTunes stats: 28 plays

Teaming up with Kate Pierson of the B-52’s, the group notched their fourth and final top ten hit, peaking at #10.

#98: Salt-N-Pepa – Do You Want Me
iTunes stats: 19 plays

The third single from the group’s third studio album, it reached #21 on the Hot 100.

#96: Warrant – I Saw Red
iTunes stats: 11 plays

Peaking at #10, it was the band’s final Top 40 hit.

#95: George Michael – Freedom! ’90
iTunes stats: 16 plays

Thanks in part to a video directed by David Fincher and featuring, among others, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Cindy Crawford, reaching #8 and spending twelve weeks in the Top 40 across 1990 and 1991.

#94: Naughty by Nature – O.P.P.
iTunes stats: 24 plays

Ranked in 2023 as the 96th best pop song of all time by Billboard, it hit #6 on the Hot 100.

#91: Deee-Lite – Groove is in the Heart
iTunes stats: N/A

The debut single from the dance group, it peaked at #4, becoming their lone Top 40 hit.

#90: INXS – Disappear
iTunes stats: 15 plays

The Australian band’s seventh and final top ten hit, it reached #8 on the Hot 100.

#89: Gerardo – Rico Suave
iTunes stats: 12 plays

Ranked as the ninth greatest one-hit wonder of all time by VH1 and the 37th worst song ever by Blender, it topped out at #7.

#88: Black Box – Strike It Up
iTunes stats: 15 plays

Hitting #8, the group once again used un-credited vocals from Martha Wash, leading to an out-of-court settlement.

#87: Cathy Dennis – Just Another Dream
iTunes stats: 21 plays

First released in the UK in 1989 to little fanfare, a remixed version hit the Hot 100 in January of 1991, peaking at #9 the following month.

#86: Aaron Neville – Everybody Plays the Fool
iTunes stats: N/A

First recorded by The Main Ingredient in 1972, this cover spent 20 weeks on the charts, topping out at #8.

#84: Tara Kemp – Piece of My Heart
iTunes stats: N/A

Her second consecutive top ten hit, it reached #7 and was her final Top 40 single.

#82: Queensrÿche – Silent Lucidity
iTunes stats: 22 plays

The band’s only charting single in the US, it peaked at #9.

#81: Tevin Campbell – Round and Round
iTunes stats: 15 plays

Featured on the Graffiti Bridge soundtrack and produced by Prince, the solo debut from the teen singer reached #12 on the Hot 100.

#79: Chris Isaak – Wicked Game
iTunes stats: 12 plays

Originally released in July of 1989, it became a top ten hit after being featured in Wild at Heart, eventually hitting #6.

#78: Poison – Something to Believe In
iTunes stats: 20 plays

The final top ten hit from the band, it peaked at #4

#75: Seal – Crazy
iTunes stats: 16 plays

The first big hit for the English singer-songwriter, it spent 19 weeks on the Hot 100, topping out at #7.

#74: Cathy Dennis – Too Many Walls
iTunes stats: N/A

The fourth and final top ten of Dennis’ recording career, it reached #8 on the Hot 100 and two weeks atop the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart.

#73: Tesla – Signs
iTunes stats: 14 plays

Recorded live for the group’s acoustic album, it hit #8, becoming their second top ten hit.

#72: UB40 – Here I Am (Come and Take Me)
iTunes stats: 23 plays

Peaking at #7, this cover of the 1973 Al Green hit was the second single from the British reggae-pop band’s ninth studio album.

#71: UB40 – The Way You Do the Things You Do
iTunes stats: 16 plays

A hit in four consecutive decades by four different artists, this was the highest charting version, cracking the top ten at #6.

#69: Mariah Carey – Love Takes Time
iTunes stats: N/A

The second consecutive year end chart appearance for this tune, which spent three weeks atop the Hot 100 in November of 1990 and ranked as the 76th biggest hit of that year as well.

#68: Styx – Show Me the Way
iTunes stats: 13 plays

Their first top ten hit since 1983, it peaked at #3, becoming the band’s eighth and final top ten single and giving them at least one in three straight decades.

#67: Heavy D and the Boyz – Now That We Found Love
iTunes stats: 15 plays

Originally recorded by the O’Jays, Heavy D and the Boyz reached #11 on the Hot 100.

#66: Prince & the New Power Generation – Cream
iTunes stats: 14 plays

Spending two weeks atop the charts in early November, it became the final #1 single of Prince’s career.

#64: LL Cool J – Around the Way Girl
iTunes stats: 19 plays

The first top ten hit in LL’s career, it topped out at #9.

#63: Enigma – Sadness (Part I)
iTunes stats: N/A

Mixing Gregorian chants with a drum beat, it somehow reached #5 on the Hot 100.

#62: Michael Bolton – Time, Love and Tenderness
iTunes stats: N/A

The title track from Bolton’s seventh studio album, it peaked at #7, giving Bolton his fifth top ten single.

#61: The KLF – 3 a.m. Eternal
iTunes stats: 12 plays

Found on the group’s fourth and final album, it reached #5 on the Hot 100.

#60: Hi-Five – I Can’t Wait Another Minute
iTunes stats: 18 plays

The group’s second consecutive top ten hit, it topped out at #8.

#57: Vanilla Ice – Play That Funky Music
iTunes stats: 9 plays

Originally the first track released by Vanilla Ice, it was reissued with new lyrics following the success of Ice Ice Baby, peaking at #4.

#56: Nelson – After the Rain
iTunes stats: 27 plays

The second release from the grandsons of Ozzie & Harriet, it reached #6, becoming their second and final top ten hit.

#55: Bonnie Raitt – Something to Talk About
iTunes stats: 22 plays

Raitt’s only top ten hit, it topped out at #5 on both the Hot 100 and the Adult Contemporary chart.

#53: DNA featuring Suzanne Vega – Tom’s Diner
iTunes stats: 24 plays

Originally released by Vega in 1984, it was remixed by two British producers and released in 1990, reaching #5 on the Hot 100 and becoming one of the few singles in Billboard history to crack the top ten on both the Modern Rock Tracks chart and the Hot R&B Singles chart.

#52: Divinyls – I Touch Myself
iTunes stats: 40 plays

This ode to female masturbation was the group’s first single to chart in the US, peaking at #2.

#51: C+C Music Factory – Things That Make You Go Hmmm…
iTunes stats: 21 plays

The third single from the group’s debut album, it hit #4 on the Hot 100.

#50: Rod Stewart – Rhythm of My Heart
iTunes stats: N/A

Covered by Stewart for his sixteenth album, it reached #5.

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Fifty Years Of Music – 1990

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 1990, the year I finished my sophomore year of high school, started my junior year, turned 16 and got my driver’s license, and, oh yeah, found myself with my first girlfriend.  These songs formed the soundtrack of my high school years and continue to be some of my favorites.  A full 70 of the Hot 100 are still familiar to me now, with a whopping 50 of them appearing in my collection in one way or another.

#99: Mellow Man Ace – Mentirosa
iTunes stats: 17 plays

The lone single from the Cuban rapper, it spent 24 weeks on the chart, peaking at #14.

#96: Mötley Crüe – Without You
iTunes stats: 24 plays

Reaching #8 on the Hot 100, the song is said to be about drummer Tommy Lee’s relationship with Heather Locklear.

#94: Biz Markie – Just A Friend
iTunes stats: 39 plays

Markie’s highest charting single, it topped out at #9.

#91: Aerosmith – What It Takes
iTunes stats: 18 plays

Written with Desmond Child, it peaked at #9.

#88: Michael Bolton – When I’m Back on My Feet Again
iTunes stats: N/A

Reaching #7 in August, the song was Bolton’s third top ten hit.

#86: Paula Abdul – (It’s Just) The Way That You Love Me
iTunes stats: 15 plays

Originally released as the second single from Abdul’s debut album in 1988 to little success, it was re-released in the fall of 1989 and rose to #3.

#85: D Mob with Cathy Dennis – C’mon and Get My Love
iTunes stats: 21 plays

The song that introduced Cathy Dennis to the public, it just cracked the top ten.

#82: Billy Joel – I Go to Extremes
iTunes stats: N/A

The second single from Joel’s eleventh studio album, the song just missed the top five, peaking at #6

#81: Black Box – Everybody Everybody
iTunes stats: N/A

Featuring uncredited vocals by Martha Wash, the song reached #8 on the Hot 100.

#78: The B-52’s – Love Shack
iTunes stats: 22 plays

Making the year-end charts for the second consecutive year, the 47th biggest hit of 1989 spent 27 total weeks on the chart.

#76: Mariah Carey – Love Takes Time
iTunes stats: N/A

Spending three weeks at #1 in November, the second single from Carey was her second straight chart topper.

#75: Faith No More – Epic
iTunes stats: 26 plays

Ranked as the 30th greatest metal song of all time by VH1, it was the band’s breakthrough hit, reaching #9.

#73: Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K – Get Up! (Before the Night Is Over)
iTunes stats: 16 plays

Released in January of 1990, it rose to #7.

#72: Skid Row – I Remember You
iTunes stats: 19 plays

The New Jersey band’s second and final top ten hits, peaking at #6.

#70: Go West – King of Wishful Thinking
iTunes stats: 17 plays

Featured on the Pretty Woman soundtrack, the track reached #8 on the Hot 100.

#66: Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence
iTunes stats: 22 plays

Released in February, the song became the group’s highest charting single in the US, topping out at #8 in July.

#64: Tom Petty – Free Fallin’
iTunes stats: 34 plays

The highest and longest charting hit of Petty’s career, it peaked at #7, becoming his third and final top ten hit.

#63: Taylor Dayne – I’ll Be Your Shelter
iTunes stats: 6 plays

Reaching #4 on the Hot 100, the song, released in March, was written by Diane Warren and remains Dayne’s final top ten hit.

#62: Digital Underground – The Humpty Dance
iTunes stats: 43 plays

The group’s first Top 40 hit, it topped out at #11.

#61: Aerosmith – Janie’s Got a Gun
iTunes stats: 37 plays

Hitting #4 on the Hot 100, the song earned the group a Grammy award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

#59: Janet Jackson – Black Cat
iTunes stats: 12 plays

The sixth single from Jackson’s fourth studio album spent a single week atop the Hot 100 at the end of October.

#56: Phil Collins – I Wish It Would Rain Down
iTunes stats: N/A

Featuring guitar work from Eric Clapton, Collins reached #3 on the Hot 100 with this track.

#55: MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This
iTunes stats: 18 plays

The first rap song to be nominated for Record of the Year at the Grammys, it peaked at #8 on the Hot 100.

#52: Michael Bolton – How Can We Be Lovers
iTunes stats: N/A

Reaching #3, Bolton co-wrote this tune with both Diane Warren and Desmond Child.

Continue reading →

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Yet Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 3

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.

Poison was supposed to be my first concert.  Hold on, I know you’ve heard that before, but this story is completely different.  In July of 1990, Poison released their third studio album, Flesh & Blood.  A world tour followed soon, with a date in Chicago some time in 1991.  One afternoon, Hot 94.7, a local radio station, was giving away tickets to the tenth caller.  I called in and, after a “game” where I had to say hot over and over again, I won and the tickets would be on their way.  But, once again, fate interfered.

Poison’s bassist, Bobby Dall, broke his hand and the upcoming tour dates needed to be cancelled.  To be fair to the radio station, they tried to make up for it by sending me a cassette version of Firehouse’s self-titled debut album.  All these years later, I never did end up seeing Poison live.  Maybe someday.

Volume 3 picks up in mid-summer 1990 and takes us through late 1990 and into my junior year of high school.  Featuring another steady stream of hair metal, with small selections of pop, rap, R&B, and dance thrown in for good measure, volume 3 also overlaps with the start of my relationship with my first “real” girlfriend.

Side A

2 Live Crew – Banned In The USA
iTunes stats: 23 plays, most recently on 11/12/2019

The first song (as I recall) recorded off of B96, this protest anthem from 2 Live Crew, recorded after their previous album was declared obscene by a federal judge, somehow increased its play total by eight despite not being heard since 2019.

Poison – Unskinny Bop
iTunes stats: 19 plays, most recently on 11/10/2022

The first single from Flesh & Blood , which peaked at #3 on the Billboard charts, managed to earn eight additional plays since last time we did this check.

Poison – Nothin’ But A Good Time
iTunes stats: 27 plays, most recently on 7/28/2022

Most likely originally recorded from The Blaze, the debut single from Poison’s previous album and arguably their second biggest hit, picked up an impressive ten new listens over the past four years.

MC Hammer – Have You Seen Her
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 11/10/2022

This unlikely cover of the 1971 hit by The Chi-Lites more than doubled up its number of plays over the since my 43rd birthday.

Cheap Trick – Can’t Stop Fallin’ Into Love
iTunes stats: 26 plays, most recently on 8/24/2022

Cheap Trick’s last single to hit the Top 40, the first release from their 11th studio album, which became “our song” between my first girlfriend and me, had a healthy increase of six listens over the last few years.

Nelson – (Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection
iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 8/23/2019

Matthew and Gunnar’s big hit, which topped the Billboard charts, added a single new play and has not been heard since well before the start of the pandemic.

Warrant – Cherry Pie
iTunes stats: 34 plays, most recently on 11/1/2022

A mere three new plays for the lead single from the band’s sophomore album, which was allegedly written in fifteen minutes on the inside of a pizza box that is currently on display at the Hard Rock Cafe in Destin, Florida.

Johnny Gill – Rub You The Right Way
iTunes stats: 19 plays, most recently on 12/8/2022

The solo debut from the New Edition alumnus, ranked as the 23rd biggest hit of 1990, picked up three additional plats in the last four years.

Side B

Continue reading →

by admin

Yet Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 2

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.

Once again, some older songs are mixed in with the hits of the day: Rag Doll and Dude (Looks Like A Lady) from Aerosmith’s 1987 album Permanent Vacation.  I had managed to borrow the cassette from my friend Scott and for some reason felt the need to add those two tracks, but only those two tracks, to my Favorites collection at the same time that more current hits from the band’s latest album, Pump, were on the charts. While I’m sure I returned the cassette to Scott at some point, I do currently have possession of it, sitting in a box in my closet alongside all of my other cassettes, including this homemade collection.

Volume 2 picks up in early 1990 and takes us through early summer, book-ended by Roxette hits and featuring another steady stream of hair metal and pop, with a little rap and R&B thrown in for flavor.

Side A

Roxette – Dangerous
iTunes stats: 23 plays, most recently on 5/14/2021

Originally recorded from American Top 40, the fifth and final single from Roxette’s second album added six listens to its play total over these past four years.

Skid Row – Youth Gone Wild
iTunes stats: 25 plays, most recently on 12/6/2022

The first release from Skid Row, which peaked at #99 on the Billboard charts, nearly doubled its numbers of plays over the past four years.

Biz Markie – Just A Friend
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 10/28/2022

Ranked #81 on VH1s list of Greatest One Hit Wonders, Biz Markie’s smash added a dozen more listens over the past four years, partially in tribute following his 2021 death,

Mötley Crüe – Without You
iTunes stats: 24 plays, most recently on 6/16/2021

Peaking at #8 on the Billboard charts, the ballad, said to be about drummer Tommy Lee’s relationship with Heather Locklear, picked up seven additional spins since 2019.

Aerosmith – What It Takes
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 6/20/2019

The third single from Aerosmith’s Pump album, which peaked at #9 on the Billboard charts, picked up a mere three plays over the last four years and none since mid-2019.

MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This
iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 6/6/2021

The first rap song to be nominated for the Record of the Year Grammy, MC Hammer’s signature tune fizzled over the past four years with only three new listens.

Aerosmith – Rag Doll
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 4/20/2020

Released back in 1988, the final single from Aerosmith’s Permanent Vacation album, which peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, added has not been heard since the earliest days of the pandemic.

Side B

Continue reading →

by admin

Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 3

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would 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. We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 3 picks up in mid-summer 1990 and takes us through late 1990 and into my junior year of high school.  Featuring another steady stream of hair metal, with small selections of pop, rap, R&B, and dance thrown in for good measure, volume 3 also overlaps with the start of my relationship with my first “real” girlfriend.

Side A

2 Live Crew – Banned In The USA

The first song (as I recall) recorded off of B96, this protest anthem from 2 Live Crew, recorded after their previous album was declared obscene by a federal judge, increased its play total by 7 over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
6 plays 8 plays 15 plays, most recently on 8/22/2018 

Poison – Unskinny Bop

The first single from Flesh & Blood , which peaked at #3 on the Billboard charts, managed to earn 3 additional plays since last time we did this check.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 8 plays 11 plays, most recently on 12/4/2018 

Poison – Nothin’ But A Good Time

Most likely originally recorded from The Blaze, the debut single from Poison’s previous album and arguably their second biggest hit, picked up an impressive 11 new listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
6 plays 6 plays 17 plays, most recently on 10/1/2018 

MC Hammer – Have You Seen Her

The unlikely cover of the 1971 hit by The Chi-Lites doubled up its number of plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 4 plays 8 plays, most recently on 10/27/2017 

Cheap Trick – Can’t Stop Fallin’ Into Love

Cheap Trick’s last single to hit the top 40, the first release from their 11th studio album, which became “our song” between me and my first girlfriend, had a healthy increase of 6 listens over the last few years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
10 plays 14 plays 20 plays, most recently on 11/8/2018 

Nelson – (Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection

Matthew and Gunnar’s big hit, which topped the Billboard charts, nearly tripled its play total since 2015.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
1 plays 4 plays 11 plays, most recently on 11/19/2018 

Warrant – Cherry Pie

Thanks to prodding from The Adam Carolla Show, Warrant’s strip club anthem increased by 14 listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
8 plays 17 plays 31 plays, most recently on 12/3/2018 

Johnny Gill – Rub You The Right Way

The solo debut from the New Edition alumnus, ranked as the 23rd biggest hit of 1990, picked up 6 additional plats in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
7 plays 10 plays 16 plays, most recently on 4/12/2018 

Side B

Continue reading →

by admin

Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 2

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would 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. We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 2 picks up in early 1990 and takes us through early summer, book-ended by Roxette hits and featuring another steady stream of hair metal and pop, with a little rap and R&B thrown in for flavor.

Side A

Roxette – Dangerous

Originally recorded from American Top 40, the fifth and final single from Roxette’s second album added 5 listens to its play total over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
7 plays 12 plays 17 plays, most recently on 12/18/2018 

Skid Row – Youth Gone Wild

The first release from Skid Row, which peaked at #99 on the Billboard charts, picked up 5 new plays over the past 4+ years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 8 plays 13 plays, most recently on 10/3/2018 

Biz Markie – Just A Friend

Ranked #81 on VH1s list of Greatest One Hit Wonders, Biz Markie’s smash more than doubled its listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
6 plays 12 plays 25 plays, most recently on 11/8/2018 

Mötley Crüe – Without You

Peaking at #8 on the Billboard charts, the ballad, said to be about drummer Tommy Lee’s relationship with Heather Locklear, picked up 6 additional spins since 2015.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
10 plays 11 plays 17 plays, most recently on 11/26/2018 

Aerosmith – What It Takes

Aerosmtih returns to my charts with this smash hit, which peaked at #9 on the charts and picked up a mere 3 plays over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
8 plays 12 plays 15 plays, most recently on 8/14/2018 

MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This

The first rap song to be nominated for the Record of the Year Grammy, MC Hammer’s signature tune more than doubled its play total over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 6 plays 13 plays, most recently on 12/15/2018 

Aerosmith – Rag Doll

A 1988 hit from Aerosmith, which makes an appearance on this tape thanks to my absconding my friend Scott’s cassette of their previous album, also more than doubled its play total in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 6 plays 13 plays, most recently on 10/2/2018 

Side B

Continue reading →

by admin

Mix Tape Monday – Volume 3 Revisited

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 3 picks up in mid-summer 1990 and takes us through late 1990 and into my junior year of high school.  Featuring another steady stream of hair metal, with small selections of pop, rap, R&B, and dance thrown in for good measure, volume 3 also overlaps with the start of my relationship with my first “real” girlfriend.

Side A

2 Live Crew – Banned In The USA

The protest anthem from 2 Live Crew, one of the few songs that I taped off of B96, increased slightly over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 6 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 10/23/2014

Poison – Unskinny Bop

The first single from Flesh & Blood managed to double it’s plays since last time we did this check.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 6/21/2014

Poison – Nothin’ But A Good Time

Arguably Poison’s second biggest hit, despite my not having listened to it, at least the studio version, in nearly 4 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 6 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 5/14/2011

MC Hammer – Have You Seen Her

The strange rap ballad doubled up its number of plays over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 8/13/2014

Cheap Trick – Can’t Stop Fallin’ Into Love

Cheap Trick’s hit, which turned into “our song” with my first girlfriend, had a healthy increase over the last few years.

2012 iTunes stats: 10 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 4/2/2015

Nelson – Love and Affection

Matthew and Gunnar’s big hit increased exponentially since 2012.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 6/21/2014

Warrant – Cherry Pie

Thanks to prodding from The Adam Carolla Show, Warrant’s strip club anthem increased by 9 listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 9/18/2014

Johnny Gill – Rub You The Right Way

A slight increase for the solo debut from the New Edition alumnus.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 4/24/2014

Side B

Continue reading →

by admin

Mix Tape Monday – Volume 2 Revisited

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 listen to today.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 3 years.

Volume 2 picks up in early 1990 and takes us through early summer, book-ended by Roxette hits and featuring another steady stream of hair metal and pop, with a little rap and R&B thrown in for flavor.

Side A

Roxette – Dangerous

This big hit from Roxette nearly doubled its play total over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 10/28/2013

Skid Row – Youth Gone Wild

The first release from Skid Row did manage to double its play total, despite my not having listened to it in over a year.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 11/4/2013

Biz Markie – Just A Friend

Another doubling, this time for the one hit wonder.

2012 iTunes stats: 6 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 12/4/2014

Motley Crue – Without You

One of the songs I had listened to the most back in 2012 only got one additional spin since then.

2012 iTunes stats: 10 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 4/27/2013

Aerosmith – What It Takes

Aerosmtih returns to my charts with this smash hit, which I haven’t heard as much of over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 3/24/2015

MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This

The song that put MC Hammer on the map doubled its play total over the past 3 years..

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 8/15/2014

Aerosmith – Rag Doll

Aerosmith, which makes another appearance on this tape thanks to my absconding my friend Scott’s cassette of their previous album, also doubled its play total.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 3/7/2015

Side B

Continue reading →

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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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Mix Tape Monday – Volume 3

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. I thought it would be a fun exercise to look back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listen to today.

 

Volume 3 picks up in mid-summer 1990 and takes us through late 1990 and into my junior year of high school.  Featuring another steady stream of hair metal, with small selections of pop, rap, R&B, and dance thrown in for good measure, volume 3 also overlaps with the start of my relationship with my first “real” girlfriend.

 

Side A

2 Live Crew – Banned In The USA

The protest anthem from 2 Live Crew was taped off of the radio, from, if I remember correctly, B96.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 3/16/2012

Poison – Unskinny Bop

The first single from Flesh & Blood was taped off of the cassette.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 8/1/2011

Poison – Nothin’ But A Good Time

The out of sequence hit from Look What The Cat Dragged In was taped off the radio, most likely the Blaze.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 5/14/2011

MC Hammer – Have You Seen Her

The follow up to U Can’t Touch This was taped off the radio, from what I only assume was Z95.  In a funny twist, the next song on the radio, which is quickly cut off, was the aforementioned Unskinny Bop.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 9/2/2011

Cheap Trick – Can’t Stop Fallin’ Into Love

Cheap Trick’s hit, which turned into “our song” with my first girlfriend, was also taped off of Z95.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 3/25/2012

Nelson – Love and Affection

Nelson’s debut smash was, again, taped off Z95.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 8/8/2008

Warrant – Cherry Pie

The strip club anthem was taped off the cassingle.

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 2/28/2012

Johnny Gill – Rub You The Right Way

The solo debut for the New Edition alumnus was also taped off Z95.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 9/1/2011

Side B

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