4 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.
Today, we come to our penultimate entry, with the song with the third highest total of listens, 215, since my stats began in late 2007.
#3: Steam – Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye
iTunes stats: 215 plays, most recently on 10/16/2019
Previous ranking: #4
Originally written as a blues shuffle in the early 1960s, the song was recorded and released in 1969 by the then-fictitious band called Steam. It reached #1 for two weeks in December, finishing as Billboard’s final multi-week number 1 hit of the 1960s. The song got a second life in 1977, thanks to the South Side Hitmen and their organist, Nancy Faust. With the White Sox hitting the cover off the ball and finding themselves in a surprising first place, Faust started playing the song after home runs. Eventually, she also started playing it when the opposing pitcher was chased from the game.
The song became a hit once again, and Faust was awarded a RIAA gold record from Mercury Records to acknowledge her contributions. It was a mainstay at Comiskey Park and its successors until Faust’s retirement in 2010. Since then, the song is still performed, though not as often. The high play total is a result of the songs inclusion on all of my White Sox victory playlists.
[…] #3: Steam – Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye iTunes stats: 215 plays, most recently on 10/16/2019 Previous ranking: #3 […]