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 start the final quarter of the list today with the next batch of 10 artists, with ties at 50th, 48th, and 43rd.
#50: Queen
iTunes stats: 176 plays
Previous ranking: #35
A big 15 spot drop for the band from England, due mostly to their dropping off the White Sox victory playlist now more than 10 years removed from their 2005 World Series title.
#48: Boyz II Men
iTunes stats: 177 plays
Previous ranking: #49
The stars of my first concert added 80 new listens from their 9 tunes in my collection, inching them up one spot in the rankings.
#48: Klaus Badelt
iTunes stats: 177 plays
Previous ranking: #30
The composer dropped 18 spots in the rankings due to the White Sox no longer using his theme from Pirates of the Caribbean as part of their pre-game routine.
#47: Snoop Dogg
iTunes stats: 181 plays
Previous ranking: #45
The ganja-smoking gangsta rapper, a somewhat surprising 14-time Grammy nominee, added 71 additional listens, dropping him two spots in the rankings.
#46: John Morris
iTunes stats: 182 plays
Previous ranking: #88
The composer of the score from the best movie ever made, Clue: The Movie.
#45: Purdue “All-American” Marching Band
iTunes stats: 191 plays
Previous ranking: #38
The marching band for my alma mater, which now includes Danny, drops 7 spots in the rankings due to only 56 new listens.
#43: Ron Funches
iTunes stats: 197 plays
Previous ranking: #76
A new comedy special helped the comedian to 138 new listens, the highest total to date.
#43: Tori Amos
iTunes stats: 197 plays
Previous ranking: #40
69 new listens for the same 11 songs over the past 4 years push the singer/songwriter, who I was supposed to see live back in 1998 but missed due to a friend’s wedding, down 3 spots.
#42: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
iTunes stats: 200 plays
Previous ranking: #47
The 2001 inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame saw a 94% increase in plays, due in part to the 2017 death of Petty.
#41: Mötley Crüe
iTunes stats: 201 plays
Previous ranking: #42
The winners of the 1991 American Music Award for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album saw just 77 new listens over the past 4 years.