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 continue today with our next batch of ten artists, covering the genres of pop, punk, rock, and hip-hop. We have three performers making their debut on the list this week.
#188: Bowling For Soup
iTunes stats: 61 plays
Previous ranking: NR
Formed in Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1994, the band makes their debut appearance on this chart thanks for two versions, one from the studio and one live on the Adam Carolla Show, of the Phineas and Ferb theme song.
#188: Chicago
iTunes stats: 61 plays
Previous ranking: #188
The ten-time Grammy nominees, who named themselves Chicago Transit Authority in 1968 and shortened to its current version the following year, show up on the list on the strength of three tracks, two from the early 1970s and one from the mid-80s.
#188: Coolio
iTunes stats: 61 plays
Previous ranking: #178
The 1996 Grammy winner for Best Rap Solo Performance, who passed away in 2022, parlayed his two hits into just twelve new listens over the past five years.
#184: Bad Religion
iTunes stats: 62 plays
Previous ranking: #182
The punk rock band from LA, who I saw open for Pearl Jam at Soldier Field back in 1995, add fourteen new plays to the two songs in my collection.
#184: Bloodhound Gang
iTunes stats: 62 plays
Previous ranking: #164
The band known for humorous and off-beat, satirical lyrics, formed in Pennsylvania in 1992, picked up only nine new listens, which resulted in a 20-spot fall in the charts.
#184: Sarah McLachlan
iTunes stats: 62 plays
Previous ranking: NR
Four tracks from the Canadian singer-songwriter, who founded the Lilith Fair in 1997 as a response to her frustrations that concert promoters and radio stations refused to feature two female musicians in a row, lead to a healthy debut on this list.
#184: Slaughter
iTunes stats: 62 plays
Previous ranking: NR
The hard rock band, who formed in Las Vegas in 1988, make a strong debut thanks to five different tracks.
#181: Björk
iTunes stats: 63 plays
Previous ranking: #197
The Icelandic chartreuse scratches her way up the list thanks to two solo tracks and a live duet with PJ Harvey.
#181: Belly
iTunes stats: 63 plays
Previous ranking: #188
The band, formed by former Throwing Muses member Tanya Donelly in 1991, jumps seven slots due to 17 new plays of their two songs in my collection.
#181: Will Smith
iTunes stats: 63 plays
Previous ranking: #188
The rapper and Oscar-host slapper, who will be appearing again later on the charts as part of a popular duo, sees a small rise thanks to 17 new listens to the four solo tracks in my collection over these past five years.