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, including two I have seen perform live.
#70: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
iTunes stats: 162 plays
Previous ranking: #67
The inspiration for the musical Jersey Boys drops three spots after gaining 33 new plays.
#67: Toad the Wet Sprocket
iTunes stats: 168 plays
Previous ranking: #62
A five-spot drop thanks to a 23% increase in listens for the 90s alternative band from Santa Barbara, California.
#67: Oblivion
iTunes stats: 168 plays
Previous ranking: #73
The local punk band, fronted by a former co-worker, added 47 new listens to the ten tracks from their final album to make up this total.
#67: John Williams
iTunes stats: 168 plays
Previous ranking: #68
The composer of some of the most popular and recognizable film scores in cinematic history, including the Star Wars and Superman series, picks up 41 new listens over the last five years.
#64: The Bangles
iTunes stats: 173 plays
Previous ranking: #64
The quintessential 80s girl group, who formed in Los Angeles in 1981 and I saw at the House of Blues back in 2000, added 40 plays over these past five years.
#64: Sheryl Crow
iTunes stats: 173 plays
Previous ranking: #69
The one-time backup singer for Michael Jackson, who I briefly saw performing at Naperville Ribfest in 2016, jumps six spots after adding 47 additional listens to the eight songs I’ve listened to in my collection.
#64: Frank Sinatra
iTunes stats: 173 plays
Previous ranking: #60
The crooner from New Jersey and the leader of the Rat Pack, who provided the walkup music for former White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier, drops three slots, picking up 31 new plays.
#63: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
iTunes stats: 176 plays
Previous ranking: #71
The rap duo from Philadelphia picked up 51 spins over the last five years, good enough to rise eight slots.
#61: Sam Kinison
iTunes stats: 177 plays
Previous ranking: #54
The loud comedian, who died in 1992, saw a meager 13% increase in his play total, dropping seven slots on the charts.
#61: Jewel
iTunes stats: 177 plays
Previous ranking: #63
The Utah-born and Alaska-raised four-time Grammy nominee jumps two spots after picking up 42 new listens.