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 kick off the second half of the countdown with today’s batch of 10 artists, the three tied for 98th place, 2 tied for 96th, the single artist at 95th through 92nd, and the first of 3 tied for 89th.

#98: Gin Blossoms
iTunes stats: 85 plays
Previous ranking: #84

A slight 52% increase in plays for the 5 different tracks in my collection from the Arizona-based band leads to a 15 spot drop.

#98: Smash Mouth
iTunes stats: 85 plays
Previous ranking: #97

The former ska band, who traded in their roots for a more pop sound, picked up 39 new listens to drop just a single slot.

#98: Carpenters
iTunes stats: 85 plays
Previous ranking: #129

The king and queen of 70s soft rock raised their plays by 150% for the 6 separate tracks in my collection to jump 31 spots on the list.

#96: Tommy James & The Shondells
iTunes stats: 88 plays
Previous ranking: #129

The Michigan-based psychedelic group added 54 additional listens to the 4 songs that are in my collection.

#96: Mazzy Star
iTunes stats: 88 plays
Previous ranking: #66

While they have 6 tracks in my collection, only 4 contributed to the play total for this trippy band, which managed a mere 35% increase.

#95: Sam Phillips
iTunes stats: 89 plays
Previous ranking: #109

Thanks to 4 musical cues from her work on Gilmore Girls, the alternative artist jumps up 14 spots on the charts.

#94: Alice In Chains
iTunes stats: 90 plays
Previous ranking: #105

The 11-time Grammy nominees more than doubled their previous total, rising 11 slots on the list.

#93: The Beach Boys
iTunes stats: 91 plays
Previous ranking: #94

The surf rock pioneers drop 2 spots in the rankings despite 42 new listens to their 5 songs in the past 4 years.

#92: Prince
iTunes stats: 92 plays
Previous ranking: #150

The former New Girl guest star, who passed away in 2016,  doubled the number of songs in my collection and thus added 61 new listens, the largest increase to date.

#89: Ozzy Osbourne
iTunes stats: 93 plays
Previous ranking: #139

The one-time Prince of Darkness, now better known as a reality TV star, makes a huge 50 spot jump for the 6 different tracks  in my collection.