Top 200 Albums – #164 – 171

itunes_imageMy latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 3 iPhones, and an iPad later, that computer is still my main repository of music, with iTunes updating its stats every time I listen to something.

Having already gone through cassette tapes and CDs, and digital music, it’s time to roll everything up with the Top 200 albums whose songs I’ve listened to as of September 2014, according to iTunes. Today we continue climbing up the list and look at the 8 albums tied for 164th with 25 listens.

#164: The Mamas And The Papas – California Dreamin’
iTunes stats: 25 plays
This compilation used 3 of the bands biggest hits to achieve this lofty total.

#164: Frente! – Marvin The Album
iTunes stats: 25 plays
The debut album for the Australian alternative group makes this list on the back of 2 hits, including their cover of New Order’s Bizarre Love Triangle.

#164: Various Artists – Grease (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
iTunes stats: 25 plays
The soundtrack to the 1978 hit film had 5 tracks, from film stars John Travolta, Olivia Newton John, and Stockard Channing, among others, contribute to this total.

#164: Various Artists – Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1970
iTunes stats: 25 plays
This compilation of the biggest hits of 1970 by bands that would allow themselves to be on such a compilation, like Ides of March or the Partridge Family, has 7 tunes making up its total.

#164: Fiona Apple – Tidal
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Goodbye, iPhone 4S – Music Edition

A little more than a week ago, I upgraded my phone from the iPhone 4S to the newly released iPhone 5S.  The biggest difference, aside from a slightly bigger screen, is the jump from 3G (or 4G, if you believe AT&T’s hype) to LTE.  I had the 4S for a little under 2 years, and in that time, we traveled the world together (well, at least going back to the UK) and have listened to a lot of podcasts and music. Here is every song (all 2079 of them) I’ve listened to on the phone, with some (ok, very little) bonus commentary.  Godspeed.

 

Let’s Go-Go-Go White Sox Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers 33
He’s a Pirate Klaus Badelt Pirates of the Caribbean (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) 32
Take Me Out To The Ballgame Harry Caray 31
Thunderstruck AC/DC The Razors Edge 31
Gordon Beckham Intro 29
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye Steam Billboard’s Top Rock ‘n’ Roll Hits: 1969 29
Don’t Stop Believin’ Journey Journey’s Greatest Hits 27
sox05_montage 27
We Are The Champions Queen Queen: Greatest Hits I & II 27
Your Love The Outfield Play Deep 27
2008 White Sox Central Division Champs Montage Chris Tannehill WSCR 670 The Score 25
Take Me Out To The Ballgame Nancy Faust 25
Harvester Of Sorrow Metallica …And Justice For All 20

You would hope that these numbers would have been higher, but this past season’s miserable performance by the White Sox has put the songs on their playlist out of mind more often than not.

Cannonball The Breeders The First 1000 Years- Rock 19
Man Or Muppet Jason Segel The Muppets 15
It’s Time For Our Song Miss Piggy The Muppets 14
Get Out There And Help Those Guys Jason Segel The Muppets 13
Main Title LOST Soundtrack LOST Soundtrack 13
Are You A Man Or A Muppet? Amy Adams The Muppets 12
How Charming, A Finale Uncle Deadly The Muppets 12
I’m On A Boat (ft. T-Pain) The Lonely Island Incredibad 12
Down At The Ole Barbershop Kermit The Muppets 11
Me and Drugs David Cross Bigger and Blackerer 11
The Antichrist Howard Stern Private Parts: The Album 11
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Mix Tape Monday – Workout

After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended. That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

In addition to the occasional series of CDs I had burned in order to keep abreast of new music, I had created a bunch of genre-specific mixes that could be used both in the car and at the gym. This week we will take a look at the first disc created specifically for working out.  The selection is mostly European dance music which has a good beat intended to keep me moving.  Sadly, I can’t say how well it worked.  So, without further ado, I bring you Workout, volume 1.

The SKLF – 3 AM Eternal

Numerous versions of the song were released as singles between 1989 and 1992, with the January 1991 acid house pop version of the song becoming an international top ten hit single, reaching #5 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 3/30/2011

Information Society – What’s On Your Mind

The dance/freestyle/synthpop hit, which went straight to No. 1 on the dance chart and spent 39 weeks on the chart and would peak at #3 on the Hot 100 pop chart, included vocal samples of Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy from the Star Trek episodes Errand of Mercy and I, Mudd, respectively.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 1/27/2009

2 Unlimited – Get Ready For This

The single from the Dutch Eurodance group worked its way up to #38 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart only three after its original release.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 1/4/2011

Snap! – Rhythm Is A Dancer

The single from the German Eurodance project shot to #1 in Germany, the UK, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium and peaked at #5 in the US.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 7/16/2012

Real McCoy – Another Night

The German Eurodance group found worldwide fame when this single shot to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1994.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 10/16/2012

Alice Deejay – Better Off Alone

The Dutch Eurodance group launched their career in July 1999 with this single, reaching #3 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play and #27 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/22/2012

Garbage – Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go) (Howie B Remix)

This remix of the hit song was included on the Japanese single.

iTunes stats: Never played

Cathy Dennis featuring D-Mob – C’mon And Get My Love

The sing is regarded as an underground classic in the dance music field.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 9/7/2011

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Mix Tape Monday – Tape #2

Earlier this year, we looked at the 20 volumes of mix tapes that I had made between 1989 and 1995, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD.  In addition to those, I had 2 tapes that consisted of songs that I liked, but, for differing reasons, did not make it to the main set.  I thought it would be fun to take another look back at those two cassettes, how much I listen to those songs now, and why they did not qualify for the main set of mix tapes.  Here’s the second of those tapes, which has degraded much more than any of the other tapes I listened to.

 

Side A

Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody

This song, originally a hit in the 70s, was given new life thanks to its inclusion on the Wayne’s World soundtrack.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 9/19/2012

Soul Asylum – Somebody To Shove

My sister had this CD, so I copied over this minor hit that I had missed upon its initial release.

iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 5/25/2012

Temple Of The Dog – Hunger Strike

Prior to their first album, the members of Pearl Jam joined up with Soundgarden for this side project meant as a tribute to Andrew Wood, frontman for Mother Love Bone.

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 7/11/2012

Soul Asylum – Runaway Train

Another Soul Asylum song borrowed from my sister’s CD.  Is Black Gold far behind?

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 7/30/2012

K7 – Come Baby Come

One of a long list of hip hop one hit wonders who sang about getting down with the local women.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 5/31/2009

New Order – Bizarre Love Triangle

The 80’s pop hit was brought back to the musical forefront thanks to the cover version by Frente!

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 3/23/2012

Smashing Pumpkins – Today

Another example of a big hit from a band that I ultimately liked (although in this case, eventually lost any and all taste for) that didn’t merit inclusion on my main set of favorites cassettes.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 6/3/2011

Frente! – Bizarre Love Triangle

Speaking of which, here’s the acoustic cover of the New Order hit.

iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 7/16/2012

Side B

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Goodbye, iPhone 3G – Music Edition

As I wait for tomorrow’s delivery of my new iPhone 4S, it is time to say goodbye to the 3G that has been my trusty companion for nearly the past 3 1/2 years.  We’ve traveled the world together (well, at least Canada and the UK) and have listened to a lot of music.  Here is every song (all 1597 of them) I’ve listened to on the phone, with some (ok, very little) bonus commentary!

He’s a Pirate Klaus Badelt Pirates of the Caribbean (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) 100
Gordon Beckham Intro 91
Let’s Go-Go-Go White Sox Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers 87
Thunderstruck AC/DC The Razors Edge 84
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye Steam Billboard’s Top Rock ‘n’ Roll Hits: 1969 83
sox05_montage 75
We Are The Champions Queen Queen: Greatest Hits I & II 73
Boom P.O.D. Satellite 70
Don’t Stop Believin’ Journey Journey’s Greatest Hits 69
2008 White Sox Central Division Champs Montage Chris Tannehill WSCR 670 The Score 65

No surprise that the top 10 are all part of (or were part of) my White Sox victory playlist.  This gets played on the way home from every White Sox winner, plus the occassional ride to a game.  Continue reading →