Tag / The Four Seasons

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Fifty Years Of Music – 1976

Fifty years ago, I made my first appeared on the Earth.  In celebration, we are going to take a look at the year-end Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for each year of my life and see what songs resonated with me at the time and if they continue to do so to this day.

We continue our look back at the music of my lifetime with 1976, the year I turned two and featuring the birth of my sister.  Given my young age, I have no knowledge of these songs from their original release.  Only 17 of the Hot 100 are familiar to me now, with only seven of them appearing in my collection in one way or another.

#97: Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots – Disco Duck
iTunes stats: N/A

Disc jockey Dees, who was working in Memphis at the time, wrote and recorded this novelty song that spent ten weeks in the top ten and peaked at #1 for one week in October of 1976.

#96: Kiss – Rock and Roll All Nite (Live)
iTunes stats: 19 plays

This live version of the band’s 1975 tune peaked at #12 in early 1976 and became the first of six of the band’s songs to crack the Top 20 during the decade.

#89: Peter Frampton – Baby, I Love Your Way (Live)
iTunes stats: N/A

The live version, released as a single from the massive hit Frampton Comes Alive!, topped out at #12.

#87: Thin Lizzy – The Boys Are Back in Town
iTunes stats: N/A

The 272nd best song of all time, per Rolling Stone’s 2021 edition of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, the tune reached #12 in the spring of 1976.

#85: Foghat – Slow Ride
iTunes stats: 20 plays

Named the 45th Best Hard Rock song of all time by VH1 in 2009, Foghat’s highest charting single peaked at #20 in the winter of 1976.

#64: Bay City Rollers – Saturday Night
iTunes stats: N/A

The song became the band’s only #1 hit in the US and the first Billboard #1 of the Bicentennial.

#58: John Sebastian – Welcome Back
iTunes stats: 37 plays

The theme song to Welcome Back, Kotter rocketed to #1 after just five weeks on the chart.

#51: Aerosmith – Dream On
iTunes stats: 21 plays

First released as a single in 1973, the album version was re-released in late 1975, joining the Hot 100 in January of 1976 and finally hitting #6 in April.

#45: KC and the Sunshine Band – That’s The Way (I Like It)
iTunes stats: 17 plays

The band’s second #1 hit, it spent two non-consecutive weeks at the top of the charts at the end of 1975.

#40: Eric Carmen – All By Myself
iTunes stats: 12 plays

The first single from Carmen’s debut solo album, it peaked at #2 and was certified gold in April of 1976.

#37: Gary Wright – Dream Weaver
iTunes stats: N/A Continue reading →

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Top 200 Albums: #150 – 158

itunes_imageWe last counted down the Top 200 albums in my iTunes library four years ago. Since that time, the world has literally changed, and my commute has decreased from 1+ hours each way to 25 steps. So, despite the decrease in potential listening time, I figured it was time to take another look, based on number of plays from late 2007 through the morning of January 1, 2022.

We wrap up the first quarter of our chart with the next batch of ten albums that I have listened to the most over the last 15 years, including 2 compilations, 1 greatest hits package, and two albums from one of the greatest bands of all time.

#158: The Beatles – Revolver
iTunes stats: 79 plays
Previous Ranking: 143

Three of the fourteen tracks from this 1966 release, the bands seventh studio album, added 25 new listens over the past four years.

#158: Guns N’ Roses – Use Your Illusion II
iTunes stats: 79 plays
Previous Ranking: 182

The fourth studio album from the band, released the same day as its companion album Use Your Illusion I, is the third of the six CDs I left for college with in the fall of 1992 to appear on this chart.

#158: Various Artists – Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (More Music From The Motion Picture)
iTunes stats: 79 plays
Previous Ranking: NR

The second soundtrack to the 1999 Mike Myers film, featuring songs by Steppenwolf, Lenny Kravitz, and the Bangles, among others, makes its debut after increasing its plays by over 125%.

#156: Metallica – …And Justice For All
iTunes stats: 80 plays
Previous Ranking: 104

A 52-spot drop for the 1988 mainstream breakthrough album from the metal denizens, caused by the retirement of White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who had used one the songs as his walkup song.

#156: Various Artists – Reality Bites
iTunes stats: 80 plays
Previous Ranking: 136

The soundtrack to the 1994 hit film starring Winona Ryder had three tracks, from The Knack, Lisa Loeb, and The Julianna Hatfield Three, contribute its 43% increase.

Continue reading →

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Top 200 Albums: #188 – 196

itunes_imageWe last counted down the Top 200 albums in my iTunes library four years ago. Since that time, the world has literally changed, and my commute has decreased from 1+ hours each way to 25 steps. So, despite the decrease in potential listening time, I figured it was time to take another look, based on number of plays from late 2007 through the morning of January 1, 2022.

We kick things off with the first batch of ten albums that I have listened to the most over the last 15 years, including six released in the 1990s, one comedy albums, and two greatest hits collections.

#196: Ice Cube – The Predator
iTunes stats: 66 plays
Previous Ranking: NR

Ice Cube makes his chart debut thanks to two tracks from his third studio album, released in 1992, which added 37 new listens.

#196: The Presidents of the United States of America – The Presidents of the United States of America
iTunes stats: 66 plays
Previous Ranking: 192

The band’s debut album, released in 1995, drops 4 spots despite a nearly 61% increase in listens over the past 4 years.

#196: Patton Oswalt – Annihilation
iTunes stats: 66 plays
Previous Ranking: NR

The comic’s 2017 special, dealing with the tragic death of his wife, Michelle McNamara, debuts with a strong showing, thanks to the 20 tracks from the album.

#196: Tegan and Sara – If It Was You
iTunes stats: 66 plays
Previous Ranking: 171

The album that introduced me to Tegan and Sara, thanks to radio play for I Hear Noises, drops 25 spots thanks to a small 40% increase in its number of plays in the past four years.

#196: Beastie Boys – Licensed to Ill
iTunes stats: 66 plays
Previous Ranking: NR

The group’s 1986 debut album makes its first appearance on the charts after nearly doubling its listens to four of the album’s thirteen tracks.

Continue reading →

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #61-69

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 continue today with the next batch of 10 artists, with the 2 tied for 69th place followed by the single artists at 68th through 61st.

#69: Black Eyed Peas
iTunes stats: 126 plays
Previous ranking: #74

The six-time Grammy Award winners see a 110% increase in plays over the past 4 years, moving up 5 spots.

#69: Sheryl Crow
iTunes stats: 126 plays
Previous ranking: #81

The one-time backup singer for Michael Jackson jumps 12 spots after adding 69 additional listens to the 8 songs I’ve listened to in my collection.

#68: John Williams
iTunes stats: 127 plays
Previous ranking: #66

The composer of some of the most popular and recognizable film scores in cinematic history, including the Star Wars and Superman series, picks up 62 new listens over the last 4 years.

#67: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
iTunes stats: 129 plays
Previous ranking: #57

The inspiration for the musical Jersey Boys drops 10 spots after gaining a mere 46 new plays.

#66: Red Hot Chili Peppers
iTunes stats: 130 plays
Previous ranking: #74

The California-based rockers, who I saw briefly at Lollapalooza back in 2016, increase their plays by 117% over the last 4 years.

#65: Warrant
Continue reading →

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Top 200 Albums – #120 – 129

itunes_imageNearly 4 years ago, we first counted down the Top 200 albums in my iTunes library. Since that time, I’ve successfully managed to migrate my music collection to a new PC with the stats intact. So, I figured it was time to take another look, based on number of plays from late 2007 through January 1, 2018.

We continue things with the next batch of 10 albums that rank between #120 and 129, including 4 studio recordings, 3 compilations, 2 greatest hit packages,  and 1 live performance from a marching band.

#129: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – Very Best Of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
iTunes stats: 58 plays
Previous Ranking: 100

21 new listens to the four tunes from this particular greatest hits package caused a bit of a drop.

#129: Various Artists – On The Edge
iTunes stats: 58 plays
Previous Ranking: 139

This compilation, featuring 80s alternative hits from the likes of The Smiths, Love & Rockets, and Michael Penn, had 5 different tunes make up its total.

#127: Various Artists – Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1970
iTunes stats: 59 plays
Previous Ranking: 164

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.

#127: Liz Phair – Whitechocolatespaceegg
iTunes stats: 59 plays
Previous Ranking: 112

10 different songs make up this total for this third studio album by the one-time indie darling.

#125: Nirvana – In Utero
iTunes stats: 60 plays
Previous Ranking: 112

The last studio album from Nirvana uses 4 different tracks to make up this total.

Continue reading →

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Top 200 Albums – #161 – 165

itunes_imageNearly 4 years ago, we first counted down the Top 200 albums in my iTunes library. Since that time, I’ve successfully managed to migrate my music collection to a new PC with the stats intact. So, I figured it was time to take another look, based on number of plays from late 2007 through January 1, 2018.

We continue things with the next batch of 10 albums that rank between #161 and 165, including 5 studio recordings, 3 compilations, 1 live performance, and 1 greatest hits package.

#165: Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream
iTunes stats: 48 plays
Previous Ranking: 141

The smash (no pun intended) second album from the Chicago alternative royalty used only 3 songs to make up this total.

#165: Stone Temple Pilots – Core
iTunes stats: 48 plays
Previous Ranking: 181

4 songs, most of which have some sort of problem thanks to a badly scratched disc from which they were ripped, come from the debut album from the alternative superstars.

#165: R.E.M. – Green
iTunes stats: 48 plays
Previous Ranking: 186

The sixth release, and major label debut, from the Athens, GA based alternative band has 3 different songs that I’ve listened to to make up this total, more than double since last time out.

#165: Various Artists – Grease (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
iTunes stats: 48 plays
Previous Ranking: 164

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.

#165: Various Artists – Saturday Morning Cartoons’ Greatest Hits
iTunes stats: 48 plays
Previous Ranking: N/A

What happens when you take cartoon theme songs from the 60s and 70s and have some of the bigger alternative acts of the 90s cover them?  You get this compilation, which makes a strong debut.

Continue reading →

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iTunes Top 200 Artists: #51-59

3 years ago, we first counted down the then Top 100 artists in my iTunes library.  Since that time, I’ve successfully managed to migrate my music collection to a new PC with the stats intact.  So, I figured it was time to take another look, expanding out the field to the top 200 artists, based on number of plays from late 2007 through January 1, 2017.

We finish up the first 2/3 of the list with listens from the high 70s through the mid 90s.

#59: Kermit the Frog
iTunes stats: 78 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

The world’s most favorite Muppet makes the second highest debut on the list, clocking in with 7 tracks.

#59: 10,000 Maniacs
iTunes stats: 78 plays
Previous ranking: #53

Only 3 tracks make up this total, though a scant 29 new listens contributed to a 6 spot drop in the rankings.

#58: Smashing Pumpkins
iTunes stats: 81 plays
Previous ranking: #59

Doubling their play total, plus 1, over the past 3 years enables the Chicago based alternative band to jump up 1 whole spot in the rankings.

#57: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
iTunes stats: 83 plays
Previous ranking: #45

A mere 17 new listens over the past 3 years cause the Jersey Boys inspirations to drop 12 spots on the list.

#56: The Rolling Stones
iTunes stats: 84 plays
Previous ranking: #74

Listens from 17 songs, up from 9 three years ago, led to the British bad boys jumping 18 spots in the rankings.

#55: Cheap Trick
iTunes stats: 86 plays
Previous ranking: #56

The boys from Rockford add an additional 40 listens to rise 1 spot on the list.

#54: The Outfield
Continue reading →

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iTunes Top 200: #141

itunes_image3 years ago, we first counted down the then Top 100 songs in my iTunes library. Since that time, I’ve successfully managed to migrate my music collection to a new PC with the stats intact. So, I figured it was time to take another look, expanding out the field to the top 200 songs, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2016.

We continue today with the next grouping of songs tied for 141st place with 18 plays apiece since late 2007.

#141: TLC – Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 9/14/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The debut single from the girl group peaked at #6 on the Billboard charts back in 1992.

#141: Republica – Drop Dead Gorgeous
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 9/7/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

The third single from the British band’s debut album.

#141: Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 12/23/2014
Previous ranking: Unranked

The first single from the band’s second album, it ushered in the grunge era and instantly brought to an end the reign of the hair bands.

#141: The Muffs – Kids In America
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 9/12/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

A cover of the Kim Wilde hit featured in the film Clueless.

#141: Green Jelly – Three Little Pigs
iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 11/7/2015
Previous ranking: Unranked

This comedy metal song somehow reached #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1993.

#141: Garbage – Wild Horses (Live)
Continue reading →

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Top 200 Albums – #100 – 111

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 hit the midway point, looking at the 5 albums tied for 107th with 36 listens and the 7 albums tied for 100th with 37 listens.

#100: The Beatles – Abbey Road [2009 Stereo Remaster]
iTunes stats: 37 plays
7 songs make up this total for the remastered version of the last Beatles album ever recorded.

#100: Mazzy Star – So Tonight That I Might See
iTunes stats: 37 plays
Only 2 songs make up this total for the so-called dream pop band.

#100: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – Very Best Of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
iTunes stats: 37 plays
The second straight week with an appearance of a greatest hits package from Frankie Valli and company, this one uses 4 tracks to make up its total.

#100: Garbage – Shut Your Mouth EP
iTunes stats: 37 plays
Live versions of Wild Horses and Only Happy When It Rains make up the total from the CD single for Shut Your Mouth.

#100: Offspring – Smash
iTunes stats: 37 plays
4 tunes from this debut album from the California punk band make up this total.

#100: Various Artists – OST – Veronica Mars
iTunes stats: 37 plays
2 different tracks, from The Dandy Warhols and Tegan & Sara, make up the total for the soundtrack from the cult television show.

#100: The Beatles – A Hard Day’s Night [2009 Stereo Remaster]
iTunes stats: 37 plays
Only 2 tracks from the remastered version of the album released along with the movie make up this total.

#107: The Beatles – Revolver [2009 Stereo Remaster]
Continue reading →

by admin

Top 200 Albums – #112 – 119

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 112th with 35 listens.

#112: Barenaked Ladies – Rock Spectacle (Live)
iTunes stats: 35 plays
This live album from the Canadian band ranks this high on the strength of one song.

#112: Nirvana – In Utero
iTunes stats: 35 plays
The last studio album from Nirvana uses 4 different tracks to make up this total.

#112: Liz Phair – Whitechocolatespaceegg
iTunes stats: 35 plays
10 different songs make up this total for this third studio album by the one-time indie darling.

#112: Soul Asylum – Grave Dancers Union
iTunes stats: 35 plays
Soul Asylum broke through with this, their sixth studio album, which uses 3 songs to achieve this total.

#112: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – Greatest Hits Volume 1
iTunes stats: 35 plays
This greatest hits package has 3 songs make up its total.

#112: Various Artists – Juno (Music from the Motion Picture)
iTunes stats: 35 plays
3 songs, from bands like Mott the Hoople and The Moldy Peaches, make up the total for this soundtrack album.

#112: 10,000 Maniacs – Our Time in Eden
iTunes stats: 35 plays
Only 2 tracks from this breakthrough album make up this impressive total.

#112: Various Artists – Music From Gilmore Girls
iTunes stats: 35 plays
7 different tunes, including many of the musical cues from the show, make up the total for this soundtrack album.