We 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.
#196: Frank Sinatra – My Way: The Best of Frank Sinatra
iTunes stats: 66 plays
Previous Ranking: NR
Old Blue Eyes makes his debut on this list thanks to two tracks from this greatest hits collection, one of which made its way on to one of my various White Sox victory playlists.
#193: Various Artists – Clueless
iTunes stats: 67 plays
Previous Ranking: 182
The soundtrack to the 1995 comedy starring Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd saw a 52% increase in plays thanks to tracks from Smoking Popes, Jill Sobule, and The Muffs.
#193: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – Greatest Hits Volume 1
iTunes stats: 67 plays
Previous Ranking: 165
A relatively small 39% increase for the three songs from this hits package from the New Jersey vocal group led to their 28-spot drop.
#193: Toad the Wet Sprocket – Fear
iTunes stats: 67 plays
Previous Ranking: 161
The band’s third studio album, their first to hit big after its 1991 release, takes contributions from two of the twelve tracks to make up its total.
#188: Mazzy Star – So Tonight That I Might See
iTunes stats: 68 plays
Previous Ranking: 161
A big drop for this 1993 release, the second album from the so-called dream pop band, who dropped 27 spots on the chart thanks to a mere 39% increase in the two songs from the album in my collection.
#188: TLC – Ooooooohhh…On The TLC Tip
iTunes stats: 68 plays
Previous Ranking: 196
Three songs from TLC’s 1992 debut album, which I remember purchasing at the Musicland in Orland Square Mall along with Toad the Wet Sprocket’s Fear, saw a 70% increase in listens to move up the charts.