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 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.
#154: The Beatles – A Hard Day’s Night
iTunes stats: 81 plays
Previous Ranking: 135
Released in 1964, the group’s third studio album and companion to the film of the same name, added 24 new plays from the three tracks I’ve listened to.
#154: Various Artists – The Osbourne Family Album
iTunes stats: 81 plays
Previous Ranking: NR
This 2002 compilation, tied to the second season of The Osbournes on MTV, saw a 170% increase for the six tracks, out of the thirteen, from artists like The Kinks, John Lennon, and, of course, Ozzy Osbourne, amongst others.
#153: Various Artists – Dazed and Confused
iTunes stats: 82 plays
Previous Ranking: 182
The soundtrack to the 1993 film about high school in the 70s, featuring classic rock hits from Foghat, Nazareth, and Alice Cooper, among others, jumped 29 spots after adding 38 new listens.
#150: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – Very Best of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons
iTunes stats: 83 plays
Previous Ranking: 129
Only 25 new listens to the four tunes from this particular greatest hits package, released in 2002, caused a bit of a drop.
#150: 10,000 Maniacs – Our Time In Eden
iTunes stats: 83 plays
Previous Ranking: 129
Two songs from this 1992 album, the fifth and final studio album featuring singer Natalie Merchant, picked up an additional 25 plays over the past four years.