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 continue our countdown today with the next batch of ten albums that I have listened to the most over the last 15 years, with a strong concentration on the 60s, 80s, and 90s.
#80: Various Artists – Rock N’ Roll Era: 1961
iTunes stats: 138 plays
Previous Ranking: 90
Seven tunes, from artists like Del Shannon, Dion & The Belmonts, and Ben E. King, added 62 listens for this Time Life compilation.
#79: Snoop Dogg – Doggystyle
iTunes stats: 140 plays
Previous Ranking: 66
A 43% increase for the 1993 solo debut from the rapper from Long Beach.
#77: Pearl Jam – Contra
iTunes stats: 141 plays
Previous Ranking: 73
This bootleg album, which contains numerous live performances including the band’s 1992 MTV Unplugged appearance, adds 55 new plays to the eight different tracks in my collection.
#77: Various Artists – Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion
iTunes stats: 141 plays
Previous Ranking: 98
The first soundtrack to the Lisa Kudrow/Mira Sorvino comedy uses eight different 80s tracks, from artists like Tears For Fears, Culture Club, and The Go-Go’s, to rise 21 spots on the chart thanks to a 95% increase to its previous mark.
#76: No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom
iTunes stats: 142 plays
Previous Ranking: 89
An 84% increase for six of the songs from the band’s third studio album and major label debut.
#75: Def Leppard – Vault (Limited Live CD)
iTunes stats: 143 plays
Previous Ranking: 98
An imported version of Def Leppard’s first greatest hits compilation contained this additional live disc, of which nine tracks nearly doubled its previous total with 71 new plays over the past four years.
#73: The Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour
iTunes stats: 145 plays
Previous Ranking: 68
Originally released in 1967 as a double EP in the UK, the album, which served as the soundtrack to the same named film, added 50 new listens to the six tracks in my collection.
#73: Ron Funches – The Funches of Us
iTunes stats: 145 plays
Previous Ranking: 91
The first comedy album from the Chicago native posts a nearly 91% increase.
#71: Def Leppard – Hysteria
iTunes stats: 148 plays
Previous Ranking: 75
The first album that I fell in love with back in junior high added 63 new plays on the back of seven different tracks.
#71: Various Artists – Music From Gilmore Girls
iTunes stats: 148 plays
Previous Ranking: 83
Seven different tunes, including many of the musical cues from the show and the theme song by Carole King and Louise Goffin, posted an additional 68 listens for this soundtrack album.