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.
It is our penultimate look at the albums I have listened to the most over the last 15 years. including three compilations, two comedy albums, two greatest hits collections, and a bootleg live performance.
#20: AC/DC – The Razors Edge
iTunes stats: 283 plays
Previous Ranking: 12
An eight-spot drop in the rankings, most likely thanks to a pandemic-shortened 2020 baseball season without crowds and the subsequent lack of playing my White Sox playlists.
#19: Various Artists – TV’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 7: Cable Ready
iTunes stats: 289 plays
Previous Ranking: 16
A 98-play increase for this collection of TV theme songs from shows like Mad About You, Saved By The Bell, and Blossom, among others.
#17: The Monkees – The Monkees Greatest Hits
iTunes stats: 292 plays
Previous Ranking: 18
19 different tracks from the made-for-TV band, which is now down to just Mickey Dolenz following Michael Nesmith’s December death, saw a nearly 65% increase in listens over the past four years.
#17: Patton Oswalt– Feelin’ Kinda Patton
iTunes stats: 292 plays
Previous Ranking: 20
The first comedy album from Patton Oswalt sees an impressive 73% increase, which would be significantly higher if I were to ever sync my old iPhone 4s again.
#16: Elvis Presley – Elv1s 30 #1 Hits
iTunes stats: 312 plays
Previous Ranking: 15
This greatest hits package from the King of Rock & Roll uses 14 tracks to add an additional 119 listens over the past four years.
#15: Various Artists – Millennium Hip-Hop Party
iTunes stats: 317 plays
Previous Ranking: 14
A 63% increase for the twelve different tunes, from artists such as Young MC, House of Pain, and Digital Underground, that are in my collection.
#14: Tegan and Sara – So Jealous
iTunes stats: 328 plays
Previous Ranking: 11
One of the few instances where an entire album, the fourth from the Canadian sisters, accounts for a 116 play increase.
#12: Foo Fighters – Live In Hyde Park 2006
iTunes stats: 337 plays
Previous Ranking: 5
This bootleg falls down the list thanks to 76 new listens of eight live versions of the band’s greatest hits.
#12: Garfunkel and Oates – Slippery When Moist
iTunes stats: 337 plays
Previous Ranking: 7
This collection of comedy songs from Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci, which I purchased with gift cards I got from work, added 101 new listens while dropping down five spots over the last four years.
#11: Various Artists – Television’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
iTunes stats: 342 plays
Previous Ranking: 20
23 theme songs, from shows like Perry Mason, Leave It To Beaver, and The Munsters, more than doubled the total number of plays for this compilation.