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.
Today, we kick off the final quarter of our countdown with the next batch of ten albums that I have listened to the most over the last 15 years, breaking the triple digit total play plateau with three compilations, and music from the 60s, 80s, 90s, and beyond.
#50: The Beatles – The Beatles
iTunes stats: 182 plays
Previous Ranking: 48
Colloquially known as The White Album, the band’s ninth studio album, released in 1968, garnered a nearly 52% increase in plays.
#48: George Carlin – You Are All Diseased
iTunes stats: 183 plays
Previous Ranking: 79
The comedian’s eleventh HBO special, recorded in 1999, added 102 listens to jump 31 spots in the rankings.
#48: Various Artists – Monster Ballads
iTunes stats: 183 plays
Previous Ranking: 55
This compilation of love songs from hair bands, featuring artists such as Warrant and Cinderella, added 74 new plays to the five different tracks in my collection.
#47: Garfunkel and Oates – Secretions
iTunes stats: 188 plays
Previous Ranking: 79
The latest offering from musical comedians Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci saw a 132% increase in listens.
#46: Van Halen – The Best of Both Worlds
iTunes stats: 190 plays
Previous Ranking: 56
This greatest hits compilation saw an increase of 83 listens thanks to eight tracks, split between David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar.
#45: Various Artists – Monster Madness
iTunes stats: 191 plays
Previous Ranking: 47
Nine tracks, from exciting artists like Faith No More, Lita Ford, and Nelson, pushed up the total for this hair metal compilation by nearly 58%.
#44: Garfunkel and Oates – Music Songs
iTunes stats: 120 plays
Previous Ranking: 39
Eight tracks from this EP released in 2009 contributed to a 51% increase over the past four years.
#43: John Morris – Clue (Original Motion Picture Score)
iTunes stats: 198 plays
Previous Ranking: 77
The hard-to-find score from one of my favorite movies picked up an additional 115 new listens.
#42: Motley Crue – Motley Crue Greatest Hits
iTunes stats: 122 plays
Previous Ranking: 36
Nine of the glam metal bands biggest hits from the 80s and early 90s added 68 new plays to this greatest hits package over the past four years.
#41: George Carlin – Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics
iTunes stats: 113 plays
Previous Ranking: 49
If I remember correctly, this HBO special was my first introduction to George Carlin as a young teen in the early 90s. The related album increased its total by nearly 80%.