I checked out the Apple Music 100 Best Albums list. Often, I’m fascinated by various musical rosters, but not as a gauge of their “rightness.”It’s rather interesting in terms of how I align with the gestalt of the times, or more likely, fail to. Let others kvetch how Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall belonged on the list rather than some 21st-century album I don’t recall.
31 albums were released since 2000, sending some folks into a tizzy. Whatever. I own but two of them, #8, Back To Black by Amy Winehouse (2006) and #15, 21 by Adele (2011). A handful of the others, including Arctic Monkeys and, of course, Taylor Swift, are familiar.
Of the 23 albums from the 1990s, I own five. There’s #1, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill (1998); #9, Nevermind by Nirvana (1991); #12, OK Computer by Radiohead (1997); #31, Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette (1995); and #58, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory by Oasis (1995).
The 1970s are represented by 18 albums, 17 of which I own. Only #71, Trans-Europe Express by Kraftwerk is not in my collection.
I don’t have three of the ten albums from the 1960s. Not in the collection: #54, A Love Supreme by John Coltrane (1965); #60, the eponymous The Velvet Underground and Nico (1967); and #88, I Put A Spell On You by Nina Simone (1965), though I have at least four of her albums.
I own all one of the albums from the 1950s, #25, Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis.
1980s
This leaves the 1980s, which is closest to 50/50. And I figure I’ll pick a song from each one.
#2, Thriller by Michael Jackson (1982), YES. I believe it was constitutionally mandated that we own this album in the day. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
#4, Purple Rain by Prince (1984), YES, and I saw the movie at the time. I Would Die 4 U
#34 It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy (1989), YES. Bring The Noise
#42 Control by Janet Jackson (1986), YES, and I saw Janet live in 2018 at SPAC. What Have You Done For Me Lately
#43 Remain In Light by Talking Heads (1980), YES, and I saw the group live in 1983 at SPAC. Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)
#48, Paul’s Boutique by the Beastie Boys (1989), NO. Shadrach
#49, The Joshua Tree by U2 (1987), YES. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
#50, Hounds of Love – Kate Bush (1985), NO. Or I don’t think so. When some of my friends were getting rid of their vinyl, they’d give some of it to me, and I have a vague recollection of this entering my collection. Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) which went #3 pop on the 2022 Billboard chart.
And more
#51, Sign o’ the Times by Prince (1987), YES. Starfish and Coffee, which I watched Prince sing on The Muppet Show.
#52, Appetite for Destruction by Guns ‘N’ Roses (1987), NO. Sweet Child O’ Mine
#56, Disintegration by The Cure (1989), NO. Pictures Of You
#65, 3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul (1989), NO. Me Myself and I
#66, The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths (1986). NO. I Know It’s Over
#69, Master Of Puppets, Metallica (1986), NO. Master Of Puppets
#70, Straight Outta Compton, N.W.A. (1988), NO. Express Yourself, which borrows heavily from Express Yourself by Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd. Street Rhythm Band (1970)
#77, Like A Prayer by Madonna (1989), YES. Express Yourself
#90, Back In Black (1980), YES. Back In Black
So that’s 9 (or 10) out of 17 in the 1980s, and 41 (or 42) out of the 100. BTW, I own some other Kate Bush, Guns ‘N’ Roses, Cure, and De La Soul albums, as well as two by Morrissey of The Smiths.
