Apple Music has ignited a firestorm of debate and excitement with the release of their highly anticipated “100 Best Albums of All Time” list. Curated by a team of music experts, the list spans decades and genres, offering a diverse selection of albums that have left an undeniable mark on the music industry.
A Look at the Top 10:
The list kicks off with Lauryn Hill’s landmark debut “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” highlighting the power of female artistry. Following close behind are titans like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” The Beatles’ “Abbey Road,” and Prince’s iconic “Purple Rain.” Frank Ocean’s introspective “Blonde” and Stevie Wonder’s timeless “Songs in the Key of Life” showcase the list’s embrace of both critical acclaim and commercial success.
Genre-Bending Gems:
Apple Music’s list avoids a strictly classic rock or pop focus. Hip-hop heavyweights like Kendrick Lamar (“good kid, m.A.A.d city”) and Jay-Z (“The Blueprint”) stand shoulder-to-shoulder with legends like Bob Dylan (“Highway 61 Revisited”). Modern artists like Billie Eilish (“WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?”) and Drake (“Take Care”) share space with established acts like Fleetwood Mac (“Rumours”) and Radiohead (“OK Computer”).
A Celebration of Artistic Evolution:
The inclusion of Taylor Swift’s re-recorded album, “1989 (Taylor’s Version),” reflects the ongoing conversation about artistic ownership and creative control. This selection, alongside albums like “A Love Supreme” by John Coltrane and “Voodoo” by D’Angelo, highlights the list’s appreciation for artistic evolution and groundbreaking musical movements.
Fan Reactions and the Subjectivity of “Best”:
As with any “best of” list, Apple Music’s selection is bound to spark debate. Fans will undoubtedly quibble about inclusions and exclusions. However, the list serves as a valuable conversation starter, prompting listeners to revisit classics, discover hidden gems, and appreciate the vast tapestry of musical history.
The Full List: A Journey Through Time and Genre
Here’s the complete list of Apple Music’s “100 Best Albums of All Time”:
- Lauryn Hill — The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
- Michael Jackson — Thriller
- The Beatles — Abbey Road
- Prince & The Revolution — Purple Rain
- Frank Ocean — Blonde
- Stevie Wonder — Songs in the Key of Life
- Kendrick Lamar — good kid, m.A.A.d city
- Amy Winehouse — Back to Black
- Nirvana — Nevermind
- Beyoncé — Lemonade
- Fleetwood Mac — Rumours
- Radiohead — OK Computer
- Jay-Z — The Blueprint
- Bob Dylan — Highway 61 Revisited
- Adele — 21
- Joni Mitchell — Blue
- Marvin Gaye — What’s Going On
- Taylor Swift — 1989 (Taylor’s Version)
- Dr. Dre — The Chronic
- The Beach Boys — Pet Sounds …(List continues through all 100 albums)…
- 21. The Beatles — Revolver
- 22. Bruce Springsteen — Born to Run
- 23. Daft Punk — Discovery
- 24. David Bowie — The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars
- 25. Miles Davis — Kind of Blue
- 26. Kanye West — My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
- 27. Led Zeppelin — Led Zeppelin II
- 28. Pink Floyd — The Dark Side of the Moon
- 29. A Tribe Called Quest — The Low End Theory
- 30. Billie Eilish — WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?
- 31. Alanis Morissette — Jagged Little Pill
- 32. The Notorious B.I.G. — Ready to Die
- 33. Radiohead — Kid A
- 34. Public Enemy — It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
- 35. The Clash — London Calling
- 36. Beyoncé — BEYONCÉ
- 37. Wu-Tang Clan — Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
- 38. Carole King — Tapestry
- 39. Nas — Illmatic
- 40. Aretha Franklin — I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
- 41. OutKast — Aquemini
- 42. Janet Jackson — Control
- 43. Talking Heads — Remain in Light
- 44. Stevie Wonder — Innervisions
- 45. Björk — Homogenic
- 46. Bob Marley & The Wailers — Exodus
- 47. Drake — Take Care
- 48. Beastie Boys — Paul’s Boutique
- 49. U2 — The Joshua Tree
- 50. Kate Bush — Hounds of Love
- 51. Prince — Sign O’ the Times
- 52. Guns N’ Roses — Appetite for Destruction
- 53. The Rolling Stones — Exile on Main St.
- 54. John Coltrane — A Love Supreme
- 55. Rihanna — ANTI
- 56. The Cure — Disintegration
- 57. D’Angelo — Voodoo
- 58. Oasis — (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
- 59. Arctic Monkeys — AM
- 60. The Velvet Underground & Nico — The Velvet Underground and Nico
- 61. Sade — Love Deluxe
- 62. 2Pac — All Eyez on Me
- 63. The Jimi Hendrix Experience — Are You Experienced?
- 64. Erykah Badu — Baduizm
- 65. De La Soul — 3 Feet High and Rising
- 66. The Smiths — The Queen Is Dead
- 67. Portishead — Dummy
- 68. The Strokes — Is This It
- 69. Metallica — Master of Puppets
- 70. N.W.A — Straight Outta Compton
- 71. Kraftwerk — Trans-Europe Express
- 72. SZA — SOS
- 73. Steely Dan — Aja
- 74. Nine Inch Nails — The Downward Spiral
- 75. Missy Elliott — Supa Dupa Fly
- 76. Bad Bunny — Un Verano Sin Ti
- 77. Madonna — Like a Prayer
- 78. Elton John — Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
- 79. Lana Del Rey — Norman F*g Rockwell!
- 80. Eminem — The Marshall Mathers LP
- 81. Neil Young — After the Gold Rush
- 82. 50 Cent — Get Rich or Die Tryin’
- 83. Patti Smith — Horses
- 84. Snoop Dogg — Doggystyle
- 85. Kacey Musgraves — Golden Hour
- 86. Mary J. Blige — My Life
- 87. Massive Attack — Blue Lines
- 88. Nina Simone — I Put a Spell on You
- 89. Lady Gaga — The Fame Monster
- 90. AC/DC — Back in Black
- 91. George Michael — Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1
- 92. Tyler, The Creator — Flower Boy
- 93. Solange — A Seat at the Table
- 94. Burial — Untrue
- 95. Usher — Confessions
- 96. Lorde — Pure Heroine
- 97. Rage Against the Machine — Rage Against the Machine
- 98. Travis Scott — ASTROWORLD
- 99. Eagles — Hotel California
- 100. Robyn — Body Talk
While the order and specific selections might be up for debate, Apple Music’s “100 Best Albums of All Time” list serves as a valuable starting point for music exploration. It’s a chance to revisit old favorites, discover new sounds, and appreciate the enduring power of music across generations and genres. So, put on your headphones, hit play, and embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of musical history.