Last month, Apple Music released a list of what they believed to be the top 100 albums of all time. The list was put together by Apple Music’s editorial team. It also received input from artists such as Pharell Williams and Charli XCX. The list made waves around the internet, sparking conversation on who was left off and who could have been left off. There were some great picks on it that were per usual with these types of lists, for example Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On? and Prince’s Purple Rain. However, there were some amazing and groundbreaking records that were surprisingly left off of the list. Here are some albums that I believe should have been included in this list.
Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly
Alright, let’s get this one out the way. This album being left off of the list sparked the most outrage amongst music fans online. While I personally am fine with the placement of his second studio album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, I can acknowledge just how incredible this album was and the impact it has had on the genre of hip hop. There were a few artists that got more than one entry on the list, and if there is anyone that deserves that, it is Kendrick Lamar.
Michael Jackson – Off the Wall
Speaking of people who deserve more than one entry on this list, the king of pop is another who is definitely worthy of such. I could argue Bad could be on the list as well, but instead I’ll go with, Off the Wall, which is possibly the greatest album that the genre of disco has to offer. So many classic tracks are on this LP that still see many plays to this day.
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV
Don’t get me wrong, Led Zeppelin II is a fantastic record, but if we’re talking top 100 albums of all time, then we have to be talking peak Led Zeppelin, and Led Zeppelin IV is absolutely peak Led Zeppelin. It gives you some of the best anthems that hard rock has to offer, from “Black Dog” to “When the Levee Breaks”. And come on, it has “Stairway to Heaven” on it. Whether you think it’s overplayed or not, you can not deny that it is one of the greatest songs ever created.
Aaliyah – Aaliyah
Showing a little love to R&B, I feel that Aaliyah’s self titled LP is worthy of a list such as this. It’s one of the best R&B albums of all time and has many solid tracks on it. With Timbaland on production, you always expect to hear greatness as well. Aaliyah’s voice hits on every single song, and the songwriting is just right. Not to mention the cultural impact that Aaliyah left on the world.
The Who – Who’s Next
I feel there were a lot of albums from the classic rock era that were left off of this list, and there are some great albums from that time. One album I feel that definitely should have made the list is The Who’s Who’s Next. The other two members of the big 3, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, both made the list, but The Who, however, were left off. It’s a shame though, because this album is filled with absolute bangers. I think this could have at least gone where Hotel California is (no disrespect to The Eagles).
Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison
There was only country album that was put on this list, and that honor went to Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour. And don’t get me wrong, that’s a great album but, really? This is the one? I feel they could have gone something a bit more impactful. So I decided to go with Johnny Cash’s At Folsom Prison, a wonderful live album that was recorded literally at a prison (hence the title At Folsom Prison).
Black Sabbath – Paranoid
Really? No Black Sabbath? That is wild. Arguably the most important album in the history of the metal genre was not included. There wasn’t much metal on here at all to begin with, but they could have at least put this on there. This album features some of the best instrumentation I’ve ever heard in my life. It was groundbreaking, impactful, inspirational, and all the other positive words to describe something.
Simon & Garfunkel – Bookends
I feel that there was a disturbing lack of Paul Simon on this list. One of the greatest artists that folk had ever seen. There wasn’t even something from Simon & Garfunkel, and Bookends, is absolutely a top 100 album. From the production to the innovative sounds and the depth of this concept album, it’s influence and impact I feel is just understated in general, and should definitely receive more recognition than it gets.
Madvillain – Madvillainy
The team of Madlib and MF DOOM (remember all caps when you spell his name), known as Madvillain, decided to put out one of the greatest rap albums of all time in 2004. While it was not a mainstream album, the sheer greatness of this album has caused it to gain a legacy that has become known all around the world. It most definitely is worthy of being called one of the top 100 greatest albums of all time.
King Crimson – In The Court Of The Crimson King
I don’t know why, but whenever these types of lists are made, for some reason, King Crimson is never on them. I genuinely don’t understand it either, because In the Court of The Crimson King is perfect. It’s not just one of the greatest progressive rock albums of all time, it’s one of the greatest albums of all time period, and it’s certainly better than Hotel California (once again, no disrespect to The Eagles). This album is severely underappreciated and more people should wake up to how amazing this record is.
What albums do you think were left off this list? Do you think Apple’s Top 100 Albums of All Time list is satisfactory on its own? Let us know in the comments below.
Thanks for reading!