Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by YikYak 
Music is really cool. Because no two people ever have the exact same favorites and rankings. It's not like ranking baseball teams, where the number of World Series wins and Hall-of-Famers really determine how legendary your team is. Music is completely open to interpretation and opinion, which is amazing.
I chose my favorites and did not take albums specifically based on commercial success, critical acclaim, or legacy. Everything on here is my personal opinion. Of course, I haven't listened to everything and there is still a lot I have on my album bucket list.
I have a personal bias to guitar-based rock and concept albums.
I considered limiting my chart to one album per artist, but I didn't want to do that. I love a lot of albums by a few artists, like Radiohead, Queens of the Stone Age, Nirvana, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd, where I have at least 4 of their albums on my list. I wouldn't be able to choose just one album for these artists. A one album per artist limit would not show what I truly consider the 100 greatest albums of all time.
My tastes have changed considerably since I started really listening to music, so this chart will always evolve. Right now, I feel pretty satisfied with it, but tomorrow, I may not. The chart is going to change again and again. It is pretty much impossible to rank my favorites, so this is essentially the 100 albums that have stuck with me the most. And even these I could easily switch out for others, especially ones near the bottom.
Chart of the Day on: July 20th, 2016, March 15th, 2018, April 20th, 2022, February 18th, 2023, September 7th, 2023
- Chart updated: 12/02/2023 23:15
- (Created: 05/06/2016 12:45).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 39 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 92 out of 100 (from 85 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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This chart is currently filtered to only show albums from the 1970s. (Remove this filter)
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What does Pink Floyd do after making The Dark Side of the Moon? Follows it up with an album with even more grit and beauty.
The Dark Side of the Moon has been a favorite of mine for a long time. I decided I wanted to listen to more of Pink Floyd's music and checked this out. To be honest, I looked at the run-time on each of the songs on the album and was intimidated. I was afraid I wouldn't like it.
Man, was I wrong. This album is perfect all the way through. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V) is an amazing opener to the album. The 8 minutes of opening instrumentals are perfect, only to be opened up with lyrics that not only meet the quality of the instrumentals, but exceed them. Welcome to the Machine and Have a Cigar maintain the greatness, preparing for the title track. And just wow. Wish You Were Here may legitimately be the greatest song of all time. The instrumentals are absolutely incredible, but it's the lyrical beauty that truly puts this song in question of greatest of all time. And the transition into Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-IX) is flawless, leading into a closer that brings the album full circle, never having a dull or weak moment.
Key Track(s): Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V), Welcome to the Machine, Have a Cigar, Wish You Were Here, Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-IX) - Yes, I put all of them.
Key Lyric: "Well, I've always had a deep respect,
And I mean that most sincerely.
The band is just fantastic,
That is really what I think.
Oh by the way, which one's Pink?" [First added to this chart: 05/09/2016]
The Dark Side of the Moon has been a favorite of mine for a long time. I decided I wanted to listen to more of Pink Floyd's music and checked this out. To be honest, I looked at the run-time on each of the songs on the album and was intimidated. I was afraid I wouldn't like it.
Man, was I wrong. This album is perfect all the way through. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V) is an amazing opener to the album. The 8 minutes of opening instrumentals are perfect, only to be opened up with lyrics that not only meet the quality of the instrumentals, but exceed them. Welcome to the Machine and Have a Cigar maintain the greatness, preparing for the title track. And just wow. Wish You Were Here may legitimately be the greatest song of all time. The instrumentals are absolutely incredible, but it's the lyrical beauty that truly puts this song in question of greatest of all time. And the transition into Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-IX) is flawless, leading into a closer that brings the album full circle, never having a dull or weak moment.
Key Track(s): Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V), Welcome to the Machine, Have a Cigar, Wish You Were Here, Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-IX) - Yes, I put all of them.
Key Lyric: "Well, I've always had a deep respect,
And I mean that most sincerely.
The band is just fantastic,
That is really what I think.
Oh by the way, which one's Pink?" [First added to this chart: 05/09/2016]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
46,282
Rank in 1975:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
311
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This has everything: unique concept, catchy hits, quality lyrics, jamming instrumentals, unparalleled commercial success and a really cool backstory. Definitely overlooked even with how loved it is.
Key Track(s): Second Hand News, Dreams, Never Going Back Again, Don't Stop, Go Your Own Way, The Chain, I Don't Wanna Know, Gold Dust Woman
Key Lyric: "Rock on, ancient queen
Follow those who pale in your shadow
Rulers make bad lovers
You better put your kingdom up for sale, up for sale" [First added to this chart: 06/02/2016]
Key Track(s): Second Hand News, Dreams, Never Going Back Again, Don't Stop, Go Your Own Way, The Chain, I Don't Wanna Know, Gold Dust Woman
Key Lyric: "Rock on, ancient queen
Follow those who pale in your shadow
Rulers make bad lovers
You better put your kingdom up for sale, up for sale" [First added to this chart: 06/02/2016]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
31,788
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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This is a 42 minute song called "The Dark Side of the Moon", not 10 different songs. Waters is saying that if you go mad, he'll "see you on The Dark Side of the Moon". We never actually see The Dark Side of the Moon, but it was always there, but on the opposite side. Waters said that madness is always around, always invisible, waiting to be exposed. It's deep.
Key Track(s): One does not simply listen to part of The Dark Side of the Moon...
Key Lyric: "And all that is now
And all that is gone
And all that's to come
And everything under the sun is in tune
But the sun is eclipsed by the moon.
There is no dark side of the moon, really.
Matter of fact, it's all dark." [First added to this chart: 05/09/2016]
Key Track(s): One does not simply listen to part of The Dark Side of the Moon...
Key Lyric: "And all that is now
And all that is gone
And all that's to come
And everything under the sun is in tune
But the sun is eclipsed by the moon.
There is no dark side of the moon, really.
Matter of fact, it's all dark." [First added to this chart: 05/09/2016]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
63,358
Rank in 1973:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Kinda like a mix of The Doors and The Strokes, just way before The Strokes...
Key Track(s): See No Evil, Venus, Marquee Moon, Elevation, Torn Curtain
Key Lyric: "I remember
Ooo how the darkness doubled
I recall
Lightning struck itself
I was listening
Listening to the rain
I was hearing
Hearing something else" [First added to this chart: 11/08/2016]
Key Track(s): See No Evil, Venus, Marquee Moon, Elevation, Torn Curtain
Key Lyric: "I remember
Ooo how the darkness doubled
I recall
Lightning struck itself
I was listening
Listening to the rain
I was hearing
Hearing something else" [First added to this chart: 11/08/2016]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
20,568
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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This is the 3rd album of Pink Floyd's stride where they got pretty much everything right. I still think the album cover for Animals and Atom Heart Mother should switch. It just makes more sense.
Key Track(s): Dogs, Pigs (Three Different Ones), Sheep
Key Lyric: "You're nearly a good laugh
Almost a joker
With your head down in the pig bin
Saying "keep on digging"
Pig stain on your fat chin
What do you hope to find?
When you're down in the pig mine" [First added to this chart: 06/02/2016]
Key Track(s): Dogs, Pigs (Three Different Ones), Sheep
Key Lyric: "You're nearly a good laugh
Almost a joker
With your head down in the pig bin
Saying "keep on digging"
Pig stain on your fat chin
What do you hope to find?
When you're down in the pig mine" [First added to this chart: 06/02/2016]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
23,339
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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The first true metal album. So, so good. Oh and being featured in the Iron Man movie is also awesome.
Key Track(s): War Pigs/Luke's Wall, Paranoid, Iron Man, Jack the Stripper/Fairies Wear Boots
Key Lyric: "He was turned to steel
In the great magnetic field
When he travelled time
For the future of mankind
Nobody wants him
He just stares at the world
Planning his vengeance
That he will soon unfurl" [First added to this chart: 05/14/2017]
Key Track(s): War Pigs/Luke's Wall, Paranoid, Iron Man, Jack the Stripper/Fairies Wear Boots
Key Lyric: "He was turned to steel
In the great magnetic field
When he travelled time
For the future of mankind
Nobody wants him
He just stares at the world
Planning his vengeance
That he will soon unfurl" [First added to this chart: 05/14/2017]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
18,928
Rank in 1970:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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This blends rock, folk, and country better than most. In Almost Famous, the vocalist in Stillwater said that no one could truly speak Rock and Roll, except for maybe Pete Townshend. I'd agree with that.
Key Track(s): Baba O' Reilly, Bargain, The Song Is Over, Getting in Tune, Going Mobile, Won't Be Fooled Again
Key Lyric: "When my fist clenches, crack it open
Before I use it and lose my cool
When I smile, tell me some bad news
Before I laugh and act like a fool
If I swallow anything evil
Put your finger down my throat
If I shiver, please give me a blanket
Keep me warm, let me wear your coat" [First added to this chart: 07/22/2016]
Key Track(s): Baba O' Reilly, Bargain, The Song Is Over, Getting in Tune, Going Mobile, Won't Be Fooled Again
Key Lyric: "When my fist clenches, crack it open
Before I use it and lose my cool
When I smile, tell me some bad news
Before I laugh and act like a fool
If I swallow anything evil
Put your finger down my throat
If I shiver, please give me a blanket
Keep me warm, let me wear your coat" [First added to this chart: 07/22/2016]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
22,233
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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So, so out of this world-figuratively speaking of course! The Martian (the movie with Matt Damon) is actually what got me into Bowie.
Key Track(s): Five Years, Moonage Daydream, Star Man, Ziggy Stardust, Suffragette City, Rock 'n Roll Suicide
Key Lyric: "Time takes a cigarette, puts it in your mouth
You pull on your finger, then another finger, then your cigarette
The wall-to-wall is calling, it lingers, then you forget
Oh, you're a rock 'n' roll suicide" [First added to this chart: 05/15/2016]
Key Track(s): Five Years, Moonage Daydream, Star Man, Ziggy Stardust, Suffragette City, Rock 'n Roll Suicide
Key Lyric: "Time takes a cigarette, puts it in your mouth
You pull on your finger, then another finger, then your cigarette
The wall-to-wall is calling, it lingers, then you forget
Oh, you're a rock 'n' roll suicide" [First added to this chart: 05/15/2016]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
45,489
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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The first double album on my list. A little too long for me for it to compare with DSOTM or WYWH, but still absolutely amazing.
Key Track(s): Well it's a Pink Floyd album, so all the songs are better as an album.
Key Lyric: "Mother, do you think they'll drop the bomb?
Mother, do you think they'll like this song?
Mother, do you think they'll try to break my balls?
Ooh, aah, mother, should I build the wall?" [First added to this chart: 05/11/2016]
Key Track(s): Well it's a Pink Floyd album, so all the songs are better as an album.
Key Lyric: "Mother, do you think they'll drop the bomb?
Mother, do you think they'll like this song?
Mother, do you think they'll try to break my balls?
Ooh, aah, mother, should I build the wall?" [First added to this chart: 05/11/2016]
Year of Release:
1979
Appears in:
Rank Score:
26,656
Rank in 1979:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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When you think "America", you think of this guy and this iconic classic!
Key Track(s): Thunder Road, Born To Run, Jungleland
Key Lyric: "Oh-oh, Baby this town rips the bones from your back
It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap
We gotta get out while we're young
`Cause tramps like us, baby we were born to run" [First added to this chart: 08/15/2016]
Key Track(s): Thunder Road, Born To Run, Jungleland
Key Lyric: "Oh-oh, Baby this town rips the bones from your back
It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap
We gotta get out while we're young
`Cause tramps like us, baby we were born to run" [First added to this chart: 08/15/2016]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
16,246
Rank in 1975:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 11. Page 1 of 2
Don't agree with this chart? Create your own from the My Charts page!
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 15 | 15% | |
| 1970s | 11 | 11% | |
| 1980s | 6 | 6% | |
| 1990s | 27 | 27% | |
| 2000s | 30 | 30% | |
| 2010s | 11 | 11% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Queens Of The Stone Age | 6 | 6% | |
| The Beatles | 5 | 5% | |
| Radiohead | 5 | 5% | |
| Pink Floyd | 5 | 5% | |
| Nirvana | 4 | 4% | |
| The White Stripes | 3 | 3% | |
| Muse | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 63rd to 64th Black Holes And Revelations by Muse |
| Down 1 from 64th to 65th Lullabies To Paralyze by Queens Of The Stone Age |
| Down 1 from 65th to 66th Boston by Boston |
| New entries |
|---|
 Fever To Tellby Yeah Yeah Yeahs |
| Let England Shake by PJ Harvey |
| Leavers |
|---|
 Stories From The City, Stories From The Seaby PJ Harvey |
| The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance |
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
92/100 (from 85 votes)
where:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
AV = the site mean average rating.
Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 85 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 90/100  | 02/19/2023 04:28 | Moondance | | 85/100 |
| 90/100 | 02/18/2023 16:15 | Johnnyo | | 80/100 |
| 85/100 | 04/25/2022 17:09 |  Cytoma | | 90/100 |
| 95/100 | 04/20/2022 13:50 | wizardalien | | 88/100 |
| 95/100 | 11/30/2021 19:44 |  Mercury | | 95/100 |
Rating metrics:
Outliers can be removed when calculating a mean average to dampen the effects of ratings outside the normal distribution. This figure is provided as the trimmed mean. A high standard deviation can be legitimate, but can sometimes indicate 'gaming' is occurring. Consider a simplified example* of an item receiving ratings of 100, 50, & 0. The mean average rating would be 50. However, ratings of 55, 50 & 45 could also result in the same average. The second average might be more trusted because there is more consensus around a particular rating (a lower deviation).
(*In practice, some charts can have several thousand ratings)
This chart is rated in the top 1% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 92.2/100, a mean average of 91.8/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 93.0/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 9.2.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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90/100
From Moondance 02/19/2023 04:38
With 17 artists and 10 albums in common, there is a shared love of certain artists/albums. There is also a big divide between us in other music preferences - which to quote you: "Music is completely open to interpretation and opinion, which is amazing".
That said, I find this chart and the comments within it to be some of the best I have seen on this site ~ & I greatly appreciate the time & effort required to make insightful, considered commentary.
Love that you have 3 albums from Australia, including a few outliers. Although not in my top 100, I do have Atlas Genius in my year chart ~ so we are in quite a distinguished minority group there ~ all power to us!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From Johnnyo 02/18/2023 16:16
Really great chart. Great comments too. I keep on trying to get my act together to add more description to my charts but always get distracted. Great job
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From 
sssvnnn 02/28/2021 18:37
sssvnnn 02/28/2021 18:37
good chart.
Very good top 10.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From mrmcrook 02/17/2021 03:52
Well done. Best of all lists I've looked at. Know and love 80% of whats on it. Will be checking out that which I haven't heard. Double thumbs up. Great notes as well.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
jdenny2018 11/06/2018 17:52
jdenny2018 11/06/2018 17:52
"Music is really cool" should be the motto for this website.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From 
ForegroundNoise 11/06/2018 09:42
ForegroundNoise 11/06/2018 09:42
I'd already given this chart a rating but since it's chart of the day I'll leave a comment.
Love the passion that comes through on your chart. Even though I'd disagree with that interpretation of Kid A (I'd give that distinction to HTTT since it was the album that Thom Yorke wrote a lot of lyrics about shielding yuor child from the cruelty of the world after the birth of his firstborn) I share your love of that album and our chart's descriptions are spookily similar! - nice to see a like-minded music fan.
Since you are a self-professed lover of 'guitar-based rock and concept albums' then I'll give you a rec in that order: The Microphones' 'The Glow Pt.2' has a loose concept of a figure who feels disconnected from the world of modernity (I Want Wind To Blow, My Roots Are Strong And Deep, I Want To Be Cold, I Felt My Size) who experiences love and loss (I Am Bored, I Felt Your Shape) before resolving to reconnect to the elemental world through his suicide (Samurai Sword) with the album closing to the sound of the narrator's blood pouring back into the earth from whence he came (My Warm Blood).
This one's a personal favourite I think you'd enjoy but feel free to check out my chart since I think there's a number of things there you might like!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
60/100
From 
Boltzmann 03/16/2018 15:42
Boltzmann 03/16/2018 15:42
This comment is beneath your viewing threshold.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | -4 votes (1 helpful | 5 unhelpful)
90/100
From n8rob 03/16/2018 15:34
Dang, good stuff!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
80/100
From SamNassiri98 03/16/2018 14:48
A lot of albums in common which is good but the ranking leaves a lot to be desired. I appreciate the effort you took in writing above each album.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From Ulf 03/16/2018 09:56
Really great stuff with great descriptions!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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| Best Artists of 1980 | |
|---|---|
| 1. Talking Heads | |
| 2. Joy Division | |
| 3. AC/DC | |
| 4. David Bowie | |
| 5. Dead Kennedys | |
| 6. Peter Gabriel | |
| 7. Bruce Springsteen | |
| 8. The Cure | |
| 9. Rush | |
| 10. Pretenders | |
| 11. Dire Straits | |
| 12. The Feelies | |
| 13. The Clash | |
| 14. Black Sabbath | |
| 15. U2 | |
| 16. Motörhead | |
| 17. Genesis | |
| 18. Steely Dan | |
| 19. Elvis Costello | |
| 20. Prince |