Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by Santiago 
- Chart updated: 09/19/2025 05:45
- (Created: 06/27/2012 09:45).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 52 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 91 out of 100 (from 93 votes). Please log in or create an account to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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The "White Album" has more great songs than entire discographies of other artists, while at the same time carrying some of The Beatles' most ridiculous tunes (and some of the latter are actually good) Despite all this unevenness, the record as a whole sounds spontaneous and creatively boundless.
This is not a perfect, round album, so I am not sure why it generates such a strong feeling in me. I see it as a warm, nostalgic, playful, weird and powerful collection of songs. Listening to the White Album is always an event for me; an event that requires paying attention and showing deference to the genius involved in putting all this outstanding music together.
With occasion of the 50th anniversary of its release, Jordan Orlando wrote an article for the New Yorker, aptly titled "The Accidental Perfection of The Beatles' White Album". Indeed, this messy, mismatched mumbo jumbo of a record cannot be more beautiful. [First added to this chart: 06/28/2012]
This is not a perfect, round album, so I am not sure why it generates such a strong feeling in me. I see it as a warm, nostalgic, playful, weird and powerful collection of songs. Listening to the White Album is always an event for me; an event that requires paying attention and showing deference to the genius involved in putting all this outstanding music together.
With occasion of the 50th anniversary of its release, Jordan Orlando wrote an article for the New Yorker, aptly titled "The Accidental Perfection of The Beatles' White Album". Indeed, this messy, mismatched mumbo jumbo of a record cannot be more beautiful. [First added to this chart: 06/28/2012]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
35,055
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For many, this is the best Latin American album ever. I agree.
Rubén Blades is an intelligent, literate composer and here we find him at his height, offering 7 instant classics that are enjoyable as much as relevant... or "epochal" can really be a more appropriate word.
The extremely well crafted lyrics prompt laughs, tears and reflection by recounting everyday anonymous stories or important social Latin American issues. Rubén Blades is such an outstanding songwriter and his lyrics are so creative, relevant and powerful, that he deserves the Nobel Prize in Literature more than Bob Dylan. I wonder if they are listening to Ruben Blades in Sweeden? [First added to this chart: 09/14/2012]
Rubén Blades is an intelligent, literate composer and here we find him at his height, offering 7 instant classics that are enjoyable as much as relevant... or "epochal" can really be a more appropriate word.
The extremely well crafted lyrics prompt laughs, tears and reflection by recounting everyday anonymous stories or important social Latin American issues. Rubén Blades is such an outstanding songwriter and his lyrics are so creative, relevant and powerful, that he deserves the Nobel Prize in Literature more than Bob Dylan. I wonder if they are listening to Ruben Blades in Sweeden? [First added to this chart: 09/14/2012]
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The ultimate Soul concept album, it has crossed genre borders and is frequently listed as one of the best records ever based on quality of its music, the effortless way in which the songs flow, the warm voice of Marvin Gaye and the somber but hopeful lyrics.
It´s really sad to see that many decades after its release, the issues approached in the lyrics are still pretty much unsolved. The poorest Americans dying on wars abroad, racial tensions and environmental disaster are realities that we see everyday. For all these reasons, this record continues to be relevant; or actually, it´s even more relevant than ever before [First added to this chart: 06/28/2012]
It´s really sad to see that many decades after its release, the issues approached in the lyrics are still pretty much unsolved. The poorest Americans dying on wars abroad, racial tensions and environmental disaster are realities that we see everyday. For all these reasons, this record continues to be relevant; or actually, it´s even more relevant than ever before [First added to this chart: 06/28/2012]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
18,202
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Considered strange by some and a masterpiece by many. The music and the musical ideas will blow the mind of most.
[First added to this chart: 09/14/2012]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,766
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What an amazing collection of music! George Harrison reaches his peak, with two of his best ever songs while the medleys on the "B side" are some of the most beautiful music ever created by The Beatles. Even Ringo has a fun song here!
Sometimes, I forget how extremely good the Beatles are, until I play this record, after not listening it for a while, and it just keeps blowing my mind again and again.
In addition, it has one of the most iconic and recognizable artworks of all time with a picture that has entered pop culture.
The only low point for me is "Maxwell´s Silver Hammer". I can understand Lennon and Harrison tired of playing these "Granny Tunes" as John used to call them. [First added to this chart: 06/28/2012]
Sometimes, I forget how extremely good the Beatles are, until I play this record, after not listening it for a while, and it just keeps blowing my mind again and again.
In addition, it has one of the most iconic and recognizable artworks of all time with a picture that has entered pop culture.
The only low point for me is "Maxwell´s Silver Hammer". I can understand Lennon and Harrison tired of playing these "Granny Tunes" as John used to call them. [First added to this chart: 06/28/2012]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
53,414
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Comments:
6. (=)
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The powerful mix of amazing guitar riffs, bass lines and drums with some catchy melodies and very fun lyrics makes it a classic. This is a very fun record to listen to, by a very fun and charismatic band.
Listening to the Pixies always elicits a "screw everything" mood... and that's a great feeling.
Some of the songs even feel like they have been left with a "not so great" finish, but that only adds more personality. It´s like if the band didn´t take all the recording process so seriously, and as long as the songs sounded fresh, powerful and fun, they could go unpolished.
It feels like a statement of a relaxed way of seeing life. [First added to this chart: 06/03/2018]
Listening to the Pixies always elicits a "screw everything" mood... and that's a great feeling.
Some of the songs even feel like they have been left with a "not so great" finish, but that only adds more personality. It´s like if the band didn´t take all the recording process so seriously, and as long as the songs sounded fresh, powerful and fun, they could go unpolished.
It feels like a statement of a relaxed way of seeing life. [First added to this chart: 06/03/2018]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
11,771
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[First added to this chart: 07/04/2012]
Year of Release:
1998
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,627
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I like the mix of Brazilian rhythms and topics with 70's style sounds, especially funk.
The lyrics are charmingly naive because they feel extremely honest and appropriate for the time, place and situation of the composer.
The stories in the songs and the way they are told are a fantastic window into many aspects of the urban "carioca" Afro-Brazilian culture.
Topics like Football, History, Mysticism and "Candomblé" are treated in a fresh, creative, sometimes lighthearted, sometimes dignified manner. [First added to this chart: 07/04/2012]
The lyrics are charmingly naive because they feel extremely honest and appropriate for the time, place and situation of the composer.
The stories in the songs and the way they are told are a fantastic window into many aspects of the urban "carioca" Afro-Brazilian culture.
Topics like Football, History, Mysticism and "Candomblé" are treated in a fresh, creative, sometimes lighthearted, sometimes dignified manner. [First added to this chart: 07/04/2012]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,582
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Beautiful songs individually, but foremost an inspiring collection of tunes that create a dreamy, contemplative mood when the album is played entirely. You can spend the whole fall and winter listening to this album as there is no better music to match a beautiful dark, grey and rainy Vancouver day.
[First added to this chart: 11/16/2015]
Year of Release:
2001
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,020
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This album displays different jazz styles spanning 3 decades in a single beautiful collection of songs. Charles Mingus is my favourite bass player.
[First added to this chart: 09/14/2012]
Year of Release:
1959
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,748
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Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 7 | 7% | |
| 1960s | 22 | 22% | |
| 1970s | 27 | 27% | |
| 1980s | 11 | 11% | |
| 1990s | 12 | 12% | |
| 2000s | 10 | 10% | |
| 2010s | 11 | 11% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| The Beatles | 6 | 6% | |
| Miles Davis | 4 | 4% | |
| Radiohead | 4 | 4% | |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 3% | |
| Neil Young | 3 | 3% | |
| The Cure | 3 | 3% | |
| The Velvet Underground | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
49 | 49% | |
 |
27 | 27% | |
 |
7 | 7% | |
| |
4 | 4% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
Up 83 from 90th to 7th |
Up 5 from 16th to 11th |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
Down 5 from 7th to 12th |
Down 4 from 11th to 15th |
Down 2 from 14th to 16th |
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similarity to your chart(s)
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AVwhere:
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 3 ratings for this chart. | Show all 93 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 06/26/2026 08:12 |  MadhattanJack | 356 | 86/100 |
| ! | 11/19/2025 12:39 | BorderFreeAndrew | 118 | 82/100 |
| ! | 11/19/2025 09:04 |  DommeDamian | 1,005 | 89/100 |
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).
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This chart is rated in the top 1% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 91.4/100, a mean average of 92.0/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 91.9/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 6.2.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums favourites
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums forum mentions
This chart has been referenced 15 times on the forums, Explore the wider forum discussion to see what members have said about it.
From 
BestEverAlbums 06/26/2026 08:00 in Chart of the day (#5355): By Santiago
BestEverAlbums 06/26/2026 08:00 in Chart of the day (#5355): By Santiago“Today's chart of the day Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by ) 1. by (1968) 2. by (1984) 3. by (1971) 4. by (1970) 5. by (1969) 6. by by by (1974) 9. by by (1959) 11. by by (1959) 13. (1977) 14. by (1959) 15. by (1965) 16. by (1973) 17. by by (1979) 19. by (1972) 20. by (2010) 21. by (1965) 22. by…”
View forum post →From BestEverAlbums 11/19/2025 09:00 in Chart of the day (#5136): By Santiago
BestEverAlbums 11/19/2025 09:00 in Chart of the day (#5136): By Santiago“Today's chart of the day Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by ) 1. The Beatles (The White Album) by The Beatles (1968) 2. Buscando América by Ruben Blades Y Seis Del Solar (1984) 3. What's Going On by Marvin Gaye (1971) 4. Bitches Brew by Miles Davis (1970) 5. Abbey Road by The Beatles (1969) 6. Surfer…”
View forum post →From BestEverAlbums 02/09/2025 09:00 in Chart of the day (#4855): By Santiago
BestEverAlbums 02/09/2025 09:00 in Chart of the day (#4855): By Santiago“Today's chart of the day Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by Santiago () 1. The Beatles (The White Album) by The Beatles (1968) 2. Buscando América by Ruben Blades Y Seis Del Solar (1984) 3. What's Going On by Marvin Gaye (1971) 4. Bitches Brew by Miles Davis (1970) 5. Abbey Road by The Beatles (1969)…”
View forum post →Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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From
greatson 07/25/2014 08:29 | #117758
greatson 07/25/2014 08:29 | #117758
Hi Santiago,
You sure did one of the best BEA charts!
Congratulations!
A chart how it should be: Great variety, great classical albums but a very personal view as well.
I like your jazz focus and your focus on latin american music as well. (It seems you came to Canada from the south!?)
I always like to see charts with music from your own country.
I like Charly García, Cafe Tacuba and Manu Chao a lot and they found their way into my decade charts!
I´ve been to Argentina some years ago - beautiful country, cool holiday!
I know I should check the other latin picks!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 1
From
FelipeBoorkes 09/21/2020 15:58 | #258512
¡Hey, man!
I hope you liked La Barranca. Just came to check your recommendations. Now I'll have to pay more attention to Low, I've heard some songs but I will check that album. It was hard for me to put Beatles' White Album for the same reason as yours: it is so irregular. But I guess we put it there for that exact reason, I love those albums where you can tell the band is finding exactly different sounds and ideas that's why I love Pearl Jam's No Code or Radiohead's Kid A.
Anyway... ¡Saludos desde México!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 1
From
bigvern63 02/07/2014 16:50 | #102470
Love this chart, has over half of my chart in it plus a load of stuff that I either really like or have not listened to, but will certainly be listening to in the future. One surprise, as someone who likes listening to depressing music, surprised no Joy Division - the second side of 'Closer' is as heavy as it gets in my eyes.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 1
From
gussteivi 08/21/2012 17:30 | #48990
Great, a chart where I can discover some nice spanish and portuguese speaking music.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 2
From
Larcx13 10/24/2020 12:18 | #259715
Larcx13 10/24/2020 12:18 | #259715
You put a lot of effort on this. Really good chart with amazing picks. Im more of a Revolver/Highway 61 kind of guy. Though theres good tracks im not too fond of White Album/Desire. I 100% agree on Sgt Pepper though, Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane shouldve replaced some of those weaker songs.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 1
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