Scanning through social media and finding statistics you enjoy is one of the many pleasures of social media. Such a happenstance occurred to me just the other week. Scrolling on my phone an article pops up titled “Top 10 Most Streamed Female Albums in One Day.” While reading through I instantly knew I wanted to crack open my laptop and write a story for The Shield: I had a title prepared and everything. Sitting down a mere two days later to find the article and write, it vanished. Nowhere to be found. I come unprepared to write this story but enthusiastic to find another exciting topic. Presented by Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time Billboard 200 Albums by Women.”
Music takes listeners to a new place. A world of pure imagination. Senses fly and imagery shapes through thoughtful verses. Lyrics continue on, influencing the greatest or smallest of folk. Impacts of music are globally significant; a curated culture of pleasure and peace. The blessings of willing artists (the work) crafted just to exploit their talent for all to hear is a long running tradition and now media companies critically rank them. Facing away from negativity to highlight the beauty, Billboards crafted a list of the “Greatest of All Time Billboard 200 Albums by Women.”. Here are the top ten from that list and an album analysis to complement such a devine list.
10. Forever Your Girl (1988) By Paula Abdul:
This dance-pop R&B album encapsulates THE sound of the 80’s. Strong beats and vocals are carried throughout the album highlighting the fun lyrics written by Abdul. Scattering emotions of cold-heartedness and deep love shine as the tempo stays high. A must listen for any 80’s music fans that will give you a pep in your step.
Peak Position: #1
Year End Charts (1989): #3
Year End Charts (1990): #6
Decade End Charts (1990s): #53
All Time Charts (1963-2015): #19
RIAA Certification: 7x Platinum
9. Taylor Swift (2006) By Taylor Swift:
Taylor Swift’s first album sets the 16 year old artist up for instant success. This country album features Swift’s country accent which plays as the most iconic part of this album. Although some songs give the nature of coming of age teen movies, and commonly is the least favorite album of all 10 of Swift’s albums, strong lyricism to come can easily be detected. The album is easy to dance to or belt out every word. Simple, a classic Swift Album. (And in my opinion, is definitely her second best album)
Peak Position: #5
Year End Charts (2007): #19
Year End Charts (2008): #5
Year End Charts (2009): #24
Year End Charts (2010): #62
Year End Charts (2011): #164
Decade End Charts (2000s): #53
All Time Charts (1963-2015): #18
RIAA Certification: 7x Platinum
8. Come On Over (1997) By Shania Twain:
Nothing feels more soothing than spinning the album Come On Over on vinyl. All of the natural sounds are highlighted in Twain’s iconic voice as well as the complementary sounds in each song throughout the album. When Twain produces music the first reaction is to dance. Most of her songs have stereotypical country tones to it but even if the listener is not a country fan they can get up and party to Shania Twain’s music.
Peak Position: #2
Year End Charts (1997): #195
Year End Charts (1998): #5
Year End Charts (1999): #3
Year End Charts (2000): #20
Decade End Charts (1990s): #3
Decade End Charts (2000s): #158
All Time Charts (1963-2015): #14
RIAA Certification: 2x Diamond (20x Platinum)
Grammys: 1999 Album of the Year – Nominated
7. The Fame (2008) By Lady Gaga:
An essential to the pop world, the epitome of pop. Obtaining some of her greatest hits of all time, this album quickly flew its way to the top. Lady Gaga’s pop music cannot be described as anything else but feel good dance music. This album was such a massive success, surprising due to the fact that this was the artists first ever album, but the attention is well deserved.
Peak Position: #2
Year End Charts (2009): #8
Year End Charts (2010): #4
Year End Charts (2011): #56
Year End Charts (2017): #157
Decade End Charts (2010s): #31
All Time Charts (1963-2015): #12
RIAA Certification: 6x Platinum
Grammys: 2010 Album of the Year – Nominated
6. Whitney Houston (1985) By Whitney Houston:
There are no words for this simply because it is Whitney Houston. Everything about this artist and her way with words makes for easy to listen to, fun music. This pop R&B soul album would dominate the charts that year yielding Houston her first three number one hits. Her voice is simply everything.
Peak Position: #1
Year End Charts (1985): #29
Year End Charts (1986): #1
Year End Charts (1987): #22
Year End Charts (2012): #198
All Time Charts (1963-2015): #11
RIAA Certification: 13x Platinum
Grammys: 1986 Album of the Year – Nominated
5. 1989 (2014) By Taylor Swift:
Shake off any comments you may have about this album. This is 2010’s pop. The reason this album exploded the way it did was due to two main factors. To start off, the music is amazing! This pop brings back a style that Swift helped reinvented. Veering away from the typical pop music of the time, (party music– long drawn out songs with catchy beats and the same lyrics for 6 minutes, great club music) lyrics and symbolism was brought back into the genre. The second reason this album broke charts and the internet the way it did was Swift’s shift from country music to full pop. Go listen to this album right now.
Peak Position: #1
Year End Charts (2014): #3
Year End Charts (2015): #1
Year End Charts (2016): #17
Year End Charts (2017): #101
Year End Charts (2018): #82
Year End Charts (2019): #116
Year End Charts (2020): #105
Year End Charts (2021): #88
Decade End Charts (2010s): #2
All Time Charts (1963-2015): #64
RIAA Certification: 9x Platinum
Grammys: 2016 Album of the Year – Winner
2. Fearless (2009) By Taylor Swift:
Taylor Swift’s second album only boosted her music career from where she started. This country album begins to highlight and unfold the story telling and lyricism Swift would only strengthen. Songs like “That’s the Way I Loved You” and “Love Story” illuminate the fairytale fantasies of a teenager. Growing up with an artist like Swift for any 2000’s kid was made easy by such an ever expanding album of emotion.
Peak Position: #1
Year End Charts (2008): #66
Year End Charts (2009): #1
Year End Charts (2010): #7
Year End Charts (2011): #88
Year End Charts (2012): #126
Decade End Charts (2000s): #56
Decade End Charts (2010s): #98
All Time Charts (1963-2015): #4
RIAA Certification: Diamond (10x Platinum)
Grammys: 2010 Album of the Year – Winner
1. 21 (2011) By Adele:
Adele is such a unique force of nature. Her voice is like no other, it shines in every track. Elegance in her force lifts through the music with glistening notes of sorrow. Sing to, cry to, belt to, this album has it all. Keeping this short, Adele earned the spot at number one with the way she does not shelter her thoughts or voice. Words mean the world in crafting a solid song let alone an album and Adele knows exactly how to use them.
Peak Position: #1
Year End Charts (2011): #1
Year End Charts (2012): #1
Year End Charts (2013): #21
Year End Charts (2014): #76
Year End Charts (2015): #74
Year End Charts (2016): #24
Year End Charts (2017): #107
Year End Charts (2018): #179
Year End Charts (2019): #158
Year End Charts (2020): #132
Year End Charts (2021): #198
All Time Charts (1963-2015): #1
Decade End Charts (2010s): #1
RIAA Certification: 14x Platinum
Grammys: 2012 Album of the Year – Winner