Apple Releases iTunes Top Lists for 2009

Are you curious to know what albums, songs, movies and apps topped Apple’s iTunes’ store during 2009? Well, wonder no more, because Apple takes out all of the guesswork and reveals all (except actual numbers) in a feature on the iTunes store called “Rewind 2009”. Split into categories, you can see what media topped the charts in an overall look at things, and also split between genres.

For music, the number one artist of 2009 is, no surprise, Michael Jackson. Interestingly enough, Jackson doesn’t own any of the “Top Sellers” for individual tracks, nor a top album, but he still became the number one artist due to the aggregated numbers of various albums that were sold. The best new artist was Lady GaGa, and the album of the year was Kings of Leon – Only By the Night.

Black Eyed Peas topped the individual tracks list with “Boom Boom Pow”, but that was hardly the only track of theirs to be listed in the top 10 throughout the year. Flo Rida’s “Right Round” hit the second spot, with Lada GaGa’s “Poker Face” in third. Out of the top 25 or so, the genres hovered around hip-hop, pop and dance more often than not.

For television, the best seasons for respective genres include Glee, Breaking Bad, Battlestar Galactica, The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Collection, Brick City, Top Chef, Gossip Girl and Top Gear. Top movies included Up, The Hangover, Tyson, (500) Days of Summer, Drag Me to Hell, Anvil!, Star Trek, Adventureland, Inglorious Basterds, Sunshine Cleaning, Coraline and Sin Nombre.

Of course, we can’t forget the top apps list. No surprise, it’s “Games” that are featured first, with Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor, Real Racing, Zenonia and Ravensword: The Fallen King taking the top spots for 2009, with The Sims 3, The Oregon Trail, Need for Speed: Undercover and Madden NFL 10 taking the top spot for overall sales. For “app” apps, ReelDirector, Magellan RoadMate 2010 North America, Jamie Oliver’s 20 Minute Meals, I Am T-Pain top the list.

For all of 2009’s lightning-quick flashes of brilliance, underground success stories, and every trend and head-nodding beat – one story casts a pall over them all. The death of Michael Jackson was a left field blow that stupefied music lovers worldwide. The King of Pop bowed out in 2009 and left us with his classic jams blaring from every iPod, car stereo, and club system. Artist of the year? Yes, and then some.