The author proposes a greatest artists list, using a simple formula based on the quality and quantity of songs in the collection. See who made the cut and explore the best songs to include in a music collection, while pondering over the great artists snubbed by the ranking exercise.

What makes a song irresistible, innovative, and memorable? In the book’s second chapter, Kirk summarizes what he likes and why. From chord structure and diction to musicianship and the role of imperfection, the book explores what makes a recording memorable, guiding you on how to build the perfect music collection.

As the project evolved, it began to mirror the author’s childhood experiences with sports and science books. The first half of the book features attractive photos with extensive captions, while the big song spreadsheet is filled with data that documents a significant subset of recording history—a treasure trove for anyone looking to create the ultimate playlist.

Based on this exercise of compiling his favorite songs, Kirk concludes that a bias exists for music from one’s hometown and region. In the eighth chapter of the book, he delves briefly into a futile attempt to prove this phenomenon, though the data strongly indicates the affection for the music of California, his home state.

Ever wondered why you like the music you do? Discover how your musical preferences are influenced by your personality, age, gender, location, and opinions of others. This insight is invaluable for anyone aiming to build the perfect music collection tailored to their tastes.

Building the Perfect Music Collection is one of the few books that recommends music in terms of a large index of individual songs as opposed to a compilation of album reviews. It’s a comprehensive guide to 20th-century popular music, perfect for those looking to expand their music library.