HT204538: If you see unexpected groups of songs when you browse an album
Learn about If you see unexpected groups of songs when you browse an album
Q: Forced to change album artist to keep songs in album
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Aug 12, 2016 4:59 AMby Limnos,HelpfulIf you see unexpected groups of songs when you browse an album - https://support.apple.com/HT204538 - "Songs from the same album might not be grouped together as you expect when you view them in the Albums view in iTunes."
The next sections provide additional solutions:
Steve MacGuire a.k.a. turingtest2 - iTunes & iPod Hints & Tips - Grouping Tracks Into Albums - http://www.samsoft.org.uk/iTunes/grouping.asp (older post on Apple Discussions http://discussions.apple.com/message/9910895#9910895)
Quick answer: Select all the tracks on the album, File > get info (or right-click > get info > details), and either give them all a single "album artist", or check the "compilation" flag (as in ).
If these are from multiple-CD sets you may also need to enter the appropriate information in the disc number fields. If they are not a multiple CD set you still need to make sure the disc number fields are set correctly or all empty.
Another explanation by hhgttg27 August 2015 -
If they still really do not want to group check this Aug. 2008 post by turingtest2 about temporarily changing labels - or http://www.samsoft.org.uk/iTunes/merge.asp - Add a letter at the end of the artist name, close the Get Info window, then open it again and remove the letter. This often works but I have had cases where tracks grouped when a letter was added but ungrouped when it was removed again.
If they are mp3 files try changing the ID3 tag version which may cause iTunes to re-write the tags and clear up inconsistencies. I use iTunes 7.5 (yes, from 2007) so I can't tell you where this is in later versions.
I had one case of really stubborn grouping. The tracks would re-group in ways that didn't make sense when I changed metadata. Without going into detail, I deleted the tracks completely from iTunes, then re-added the files and they all grouped correctly.
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Aug 12, 2016 5:48 AMby jpc-1967,This is a great collection of suggestions for possible fixes given the different scenarios.
Thanks.
However, in my case, I have a number of albums that have been in various versions of iTunes for literally YEARS that were grouped together properly, were all identified consistently (compilation checked, disc#s, track #of#, album names, etc.) and in some cases even originally imported by iTunes. The only thing I've done 'new' is using iCloud library.
Unfortunately, as good as all your suggestions are, I think my original gripe/point remains: having to go through extra measures, regardless of how easy they might be, to fix something that was working correctly at one time is stupid (Mirriam-Webster: not sensible or logical).
Also, this does nothing to help with iTunes also deciding to delete or change artwork. Which then, of course, right-clicking on an album and clicking 'Get Album Artwork' often results in it not being able to find any. Of course, this appears to have nothing to do with being able to right click on the same album and 'Go to Show in iTunes Store' and having it go to the correct album in the store and show me the artwork and tracks listed the same way that I have them listed. So, go figure. Just another illustration of how Apple is great at adding new features to products and services and occasionally completely misses the mark elsewhere but not in a way that's big enough to cause people to stop buying (just like me).
I started this because Apple asked me to 'start a discussion' at the bottom of the help. I didn't really have a question and I wasn't really looking for help (their suggestion re album artist fixed the grouping). I was really just bemoaning the answer to my problem. Thanks for trying to help. I'll put a big "*** I'm just griping and not looking for help ***" at the top of these in the future. And, yes, I already sent in the 'suggestion.'
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Aug 12, 2016 6:00 AMby turingtest2,If you've used Part of a compilation to group things in the past then you don't necessarily have to add an album artist. If you switch into the songs or other list view, then use View > Show Column Browser, and then make sure View > Column Browser > Group Compilations is ticked you should find that compilations stick together properly as before.
That said any given album should either have a common Album Artist, or none and be linked by part of a compilation. (Track) Artist may vary from track to track as required as long the previous condition is met.
tt2
