Top Ten Lists of Eighties Albums

What are your top ten favorite albums from the 80s?

This page currently edited by: stingr22. Past editor: Junior

By: Jeff
This is the last time...I swear!
By: ryan broadwater
  • 10. Born in the USA by Bruce Sprinsteen and the E Street Band
    Hey Baby! (think of where courtney cox might be without the boss)
  • 9. Hysteria by Def Leppard
    Every song is good...particularly "Animal" and "Hysteria"
  • 8. True Blue by Madonna
    A tough choice, but the best Madonna.
  • 7. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    About everyone bought this album...with good reason. And forget "Thriller" and "Beat It"...listen to "Human Nature".
  • 6. Diesel & Dust by Midnight Oil
    Not much to say except that it rocks. Best example of rock with a social conscience since U2.
  • 5. So by Peter Gabriel
    Remember John Cusack holding the radio above his head belting "In your Eyes"? How could you not...and the song made the scene.
  • 4. Top Gun by Soundtrack
    Symbolized the Reagan years and the "Evil Empire". Admit it...weren't we all happier having enemies to hate on the other side of the world?
  • 3. The Lonesome Jubilee by John Cougar Mellencamp
    Nobody could relate to so many people and still keep you coming back for more (bruce springsteen a notable exception). Just listen to "Check it Out".
  • 2. Dirty Dancing by Soundtrack
    Did alot to reintroduce the world to the great style of the early sixties that had been overtaken by decades of drug-rock, technotrash, wailing classic rock, and (ughh) disco....
  • 1. Rattle and Hum by U2
    Probably the best band of the last 20 years...all the great songs from Joshua Tree, with "Pride" and new songs like "Angel of Harlem" and "All I Want Is You"
honorables: Purple Rain - Prince She's so Unusual - Cyndi Lauper Contol - Janet Jackson An Innocent Man - Billie Joel Sleeping with the Past - Elton John 5150, 1984, OU812 - Number Soup from Van Halen War, The Joshua Tree, The Unforgettable Fire - U2 Eliminator - ZZ Top Heartbreak City - The Cars Heart - Heart Liscence to Ill - The Beastie Boys
By: Cyndi
  • 10. Xanadu by Olivia Newton-John/ELO
    So 80's! I love this album as well as the movie.
  • 9. Totally Hot by Olivia Newton-John
    This might be 70's, I'm not sure. It's right on the border. It's kind of geeky. But it's got pretty love songs and good melodies.
  • 8. Super Trouper by Abba
    I was only 11 years old when this album came out. And even then I was totally blown away by it. The melodies are so catchy and memorable.
  • 7. Deep Sea Skiving by Bananarama
    What can I say...I'm a Bananarama fan.
  • 6. Boys and Girls by Bryan Ferry
    The most romantic album ever made.
  • 5. Madonna by Madonna
    Her first album was so simplistic compared to what she does now. But it is still the best one I think. She started an entire new sound with this album.
  • 4. Precious Time by Pat Benatar
    Every single song on this album is awesome. She still has the best female rock n roll voice ever as far as I'm concerned.
  • 3. I Love Rock 'n Roll by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
    This is the first album that got me into the electric guitar. This album just rocks.
  • 2. Duran Duran by Duran Duran
    I tend to like first albums from bands, and this is one is a perfect example. The songs have a very haunting quality to them. It's before they went pop and commercial.
  • 1. Bananarama by Bananarama
    This is such a fun album. Their sound and their look totally sums up the 80's.
I had a hard time leaving some albums off this list...such as Pleasure Victim from Berlin and Sheena Easton's first two albums, and Bete Noire from Bryan Ferry. But I did my best.
By: adam
  • 10. Kick by INXS
  • 9. Whispering Jack by John Farnham
    Australian Singer who is a ledgend down under had a big hit with your the voice
  • 8. Synchroncity by Police
    Every Step You Take was a classic
  • 7. Quaterflash by Quarterflash
    Rindy Ross has the most haunting voice
  • 6. Antmusic by Adam & Ants
    Dodgy lyrics but awsome beats
  • 5. Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen
    had hit after hit and still rocks today
  • 4. Joshua Tree by U2
    Just a perfect album
  • 3. New Jersey by Bon Jovi
    Sure Slippery When Wet was good but the follow up rocked even more
  • 2. Hysteria by Def Leppard
    Had a unique sound and wrote some great lyrics. Play it loud.
  • 1. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    Biggest selling album ever and the music rocked
By: zach
By: eileen rake
  • 10. Who Made Who by AC/DC
    THE GREATEST soundtrack for a movie!! "Maximum Overdrive"
  • 9. The Number Of The Beast by IRON MAIDEN
    "Hallowed be thy Name", "Run to the Hills", "Prisoner"--HELLLOOOO!!
  • 8. On Through The Night by Def Leppard
    The potential is so OBVIOUS!
  • 7. The Game by Queen
    Had "'39" and "Sail Away Sweet Sister" on it. Reminds me of California.
  • 6. Whitesnake by Whitesnake
    Last of the "Supergroups". Great cruisin' songs! -Drove ya crazy didn't I Cindy-
  • 5. TRIBUTE by OZZY Osbourne
    Randy.
  • 4. The Pleasure Principle by Gary Neuman
    NO--NOT JANET!! This one had "Cars" on it. 1980. Very avant-garde at the time and a FINE collection of tunes!
  • 3. Roll The Bones by Rush
    Rush can do no wrong in my book! Period!!
  • 2. Master of Puppets by Metallica
    Last one with Cliff. Flawless! Maybe THE last album that made your ears bleed!!
  • 1. Operation Mindcrime by Queensryche
    ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE!! You'll hear something new no matter how many times you hear it!
This is such an indulgence!! Thanks for the opportunity!
By: Greg
  • 10. Seven And The Ragged Tiger by Duran Duran
    What 80's list would be complete without Duran Duran.
  • 9. Kick by INXS
    Great party record.
  • 8. Earthshaker by Y&T
    One of the first "melodic metal" releases of the 80's. Their DOWN FOR THE COUNT album gets an honorable mention for the song "Summertime Girls."
  • 7. Escape by Journey
    Set the tone for all mega selling rock acts. Still fun to listen to.
  • 6. Electric by The Cult
    Broke all the rules. The Oasis of the 80's. LOVE and SONIC TEMPLE also get honorable mentions.
  • 5. Singles 45 And Under by Squeeze
    Great pop band. Many of their 80's songs still sound fresh today.
  • 4. Welcome To The Real World by Mr. Mister
    OK, only half of this album is great, but that half is better than most 80's new wave albums in their entirety.
  • 3. Joshua Tree by U2
    And it still holds up.
  • 2. Songs From The Big Chair by Tears For Fears
    Be sure to buy the UK re-release of this CD.
  • 1. Disintegration by The Cure
    Also, the singles from this album are must haves for their b-sides.
The 80's, wow. Sort of glad that decade is done.
By: vinny scimeca
  • 10. hysteria by def leopard
    this is the 80s right. who better than def for rock
  • 9. purple rian by prince
    soundtrack of all soundtracks
  • 8. songs from the big chair by tears for fears
    and after years of lps there they were big time
  • 7. faith by george michael
    sexy and classy and that voice. u may not like him but what a set of lungs
  • 6. thriller by michael jackson
    need i say more. undeniable classic
  • 5. super trouper by abba
    pop music at its best
  • 4. how to be a millionaire by abc
    pure 80s dance at its best
  • 3. true blue by madonna
    when madonna staretd to actually sing songs that meant something
  • 2. heartbeat city by cars
    best cars album
  • 1. shes so unusual by cyndi lauper
    totally listenable album from 1st to last cut
too many to mention but lets face it. this top ten covered all aspects of the most fun time for music ever THE 80S
By: Eric
  • 10. Janet Jackson by Janet Jackson
  • 9. She So Unusal by Cyndi Lauper
  • 8. Larger Than Life by Jody Watley
  • 7. Whitney by Whitney Houston
  • 6. Thriller by Michael Jackson
  • 5. Sharp by Angela Winbush
  • 4. Jody Watley by Jody Watley
  • 3. Bad by Michael Jackson
  • 2. Control by Janet Jackson
    How can we forget the world knew Control, Nasty, What Have You Done For Me Latley, The Pleasure Principle, Let's Wait Awhile & When I Think Of You
  • 1. Rhythm Nation 1814 by Janet Jackson
    The biggest selling artist and album of 1989 & 1990, because of hits and great songs like Rhythm Nation, Miss You Much, Livin' In A World (They Didn't Make), Love Will Never Do (Without You), Black Cat, Alright, Escapade & Come Back To Me
By: G. vandeKamp
  • 10. Shout at the Devil by Motley Crue
    Their best album. I think 1983 was a good year for Metal altogether.
  • 9. Out of the Cellar by Ratt
    Their best album! Just great music that reminds me of Junior High.
  • 8. Down Under by Men at Work
    Great Album from Down Under. My brother introduced me to them back in about 1982 (6th grade).
  • 7. Ride the Lightning by Metallica
    Metallica is one of the heaviest bands I like. I like the older stuff they put out back in the 80's. If your in the mood for head banging, I recommend this album.
  • 6. Diary of a Madman by Ozzy Osbourne
    Ozzy has many great albums, but this one just stands out. Ozzy just keeps banging his head at 50!
  • 5. New Order by Substance
    If you have not heard this album, I recommend it. Even the younger generation will like it.
  • 4. Some Great Reward by Depeche Mode
    One of my all time favorite Bands. Even good music through the 90's. They have not lost their touch. Great in Concert too.
  • 3. Joshua Tree by U2
    What can I say, it's U2! One of the most popular bands in my book.
  • 2. Pet Shop Boys by Please
    These guys have great music, especially thier older stuff. West End Girls is still played as if it were still a new song. Will be a classic if not already.
  • 1. Hunting High and Low by A-ha
    Great all around album. Brings back many memories of my teenage years. Take on Me is one of my favorite songs, and favorite videos.
People have to admit, the 80's was the decade of great music. Unfortunately the 90's lost the touch of that great sound. I just don't understand what happened. More than half of my list is still putting out great music. Some better than others.

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