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: Tarun Kalla
  • 10. Crazy Nights by KISS
    Glam rockers :)
  • 9. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    One of the top grossers... with Beat It, Billie Jean... and 8 grammys!
  • 8. Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits
    One of their best albums...
  • 7. Synchronicity by The Police
    An awesome album
  • 6. Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden
    Bruce Dickinson at his best
  • 5. Ballbreaker by AC/DC
    The Young brothers rock!
  • 4. Passion And Warfare by Steve Vai
    A guitar classic!
  • 3. The Black Album by Metallica
    Sent them at the top
  • 2. Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen
    The Boss blows!
  • 1. 1984 by Van Halen
    Jump, Panama, Hot For teacher, I'll Wait.... need i say more? :)
There are about a 100 more i wanna state...
By: CARY TAKAHA
  • 10. Red by Black Uhuru
    helped me through the loss of marley
  • 9. Black Sea by XTC
    the finest british pop available
  • 8. Discipline by King Crimson
    my fave incarnation of the band
  • 7. Ocean Rain by Echo And The Bunnymen
    great album cover, too
  • 6. Shoot Out The Lights by Richard & Linda Thompson
    so much pain, so much great guitar
  • 5. Joshua Tree by U2
    definitely the peak of their powers
  • 4. 1999 by Prince
    I was dreamin' when I wrote this..
  • 3. Tim by The Replacements
    boy, could westerburg write some tunes
  • 2. Murmur by R.E.M.
    still my fave by this band
  • 1. Remain In Light by Talking Heads
    this album even makes my top ten of all time...A masterpiece!
By: Marco
  • 10. Sports by Huey Lewis And The News
    These guys never forgot where they came from, had fun and didn't take themselves too seriously. The result was a fun album to listen to.
  • 9. As Far As Siam / Neruda by Red Rider
    Canadian rock icon, Tom Cochrane; These 2 albums are absolutely great, and are a must listen. Great stories, great music, great albums. All you yanks out there....listen to what you're missing from the great white north!
  • 8. Joshua Tree by U2
    This is likely one of the best albums of our time.
  • 7. Synchronicity by The Police
    British invasion.
  • 6. Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen
    The feel good album of the 80's.
  • 5. Purple Rain by Prince
    Prince has all the talent in the world. If he wasn't so high on himself, and such a freak, he may have been bigger than the "King of Freak" Micheal Jackson.
  • 4. 1984 by Van Halen
    Too much fun not to be on the list. DAVE! What were yoiu thinking when you left!
  • 3. Genesis by Genesis
    This one defines them. I think it's wiothout question their best, most complete album. This was their pinnacle.
  • 2. Hounds of Love by Kate Bush
    I think this is her most accessible album of all of them. Certainly the most commercial work she has put out (thankfully)
  • 1. So by Peter Gabriel
    I don't think there is a song on this album that I don't like and that doesn't bring back many memories.
Honorable mention has to go to: Prince - 1999 INXS - Kick (that stupid idiot killed himself) Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms Lou Reed - New Sensations (lost my virginity to it!)
By: Chris
  • 10. Kill Em All by Metallica
    Debute album by Metallica. "Seek n Destroy" "The Four Horsemen" and "Whiplash" are great songs. 1983
  • 9. Blizzard Of Ozz by Ozzy Osbourne
    "Crazy Train" "I Dont Know" and "Mr.Crowley" makes this a classic.
  • 8. Back In Black by AC/DC
    Killer Record. 1980
  • 7. Dr. Feelgood by Motley Crue
    Had are hard time deciding which was better "Feelgood" or "Shout at the Devil." But Id say Feelgood was better. 1989
  • 6. Skid Row by Skid Row
    "18 and a Life" and "Youth Gone Wild" are bad ass songs. 1989
  • 5. Appetite For Destruction by Guns 'N' Roses
    I shouldnt even have to comment on this one. 1987
  • 4. Peace Sells But Who's Buying by Megadeth
    Why cant Metallica and Megadeth make albums like they use too? 1986
  • 3. Reign In Blood by Slayer
    Bad ass thrash metal album. Songs like "Angel of Death" and "Rainning Blood" will blow you away. 1986
  • 2. Master Of Puppets by Metallica
    Cant top songs like "Master of Puppets" "Orion' and "Damage Inc." 1986
  • 1. ...And Justice For All by Metallica
    Best album off all time. 1988
No Ratt, Poison, Duran Duran or U2 on my list.
By: Kevin
  • 10. Please by Pet Shop Boys
    Bought it for "West End Girls" and liked every song. Three favorites: West End Girls; Love Comes Quickly; Two Divided By Zero.
  • 9. Escape by Journey
    This CD is a virtual transport to the early 80s. Three favorites: Who's Crying Now; Don't Stop Believin'; Stone In Love.
  • 8. Records by Foreigner
    Here's another GH album that's very good. Three favorites: Urgent; Cold As Ice; Waiting For A Girl Like You.
  • 7. Skin Dive by Michael Franks
    I've never really been into jazz, but Michael's romantic songs have just the right pinch of pop to make them groove. I have all his CDs. Three favorites: Your Secret's Safe With Me; When I Give My Love To You (Featuring Brenda Russell); Please Don't Say Goodnight.
  • 6. Moving Pictures by Rush
    Only seven songs. Seven very good songs. Three favorites: Tom Sawyer; Limelight; Witch Hunt.
  • 5. Ooh Yeah! by Daryl Hall & John Oates
    Okay, half of my list is Hall and Oates. I can't help it. I'm going to omit the Voices album from my list--no doubt an H&O sin--so that, maybe, my list will be posted. Favorites: Missed Opportunity; Rockability; Everything Your Heart Desires.
  • 4. Private Eyes by Daryl Hall & John Oates
    Every song is good. Call any of it cheesy, and I'll have to smack you--or at least make you admit that cheese is good. Three favorites: Private Eyes; I Can't Go For That (No Can Do); Your Imagination.
  • 3. Rock 'n Soul Part 1/Greatest Hits by Daryl Hall & John Oates
    Most GH albums have only a few big hits. Every song--except "Wait For Me"--was a top ten hit, five of the songs were Number One hits, and both of the new songs went Top Ten. Three favorites: Adult Education; Private Eyes; Wait For Me.
  • 2. H2O by Daryl Hall & John Oates
    This album is so close on Big Bam Boom's heels that it's virtually a tie. Three favorites: Open All Night; Go Solo; Crime Pays.
  • 1. Big Bam Boom by Daryl Hall & John Oates
    My favorite album by my favorite music act. Three favorites: Out of Touch; Cold Dark and Yesterday; Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid.
By: paolo casetta
  • 10. Tango In The Night by Fleetwood Mac
    big love is a big song
  • 9. Hartbeat City by The Cars
    great pop album
  • 8. Notorious by Duran Duran
    did not understand why only the title song was a big hit. All the album is good
  • 7. Out Of The Blue by Debbie Gibson
    better than britney spears (but she wrote her own songs)
  • 6. So Red The Rose by Arcadia
    "the promise" is the most underrated song ever
  • 5. Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits
    brothers in arms is a great song
  • 4. Lexicon Of Love by ABC
    eighties technopop music at his best
  • 3. The Final Countdown by Europe
    a great rock album
  • 2. True by Spandau Ballet
    all songs are really good
  • 1. Rio by Duran Duran
    greatest album ever!
By: aceman
  • 10. Long Cold Winter by Cinderella
    This was the album that took the power ballad to the next level..and still tells us today that we didnt know what we had until it was gone..lighters in the air,guys!
  • 9. To Hell With The Devil by Stryper
    This was the band who brought christian rock to the mainstream for the first time.They were too wild for the preacher and too clean for the crue fan..but they were awesome.
  • 8. Too Fast For Love by Motley Crue
    this was the real streets of LA in 1985.
  • 7. Look What The Cat Dragged In by Poison
    the party album of the eighties
  • 6. Skid Row by Skid Row
    power tempered with polished perfection
  • 5. Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
    Bon jovi was to the eighties what kiss was to the seventies, and the beatles were to the sixties.
  • 4. Night Songs by Cinderella
    this was the album everyone wanted to make in the glam era
  • 3. Eat Em And Smile by David Lee Roth
    all dave all night,its dave tv..need i say more???dave is everything fun about the 80's
  • 2. Open Up And Say Ahh! by Poison
    This was the ultimate summer time album...its still great for those fun in the sun times.
  • 1. Theatre Of Pain by Motley Crue
    c'mon..what would the eighties have been without home sweet home,the monster ballad that just might be the reason that many of todays teens exist
Of course...In case you wondered,I left out the greatest album of the decade simply because it signaled the end of the decade and stands alone from the rest of the list...Guns 'N' Roses Appetite for destruction.
By: Ree
  • 10. Lovin' Every Minute of It by Loverboy
  • 9. Skin Dive by Michael Franks
  • 8. Black Cars by Gino Vannelli
  • 7. Three Hearts In The Happy Ending Machine by Daryl Hall
  • 6. Escape by Journey
  • 5. True Blue by Madonna
  • 4. Records by Foreigner
  • 3. Please by Pet Shop Boys
  • 2. H2O by Daryl Hall/John Oates
  • 1. Big Bam Boom by Daryl Hall/John Oates
By: John Tryfonas
  • 10. Licence To Ill by Beastie Boys
    A party album...three young men from NYC make the first #1 hip-hop album in history.
  • 9. Kick by INXS
    I really appreciate this album."Need you tonight" is one of my all time classics!
  • 8. Purple Rain by Prince
    A great soundtrack by prince.
  • 7. Rio by Duran Duran
    New wave pop explodes in Britain!
  • 6. Back In Black by AC/DC
    Some say that this is the greatest hard rock album in history...they might not be totally wrong!
  • 5. Raising Hell by Run D.M.C
    Rap meets Rock! Walk this way...
  • 4. Appetite For Destruction by Guns 'n' Roses
    Take me down to the paradise city. where the grass is green and the girls are pretty...Slash rocks!
  • 3. Black Celebration by Depeche Mode
    My favorite Depeche Mode album.I think it is the cornerstone of their 80's era.For proof, listen to "Question Of Time" and to "Stripped".
  • 2. Like A Virgin by Madonna
    The "material girl" amaze us with the homonymous single and with her funky and shiny pop.A must.
  • 1. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    What one can say about this album?"Billie Jean", "Beat It " and the enormous 45x platinum sales say it all!
In that list, I've tried to be as objective as I could be with my own preferences.
By: Ms. Mayhem
  • 10. Bad Animals by Heart
    Always loved Heart , Ann and Nancy are the true metal queens .
  • 9. Pyromania by Def Leppard
    This record I have to say is the BEST album to come out of the early 80s , they're weren't just another hair band but Pyromania has the right edge and the harmonies and melodies are mind blowing .
  • 8. Blow My Fuse by Kix
    Too bad they're not around anymore but the music they made will live on forever .
  • 7. Danger Danger by Danger Danger
    What can I say Danger Danger was one of those bands that despite being great never got enough recognition but their debut record blew me away with the bubbly riffs and catchy lyrics , play it on the beach!!!!!
  • 6. Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden
    Best british band in the world equally the best hard rock british album
  • 5. Nightsongs by Cinderella
    This is the album that became an 80s legacy to hair metal , but Cinderella's ruff and sweet melodies really rock this one , songs like "Shake Me" and "Nobody's Fool" are 80s anthems .
  • 4. Dancing Undercover by Ratt
    party time!!!!!! this one says it all
  • 3. Hysteria - 1987 by Def Leppard
    A true hard rock thriller , Steve Clark's guitar playing is mesmerizing and listening to this record it seems as if ten guitars are playing all at the same time while only two are used , GO GET IT!!!!!
  • 2. Sonic Temple - 1989 by The Cult
    This album is a total spiritual revolution and nothing else comes close .
  • 1. In The Heart Of The Young - 1990 by Winger
    Well whatever your thoughts or opinions on Winger may be they're still a awesome group and Reb Beach's guitar solos are amazing , great songs are , "Loosen Up" , "Miles Away" , "Can't Get Enuff" , and "Little Dirty Blonde" .

Previous List or Next List

Do You Have a List to Share?

Please check out the Top Ten Music Albums submission page.