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: Rod
  • 10. War by U2
    A powerful album by rock's hottest ticket
  • 9. People Are People by Depeche Mode
    new wave / techno at its best
  • 8. Crowded House by Crowded House
    Just listen to this jewel...
  • 7. An Innocent Man by Billy Joel
    Beautiful nostalic tribute to the 50's
  • 6. The Joshua Tree by U2
    Some of U2's fines songs are in this masterpiece
  • 5. Caifanes by Caifanes
    The best latin rock album ever
  • 4. Purple Rain by Prince
    the sound of the 80s in one record
  • 3. London Calling by The Clash
    A cross-genre masterpiece by the only band that mattered
  • 2. Tim by The Replacements
    The best pure rock album ever made
  • 1. Sandinista! by The Clash
    very experimental but brilliant. One of the most political albums ever
By: Michael Snyder
  • 10. Kick by INXS
    They peaked with this album. 4 top 10 singles.
  • 9. The Unforgettable Fire by U2
    To me,this is the album where U2 made it to the big time. Pride and Bad are amazing.
  • 8. 1984 by Van Halen
    See #7
  • 7. Synchronicity by The Police
    The Police saved their best for last. Some say tension in a band makes for great music. The Police proved that to be true.
  • 6. Joshua Tree by U2
    The album that had so much to say both politically and spiritually while still being commercial. It was unique for it's time.
  • 5. Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
    It's got the anthems and the prom song. Ready-made for teens.
  • 4. Reckless by Bryan Adams
    Great summertime album. No social commentary, just fun.
  • 3. Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
    If this is Springsteen selling out then that's fine with me. No filler either.
  • 2. Pyromania by Def Leppard
    The blueprint for 80's hard rock. Every cut is killer. Shreds from beginning to end.
  • 1. Hysteria by Def Leppard
    Perfection. No filler. 6 top 20 singles. Hard stuff, ballads,mid tempo. It has it all. My favorite all time album.
Honorary mention-Appetite for Destruction, Guns 'n Roses; High 'n Dry,Def Leppard, New Jersey,BonJovi; Permanent Vacation,Aerosmith; Dr.Feelgood,Motley Crue.
By: Mark Renton
  • 10. Hysteria by Def Leppard
    Armaggedon It!!!!!
  • 9. Misplaced Childhood by Marillion
  • 8. Back To Mistery City by Hanoi Rocks
  • 7. Back In Black by AC/DC
  • 6. Synchronicity by The Police
  • 5. Pump by Aerosmith
  • 4. Welcome To The Real World by Mr Mister
    Kyrie, Brokeng Wings... Excellent songs
  • 3. Heart by Heart
    Finally, the Wilson Sisters Done
  • 2. Sonic Temple by The Cult
    What An Album... Incredible songs, magnificent lyrics
  • 1. Appetite For Destruction by Guns N' Roses
    They express in their album all the 80's feeling... Music change since 'em
By: King of oblivion
  • 10. Disentegration by The Cure
    Beautiful is the only adjective for this album. Every single note and synth swirl pulls at the heartstrings while i'm left wondering how keyboards can sound so fucking emotional.
  • 9. Nothings Shocking by Jane's Addiciton
    One offluences the few albums indebted entirely to classic hard rock that actually finds a new approach to that style. Rock on....
  • 8. Purple Rain by Prince
    Everything has already been said about this album. I'd probably rank this a little higher, but everyone else is going to put this on their list anyways.
  • 7. Meat Puppets II by Meat Puppets
    This albums paints a wonderfully surreal painting of lonely life and beckons you to that desert in arizona where you can just sit and do drugs by yourself.
  • 6. Let it Be by The Replacements
    This is pure rock and roll. Everything I love about the rolling stones is in this band although it owes almost nothing to them.
  • 5. Three feet High and Rising by De La Soul
    I don't s all the chicks.think i've heard an album with more personality ever. The musical equivalent to that guy who wears goofy clothes and still gets all the chicks.
  • 4. Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth
    This album is the best thing to happen to the guitar since "are you experienced". The guitars buzz, drone, chime and hypnotize while the melodies and rythm keep everything from drifting into avant-garde wankery.
  • 3. Soft Boys by Underwater Moonlight
    Intellectual shit that isn't afraid to be whimsical and spontaneous. I don't really know how to generalize this album. Pop/psychedelic/experimental/garage/punk is the best thing i could come up with.
  • 2. Doolittle by Pixies
    This album is pure unrestrained creative energy. It rips through the speakers like a fucking shotgun. N'uff said
  • 1. It Takes A Nation Of Millions by Public Enemy
    The music on this album was so good that people actually paid attention to the radical politics, rather than just looking past it. A musical nuclear bomb.
This is more of a what i'm listening to now list of 80s albums. Other Deserving albums include: The Queen is Dead - The Smiths The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses Paul's Boutique - The Beastie Boys Paid in Full - Eric B. and Rakim. Stop Making Sense/Remain in Light - Talking Heads Perfect Prescription - Spacemen 3 Closer - Joy Division Sorry......i fucking hate REM, Tom Waits and XTC
By: TrashBoy
  • 10. The Number Of The Beast (1982) by Iron Maiden
  • 9. Stay Hungry (1984) by Twisted Sister
  • 8. Bark At The Moon (1983) by Ozzy Osbourne
  • 7. Dangerous Toys (1989) by Dangerous Toys
  • 6. Skid Row (1989) by Skid Row
  • 5. Open Up And Say.. Ahh! (1988) by Poison
  • 4. Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? (1986) by Megadeth
  • 3. Appetite For Destruction (1987) by Guns N Roses
  • 2. Shout At The Devil (1983) by Motley Crue
  • 1. Danzig (1988) by Danzig
None of these are in any specific order since there is so many great albums of the 80s, i'd also like to mention a few more... Dokken - Back For The Attack (1987)..Metallica - Ride The Lightning (1984)...Metallica - Master Of Puppets (1986)...Fastway - Trick Or Treat Soundtrack (1986)... Quiet Riot - Metal Health (1983)...Alice Cooper - DaDa (1983)... Alice Cooper - Special Forces (1981)
By: Tom
  • 10. Eliminator by ZZ Top
    Still remember staying up to watch Friday Night Videos to see the Sharp Dressed Man video
  • 9. 1984 by Van Halen
    David Lee's last one
  • 8. 1999 by Prince & the Revolution
  • 7. Hysteria by Def Leppard
    Every song on this was great.
  • 6. 7 Wishes by Night Ranger
  • 5. 17 by Chicago
    Great love songs
  • 4. Ratt by Invasion of Your Privacy
    Hard to pick, but took this one over Out of the Cellar.
  • 3. Emergency by Kool & the Gang
    Personal favorite.
  • 2. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    This was the ***t back in the 80s.
  • 1. Purple Rain by Prince & the Revolution
    Still listen to this CD frequently
By: Ricardo
  • 10. The Final Countdown by Europe
    Great album.
  • 9. Wunder Geschehen by Nena
    You can remember Nena because of the 99 Luftballons. After her band split, she made this great album, perhaps her best. This german Königin is an angel.
  • 8. Construction Time Again by Depeche Mode
    The best band of all the time.
  • 7. Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me by The Cure
    Their second masterpiece
  • 6. Hysteria by Def Leppard
    Other great album.
  • 5. Some Great Reward by Depeche Mode
    Here the Basildon lads started showing why they're the best.
  • 4. Kick by INXS
    A masterpiece of another legend.
  • 3. Disintegration by The Cure
    The Cure is another great band. This album is a jewel. This is an excellent album, perhaps is the best of The Cure.
  • 2. Music For The Masses by Depeche Mode
    Once again Depeche.This is the best album of the electronic music, its counterpart in rock music could be Sergeant Pepper's or The dark side of the moon. In this album, Depeche opened the people's eyes to that "other" music. And nowadays, it is very normal, in great bands such as Radiohead, etc.
  • 1. Black Celebration by Depeche Mode
    Truly one of the most wonderful albums of all times. Depeche Mode has passed the border between the electronic music to the general one. Only the masters can do that. Black Celebration is undoubtely the best album of the 80's.
By: Jordan
By: C.T. Warren
  • 10. Scenes From The Southside by Bruce Hornsby & The Range
    An amazingly atmospheric album, Bruce leads us through his Southern childhood with stirring piano riffs and heartfelt lyrics. Best Tracks: Look Out Any Window, The Road Not Taken, The Old Playgorund, Jacob's Ladder
  • 9. Dream Of The BlueTurtles by Sting
    After the Police, this solo album is a great sampling of what was to come. Jazz-Rock is hard to create without being classified as one or the other, but Sting pulls it off with addictive results. Best Tracks: If You Love Somebody Set Them Free, Russians, Shadows In The Rain, Moon Over Bourbon Street
  • 8. Reckless by Bryan Adams
    Bryan's biggest collection of great songs, This is the album that planted him in the center of 80's rock'n roll. It's almost impossible to not want to jam along. Best Tracks: Run To You, Somebody, Summer Of '69, It's Only Love
  • 7. Out Of Order by Rod Stewart
    No Disco, no New Wave. Just the dawn of one of the 70's most celebrated singers's amazing comeback. Best Tracks: Forever Young, Dynamite, Crazy About Her, Almost Illegal
  • 6. End Of The Innocence by Don Henley
    The most outspoken Eagle, Don spins childhood memories, political and social commentary, and romantic misgivings (or convictions) into unforgettable music. Best Tracks: End Of The Innocence, The Last Worthless Evening, New York Minute, Gimme What You Got
  • 5. The Allnighter by Glenn Frey
    Glenn's best solo work ever, Many great songs join the ride for one of the 80's best driving albums. Best Tracks: Sexy Girl, I Got Love, Smuggler's Blues, Let's Go Home
  • 4. Storm Front by Billy Joel
    As the 80's came to a close, the Piano Man looked back on his career, and views from 1989 never sounded better. Best Tracks: We Didn't Start The Fire, The Downeaster, Shameless, Leningrad
  • 3. Let It Loose by Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine
    She was a hot Latin musician long before Latin music was hot. Between the stirring ballads, there's no keeping still! Best Tracks: Let It Loose, Surrender, The Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, 1-2-3
  • 2. No Jacket Required by Phil Collins
    Phil scored a decisive victory in the 2nd British Invasion here. The infectious tunes about familiar romantic situations can have you singing along for the entire album. Best Tracks: Long Way To Go, I Don't Wanna Know, Don't Lose My Number, Take Me Home
  • 1. Sports by Huey Lewis & The News
    A definitive album of 80's R&B. For those who needed a break from the New Wave flood, this is a timeless sampling of classic American rock'n roll! Best Tracks: Heart & Soul, I Want A New Drug, Walking On A Thin Line, If This Is It
In all fairness, I realize there's no Boss, U2(Just bought the CDs recently), Bon Jovi(with apologies to my sister), or John Cougar here, but the list just wasn't long enough. If I could list more then 10 albums, I'd include album's by them as well as by Jan Hammer (Miami Vice). Long Live the 80's!
By: RJW
  • 10. Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? by Megadeth
    Perfect.
  • 9. Genesis by Genesis
    What's not to love?
  • 8. Music from the Edge of Heaven by Wham!
    Not their best, but many memorable songs such as "Battle Stations," and "Last Christmas."
  • 7. An Innocent Man by Billy Joel
    His greatest work.
  • 6. Too-Rye-Aye by Dexy's Midnight Runners
    Though most of the stuff is not pop like "Come on Eileen," this album is pretty intriguing,in a songwriting sense.
  • 5. Lawyers In Love by Jackson Browne
    One of his best pop albums.
  • 4. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    He can sing, he can dance...what else could you ask for. If you've never played his game for SEGA (MJ's Moonwalker), you ought to give it a try.
  • 3. Tunnel Of Love by Bruce Springsteen
    Great songwriting...better than Born In the USA, as far as quality goes. However, songwriter's best-selling albums are usually not their best work, anyway. This one is done w/o the E Street Band, and shows Bruce's mellower, acoustic-driven tastes.
  • 2. Make It Big by Wham!
    Every single on this album is great! Its pathetic, but I think I know all the lyrics to this album.
  • 1. Hold Out by Jackson Browne
    I haven't seen too much of his stuff on other lists, and as one of the greatest songwriters, I feel he deserves more credit.

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