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: Ryan
  • 10. That's Why I'm Here by James Taylor
    Haven't seen this on any top ten lists either. Taylor's melodies rather than his lyrics are what normally make his songs memorable, but Taylor does a great job with both on here. Perfect for taking a Sunday drive through the countryside, or if you're stuck inside on a rainy day.
  • 9. Tunnel Of Love by Bruce Springsteen
    Bruce's 1986 follow-up to Born In The USA, and this album's superior, in an artistic sense. Bruce's lyrics focus on the pain and confusion of lost love and related subjects with often minimal instrumentation, making each track seem personal by pushing the importance to the lyrics. It's like Bruce is there with the listener, discussing life's problems; that's the beauty of this album.
  • 8. Graceland by Paul Simon
    Paul Simon never fails to please. Once he got rid of that idiot Garfunkel, Simon really showed us what he could do. Paul displays his affection for African rhythms on Graceland, and gives the listener songs that are truly different. You've got to love those obscure, cryptic lyrics too.
  • 7. Synchronicity by The Police
    I know that everyone and their mother puts this on their top ten list, but that's because it's so good. Besides the hellish cut that is "Mother" (I think the Police were on drugs when they included it), every track is a stand out (check out "Synchronicity II") and displays the Police's songwriting abilities very well.
  • 6. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    Not a dull moment on this album either. I've heard all these songs on the radio countless times, except for what I thought was the most memorable, "Human Nature." If you don't own this album, pick it up and listen to it; you won't be disappointed. He might be a little different now, but this was Jackson at his best (sounding and looking).
  • 5. London Calling by The Clash
    I don't believe this was released in the US until 1980, so I hope it counts. Anyway, this is of the best punk albums ever produced, as each song is well written and memorable in its own right. The Clash did a great job of incorporating ska, jazz, disco, and rock n' roll into their punk sound. If you enjoy the variety of this album, check out Joe Strummer and the Mesceleros' "Streetcore." This was Joe's (lead singer/guitarist of the Clash) last work before he died.
  • 4. Business As Usual by Men At Work
    My favorite pop album from the 80s, it's a very unique effort with a sound all its own. Each song stands out, especially the last three on the second side. In fact, I believe this album broke the Monkees' record for most consecutive weeks at #1 with 15...or was it 16. I don't know...
  • 3. Lawyers In Love by Jackson Browne
    Probably the best written singer/songwriter album from the 80s. Jackson begins to show his political side, and he is, as usual, very well-stated.
  • 2. Energy by Operation Ivy
    Besides the fact that I have yet to see this on someone's top ten list, I really think this is one of the top punk albums of all time. Also, spread solely by word of mouth, this slow-burner eventually sold over 1 million copies, over ten years after its original release! Pretty good for a little-known garage band that was only around for about 2 years.
  • 1. Live/1975-1985 by Bruce Springsteen
    I know it's a live album, but it covers all his great songs from the 70s and 80s that weren't necessarily popular. Besides the fact that Bruce is the best live performer I've ever seen, he's also the best lyricist of our time. Long live the Boss!
RIP Joe Strummer (of the Clash and the Mesceleros)
By: manos
By: Jon Birrell
  • 10. Here's to Future Days by Thompson Twins
    Great 80's!!!!
  • 9. Some Great Reward by Depeche Mode
    My favorite album and group in High School. It was a great concert too!
  • 8. Dream into Action by Howard Jones
    Alot of good songs
  • 7. Flood by They Might Be Giants
    I instantly fell in love with this album and the Group. They have a sound like no other
  • 6. So by Peter Gabriel
    This album has it all!
  • 5. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    Classic! What else can I say!!!!!!!!!!
  • 4. Tears for Fears by Raul and the Kings of Spain
    This album knocked me over when I first heard it. Very Haunting.
  • 3. Blue Sky Mining by Midnight Oil
    The best album from down under
  • 2. The Joshua Tree by U2
    With or Without You- The Greatest Song Ever
  • 1. Dead Man's Party by Oingo Boingo
    This album has so many amazing songs.
80's Music is still the best!!!!!!
By: ken sylvestre
  • 10. Eat Em & Smile by David Lee Roth
    BY FAR IS BEST SOLO EFFERT.
  • 9. Too Fast For Love by Motley Crue
  • 8. And Justice For All by Metallica
  • 7. Back In Black by AC/DC
  • 6. Diary Of A Madman by Ozzy Ozbourne
    His Greatest Album
  • 5. Peace Sells But Who's Buying by Mega Deth
  • 4. Appetite For Destruction by Guns & Roses
  • 3. Master Of Puppets by Metallica
    Greatest Speed Metal Album Of All Time
  • 2. 1984 by Van Halen
    Great Drums
  • 1. Fair Warning by Van Halen
    Unchained Is A Blistering Song
By: Ramesh Subramaniam
So many great albums left off the list...yikes! Great dance singles and 12 inches (New Order, for instance?). great hip-hop (Erik B and Rakim, the Colors Soundtrack, LL Cool J's Bigger and Deffer, PE....) and great singles.....super yikes!
By: Ramesh Subramaniam
By: martha v. santiago rivera
  • 10. Peace Sells But Who's Buying by Megadeth
  • 9. Down Boys by Warrant
  • 8. The Yellow And Black Attack by Stryper
    michael sweet voice and all the empowerment that comes when you listen to any work on stryper
  • 7. Bark At The Moon by Ozzy Osbourne
    no matter how long he will always be ozzy osbourne the madman
  • 6. Theater Of Pain by Motley Crue
  • 5. Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
  • 4. .....and Justice For All!!! by Metallica
    they will always be metallica no matter they play with the symphonica or they play one or entersandman they will always be gods.
  • 3. Skid Row by Skid Row
    18 and life, youth gone wild and i remember you from there on skid row was history
  • 2. Appettite For Destruction by Guns N' Roses
  • 1. Open Up And Say Ahh!!!!! by Poison
    glamour, rock and bret michaels
By: Gerardo Lima
By: Alex Gray
  • 10. Tribute by Ozzy Osbourne
    Ozzy fanatic,they sound great live.
  • 9. ...and Justice For All by metallica
    Metallicas last perfact album.
  • 8. Blizzard Of Ozz by Ozzy Osbourne
    Life after sabbath,Ozzy lives.
  • 7. Heavan And Hell by Black Sabbath
    Dio is good but he cant replace Ozzy.
  • 6. Appetite For Destruction by Guns N' Roses
    There only good album.
  • 5. 1984 by Van Halen
    We miss you David,come back.
  • 4. Back In Black by Ac/dc
    Goodbye Bon Scott R.I.P.
  • 3. Killers by Iron Maiden
    maiden rulz
  • 2. Master Of Puppets by Metallica
    metallicas best,every song rox.
  • 1. Diary Of A Madman by Ozzy Osbourne
    Randy Rhoads is one of the best guitarests ever R.I.P.
By: Ned
  • 10. Blizzard of Ozz/Diary of a Madman (1980/1981) by Ozzy Osbourne
    This is really about Randy Rhodes, the best guitarist ever, not Ozzy. 80s heavy metal was hyped, sugarcoated, and overrated. And Bark at the Moon was a joke compared to these two releases.
  • 9. Labour of Love (1983) by UB40
    Every song is a much-improved remake in tribute to past kings of Reggea.
  • 8. The Queen Is Dead (1986) by The Smiths
    About 60/40 on great songs vs mediocre songs, but the great ones are most smashing.
  • 7. Black Celebration (1986) by Depeche Mode
    The favorite album of most hardcore DM fans. I think it is a bit too gloomy at times, but there is not a bad song on this release.
  • 6. Substance (1987) by New Order
    More like a "best of" album, but a massive release of their best early work, dance tracks, b-sides, mixes, and some new stuff at the time.
  • 5. Disintegration (1989) by The Cure
    Beautiful music! Several radio hits, but the best part is that every song is long and practically 3/4 instrumental.
  • 4. The Two-Ring Circus (1987) by Erasure
    They took good songs from "The Circus" (released earlier the same year) and somehow made them phenomenally better and added more songs.
  • 3. Music for the Masses (1987) by Depeche Mode
    I judge a great album by its lack crappy songs, not by one extraordinary song. This one - 14 solid tracks and only one song I never hear out.
  • 2. War (1983) by U2
    Despite 2 big hits, the most underrated of all U2's releases.
  • 1. Some Great Reward (1984) by Depeche Mode
    Not one bad song in the bunch, and half of them are well-known hits even by people who don't know the band. The best songs are the unknown ones. First album to blend DM's trademark dark seduction and industrial sounds.
Great albums shouldn't be about top-40 hits or a few memorable songs. They should be able to be heard over and over without getting sick of it or skipping over half the songs. Honorable mentions: 10,000 Manics - In My Tribe; Madonna - True Blue; Duran Duran - Notorious; Erasure - Wild; Echo & the Bunnymen - Songs to Learn and Sing; Tears for Fears - Songs from the Big Chair; Book of Love - Book of Love; Some Kind of Wonderful Soundtrack; She's Having a Baby Soundtrack

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