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: Katie Dalton
  • 10. Avalon by Roxy Music
    Bryan Ferry could sing the damn phone book and I would listen to it..the man is amazing.They're totally underrated,too!
  • 9. Back In Black by AC/DC
    In my pre Duranie days I used to listen to this album a lot I guess I'm a but of a closet heavy metal fan!
  • 8. Reckoniing by R.E.M.
    I like almost everything R.E,M. has done with the exception of(and I know I'm gonna get crap for this)"Out Of Time",I've been listening to early R.E.M a lot and this is a favorite.
  • 7. 45's and Under by Squeeze
    Squeeze are one of the few bands I can think of that can get away with putting out a best album only a few years into the start of their career but every song here is a gem !
  • 6. Lexicon Of Love by ABC
    I've always liked this album I have no idea why.Did you know Martin Fry's brother is in a band called Earl Brutus?
  • 5. 1984 by Van Halen
    I didn't admit to liking this at the time but I really did I so much prefer the Davide Lee Roth lineup of VH to any other.
  • 4. Synchronicity by The Police
    Everybody:"I'm a pool hall acre..."
  • 3. Psychocandy by The Jesus and Mary Chain
    I didn't know about these guys until this album had been out a few years unfortunately so I missed out on the first wave of fame that they had(they got good reviews for their 2nd album but their 3rd album did the best and theywere selling out dates on the tour for that album.They're like Phil Spect or meets loud guitars meets the Beach Boys...in a car crash.
  • 2. Any of the Smiths albums by
    Melodies,guilars,that's what made the Smiths great,Plus they put out a lot of stuff even though they were only around a few years..There are two imports that have all the best songs on that's what I think everyone should buy not that their albums aren't great the two albums give a better overview.
  • 1. Rio by Duran Duran
    A great album..funnily enough I found out about Duran Duran because of one of my brothers who had loaned this album from a friend.He didn't parti cularly like it but I did and I fell in love with Duran Duran!
Honorable mentions:*The Thompson Twins *The Waitresses *Oingo Boingo(was never a huge fan the way my brothers were) *David Bowie(I like everything he did in the 70's,but not much of the 80's stuff) *Haircut 100 *Sigue Sigue Sputnik(who did that album with the ads on it I remember seeing a story about it on the news one morning) *Frankie Goes to Hollywood(I always wanted one of those Frankie Says! shirts) *Men at Work *(We've got a)Fuzzbox(and we aren't afraid to use it)-I think that's what they were called but it was shortened to Fuzzbox most of the time
By: Cathy Franklin
By: Jordy Strain
  • 10. Purple Rain Soundtrach by Prince
    I appreciate this much more now than when it came out although I still think the movie was lame. The thing I've learned about Prince is that is you dig beyond the mega hits, he wasn't (and isn't) that "pop" at all. And today, without all the hype, the hits sound good too. This one was the biggest so that's why it made the list. Plus is doesn't have 1999 on it which is one we will all be sick of by the end of this year.
  • 9. Let's Dance by David Bowie
    Every few years (ok every couple of years) Bowie takes on a new persona... always interesting and always with good music. This album proves that is true even when he is selling out. And if it gets people to listen to the older stuff and the stuff yet to come...why not?
  • 8. Stop Making Sense by Talking Heads
    The Heads are great and even better live. As each year passes, this band grows more and more on me and like most bands the concert is usually better than the studio. One can only hope they get back together someday.
  • 7. Rio by Duran Duran
    Aside from "Decade" if you are only going to have one Duran Duran album, this is the one to have. They say that video really made Duran Duran, but the music on this album proves the songs hold their own by themselves. Solid and like most of their 80's contemporaries...ahead of their time.
  • 6. Every Breath you Take...The Singles by The Police
    The Police are just so good that its hard pick one of their albums for the list so fortunately their best is on this one. Ever notice how you can always have The Police on in the background at your house and it always works for any occasion? Well there's a good reason for it. The songs on this album contain that reason.
  • 5. Sports by Huey Lewis and the News
    Snappy, catchy and even cheesy. But this album is consistent from start to finish and the hits and sales prove it. If you ever wonder why they acheived phenominal success, listen to them in a club if you can.
  • 4. Story of the Clash by The Clash
    Yes, this is a "best of" album but this way we can get all of The Clash into the 80s'! I consider them to be one of the best bands of all time and really a band that isn't simply punk but uses a more diverse range of music styles than anyone.
  • 3. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    I really can't say I like Mike as much as most of the world but I can't argue with seven top 40 hits on one album and the biggest selling album of all time. Not to mention that Mike is trancended from pop star to cultural icon.
  • 2. Joshua Tree by U2
    Another album to hop on the bandwagon with and for obvious reason. Solid from end to end and made U2 the biggest band in the world. I can remember hearing them on someone's ghetto blaster in the bus on the way to senior picnic in 1987
  • 1. Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen
    Great album, great tour so lets all hop on the Springsteen bandwagon. Actually the best part of the album was ending up going back through his career, loving that music too and realizing just how important he is in rock history
By: Song, JaeSoon
By: Mick Sammons
  • 10. East by Cold Chisel
    Australia's biggest selling album ever and the album that inspired nearly every Australian act ever since. It is an honest amazement to me that this band never made it overseas, as they are still to this day THE legendary band of Australia. This Album contains non-stop classics, topped-off with the eternal "Khe Sanh".
  • 9. For The Working Class Man by Jimmy Barnes
    When "Barnesy" left Cold Chisel, everyone knew he would be going solo, but no one knew if he could produce the popular sound that made him a superstar with his former band-mates. These questions were erased with Jimmy's first album "For the Working Class Man". Contains back-to-back-to-back classics such as "I'd Die to be with You Tonight", "Working Class Man" & "Ride the Night Away." Jimmy doesn't produce the sound reminiscent of his Cold Chisel days, but instead invents his own personal voice.
  • 8. Graceland by Paul Simon
    1986's Grammy award winner, Graceland, is probably the most consistantly brillant album to ever be released. Right from the superb openning track, "The Boy in the Bubble" right through to the final song, "Myth of Fingerprints" there isn't even a hint of a bad song. Never ages, never loses its charm.
  • 7. Phalanx by Australian Crawl
    A great Aussie band that never made it overseas. Phalanx is a long way from being Australian Crawls biggest selling album but because it contains some of the best tracks from previous albums (Boys Light Up, Reckless, White Limbo, etc) plus the introduction of a couple of new songs (including a brillant version of "Louie Louie") this album emerges as one of the best Australian albums ever.
  • 6. Dirty Mind by Prince
    Quite easily the most explicit album I have ever heard, and certainly the dirtiest ever produced at the time of release. Dirty Mind openned the way for the eighties boom in sexually explicit song lyrics, everthing from hardcore rap to thrash metal. But Dirty Mind also contains some of the most cleverly written songs of the decade, like, Uptown, Head and Sister. Not for the morally concious.
  • 5. An Innocent Man by Billy Joel
    Easily the best Billy Joel album ever produced, even easily out-striping '78's The Stranger. Only contains one bad song, the openning track "Easy Money" is annoying more than entertaining, but after that the quality increases right up to the final and best track, "Keeping the Faith". Also Includes:An Innocent Man, The Longest Time, Uptown Girl, etc.
  • 4. 10987654321 by Midnight Oil
    The kind of album that becomes a soundtrack for your youth. As per-usual for Midnight Oil, this is primarily a protest album, but delivered with an attitude and power which allows the you to listen to it over and over again. Includes:Power & the Passion, Read About It, US Forces, etc.
  • 3. The Kick Inside by Kate Bush
    Probably the most unusual and original album I have ever heard. Certainly not for everybodies taste but for many it can be one of the most interesting and stimulating listening experiences possible. The best tracks being the the hits Wuthering Heights & A Man with a Child in his Eyes, plus the unreleased Saxophone Player.
  • 2. Purple Rain by Prince
    The extraordinary to a pretty ordinary film. Purple Rain is the album that promoted Prince from Superstar to Megastar. This album, unlike many other Prince attempts, does not contain a single dud track and lists amoungst its best Doves Cry, Purple Rain and The Beautiful Ones. This Album spent 14 weeks at the top of the American charts (and for an odd reason, the movie enjoyed almost as much success).
  • 1. Last Stand by Cold Chisel
    If you're not Australian, you may find it difficult to understand the effect Cold Chisel had on Australian culture. This was the band that gave our country an identity during the 80's and ever since and the Last Stand Soundtrack is a live recording of "Chisels" final concert tour in 1985. Includes classics:Khe Sanh, Cheap Wine, Saturday Night, Flame Tres, etc.
"Kane's Dad" - Tim Molony. I own the only copy I have ever seen of this album from 1988, but despite the fact that it was performed by a man who has never been heard of and released by a record company that no longer exists, this is still a fantastic record.
By: J. Vargas
  • 10. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    Of course this had to be on my list. Good album even if I don't really like pop.
  • 9. Are we not Men? by Devo
    One of the weirdest bands of the 80s. They are also very different and have their own sound. Whip it good!
  • 8. Actually by Pet Shop Boys
    Even though their biggest hit (West End Girls) came with their previous album, "Actually" has many memorable songs for me. "It's a Sin", "What Have I Done to Deserve This?", "Rent" and "Heart" were also big hits all over the world. Also one of my favorite bands.
  • 7. Kick by INXS
    One of the best albums of the decade.
  • 6. License to Ill by Beastie Boys
    Old School Rap and very funny sounding stuff. The Beasties had a similar sound to that of The Fat Boys and Run DMC.
  • 5. War by U2
    Very unique rock sound from the early 80s. Classic songs like "New Year's Day" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday".
  • 4. Music for the Masses by Depeche Mode
    Strongly influenced by Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode later managed to create their own sound. They had many other great albums like Construction Time Again and A Broken Frame. One of my favorites bands of all time!
  • 3. Rio by Duran Duran
    Hit songs everywhere. One of the best sounding bands of the 80s. A cousin of mine once pretended to be sick on our way to a camping. She later revealed to me that she wanted to stay home and watch a live Duran Duran presentation on MTV (1984).
  • 2. Synchronicity by The Police
    Another very original group combining ska, reggae and rock music in a unique fusion. Quite influential on 90s groups. Everybody drink on "Roxane".
  • 1. Computer World by Kraftwerk
    This is the most influential band/album of the 80s. Their sound has been cloned by bands (in their early stages) like Depeche Mode and Erasure. Others like Afrika Bambaata copied their work. Probaly one of the most original groups of the 70s/80s. These guys managed to stay alive in disco/punk times with their sound.
Well, this is my list of albums. Some of them are not necessarily in my favorites but need to be pointed out. As someone on this page, the 80s were about singles and not albums, so it's quite hard to decide. Here are some of my favorite groups of the eighties:• Erasure • The Art Of Noise • New Order • Gary Numan
By: M. B. Jones
  • 10. Talking With The Taxman About Poetry by Billy Bragg
    A neglected classic.
  • 9. Remain In Light by Talking Heads
    For "Once In A Lifetime" if nothing else.
  • 8. Like A Prayer by Madonna
    Simply put, this is a great record.
  • 7. Closer by Joy Division
    Sad and haunting, yet beautiful. Isolation says it all.
  • 6. Paid In Full by Eric B. And Rakim
    Has there ever been a better rapper than Rakim? a true classic
  • 5. Scary Monsters by David Bowie
    Bowie's best 80s album.
  • 4. The Lexicon Of Love by Abc
    The perfect pop album.
  • 3. Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys
    Way ahead of its time and only beginning to be fully apreciated now.
  • 2. The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths
    There is a light that never goes out.
  • 1. It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back by Public Enemy
    Not just the best album of the 80s, but my all time favourie album. never bettered, it remains one of the most powerful albums ever. bring the noise!
By: Erica
By: Becky
  • 10. Purple Rain Soundtrack by Prince
    This movie sucked so bad, but the music was great.
  • 9. 90125 by Yes
    Old Yes really got on my nerves, but this album was really good. I especially liked that song "Changes".
  • 8. Streets of Fire Soundtrack by Various
    Funny, I just remembered this now. I used to play this all the time. The songs that were supposed to be the "Diane Lane character's" songs were so dramatic, it was funny. They were cool though....I think I put on many "concerts" in my bedroom to this album.
  • 7. Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen
    This was the best concert I ever saw in the '80s. He's the Boss, what can I say.
  • 6. Working Class Dog by Rick Springfield
    Rick was my first concert. I was only 7 years old. I played the hell outta this album.
  • 5. The Unforgettable Fire by U2
    The Joshua Tree is awesome, but I like this one even more.
  • 4. Hysteria by Def Leppard
    This was the last vinyl album I ever bought AND the first CD I ever bought.
  • 3. Rio by Duran Duran
    The ultimate '80s band....I worshipped them totally. My first love was Simon, then I went to Nick, then (when he started wearing more makeup than me) I settled on John.
  • 2. Seven and the Ragged Tiger by Duran Duran
    A very close 2nd.
  • 1. Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
    Strangely enough, I didn't list any of their songs on my top ten song lists. Well, this gets the #1 spot since it probably got played the most by me.
By: Rockin' Johnny P.
  • 10. Let's Dance by David Bowie
    Bowie is known for ever changing with the times; this album was no exception.
  • 9. Louder Than Bombs by The Smiths
    Guess who my favorite band of the 80's was?
  • 8. Music For The Masses by Depeche Mode
    Very good predecessor to their even better 1990 work "Violator".
  • 7. Strangeways Here We Come by The Smiths
    Introduced a new type of sound for the band; same dark lyrics but with a lighter sound.
  • 6. The Golden Age of Radio by Thomas Dolby
    Famous for "Blinded Me With Science" but the entire is album is really fantastic with some very different songs from the regular pop formula.
  • 5. Hatful of Hollow by The Smiths
    Chock full of their earlier classics.
  • 4. Heartbeat City by The Cars
    This album really pushed The Cars into the mainstream from their new wave roots; the original Cars album of 1978 is vastly superior though.
  • 3. Escape by Journey
    Lots of classics off of this one.
  • 2. Freedom of Choice by Devo
    Sort of underrated and not taken too seriously but every song is really catchy and quite good.
  • 1. Rio by Duran Duran
    The original Duran Duran album was almost as good too. This was revolutionary.
Man, there was some great music in the 80's, eh?

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