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: iain seddon
  • 10. Arena by Duran Duran
    one of the most imaginative releases by the masters of eighties pop/new wave,its so good to see them still going
  • 9. Please by Pet Shop Boys
    the debut album by the synthpop due and even now is still their best effort,music like thes. Please contains a big collection of there early chart hits.
  • 8. It's My Life by Talk Talk
    yet another imaginative band that created their own sound rather than copy certain trends,it's a shame they didn't have more commercial success
  • 7. Welcome To The Pleasure Dome by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
    an absolutely fantastic album which is full of inventive,fun and brilliant pop/new wave music,if only their follow up album was as good.
  • 6. Dare by Human League
    the best effort and most commercially successful album by the electropop trio.every song sounds like a potential hit single
  • 5. Purple Rain by Prince
    ok,i suppose everyone has put this on,but so what?it contains the best prince efforts. nuff said.
  • 4. New Gold Dream by Simple Minds
    my favorite scottish band of all time,new gold dream was simple minds masterpiece. i dont care what anybody says,they allways had more talent than u2.
  • 3. Songs From The Big Chair by Tears For Fears
    tears for fears were one of the most seminal bands of the eighties and on songs from the big chair we are treated to many near perfect synthpop/new wave tunes that have stood the test of time.
  • 2. Disintigration by The Cure
    one of the darkest and lyrically strong albums ever produced.by far the cures best album.
  • 1. Black Celebration by Depeche Mode
    the greatest album released in the eighties by the greatest and most imaginative band of all time,all hail the electronic gods depeche mode!
By: Gary
  • 10. Purple Rain by Prince
    Couldn't have a top ten of the 80s without Prince
  • 9. Night Ranger by Midnight Madness
    I wore this one out, Sister Christian is still one of favorites
  • 8. Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
    Great music, brings back great memories
  • 7. Eliminator by ZZ Top
    Remember the video's????????
  • 6. Rio by Duran Duran
    Probably the ultimate 80s band, video band for sure
  • 5. Appetite For Destruction by GNR
    Great music, still holds up today
  • 4. Permanent Vacation by Aerosmith
    Best comeback album ever
  • 3. Thriller by Micheal Jackson
    Not a Jackson fan, but you can't deny what this album did.
  • 2. Metal Health by Quite Riot
    Need I say more!
  • 1. Pyromania by Def Leppard
    At their best!
Fun site, I grew up in the 80's and I still love the music, it's all new again! Honerable mention, "Sports" by Huey Lewis & the News, "Songs from the Big Chair" by Tears for Fears, "Synchronicity" by The Police and what's the 80s without the queen herself, "Like a Virgin" by Madonna
By: Nick Masterjohn
  • 10. Forever Your Girl by Paula Abdul
    It is a good album. I adore Paula. It is nice to see her on American Idol.
  • 9. She's So Unusual/ Colour By Numbers by Cyndi Lauper/Culture Club
    I could not help it. I need both of these in there.
  • 8. Bad Animals by Heart
    Oh yes. The Wilson sisters. Still hard to believe Nancy is married to Cameron Crowe.
  • 7. Hysteria by Def Leppard
    Def Leppard rocked the 80's. Can not get better than that.
  • 6. New Jersey by Bon Jovi
    Great songs on every album. Hard to choose.
  • 5. No Jacket Required by Phil Collins
    Phil is a great musician.
  • 4. Purple Rain by Prince
    Wow, what a Album. When Doves Cry...A great song with a good message.
  • 3. Like a Virgin by Madonna
    Same as #1. End of story.
  • 2. Heart by Heart
    I love this group that is why they have 2 albums in top 10. Ann and Nancy....
  • 1. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    What can you say about this album? Dynamite. His life now has exploded. Too bad.
By: Tyler Durden
  • 10. Reign In Blood by Slayer
    Speed/thrash metal at its best and most brutal.
  • 9. New Clear Days by The Vapors
    Another one-hit wonder that made the funny song "Turning Japanese."
  • 8. Surfer Rosa by Pixies
    The album Kurt Cobain loved.
  • 7. A Flock of Seagulls by A Flock of Seagulls
    One-hit wonders that made the brilliant "I Ran (So Far Away)."
  • 6. Meat Puppets II by Meat Puppets
    The punk album that doesn't fit in with the likes of the Clash, Sex Pistols, etc.
  • 5. Bella Donna by Stevie Nicks
    A brilliant solo work from the member of Fleetwood Mac. Duets with Tom Petty on some songs.
  • 4. Ride the Lightning by Metallica
    The best Metallica album. 'Nuff said.
  • 3. Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth
    Takes the noise-rock formula of the Velvet Underground and mixes it with alternative to produce something unique.
  • 2. Violent Femmes by the Violent Femmes
    One of the earlier albums that had teenage-angst ridden tones to it. Probably helped create "grunge."
  • 1. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    Clearly shows what the '80s was all about. Jackson may be crazy as hell, but stick this on and you forget all of that.
My list sucks... for now.
By: Patricio Cordoba
  • 10. Bad English by Bad English
    John Waite best shot
  • 9. Glittering Prize by Simply Minds
    Don't you forget about them
  • 8. Rio by Duran Duran
    Their influence goes far, even fashion.
  • 7. 101 (Live) by Depeche Mode
    They are the parents of the new wave.
  • 6. 1984 by Van Halen
    What can I say about them? Eddie Van Halen's guitar sounds great!
  • 5. Open up and say ahhh! by Poison
    I think, they are one of the most important bands of the 80s but they don't receive the recognition that thay deserve.
  • 4. Joshua Tree by U2
    U2 is one of the most important bands, even today and Joshua Tree is their best album.
  • 3. Hysteria by Def Leppard
    I remember a Joe Elliot commentary about his mother. She didn't like her son's music but Love Bites made her cry. It's a deep song.
  • 2. Appetite For Destruction by Guns'n Roses
    Welcome To The Jungle. That's the real word.
  • 1. Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
    That was my first tape. Listen to it loud. That's the best!
By: Graham
  • 10. Pleasure To Kill by Kreator
  • 9. Piece Of Mind by Iron Maiden
  • 8. Darkness Descends by Dark Angel
  • 7. Bonded By Blood by Exodus
  • 6. At War With Satan by Venom
  • 5. Reign In Blood by Slayer
  • 4. Altars Of Madness by Morbid Angel
  • 3. Seven Churches by Possessed
  • 2. Melissa by Mercyful Fate
  • 1. Under The Sign Of The Black Mark by Bathory
There are far too many good albums that were released in the 80's to make a definitive top 10 list. Apologies to Judas Priest, Megadeth, Overkill, Hellhammer, Sodom, Helloween, and Death.
By: Roy Hoenjet
  • 10. The joshua tree (1987) by U2
    With the supertrio: With or without you, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, and Where The Streets Have No Name. Favourite: Bullet The Blue Sky. U2 still remains the best rock band of the 80s and the 90s.
  • 9. Songs from the big chair (1985) by Tears for Fears
    Definitely their best album ever. What quality: Shout, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Head Over Heels remain worthwhile also after almost 20 years!
  • 8. So (1986) by Peter Gabriel
    What a Sledgehammer! It proves the quality of Peter Gabriel as a musician. Favourite tracks: the already mentioned Sledgehammer and Red Rain.
  • 7. Tango in the night (1987) by Fleetwood Mac
    Their comeback album after 5 years. I think it has the same quality that Rumours has, however a little bit more modern, less rocking. Favourites: Big Love, Everywhere and the title-track.
  • 6. Brothers in arms (1985) by Dire Straits
    Perfect studio quality. One of the first albums that sold hugely on compact disc. Favourites: Your Latest Trick and of course Money for Nothing.
  • 5. The unforgettable fire (1984) by U2
    Their major breakthrough after War. Pride (in the name of love), Bad and the title track are my favourites.
  • 4. Rio (1982) by Duran Duran
    The second album of the guys with the beautiful Save a Prayer and the Chauffeur, but also with the rocky Hungry Like The Wolf. Love it!
  • 3. Toto IV (1982) by Toto
    Also in the U.S. a bestseller, providing hits with the classics Rosanna and Africa. Very nice album: nice mix (ballads: I Won't Hold You Back, Rockers: We made it). Perfect! However the Seventh One was also great !
  • 2. New Gold Dream (1982) by Simple Minds
    Still their best album with the beautiful Someone Somewhere in summertime, Promised You A Miracle and Glittering Prize.
  • 1. Thriller (1982) by Michael Jackson
    Still a thriller after 22 years. The perfect pop/dance mix. I think Billie Jean is one of the best dance classics ever and it provided the way for black artists on MTV because of the great video!
Bubbling under: 11 Reckless-Bryan Adams, 12 The Seventh One-Toto, 13 Love Over Gold-Dire Straits, 14 Synchronicity-The Police, 15 Graceland-Paul Simon (also worth mentioning)
By: Mikey wesso
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  • 7. Kill Em All by Metallica
  • 6. ...and Justice For All by Metallica
  • 5. License To Ill by Beastie boys
  • 4. Cowboys From Hell by Pantera
  • 3. Ride The Lightining by Metallica
    This album has so many good songs on it.
  • 2. Appetite for Destruction by Guns and Roses
    I love this album soo much...
  • 1. Master of Puppets by Metallica
    Metallica is like my fav band and this is by far the best album!
By: player68
  • 10. Hysteria by Def Leppard
  • 9. Black ´N Blue by Black ´N Blue
  • 8. Vinnie Vincent Invasion by Vinnie Vincent Invasion
  • 7. Too Fast For Love by Mötley Crüe
  • 6. Walking The Razors Edge by Helix
  • 5. Stay Hungry by Twisted Sister
  • 4. Invasion Of Your Privacy by Ratt
  • 3. Under The Blade by Twisted Sister
  • 2. Creatures Of The Night by Kiss
  • 1. Shout At The Devil by Mötley Crüe
By: niko
  • 10. Smiths by The Queen Is Dead
  • 9. Echo and the Bunnymen by Ocean Rain
  • 8. Style Council 1 by Style Council
  • 7. Housemartins by Housemartins
  • 6. Upstairs at Eric's by Yaz
  • 5. The Clash by Combat Rock
  • 4. Peter Gabriel by So
  • 3. Smiths by Meat Is Murder
  • 2. You And Me Both by Yaz
  • 1. The Joshua Tree by U2

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