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: Josh Pickwick
  • 10. Hatful Of Hollow by The Smiths
    Fantastic combination of Morrissey and Marr on all the Smiths finest songs.
  • 9. Remain In Light by Talking Heads
    Influential funk from the US band
  • 8. Famous Blue Raincoat by Jennifer Warnes
    Great re-workings of Leonard Cohen classics
  • 7. Hats by The Blue Nile
    Truly exceptional torchlight songs of love and loss
  • 6. Scary Monsters And Super Creeps by David Bowie
    Bowie's last truly great album
  • 5. Spirit Of Eden by Talk Talk
    Extremely atmospheric album of sheer introspection
  • 4. Power, Corruption And Lies by New Order
    Another hugely influential album
  • 3. Meet Danny Wilson by Danny Wilson
    Superbly crafted songs from the soul
  • 2. Steve McQueen by Prefab Sprout
    Excellent tunes of heartache and loss with wonderful abstract lyrics.
  • 1. Closer by Joy Division
    Most influential album of the 80s for artists to come.
This is a fairly varied list which represents all the albums that mean a lot to me having grown up in the eighties.
By: Knightfan
  • 10. It Takes A Nation Of Millions... by Public Enemy
    Loud and angry. Not for the faint of heart!
  • 9. Infidels by Bob Dylan
    A decade w/o Bob? No way!
  • 8. Speaking In Tongues by Talking Heads
    Even though "Burning Down The House" was on every time that I turned on the TV.
  • 7. Strong Persuader by Robert Cray
    I was so happy that someone was still playing killer blues. Nod to Stevie Ray Vaughn, as well.
  • 6. Joshua Tree by U2
    Could have listed any of their '80s recordings.
  • 5. London Calling by The Clash
    saved me from the late '70s garbage that was saturating the airwaves
  • 4. Diamond Life by Sade
    Hellooooo ladies.
  • 3. Flash And The Pan by Flash And The Pan
    Actually came out in 1979, but definitely an '80s album by George Young, Angus' brother.
  • 2. Tatoo You by The Stones
    Every song is better than the one before. One of my all time favorites.
  • 1. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    If you can't beat 'em join 'em.
I spent most of the eighties listening to reggae,ska,Jimmy Buffett and jazz. Could give a different top 10 tomorrow. List is not in any particular order.
By: Celeste
  • 10. Faith by George Michael
    His first solo effort is what made him very popular with the ladies but at the time we didn't know that he was gay.
  • 9. Rio by Duran Duran
    Next To Tears For Fears is my second favorite English synth-pop act.
  • 8. Licensed To Ill by Beastie Boys
    And my first exposure to hip hop music that wasn't performed by African kids.
  • 7. The Message by Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five
    He's called one of the "founding fathers" of hip hop for a reason.
  • 6. Forever Your Girl by Paula Abdul
    This was just awesome.
  • 5. Hangin' Tough by New Kids On The Block
    The anthem of my teenage years.
  • 4. Seeds of Love by Tears For Fears
    This was the album that was officially a "protest" album.
  • 3. Rythm Nation 1814 by Janet Jackson
    Probably the best album from a female singer I've ever heard.
  • 2. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    This was the reason why Michael was declared to be the King of Pop.
  • 1. Songs From The Big Chair by Tears For Fears
    This was the album that launched Tears For Fears' careers and made heartthrobs out of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith.
Not much to say about this except to say that there's a lot of pop acts out there that I like.
By: Peter Lensvelt
  • 10. Stella (1985) by Yello
    Wicked, inventive & brilliant music.
  • 9. Nightclubbing (1981) by Grace Jones
    Sly & Robbie best session work ever.
  • 8. Picture Book (1985) by Simply Red
    Perfect pop album perfect debut album.
  • 7. Grace & Danger (1980) by John Martyn
    Most underrated singer songwriter. Jazzy and moody.
  • 6. Computerwelt (1981) by Kraftwerk
    Danceable and hypnotic music.
  • 5. The Colour Of Spring (1986) by Talk Talk
    Transformation album from "new wave pop" to TOTAL music.
  • 4. Technodelic (1981) by Yellow Magic Orchestra
    Japan's "Pet Sounds" or Sgt. Pepper". Music upside down, traditional and cold electronic. ART!
  • 3. Face Value (1981) by Phil Collins
    Still see the promotion posters; "If you thought you knew this man, think again..." It widened my taste of music!
  • 2. Hats (1989) by The Blue Nile
    Gorgeous timeless emotional music.
  • 1. Peter Gabriel IV (Security) 1982 by Peter Gabiel
    Re-inventing himself, best PG album
Thank you for sharing this !
By: kerndawg
  • 10. Escape by Journey
    Changed me about music.
  • 9. Eliminator by ZZ top
    Rock/blues and those crazy videos and a cool car.
  • 8. Chicago 17 by Chicago
    Loved the old stuff... this came at a good time.
  • 7. Out Of The Cellar by Ratt
    Power...rhythm...attitude
  • 6. Girls, Girls, Girls by Motley Crue
    Sound of decadence.
  • 5. Purple Rain by Prince
    Unbelievable.
  • 4. 3 Hearts And A Happy Ending Machine by Daryl Hall
    Affected my life during tough times.
  • 3. OU812 by Van Halen
    Every song had its own identity.
  • 2. Hysteria by Def Leppard
    Great new sound.
  • 1. Pyromania by Def Leppard
    Excellent!
This is not the perfect list; but close. lol
By: Harold Pinkley
And my favorite single - Eyes of a Stranger by the Payola$ - and my favorite soundtrack cut - Love on a Real Train by Tangerine Dream.
By: Wyatt
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  • 9. Mothers Milk by Red Hot Chili Peppers
    With a remake Higher Ground and Knock Me Down, makes it a terrific album.
  • 8. Rebel Yell by Billy Idol
    The title says it all.
  • 7. Ride the Lightning by Metallica
    Really, this album has there best guitar work.
  • 6. Back in Black by AC/DC
    Best AC/DC album ever.
  • 5. Out of the Cellar by Ratt
    Round and Round. enough said.
  • 4. Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? by Megadeth
    With there second album they brought some of the best thrash songs ever, like Peace Sells and Wake Up Dead
  • 3. To Hell With the Devil by Stryper
    The best Christian metal album ever, and one of the best glam ones too.
  • 2. To Fast for Love by Motley Crue
    With Livewire and Piece Of your Action, it is one of the best glam albums ever.
  • 1. Master Of Puppets by Metallica
    Best album ever. with Master and Welcome home(Sanitiruim) it shows who they really are.
The best 80s albums
By: Paul
  • 10. Yo Bum Rush The Show by Public Enemy
    Suck my dick, music industry
  • 9. Licensed To Ill by Beastie Boys
    A copy of Run Dmc, but more accessible for white boys
  • 8. The Head On The Door by The Cure
    Disintegration? Ha Ha !! You're late...
  • 7. Express by Love and Rockets
    Nine great songs
  • 6. Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen
    The first and last album of Bruce that isn't boring
  • 5. Duran Duran by Duran Duran
    The start of fashion
  • 4. Hatful Of Hollow by The Smiths
    Johnny Marr in his pick
  • 3. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    What more can I say?
  • 2. Welcome To The Pleasure Dome by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
    The perfection in pop music
  • 1. The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses
    At the end of the decade, the salvation
I love music
By: QMT
  • 10. Lost In Love by Air Supply
    Only Air Supply Hits Album
  • 9. The Final Countdown by Europe
    Best Swedish rock album ever made
  • 8. Savage Amusement by Scorpions
    Best rock polished sound
  • 7. Let's Talk About Love by Modern Talking
    Cheri Cheri Lady are in this album
  • 6. Spirits Having Flown by Bee Gees
    Including hits that i like TRAGEDY
  • 5. World Wide Live by Scorpions
    Best live album
  • 4. Blackout by Scorpions
    Best sound to klaus
  • 3. The 1st Album by Modern Talking
    Best pop album
  • 2. Love At First Sting by Scorpions
    Best hard rock album
  • 1. Ready For Romance by Modern Talking
    Best album of mt
Mt and Scorpions is the best
By: Ashley Evans
  • 10. Paradise Theater by Styx
    The Best Of Times, Too Much Time On My Hands, Snowblind.
  • 9. Get Lucky by Loverboy
    Working For the Weekend, When It's Over, Lucky Ones.
  • 8. Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits
    Money For Nothing, Walk Of Life, So Far Away.
  • 7. Slide It In by Whitesnake
    Title Cut, Slow N Easy, Love Ain't No Stranger.
  • 6. Heart by Heart
    What About Love, These Dreams, If Looks Could Kill.
  • 5. Crimes Of Passion by Pat Benetar
    Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Hell Is For Children, You Better Run.
  • 4. Cuts Like A Knife by Bryan Adams
    Title Cut, Take Me Back, Straight From The Heart.
  • 3. Allied Forces by Triumph
    Magic Power, Fight the Good Fight, Title Cut.
  • 2. Hi Infidelity by REO Speedwagon
    Don't Let It End, Keep On Loving You, Take It On The Run.
  • 1. Reckless by Bryan Adams
    Summer of 69, Heaven, It's Only Love.
The 80s weren't just rap and techno pop. It was great Rock and Roll too.

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