Google
 
Web inthe80s.com
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: jermec
  • 10. Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables by Dead Kennedys
    Articulate, witty punk.
  • 9. Deacon Blue by When The World Knows Your Name
    Feelgood songs (for me at any rate).
  • 8. Under the Influence by Mary Coughlan
    Songs to be heard with an incredibly bad hangover and a mouth that feels like it's been used as an ashtray all night.
  • 7. Shooting Rubberbands At The Stars by Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians
    Heard it playing in a record shop. Bought it. Took it home. Loved it ever since.
  • 6. Indigo Girls by Indigo Girls
    Tuneful. Cheery. Angry. Rainy night songs.
  • 5. The End of the Innocence by Don Henley
    Reminds me of touring the States in 1990. Around the time of the Gulf War. Scary time.
  • 4. In My Tribe by 10,000 Maniacs
    That voice. Those words. Makes you think.
  • 3. Sniff 'n' the Tears by Ride Blue Divide
    Great driving music.
  • 2. Across A Crowded Room by Richard Thompson
    See above
  • 1. Daring Adventures by Richard Thompson
    Chilling. Invigorating. Thoughtful. Guitar that reaches into your soul.
No order to the list, except Thompson will always come out on top. Of course there's more, but these are today's winners (23/11/02).
By: ophion
  • 10. The Lion and the Cobra by Sinead O'Connor
    (1987) I love her voice.
  • 9. Fables of the Reconstruction by R.E.M.
    (1985) This album comes from the time when R.E.M. made great albums.
  • 8. Floodland by The Sisters of Mercy
    (1987) I'm a bit goth, yes.
  • 7. Black Celebration by Depeche Mode
    (1986) I like both dark DM and poppy DM.
  • 6. Upstaris at Eric's by Yaz
    (1982) !
  • 5. Dare by The Human League
    (1982) Bring on the new wave!
  • 4. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics
    (1983)
  • 3. Hallowed Ground by Violent Femmes
    (1984) Their best album is often overlooked. This is as close to country as I get.
  • 2. Pornography by The Cure
    (1982) There's nothing better than intelligent, disaffected lads in black.
  • 1. Disintegration by The Cure
    (1989) This is my favorite album. Is it coincidence that it also marks the end of the 1980s?
By: James
  • 10. Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys
    More than anything this is a template for 90's sampling, hip hop and the great lyrics that make the Beasties legends of the genre.
  • 9. Diary of a Madman by Ozzy Osbourne
    Randy Rhodes best work and I think it is better than Blizzard.
  • 8. Nothings Shocking by Jane's Addiction
    The future of 90's metal in 1987.
  • 7. The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste by Ministry
    Heavy enough to make you wet yourself.
  • 6. Appetite for Destruction by Guns and Roses
    The last good kick in the ass hard rock had.
  • 5. Pyromania by Def Leppard
    Still one of the most perfectly produced Albums ever. Timeless
  • 4. Fair Warning by Van Halen
    The intro to Meanstreets is all you need to hear
  • 3. Pornografitti by Extreme
    What Van Halen Wanted to be after DLR.
  • 2. Pretty Hate Machine by NIN
    A perfect ode to the guy who got screwed
  • 1. Kill Em All by Metallica
    The Birth of True Heavy Metal of the Eighties
Hard rock and rock and roll have always defined the 80's not ABC and Duran Duran. Who is still around in the 90's? Exactly.
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.

Previous List or Next List

Do You Have a List to Share?

Please check out the Top Ten Music Albums submission page.