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: Randy Dickinson
  • 10. Metal Health by Quiet Riot
    The first album released in the US and Canada by Quiet Riot, including classic covers and old songs that were written when Randy Rhoads was still in the band!
  • 9. Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
    By the time this album hit stores, the two previous Bon Jovi albums were impossible to find. This album defined who Jon and the guys were and what they were interested in doing with their careers!
  • 8. Metal Queen by Lee Aaron
    The album that announced to the world who this founded-by-Rik Emmett rocker was! Gaining the title of the "metal queen" by fans, this album inspired more hits like "Bodyrock" and "Some Girls Do"!
  • 7. Shout at the Devil by Motley Crue
    The second album released, and only by then did people realize how awesome Motley Crue were!
  • 6. Lita by Lita Ford
    One of the best examples of a metal rocker chick, and the only Lita Ford album I had heard of when I first heard of her. Even features Ozzy on it, and produces two hits, but a few more excellent songs!
  • 5. Crimes of Passion by Pat Benatar
    I've seen the record so many places, over and over, and not until I heard it did I actually know how great it was. Why would anyone give this away? It's at every thrift store!
  • 4. Pyromania by Def Leppard
    Many say that "Hysteria" was the best, but when I think of Def Leppard, I look back to this, seeing as it was the first Def Leppard album I had ever heard and heard of!
  • 3. Thunder Seven by Triumph
    Truimph had many hits before this, but none of their album are even as good as Thunder Seven. Somehow, that one just blew me away!
  • 2. The Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden
    The first album that saw Bruce Dickinson as their lead singer, and one of the greatest metal albums of all time!
  • 1. Blizzard of Ozz by Ozzy Osbourne
    Ozzy's work does not even compare to that of his first album, and Ozzy himself does not even compare to Randy Rhoads, who was transferred into a guitar legend on this album!
As well, some other good albums would've been "Screaming for Vengance" by Judas Priest, "Like a Prayer" by Madonna, "Appetite for Destruction" by Guns n' Roses, "Somewhere in Time" by Iron Maiden, "Night Songs" by Cinderella, "1984" by Van Halen, "Winger" by Winger, "Back in Black" by AC/DC, "Diary of a Madman" by Ozzy Osbourne, "Open Up and Say...Ahhhh!" by Poison and more, but it's a top ten! But give honorable mention to these artists for producing great albums like the ones in the top ten and the ones here!
By: miguel angel
By: Ken
  • 10. The Bears by The Bears
    Adrian Belew from King Crimson put together this great little pop band in the late 80's and they didn't catch on...
  • 9. In The Dark by Grateful Dead
  • 8. So by Peter Gabriel
  • 7. Combat Rock by The Clash
  • 6. ABACAB by Genesis
  • 5. Joshua Tree by U2
  • 4. Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz
  • 3. Cosmic Thing by B-52's
  • 2. Zenyatta Mondatta by The Police
    I don't know if I liked this one or Ghost In The Machine better...
  • 1. Speaking In Tongues by Talking Heads
Again...so many are left off...
By: James H.
  • 10. Japan by Gentleman take Polaroids
    A beginning band which set the stage for new wave and synth pop.
  • 9. Mirror Moves by The Psychedellic Furs
    An often overlooked song which didn't get as much popularity was "The Ghost In You".
  • 8. Dare by Human League
    The popularity of the single "Don't You Want Me" gave alot of credit to the band.
  • 7. The Hurting by Tears for Fears
    "Change", along with "Pale Shelter" both were a secretive success.
  • 6. Shake it Up by The Cars
    Their later album, it fit well for the 80s.
  • 5. Antics in the Forbidden Zone by Adam Ant
    A compilation of all of there best singles, including "Stand and Deliver" and "Car Trouble".
  • 4. Forever Young by Alphaville
    Released in 1984, the success of "Big in Japan" and "Sounds like a Melody" were huge.
  • 3. Freedom of Choice by Devo
    With the popularity of "Whip it", not in the least their best song.
  • 2. Psychocandy by Jesus and the Mary Chain
    Very original and unique for the 80s, well ahead of its time.
  • 1. Black Celebration by Depeche Mode
    Overall out of all there albums including Violatar, the definite best. Big singles such as "A Question of Lust" and "Stripped".
By: Mo Robinson
  • 10. Every Breath You Take - The Singles by The Police
    Just simply awesome!
  • 9. Escape by Journey
    One of the best albums made!
  • 8. Spreading the Disease by Anthrax
    I love these guys!
  • 7. True Blue by Madonna
    The girl got skills!
  • 6. Songs From the Big Chair by Tears for Fears
    This is probably their best album!
  • 5. Off The Wall by Michael Jackson
    Mike is just the man no doubt about it!
  • 4. Licensed To Ill by Beastie Boys
    These Guys are off-the-hook!
  • 3. Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A.
    Awesome!
  • 2. Raising Hell by Run - D.M.C.
    They're just great!
  • 1. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy
    One of the best rap groups during their time!
By: Johnno
  • 10. Ghost in the Machine by The Police
    Nice. Yeah The Police have been flogged to death on AOR radio, but you must admit they were good. This album seems to be the least thrashed, mainly due to it being just a little bit "different". If I hear "Every Breath You Take" once more I'll scream.
  • 9. Stop Making Sense by Talking Heads
    There was a movie and the soundtrack, sort of a greatest hits package done live, with Byrne in his "big man suit". Remain in Light was pretty cool too.
  • 8. ZOOLOOK by Jean Michel Jarre
    French dude Jarre takes samples of various languages and mixes it with synth stuff. Amazing........ I'd put Oxygene here but it was made in '76, however it was "ahead of it time" so who knows? :-)
  • 7. Wild Planet by B-52's
    FUN!
  • 6. Primitive Man by Icehouse
    Iva Davies' second album. Icehouse and Man of Colours were good too but this is my fave.
  • 5. Stoneage Romeos by Hoodoo Gurus
    The Gurus debut album with lots of surf/punk influences. Necrophilia, kamikazee pilots, deathships etc all rolled into one.
  • 4. Architecture and Morality by Orchestral Manauvers in the Dark OMD
    The first album I heard that actually put warmth into synth music without it sounding tinny or robotic. Some lovely dreamy tunes. OMD even admit it was their best.
  • 3. Closer by Joy Division
    Want to know why Ian Curtis killed himself? Listen to this, the perfect album for angst ridden teens in the 80s.
  • 2. Doolittle by The Pixies
    I bought this (again) a few weeks ago. Awesome. Glad to see they have sorted out their differences and reformed.
  • 1. 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 by Midnight Oil
    Midnight Oil when they were a group of 5 really ANGRY young men. This was on the Aussie charts for more than two years, mainly by word of mouth. Forget Diesel and Dust, this is the sh*t!!!!!!!
The top 5 on my list are pretty well interchangeable. There seems to be 10 rather middle of the road lists for every interesting one. There again, this sums up the 80s perfectly! I'm surprised with so much poodle rock, corporate crap, made for MTV and AOR banality listed that ZZ Top's Eliminator is not favored more often.
By: Nicki McCallister
We were so lucky to grow up in the 80s. Our music has truly stood the test of time!
By: Liquid Len
  • 10. Travelling Wilburys Volume 1 by Travelling Wilburys
    After being immersed in Janet Jackson, Tiffany, Rick Astley, DJ Sven, and other geniuses, it was a relief to hear some old fashioned MUSIC again. No fancy production or sloppy grunge, just a bunch of good songs sung by people who actually seem to be enjoying the music themselves, instead of being fixated on their own image as they dance on top of a fence with an animated cat.
  • 9. The Crossing by Big Country
    A very unusual album, with it's Scottish feel. Due to the sheer strength of the songs, it all works. After this one album, they seemed to have exhausted all their songwriting skills, and just attempted to retread the same ideas.
  • 8. Too Low For Zero by Elton John
    A very good energized effort from a legendary songwriter. Sounds like he's having fun this time around - each song is very original, his old backup band has been reassembled and it sounds just like it used to, or pretty close. High spirits (I'm Still Standing, Kiss the Bride) and soulful singing (I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues, Cold As Christmas) and middle of the road dabbling in current musical fashions (Crystal, Too Low For Zero).
  • 7. Synchronicity by The Police
    With each album, the Police just got better. They are clearly much more at home in the studio, the songs on this album are each very unique, and don't ever feel like they're overstretched. Very weird music for Sting, particularly in the lyrics department. Very concise songwriting - not a dull moment.
  • 6. Love Over Gold by Dire Straits
    Dire Straits' probably least commercially successful (Industrial Disease was a minor hit) but most creative album. Epic songs and tasteful playing highlight the 5 tracks on this album. Kind of Floydian at times, with the stretched-out feel of the songs.
  • 5. Time by ELO
    ELO's last great album. Very good songwriting, along the lines of the Beatles or Pink Floyd. It didn't sound like they were just carelessly adding track after track of synthesisers beeping, instead very well chosen sounds and production all around. I think the only reason 'Hold On Tight' is on the album is that the record company wouldn't release it without a 'hit single'. I think it is a pretty lame and out-of-place song compared to the rest of the album (though its bridge almost redeems it).
  • 4. Long Distance Voyager by Moody Blues
    A stunning comeback for a group that seemed 'down for the count'. This group was very original and groundbreaking in the 60s, but a reunion in '78 seemed de-energized and bordering on cheesy. Replacing their keyboardist with Patrick Moraz, and their producer with Pip Williams, they came up with an absolutely brilliant album, music that contains elements of their older style but convincingly updated for the 80s.
  • 3. Paradise Theater by Styx
    A very good concept album from Styx, some of their best writing and playing here. Beautiful harmonies, wild guitar solos, and a sense of it being a unified performance instead of just a few songs from Dennis, a few from Tommy, and one from James Young.
  • 2. Glass Houses by Billy Joel
    Billy Joel's finest hour, not a bad track on the album. Just mindless fun, not much story or world view here. Instead, vaguely Beatleish (Still R&R To Me, All For Leyna), Paul Simon (Don't Ask Me Why), and other well-trodden paths.
  • 1. The Wall by Pink Floyd
    The last REALLY AMAZING album ever released, in my opinion. Right at the start of the 80s. A story, a world view, and some very good music. Some have claimed the music is stretched a bit thin across two albums - fair enough, but it adds to the album's ability to build to a crescendo.
By: Ronald
By: Michael Cline
  • 10. Tattoo You by Rolling Stones
    Showed the world they were still the greatest rock and roll band ever!!
  • 9. Blizzard of Ozz by Ozzy Osbourne
    The living king of rock and roll introduces us to Randy AND makes a killer record with tracks like, "Crazy Train", and, "Mr. Crowley".
  • 8. Synchonicity by The Police
    What a way for a band to go out, on top and after creating a masterpiece.
  • 7. Screaming For Vengeance by Judas Priest
    Not only did this LP give us one of the greatest anthems of all time "You've Got Another Thing Coming", every track kills. Check of "Devil's Child", and "Bloodstone".
  • 6. Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden
    Introduced the world to one of the greatest voices and frontmen metal has ever known.
  • 5. Pyromania by Def Leppard
    Before they sold out and made Hysteria and all their subsequent albums, Def Leppard knew how to rock.
  • 4. Master of Puppets by Metallica
    One of the most important albums of its genre. This is the album that really put them on the map before "One".
  • 3. East by Cold Chisel
    An Aussie band most have probably never heard of. Gritty, emotional, and angry all at once. Do yourself a favor and get this one. You might know the singer - Jimmy Barnes.
  • 2. Back In Black by AC/DC
    Again, no comment necessary.
  • 1. Appetite For Destruction by Guns n Roses
    No comment necessary.
Ah... the 80s. What a great decade musically! Too bad the 90s were a musical wasteland!!

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