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: BYRON BENGUCHE
  • 10. Lyte As A Rock by MC Lyte
    The greatest female MC of all time. I remember seeing her on Yo!MTV Raps in 1988.
  • 9. Back On The Block by Quincy Jones
    The greatest all-star album of all time. Quincy not only incorporated jazz, gospel, and R & B, but hip hop as well.
  • 8. Straight Out Of Compton by NWA
    Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and MC Ren. The godfathers of West Coast gangsta rap. They opened the doors for Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Mack 10, and Nate Dogg.
  • 7. Diamond Life by SADE
    Sade's debut album is the best of all her albums.
  • 6. Picture Book by Simply Red
    I bought this album in 1986 and I still love it now!
  • 5. Raw by Big Daddy Kane
    The Big Daddy of the big ballers. FYI: Big Daddy Kane was the one who gave Jay Z his big break.
  • 4. Three Feet High And Rising by Dela Soul
    Dela Soul opened doors for other rappers and groups like Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweil, and the Roots.
  • 3. Paid In Full by Eric B.and Rakim
    This could have been my number one or number two, but this album is a classic hip hop album.
  • 2. Public Enemy by It Takes A Million Nations To Hold Us Back
    The first time I heard this album...
  • 1. Spanish Fly by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
    This is the greatest dance album of all time! The way they combine R & B and Spanish rhythms was great.
Honorable Mention: "By Any Means Necessary" - BDP, "The Power" - Ice T, and "Freaky Tales" - Too Short
By: BYRON BENGUCHE
  • 10. Like A Virgin by Madonna
  • 9. Purple Rain by Prince
  • 8. Forever Your Girl by Paula Abdul
    Paula is a very talented person. This was a great album!
  • 7. Control by Janet Jackson
    When this album came out, I was a sophomore in high school in 1986. I bought three copies of this album.
  • 6. Sowing The Seeds Of Love by Tears For Fears
    This album put me in the mind of the Beatles. Sgt.Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album in the 60s.
  • 5. Kick by INXS
    Kick was a great album. INXS was musically ahead of a lot of groups.
  • 4. The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick by Slick Rick
    From Children Story to Hey Young World, this was a great hip hop joint.
  • 3. License To Ill by Beastie Boys
    This is definetly a classic hip hop album.
  • 2. Vivid by Living Color
    Cult Of Personality rocked.
  • 1. In Effect Mode by Al B .Sure
    Classic R&B album... bar none!
By: Drew
  • 10. 90125 by Yes
    Owner of A Lonely Heart, Changes, It Can Happen
  • 9. Moving Pictures by Rush
    Tom Sawyer, Limelight, YYZ
  • 8. Master of Puppets by Metallica
    Battery, Master of Puppets, Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
  • 7. Appetite For Destruction by Guns n' Roses
    Sweet Child of Mine, Paradise City, Welcome to the Jungle
  • 6. Tattoo You by The Rolling Stones
    Start Me Up, Hang Fire, Waiting On A Friend
  • 5. Uh-Huh by John Cougar Mellencamp
    Pink Houses, Crumblin' Down, Authority Song
  • 4. Joshua Tree by U2
    Where the Streets Have No Name, With or Without You, Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
  • 3. 1984 by Van Halen
    Jump, Panama, Hot For Teacher
  • 2. Synchronicity by The Police
    Every Breath You Take, King of Pain, Wrapped Around Your Finger
  • 1. Born In The U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen and the E. Street Band
    Born in the USA, Glory Days, Dancing in the Dark
When they say classic rock was dead after the 70s, you need look no further than these 10 albums and you realize rock was not only alive and well in the 80s, but evolving with the emergence of bands like Metallica and Guns n' Roses. There was a great range of music created in the 80s, which for me made it undoubtedly a great time to be growing up and discovering music. Michael Jackson's "Thriller", Madonna's self titled debut, Duran Duran's "Rio", and The Cars "Heartbeat City" were just a few of the more pop oriented albums that were also big in the 80s.
By: Nikki
  • 10. Real Thing by Faith No More
    Got me back into rock after several years of hating it, and led me nicely into the 90s.
  • 9. Shout at the Devil by Motley Crue
    I was blown away the first time I heard the title track. Left a big impression on a 13 year old girl!
  • 8. Purple Rain by Prince
    Wore this one out. Not to mention that "Darling Nikki" became my theme song....
  • 7. It Takes a Nation of Millions.... by Public Enemy
    Gotta love Chuck D's voice and respect his words.
  • 6. ...And Justice for All by Metallica
    So good I bought it twice.
  • 5. Bad Reputation by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
    Got me through junior high, coolest chick ever!(after Suzi Quatro)
  • 4. Prince Charming by Adam & the Ants
    Fun rhythms, and I love how the choruses are sung over verses in a lot of his songs.
  • 3. Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys
    Try picking out all the samples ;)
  • 2. Love by The Cult
    I still love this, and most of their records!
  • 1. Truth and Soul by Fishbone
    How come nobody knows about them? They were one of the best bands of the 80s (and into the 90s. Still around today but nothing like they used to be.
I picked the albums that I actually listened to at the time and would still listen to now. These all had a big influence on me...Of course the list could have gone on and on but I could only choose 10!
By: Jeep
  • 10. Permanent Vacation by Aerosmith
    I remember this album best for the great videos it produced when I was a tike.
  • 9. Whitesnake by Whitesnake
    This album screams 80s and it's still a piece of art.
  • 8. Holy Diver by Dio
    Ronnie James should have retired after this one.
  • 7. And Justice for All... by Metallica
    Their last great album before they decided to appeal to the masses and the "normies."
  • 6. Pyromania by Def Leppard
    Their best album by leaps and bounds.
  • 5. Let's Dance by David Bowie
    The 80s gave us some of Bowie's greatest material besides his early stuff.
  • 4. 1984 by Van Halen
    Diamond Dave at the top of his game both musically and hair care wise.
  • 3. Faith by George Michael
    I'm not a fan of pop, but his songs on this album are great!
  • 2. Damaged by Black Flag
    Henry Rollins somehow went from making influential music to VH1. Go figure...
  • 1. Appetite For Destruction by Guns n' Roses
    Still holds up as well today as it did back in 1987.
By: Nick Ascenzo
  • 10. Dare by Human League
    The Human League in their finest hour
  • 9. Kick by INXS
    An LP that got them out in the world of music. Made them international stars.
  • 8. Once Upon A Time by Simple Minds
    Classic
  • 7. The Unforgettable Fire by U2
    With tracks including Pride and Bad how can you leave it out?
  • 6. The Boys Light Up by Australian Crawl
    Another great first up LP for a new Aussie band
  • 5. Business As Usual by Men At Work
    Great first up LP.
  • 4. Back In Black by AC/DC
    Just when you thought it was the end for AC/DC, they release this classic!
  • 3. Purple Rain by Prince
    A gem from Mr. Prince
  • 2. Born In The U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen
    Best LP released by the BOSS
  • 1. The Joshua Tree by U2
    This is the LP that turned them from stars to superstars. Every track is unique and are all classics. Every track could have been released as singles. Best band in the world and still going strong!
Apologies to Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie - tough to only narrow down to top 10 LPs. Many more could've squeezed in.
By: JAIME BRACAMONTE
This list is not in any special order. They are just 10 of a lot of wonderful 80s songs!
By: Mark Goodwin
  • 10. Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
    This one isn't probably a favorite anymore but it sure was back in then 80s and is worth mentioning here.
  • 9. Cosmic Thing by B-52s
    It came almost 10 years after Wild Planet but they still have it!
  • 8. Little Creatures by Talking Heads
    I loved all their albums but this is my favorite.
  • 7. Wild Planet by B-52s
    A 1980 release and was ahead of its time. I've played this one to death and still love it to this day!
  • 6. Staring at the Sea (the Singles) by The Cure
    Every track is good on this collection album.
  • 5. Business as Usual by Men at Work
    Awesome stuff!
  • 4. Black Sea by XTC
    My favorite album from a great band that was mostly overlooked!
  • 3. War by U2
    What a fantastic album! Sounds as good today as it did then.
  • 2. Life's Rich Pageant by R.E.M.
    As much as I've loved their other albums, this will always be my favorite!
  • 1. Diesel & Dust by Midnight Oil
    Released in the summer of '89 and sounds more like the 90s but one of my favorite albums of all time!
By: Thiago Axis
  • 10. The Final Countdown by Europe
    A very known album that I like so much. My favorite songs of its are "The Final Countdown" and "Rock The Night".
  • 9. Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits
    Another album of Dire Straits. "Money For Nothing", "Brother In Arms", "So Far Away" had enormous success.
  • 8. Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden
    The album which brought fame to Iron Maiden. "The Number Of The Beast" and "Run To The Hills" are my favorite songs of this album.
  • 7. 1984 by Van Halen
    The most known Van Halen album. "Jump", "Panama" and "Hot For Teacher" are great songs.
  • 6. Slip Of The Tongue by Whitesnake
    This Whitesnake album was released in 1989 and didn't had more repercusion. Excellent vocal performance by David Coverdale and guitar performance by Steve Vai.
  • 5. Appetite For Destruction by Guns n' Roses
    Good album... I like guitar riff and solo of "Sweet Child O' Mine".
  • 4. 5150 by Van Halen
    The first Van Halen album with Sammy Hagar. This album continues a last album's tendency with more keyboard performances and most elaborated lyrics.
  • 3. Back In Black by AC/DC
    The first album from AC/DC after Bon Scott's death. Great songs (Back In Black, You Shook Me All Night Long, etc.) with a great performance by Angus Young.
  • 2. Making Movies by Dire Straits
    Two of my favorite songs are in this album: "Romeo And Juliet" and "Tunnel of Love". Mark Knopfler is a great songwriter and guitarist.
  • 1. Alchemy (Live) by Dire Straits
    The best album that I heard. Mark Knopfler made an excellent performance with guitar and voice. This album includes an unforgettable version of "Sultans of Swing". "Tunnel of Love" and "Telegraph Road" are another great songs recorded live on this album.
By: David

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