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: Gulcin Gokoglu
  • 10. Pretty Woman by soundtrack
  • 9. Joyride by Roxette
  • 8. Tourism by Roxette
  • 7. Like a Prayer by Madonna
  • 6. Look Sharp! by Roxette
  • 5. Electric Youth by Debbie Gibson
  • 4. Martika's Kitchen by Martika
    One of the best albums in my opinion but I am not stisfied with the lyrics
  • 3. Bananarama by Bananarama
  • 2. Super Trouper by Abba
    One of the greatest abba albums.A really addictive album
  • 1. Ce Soir by Tech Noir(now known as Ace of Base)
    (1987)A full-techno album with great sounds of 80s.
By: H.
By: Greg T Kix(Kix}
Kiss (Alive II), AC/DC (back In Black), Metalica (Black Album)
By: Jeff Jackson
  • 10. The Big Picture by Micheal W Smith
    Many fun songs on this one.
  • 9. Can't Fight the Midnight by Jimmy Harnen
    Has "Where Are You Now" and 10 other great songs!
  • 8. Solitude/Solitare by Peter Cetera
    "Big Mistake", "Glory of Love" on same album. Yahoo!!!!
  • 7. I2I by Michael W Smith
    Smith is the epitome of a soft rock singer/writer.
  • 6. Chicago 17 by Chicago
    Loaded with great Chicago/Cetera songs.
  • 5. John Parr by John Parr
    "St. Elmo's" and "Revenge" on the same album! Awesome!
  • 4. Hearts in Notion by Air Supply
    Album starts with 8 good songs in a row. Typical Air Supply hits. Worth the high price it usually goes for in auctions as it is a rare one.
  • 3. Cool Night by Paul Davis
    Some great songs here! It's a crime this guy isn't more known.
  • 2. Reckless by Bryan Adams
    "Summer of 69" says it all, but "Run to You", "Heaven," and "Somebody" are also there.
  • 1. Eric Carmen by Eric Carmen
    Great unknown album that's loaded with hits! "She Remembered" is too beautiful to describe.
By: Brian Meacham
  • 10. She's So Unusual by Cyndi Lauper
    Great Songs: Time After Time, Girls Just Want to Have Fun
  • 9. The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby and the Range
    Great Songs: Mandolin Rain, The Way It Is; Good Songs: Every Little Kiss, On the Western Skyline
  • 8. Hysteria by Def Leppard
    Great Songs: Pour Some Sugar on Me, Armageddon It; Good Songs: Love Bites, Hysteria
  • 7. Born in the USA by Bruce Springstein
    Great Songs: Glory Days, Dancing in the Dark, Born in the USA
  • 6. Appetite For Destruction by Guns N' Roses
    Great Songs: Paradise City, Sweet Child O' Mine, Welcome to the Jungle
  • 5. Heart by Heart
    Great Songs: These Dreams, What About Love, Never, Nothin at All
  • 4. Vital Signs by Survivor
    Great Songs: I Can't Hold Back, The Search is Over, High on You
  • 3. Back in the Highlife by Steve Winwood
    Great Songs: Higher Love, The Finer Things, Back in the Highlife Again
  • 2. Welcome to the Real World by Mr. Mister
    Great Songs: Kyrie, Broken Wings, Is It Love
  • 1. Songs From The Big Chair by Tears for Fears
    Great songs: Shout, Head Over Heels, Everyone Wants to Rule the World
Honorable Mention: All the 80s Albums by Billy Joel, Madonna, Chicago, and Phil Collins
By: Audie Murphy
By: DJ Midas
  • 10. Suddenly by Billy Ocean
    (What?) Okay, I know this one's considered "adult contemporary" or whatever, but virtually every song on this album hit the charts.
  • 9. Madonna by Madonna
    Being a club DJ this album IMO has some of the best dance grooves of the 80's.
  • 8. hunting high and low by a-ha
    My album of summer '85. The band sneaks their name into almost every track.
  • 7. People Are People by Depeche Mode
    My favorite band of all time. Lot of great tracks to dance to on this one.
  • 6. Licensed to Ill by Beastie Boys
    Classic bass-bumping rhymes.
  • 5. Appetite For Destruction by Guns 'N Roses
    This album ROCKS! Can't name A song I didn't like on this one.
  • 4. Violent Femmes by Violent Femmes
    Before I could drive we use to play this one on the school bus everyday and sing along. Fun!
  • 3. Substance 1987 by New Order
    I realize this is a "Greatest Hits" album but it's awesome from "Ceremony" to "True Faith"!
  • 2. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    The first cassette album I ever received. Played the King of Pop all the time. Not my favorite artist by any means but a very good album.
  • 1. Purple Rain Soundtrack by Prince & The Revolution
    My first Vinyl Album ever purchased & I still have it in good condition! I listened to it every day in the summer of '84. Every song was a hit.
My next 10 favorites(in no particular order): "1984" - Van Halen "1999" - Prince "Sports" - Huey Lewis & the News "An Innocent Man" - Billy Joel "Kick" - INXS "Music for the Masses" - Depeche Mode "Fascination" - Human League "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back" - Public Enemy "Hysteria" - Def Leppard "Power" - Ice-T
By: Dale Rohrbach
  • 10. English Settlement by XTC
    This one took me a listen or two to appreciate, but its quirkyness and edginess keep me coming back.
  • 9. Living in a Fantasy by Leo Sayer
    I have to be honest and say that I do not like Leo Sayer's stuff for the most part, but on this album, he collaborates with Alan Tarney and they get it right, mixing catchy refrains with a passionate, almost punk-like delivery.
  • 8. Running in the Family/The Pursuit of Accidents by Level 42
    I could not decide which is better, and both are necessary jazz/pop, anyway. Yes, Running is a little more consistent, and Pursuit's "The Chinese Way" is pretty annoying, but all things considered, WOW.
  • 7. Spirit of Eden by Talk Talk
    Not representative of the 80's, or anything else I've ever heard, for that matter, but this is required listening. A taste of Mark Hollis' later sensitive organic auditory madness referenced above.
  • 6. Remote by Hue & Cry
    Steely-Dannish in it's blend of pop and jazz. Although some songs are better than others, never did it feel so darn good to have hummable melodies festering in your head.
  • 5. Steve McQueen by Prefab Sprout
    Marries the eighties pop sound with a touch of folk and jazz, as well as cutting lyrical wit. Superior to it's lengthier American incarnation, "Two Wheels Good," in its exclusion of two forgettable afterthought songs and one forgettable remix.
  • 4. Songs from the Big Chair by Tears for Fears
    I hate to be repetitive of everyone else's list, but this collection of songs is both incredibly insightful as well as rockin.
  • 3. IV by Toto
    This album essentially molded the pop/westcoast sound. What chemistry is created when a bunch of L.A. session men decide to pull together.
  • 2. The Whole Story by Kate Bush
    Yes, technically a 1986 greatest hits package with some songs from the 70's, it still changed my life and continues to affect the way I listen to music.
  • 1. The Colour of Spring by Talk Talk
    Mark Hollis flawlessly balances his early pop music sensibilities with his later sensitive organic auditory madness.
It is hard to limit my choices to ten or even fifteen, but here are a few honorable mentions: Reach the Beach/Phantoms by The Fixx Give Me the Night by George Benson Physical by Olivia Newton-John The Nightfly by Donald Fagen Songs in the Attic by Billy Joel
By: Kevin Boenning
  • 10. Rising Force by Yngwie Malmsteen
    No explanation necessary.
  • 9. The Unforgettable Fire (1984) by U2
    This album is filled with just an amazing mix of dark harmony and thoughtful lyrics. One of the most heaven-like possesions a human could possibly own.
  • 8. The Joshua Tree (1987) by U2
    Considered by many to be the definitive U2 album, I consider it to be one of the best albums of all time. Just completely unique and incredible in every possible aspect.
  • 7. Empire (1990) by Queensryche
    A very worthy follow-up to 'Operation:Mindcrime,'and the most commercial of the Queensryche albums. This album spawned the singels Silent Lucidity, Another Rainy Night (Without You), and Jet City Woman. Contrary to most bands, this album exists for all the songs and not just filler material for the singles. Empire seems to prove that as long as there is authority, Queensryche will question it in a superior musical format.
  • 6. Operation:Mindcrime (1988) by Queensryche
    Easily the most intelligent heavy/prog/kick-ass metal album. EVER.
  • 5. ...And Justice For All (1988) by Metallica
    An album filled with one mind-bending, amazing song after another. This album has what I refer to as the 'Dream Theater Syndrome'-there's just so much going on that it's almost a new album every time you listen to.
  • 4. Master of Puppets (1986) by Metallica
    The song itself 'Master of Puppets' raised the bar for a metal-based epic song. Not to mention Orion, Battery and Damage Inc.!!!!
  • 3. Rust in Peace (1990) by Megadeth
    The last great exercise in the art of speed metal.
  • 2. Passion and Warfare (1990) by Steve Vai
    Not only did he redefine the way a guitar should be played, but with this master stroke of an album, Steve Vai easily redefined the word 'instrumental.'
  • 1. All albums Permanent Waves through Roll the Bones by Rush
    Any Rush album is really on a list by itself, so I included all of their releases from 1980 - 1990 as my number one. EAT THAT!!!
These aren't in any possible order, that's just too mind-boggling!!!! 80's sound rules, Long live guitar!! P.S. I have chosen to 'play along' and stayed within the context of the '80s decade (1980-1990). I'm stating this because these are not necessarily what I consider to be the best albums of all time. That would consist of mainly three categories: Rush, Steve Vai, and Dream Theater;)
By: Dave
  • 10. Pride by White Lion
  • 9. 5150 by Van Halen
  • 8. Three Lock Box by Sammy Hagar
  • 7. Operation Mindcrime by Queensryche
  • 6. Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
  • 5. Dr. Feelgood by Motely Crue
  • 4. Defenders of the Faith by Judas Priest
  • 3. Rage for Order by Queensryche
    Got me through my first year of the army.
  • 2. Open Up and Say Ahhh by Poison
    Can you say party?
  • 1. New Jersey by Bon Jovi
    Just remember having really good times to this album.

Previous List or Next List

Do You Have a List to Share?

Please check out the Top Ten Music Albums submission page.