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- Tom Petty, Full Moon Fever (1989) – I loved this album when it came out, and I love it even more today. If you don’t scream the chorus of “Free Fallin’” at the top of your lungs when driving alone, you’re probably not breathing.
- Prince, Purple Rain (1984) – This album is a masterpiece. “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy” both hit number one, while “Purple Rain” and “I Would Die For You” both hit the Top Ten.
- Michael Jackson, Thriller (1982) – It may be hard to believe, but in my sixth grade class, virtually every boy wanted to be Michael Jackson. As we waited for the doors of our elementary school to open each morning, we’d have Michael Jackson imitation contests.
- U2, The Joshua Tree (1987) – Bono and the boys made their name earlier in the decade, but The Joshua Tree exploded the band into the mainstream. The band’s only two U.S. number one songs—“With Or Without You” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”—are both here, along with “Where The Streets Have No Name.”
Sep 10, 2018 · The 200 Best Albums of the 1980s Kate Bush, N.W.A., Brian Eno, Madonna, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Sade, Sonic Youth, Janet Jackson, and the other icons who defined a decade By Pitchfork
- Pitchfork
- Rubén Blades – Buscando América
- Alaska Y Dinarama – Deseo Carnal
- The Waterboys – A Pagan Place
- The Blue Nile – A Walk Across The Rooftops
- Shannon – Let The Music Play
- David Sylvian – Brilliant Trees
- Robert Earl Keen – No Kinda Dancer
- Marillion – Fugazi
- Judas Priest – Defenders of The Faith
- Jean-Michel Jarre – Zoolook
Blades’ first album without Fania offers a clear glimpse into the socially conscious and sonically curious artist he would become in later years.
The seminal Spanish rock album pulls from new wave, punk, and pop to explore the extremes of human relationships.
Featuring the fan-favorite, “Red Army Blues,” the band’s 1984 album took Celtic rock to new heights with lofty lyricism and a big sound.
The Glaswegian band’s debut album is renowned for both its high production value and innovative songs that bring together the grounded lyricism of pop with the majestic heights of an orchestral arrangement.
Home to the beloved title track, the pop singer’s debut album reached number one on the Billboard dance charts and established Shannon as a club staple.
The British singer’s debut solo album is a brief yet expressive body of work that fuses funk, experimental music, and jazz to stirring effect.
The singer-songwriter’s 1984 album is a charming and down-to-earth portrait of life in Texas, full of vivid characters and detailed narratives.
The rock band’s second studio album is not often lauded among their top records but it’s full of hidden gems including the classics “Assassing,” “Incubus,” and the unforgettable title track
The heavy metal band’s ninth studio album may not boast the same radio hits as their previous records but it is full of easter eggs like “Freewheel Burning” and “Rock Hard Ride Free.”
The influential French composer’s seventh album uses vocal samples in over 20 different languages and a funky backup band to create an eclectic yet groovy record.
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- The Pixies – Doolittle (1989) At the tail end of the ’80s, an album came out that would continue to influence rock for a couple more decades and counting.
- The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead (1986) If “How Soon Is Now” off The Smiths’ previous album was the starting-pistol shot announcing their intentions to delve into darker territories, then the title track off The Queen Is Dead was rhythmic strafing to the same effect.
- Michael Jackson – Thriller (1982) Every now and then, an album comes along that we can all agree upon. It’s impossible to talk about the music of the ’80s without mentioning this watershed record by the King of Pop.
- Bruce Springsteen – Born in the U.S.A. (1984) This is Springsteen’s finest moment. Here are his strongest pop hooks, his most mature lyrics, his most complete vision.
The Top 100 Albums of the 1980s. A fast and furious decade featuring Pixies, Public Enemy, the Jesus and Mary Chain, New Order, Prince and more. By Pitchfork. November 20, 2002. Graphic by...
Feb 2, 2022 · Check out the full list of 1980’s best albums below, and listen to our 80s pop playlist on Spotify. 71: The Cramps – Songs the Lord Taught Us. Combining rockabilly with spooky...
Jan 17, 2022 · Top 40 80s pop artists – Adam Ant. Photo by Michael Sanderson 4 MICHAEL JACKSON. With just two albums, Michael Jackson was the decade’s biggest personality. Fifteen of his 19 album tracks in the 80s were singles, every one of them massive – beat that for quality control.