Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s
by LittleM1971 
- Chart updated: 11/07/2025 21:15
- (Created: 11/28/2013 00:37).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
View the complete list of 57,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s composition
| Year | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 11 | 11% | |
| 1981 | 6 | 6% | |
| 1982 | 10 | 10% | |
| 1983 | 8 | 8% | |
| 1984 | 11 | 11% | |
| 1985 | 8 | 8% | |
| 1986 | 9 | 9% | |
| 1987 | 17 | 17% | |
| 1988 | 11 | 11% | |
| 1989 | 9 | 9% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| The Cure | 5 | 5% | |
| The Smiths | 5 | 5% | |
| Echo & The Bunnymen | 4 | 4% | |
| Various Artists | 4 | 4% | |
| New Order | 4 | 4% | |
| R.E.M. | 4 | 4% | |
| Depeche Mode | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 8 from 53rd to 45th Squirrel And G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out) by Happy Mondays |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 45th to 46th I Am A Wallet by McCarthy |
| Down 1 from 46th to 47th This Is The Sea by The Waterboys |
| Down 1 from 47th to 48th Porcupine by Echo & The Bunnymen |
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s similar charts
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | DanielU | 1980s decade chart | 2020 | ![]() |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | Mrump | 1980s decade chart | 2023 | ![]() |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | 1980s decade chart | 2015 | ![]() | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | WayneMC | 1980s decade chart | 2025 | ![]() |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | matterhornrider | 1980s decade chart | 2025 | ![]() |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | Rafion | 1980s decade chart | 2021 | ![]() |
| Uncut: The 500 Greatest Albums Of The 1980s (1-100) | WayneMC | Custom chart | 2024 | ![]() |
| The 500 Greatest Albums Of The 1980s | Uncut | 1980s decade chart | 2024 | ![]() |
| Greatest albums of the 1980s | Ultimate Record Collection (Magazine) | 1980s decade chart | 2024 | ![]() |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | chriskarman | 1980s decade chart | 2022 | ![]() |
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Other decade charts by LittleM1971
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 52 Music Albums of the 2020s | LittleM1971 | 2020s decade chart | 2025 | ![]() |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2010s | LittleM1971 | 2010s decade chart | 2025 | ![]() |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2000s | LittleM1971 | 2000s decade chart | 2025 | ![]() |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1990s | LittleM1971 | 1990s decade chart | 2025 | ![]() |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | LittleM1971 | 1980s decade chart | 2025 | ![]() |
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s ratings
Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AVwhere:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
AV = the site mean average rating.
Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 20 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 02/08/2025 11:07 | 1,106 | 85/100 | |
| ! | 01/09/2024 00:26 | 209 | 88/100 | |
| ! | 01/08/2024 20:30 | Moondance | 476 | 85/100 |
| ! | 01/08/2024 13:42 | 654 | 91/100 | |
| ! | 01/04/2022 20:08 | Johnnyo | 2,546 | 80/100 |
Rating metrics:
Outliers can be removed when calculating a mean average to dampen the effects of ratings outside the normal distribution. This figure is provided as the trimmed mean. A high standard deviation can be legitimate, but can sometimes indicate 'gaming' is occurring. Consider a simplified example* of an item receiving ratings of 100, 50, & 0. The mean average rating would be 50. However, ratings of 55, 50 & 45 could also result in the same average. The second average might be more trusted because there is more consensus around a particular rating (a lower deviation).
(*In practice, some charts can have several thousand ratings)
This chart is rated in the top 2% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 90.0/100, a mean average of 88.5/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 92.1/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 17.4.
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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s comments
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This is a really great chart, super honed in on British indie origins and could always have more variety, but what it has is incredible. This has turned me on to a number of compilations (looks like mostly label samplers) which I haven't heard before, which in turn have turned me on to a number of bands which I haven't heard before. Lovely chart!
Excellent chart indeed ~ perhaps a little too UK centric.
Excellent chart.
Awesome
a spectacular chart to be honest
Outstanding chart! You'll get no argument from me by putting The Stone Roses in your #1 slot--that is an absolutely terrific album. I also really love Doolitte, Surfer Rosa, and Murmur. Up for a Bit with the Pastels is a less familiar top ten pick that I'll have to spend some time with. Thanks for sharing this very exciting chart!
Fantastic. A massive 40 albums in common with you. It can only be a 100/100 rating from me. Well done
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