Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s
by 
Strangel 
The 80s was decade with some truly awful music, laced with tinny synth, gutless drum machines, superficial ‘hair bands’ or ‘cock rock’, and overly earnest vocals. But the 80s also saw popular music stretch its reaches with some of the most extreme rock catharsis within the heavy metal scene and the green shoots of alt rock/indy coming into view. These latter genres therefore dominate this chart as I believe they were the truly alternative scenes of the 80s and thus deserve kudos for their integrity. Much of the chart is padded out with albums I’m not particularly enthused about but they hold nostalgic value to me.
- Chart updated: 07/17/2026 12:15
- (Created: 11/23/2016 05:27).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
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[First added to this chart: 12/02/2016]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,130
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 12/02/2016]
Year of Release:
1984
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,922
Rank in 1984:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 12/02/2016]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,023
Rank in 1988:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 12/02/2016]
Year of Release:
1989
Appears in:
Rank Score:
30,149
Rank in 1989:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 12/02/2016]
Year of Release:
1987
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,575
Rank in 1987:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 12/02/2016]
Year of Release:
1980
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,811
Rank in 1980:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 12/02/2016]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,492
Rank in 1988:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 12/02/2016]
Year of Release:
1980
Appears in:
Rank Score:
14,505
Rank in 1980:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
9. (=)
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[First added to this chart: 12/02/2016]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
11,934
Rank in 1988:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 12/02/2016]
Year of Release:
1985
Appears in:
Rank Score:
11,219
Rank in 1985:
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Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s composition
| Year | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 7 | 7% | |
| 1981 | 2 | 2% | |
| 1982 | 3 | 3% | |
| 1983 | 9 | 9% | |
| 1984 | 7 | 7% | |
| 1985 | 8 | 8% | |
| 1986 | 10 | 10% | |
| 1987 | 17 | 17% | |
| 1988 | 23 | 23% | |
| 1989 | 14 | 14% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Iron Maiden | 8 | 8% | |
| Manowar | 6 | 6% | |
| Metallica | 5 | 5% | |
| Nick Cave | 5 | 5% | |
| Kiss | 5 | 5% | |
| Anthrax | 4 | 4% | |
| Mötley Crüe | 4 | 4% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s chart changes
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
Down 1 from 52nd to 53rd |
Down 1 from 53rd to 54th |
Down 1 from 54th to 55th |
| New entries |
|---|
| Leavers |
|---|
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s similar charts
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| Top 86 Music Albums of the 1980s | UnliveableWilts | 1980s decade chart | 2017 |  |
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| Top 99 Music Albums of the 1980s | danwright252 | 1980s decade chart | 2017 | |
| Top 96 Music Albums of the 1980s |  elo269megv | 1980s decade chart | 2019 |  |
| Top 89 Music Albums of the 1980s | pjr428 | 1980s decade chart | 2019 | |
| Top 78 Music Albums of the 1980s | lanis | 1980s decade chart | 2015 | |
| Top 87 Music Albums of the 1980s | Bungalowracoon | 1980s decade chart | 2018 |  |
| Top 86 Music Albums of the 1980s |  srogers900 | 1980s decade chart | 2023 | |
| Top 73 Music Albums of the 1980s | gelud | 1980s decade chart | 2014 | |
| Top 70 Music Albums of the 1980s |  Taric | 1980s decade chart | 2012 |  |
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Other decade charts by Strangel
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| Top 53 Music Albums of the 2020s | Strangel | 2020s decade chart | 2026 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2010s | Strangel | 2010s decade chart | 2024 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2000s | Strangel | 2000s decade chart | 2022 | |
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s ratings
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Showing all 3 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 05/08/2021 14:13 | MasterOfPuppets | 174 | 91/100 |
| ! | 05/04/2021 02:32 | DJENNY | 4,335 | 100/100 |
| ! | 08/08/2017 20:51 |  greatson | 904 | 80/100 |
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