Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s by 
Romanelli 
- Chart updated: 3 days ago
- (Created: 12/04/2011 20:38).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
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Produced by Otis Wilbury & Nelson Wilbury. How can you top a supergroup with Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne? You can't. Orbison's death cut the group short, but this first album is a gem. Strong contributions from all, and it sounds like it was an absolute blast for these guys to record. "Handle With Care", "Last Night", "End Of The Line", "Tweeter And The Monkey Man". I could listen to this one all day long and never get bored.
[First added to this chart: 12/04/2011]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,180
Rank in 1988:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
30
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1988 – GEFFEN
Produced By PAT MORAN
1. What I Am
2. Little Miss S.
3. Air Of December
4. The Wheel
5. Love Like We Do
6. Circle
7. Beat The Time
8. She
9. Nothing
10. Now
11. Keep Coming Back
12. I Do
If Edie Brickell had never allowed herself to be talked onto that stage with the band New Bohemians in 1985, there would have been no “What I Am”, no Shooting Rubberbands At The Stars, and Paul Simon would have had to marry someone else. But Edie did get on that stage, and the rest is history. This one hit wonder of a band and an album may be the loopiest of the bunch, with its most curious of lyrics (“what I am is what I am you what you are or what?”) and Brickell’s dizzy spinning hippie chick persona. In 1988, this song was all over the radio, all over MTV, and the band was forgotten as quickly as it fell off the charts. This is actually a pretty good debut album, and although there was nothing as quaint and catchy as “What I Am” on the album (or the rest of their short career), there is a nice and quite listenable record that is in no way unpleasant. They were good…they were unfortunately never great.
But, yeah…for a moment, there was hope for this band. There were some fine tracks here. “Circle” could have been a hit, and “Little Miss S.” is an odd ode to Edie Sedgwick. There are also a whole lot of pretty good to average tracks, nothing terrible, just nothing outside of a small few that will actually jump out at you. So, for a one hit wonder, it’s better than average, better than respectable, and actually very good. They did make another album. Ghost Of A Dog was just as good, except it had no hits, thus no sales. Brickell then ran off with Simon, ending the band (except for a 2006 reunion album that absolutely no one ever listened to) and cementing their status forever. They were probably better than you remembered them, and Brickell’s wispy character is always enchanting. “I’m not afraid of too many things / I know what I know if you know what I mean”…. [First added to this chart: 10/22/2019]
Produced By PAT MORAN
1. What I Am
2. Little Miss S.
3. Air Of December
4. The Wheel
5. Love Like We Do
6. Circle
7. Beat The Time
8. She
9. Nothing
10. Now
11. Keep Coming Back
12. I Do
If Edie Brickell had never allowed herself to be talked onto that stage with the band New Bohemians in 1985, there would have been no “What I Am”, no Shooting Rubberbands At The Stars, and Paul Simon would have had to marry someone else. But Edie did get on that stage, and the rest is history. This one hit wonder of a band and an album may be the loopiest of the bunch, with its most curious of lyrics (“what I am is what I am you what you are or what?”) and Brickell’s dizzy spinning hippie chick persona. In 1988, this song was all over the radio, all over MTV, and the band was forgotten as quickly as it fell off the charts. This is actually a pretty good debut album, and although there was nothing as quaint and catchy as “What I Am” on the album (or the rest of their short career), there is a nice and quite listenable record that is in no way unpleasant. They were good…they were unfortunately never great.
But, yeah…for a moment, there was hope for this band. There were some fine tracks here. “Circle” could have been a hit, and “Little Miss S.” is an odd ode to Edie Sedgwick. There are also a whole lot of pretty good to average tracks, nothing terrible, just nothing outside of a small few that will actually jump out at you. So, for a one hit wonder, it’s better than average, better than respectable, and actually very good. They did make another album. Ghost Of A Dog was just as good, except it had no hits, thus no sales. Brickell then ran off with Simon, ending the band (except for a 2006 reunion album that absolutely no one ever listened to) and cementing their status forever. They were probably better than you remembered them, and Brickell’s wispy character is always enchanting. “I’m not afraid of too many things / I know what I know if you know what I mean”…. [First added to this chart: 10/22/2019]
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1988-ELEKTRA
Produced By DAVID KERSHENBAUM
1. Talkin’ Bout A Revolution
2. Fast Car
3. Across The Lines
4. Behind The Wall
5. Baby Can I Hold You
6. Mountains O’ Things
7. She’s Got Her Ticket
8. Why?
9. For My Lover
10. If Not Now…
11. For You
Out of the wasteland of dying classic rock, hair metal, dance pop and synthesizer driven music of the 1980’s came this Tufts University protest singer and her acoustic guitar. Turned down by numerous producers because she wasn’t any of the above, Tracy Chapman was finally hooked up with David Kershenbaum, who was brave enough to let her be who she was in a musical landscape that did not support what she was doing at all. The result is one of the most striking debut albums ever made, and a shining beacon during one of music’s most dismal times. Tracy Chapman had something to say, and she said it well. Compared frequently and accurately to Joan Armatrading, Chapman’s debut album is a thing of beauty. Even though it does contain a couple of clunkers, as a whole it’s nearly perfect. The song that made the world take notice of Chapman was “Fast Car”, a beautifully told story of a life struggle within the boundaries of poverty and alcoholism. “Fast Car” was the unlikeliest of huge hits, and still stands as one of the best songs of the decade.
“Talkin’ Bout A Revolution” is a protest anthem that would have been perfect in the late 1960’s. “For My Lover” may be her most beautiful song, while “Behind The Wall” is a brave a cappella picture of inner city life. Also of note are “She’s Got Her Ticket”, which brings reggae into the mix, and “Across The Lines”. The album is almost as good as, and draws comparisons to, Armatrading’s self titled debut album. Her career has continued on, with not surprisingly less success (after all, this isn’t the kind of stuff that consistently sells a lot of units), and she’s never quite matched the magic of her debut, but this album should still be a must have. It’s so much more than just “Fast Car”, which is all that it’s remembered for today. It’s proof that, once in a while, beautiful music can come from nowhere. She’s more of an artist than a hitmaker, and more of a storyteller than a star. It’s hard too not appreciate Chapman for any of that. [First added to this chart: 04/28/2014]
Produced By DAVID KERSHENBAUM
1. Talkin’ Bout A Revolution
2. Fast Car
3. Across The Lines
4. Behind The Wall
5. Baby Can I Hold You
6. Mountains O’ Things
7. She’s Got Her Ticket
8. Why?
9. For My Lover
10. If Not Now…
11. For You
Out of the wasteland of dying classic rock, hair metal, dance pop and synthesizer driven music of the 1980’s came this Tufts University protest singer and her acoustic guitar. Turned down by numerous producers because she wasn’t any of the above, Tracy Chapman was finally hooked up with David Kershenbaum, who was brave enough to let her be who she was in a musical landscape that did not support what she was doing at all. The result is one of the most striking debut albums ever made, and a shining beacon during one of music’s most dismal times. Tracy Chapman had something to say, and she said it well. Compared frequently and accurately to Joan Armatrading, Chapman’s debut album is a thing of beauty. Even though it does contain a couple of clunkers, as a whole it’s nearly perfect. The song that made the world take notice of Chapman was “Fast Car”, a beautifully told story of a life struggle within the boundaries of poverty and alcoholism. “Fast Car” was the unlikeliest of huge hits, and still stands as one of the best songs of the decade.
“Talkin’ Bout A Revolution” is a protest anthem that would have been perfect in the late 1960’s. “For My Lover” may be her most beautiful song, while “Behind The Wall” is a brave a cappella picture of inner city life. Also of note are “She’s Got Her Ticket”, which brings reggae into the mix, and “Across The Lines”. The album is almost as good as, and draws comparisons to, Armatrading’s self titled debut album. Her career has continued on, with not surprisingly less success (after all, this isn’t the kind of stuff that consistently sells a lot of units), and she’s never quite matched the magic of her debut, but this album should still be a must have. It’s so much more than just “Fast Car”, which is all that it’s remembered for today. It’s proof that, once in a while, beautiful music can come from nowhere. She’s more of an artist than a hitmaker, and more of a storyteller than a star. It’s hard too not appreciate Chapman for any of that. [First added to this chart: 04/28/2014]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,902
Rank in 1988:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
32. (=)
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1988-4AD
Produced By STEVE ALBINI
1. Bone Machine
2. Break My Body
3. Something Against You
4. Broken Face
5. Gigantic
6. River Euphrates
7. Where Is My Mind?
8. Cactus
9. Tony's Theme
10. Oh My Golly!
11. Vamos
12. I'm Amazed
13. Brick Is Red
At the end of rock's strangest transitional decade (the 80's), the Pixies delivered one of the best one-two album punches ever with Surfer Rosa and Doolittle. Surfer Rosa sounds like nothing else from the 80's...dark, hilarious, scary, fun, and rocking all in one package. Definitely not pop or music for the masses in any way, those who discovered The Pixies in 1988 were in for something new and exciting. Black Francis was like no one else in rock, and Kim Deal (who was credited on the album as Mrs. John Murphy) became the coolest girl in music ever.
"Bone Machine" and Deal's "Gigantic" are the highlights, but the rest is very good as well. An almost perfect album from an almost perfect band, The Pixies were never better than at the end of the 80's. You should have both this and Doolittle in your collection. [First added to this chart: 12/21/2011]
Produced By STEVE ALBINI
1. Bone Machine
2. Break My Body
3. Something Against You
4. Broken Face
5. Gigantic
6. River Euphrates
7. Where Is My Mind?
8. Cactus
9. Tony's Theme
10. Oh My Golly!
11. Vamos
12. I'm Amazed
13. Brick Is Red
At the end of rock's strangest transitional decade (the 80's), the Pixies delivered one of the best one-two album punches ever with Surfer Rosa and Doolittle. Surfer Rosa sounds like nothing else from the 80's...dark, hilarious, scary, fun, and rocking all in one package. Definitely not pop or music for the masses in any way, those who discovered The Pixies in 1988 were in for something new and exciting. Black Francis was like no one else in rock, and Kim Deal (who was credited on the album as Mrs. John Murphy) became the coolest girl in music ever.
"Bone Machine" and Deal's "Gigantic" are the highlights, but the rest is very good as well. An almost perfect album from an almost perfect band, The Pixies were never better than at the end of the 80's. You should have both this and Doolittle in your collection. [First added to this chart: 12/21/2011]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,521
Rank in 1988:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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1988-UNI
Produced By STEVE EARLE & TONY BROWN
1. Copperhead Road
2. Snake Oil
3. Back To The Wall
4. The Devil's Right Hand
5. Johnny Come Lately
6. Even When I'm Blue
7. You Belong To Me
8. Waiting On You
9. Once You Love
10. Nothing But A Child
Country, meet rock. Only not in some paying homage to the Eagles way, but meet what you would sound like if you really rocked. The title track from Copperhead Road is everything that a perfect mix of country and rock could dream of. It's heavy, reckless, redneck, and a great story all rolled into one. The rest of the album isn't too bad, either. Earle was not yet seeing his career be destroyed by his heroin use, but you could hear it in his voice on this album. Which gives him a rough, sandpaper sound that suits the material well.
"The Devil's Right Hand", "Johnny Come Lately", "Snake Oil"...all highlights. This was Earle's first truly great album, and there would be more to come...after he cleaned himself up. But this is more than worthwhile if only for the power of the title track. Turn it up, boy! Feel the power of Steve Earle! [First added to this chart: 12/12/2011]
Produced By STEVE EARLE & TONY BROWN
1. Copperhead Road
2. Snake Oil
3. Back To The Wall
4. The Devil's Right Hand
5. Johnny Come Lately
6. Even When I'm Blue
7. You Belong To Me
8. Waiting On You
9. Once You Love
10. Nothing But A Child
Country, meet rock. Only not in some paying homage to the Eagles way, but meet what you would sound like if you really rocked. The title track from Copperhead Road is everything that a perfect mix of country and rock could dream of. It's heavy, reckless, redneck, and a great story all rolled into one. The rest of the album isn't too bad, either. Earle was not yet seeing his career be destroyed by his heroin use, but you could hear it in his voice on this album. Which gives him a rough, sandpaper sound that suits the material well.
"The Devil's Right Hand", "Johnny Come Lately", "Snake Oil"...all highlights. This was Earle's first truly great album, and there would be more to come...after he cleaned himself up. But this is more than worthwhile if only for the power of the title track. Turn it up, boy! Feel the power of Steve Earle! [First added to this chart: 12/12/2011]
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1988 – RCA
Produced By PETER MOORE
1. Mining For Gold
2. Misguided Angel
3. Blue Moon Revisited (Song For Elvis)
4. I Don’t Get It
5. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
6. To Love Is To Bury
7. 200 More Miles
8. Dreaming My Dreams With You
9. Working On A Building
10. Sweet Jane
11. Postcard Blues
12. Walkin’ After Midnight
Cowboy Junkies may be the most depressing band ever…and that’s saying a lot. Three siblings and a pal from Canada, The Trinity Session is their second album, and the one that has their only real hit, a cover of “Sweet Jane” by The Velvet Underground. Their depressing, lo-fi almost alt-country sound was unique at the end of the eighties, but it’s proof that the genre was quite alive at that time. The Trinity Session was recorded in a church, in the round, live. It’s not their best work (that would be 1992’s Black Eyed Man), but it’s close, and it’s a great snapshot of what the band was all about. Outside of their native country, this was their most successful album, and contains many of their best original songs, along with some fine covers. “Sweet Jane” is the obvious highlight, but there are several other reasons to make this album your own.
Their take on the Hank Williams classic, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”, is somehow even sadder than Hank’s version. “Blue Moon Revisited” mixes the old standard with an original composition, and “Walkin’ After Midnight” was a hit for Patsy Cline in 1957. Most of the rest are original compositions, which has never been the Junkie’s strength. No bad songs, but nothing that really stands out. The vocals of Margo Timmins are haunting and downright depressing, and the mood never really varies from the low and lonesome. Still, this album has become highly influential over the years, and has been championed by artists like Ryan Adams and Natalie Merchant. It’s overall a very good album, well played and highly interesting to be sure. Just make sure, before you listen, that you have hidden all of your razorblades. [First added to this chart: 12/13/2016]
Produced By PETER MOORE
1. Mining For Gold
2. Misguided Angel
3. Blue Moon Revisited (Song For Elvis)
4. I Don’t Get It
5. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
6. To Love Is To Bury
7. 200 More Miles
8. Dreaming My Dreams With You
9. Working On A Building
10. Sweet Jane
11. Postcard Blues
12. Walkin’ After Midnight
Cowboy Junkies may be the most depressing band ever…and that’s saying a lot. Three siblings and a pal from Canada, The Trinity Session is their second album, and the one that has their only real hit, a cover of “Sweet Jane” by The Velvet Underground. Their depressing, lo-fi almost alt-country sound was unique at the end of the eighties, but it’s proof that the genre was quite alive at that time. The Trinity Session was recorded in a church, in the round, live. It’s not their best work (that would be 1992’s Black Eyed Man), but it’s close, and it’s a great snapshot of what the band was all about. Outside of their native country, this was their most successful album, and contains many of their best original songs, along with some fine covers. “Sweet Jane” is the obvious highlight, but there are several other reasons to make this album your own.
Their take on the Hank Williams classic, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”, is somehow even sadder than Hank’s version. “Blue Moon Revisited” mixes the old standard with an original composition, and “Walkin’ After Midnight” was a hit for Patsy Cline in 1957. Most of the rest are original compositions, which has never been the Junkie’s strength. No bad songs, but nothing that really stands out. The vocals of Margo Timmins are haunting and downright depressing, and the mood never really varies from the low and lonesome. Still, this album has become highly influential over the years, and has been championed by artists like Ryan Adams and Natalie Merchant. It’s overall a very good album, well played and highly interesting to be sure. Just make sure, before you listen, that you have hidden all of your razorblades. [First added to this chart: 12/13/2016]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,026
Rank in 1988:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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[First added to this chart: 07/29/2018]
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[First added to this chart: 12/13/2011]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
16,103
Rank in 1988:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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1988-POLLYGRAM
Produced By CLIVE LANGER & ALAN WINSTANLEY
1. I’m Sorry
2. Don’t Go
3. Forgiven
4. It’ll Be Easier In The Morning
5. Hallelujah Jordan
6. If You Go
7. The Older We Get
8. Yes I Was
9. Love Don’t Work This Way
10. Ballad Of Katie
11. Feet On The Ground
12. Lonely Lane
13. Saved
After the success of U2, there was a long line of Irish bands signing record deals and trying to make a serious mark in the music industry. But none came as close to Bono & Company as Hothouse Flowers did, if even for only one album. The band impressed Bono so much that he had their first single released on U2’s label. The subsequent debut album, People, became and still is the best selling Irish debut album ever made, and its success was worldwide. Even though the band is still together today, they quickly slowed down and have recorded sporadically, with nothing near the success of their debut.
Ah, but there is People. Almost lost in the confused musical world of 1988 was this positively great album. “Don’t Go” was a breath of fresh air in the dying world of New Wave and the height of hair metal power ballads. The unique Hothouse Flowers blend of American soul and traditional Celtic was never more evident than on “Don’t Go” and “I’m Sorry”, maybe the best out of the gate one-two punch of the decade. “Love Don’t Work This Way” is the song that got Bono’s attention, and it’s superb. “It’ll Be Easier In The Morning” and “The Older We Get”…and, hell, everything else here, is outstanding. One of the better albums of the 80’s, and an almost forgotten gem…which is really a shame. [First added to this chart: 12/12/2024]
Produced By CLIVE LANGER & ALAN WINSTANLEY
1. I’m Sorry
2. Don’t Go
3. Forgiven
4. It’ll Be Easier In The Morning
5. Hallelujah Jordan
6. If You Go
7. The Older We Get
8. Yes I Was
9. Love Don’t Work This Way
10. Ballad Of Katie
11. Feet On The Ground
12. Lonely Lane
13. Saved
After the success of U2, there was a long line of Irish bands signing record deals and trying to make a serious mark in the music industry. But none came as close to Bono & Company as Hothouse Flowers did, if even for only one album. The band impressed Bono so much that he had their first single released on U2’s label. The subsequent debut album, People, became and still is the best selling Irish debut album ever made, and its success was worldwide. Even though the band is still together today, they quickly slowed down and have recorded sporadically, with nothing near the success of their debut.
Ah, but there is People. Almost lost in the confused musical world of 1988 was this positively great album. “Don’t Go” was a breath of fresh air in the dying world of New Wave and the height of hair metal power ballads. The unique Hothouse Flowers blend of American soul and traditional Celtic was never more evident than on “Don’t Go” and “I’m Sorry”, maybe the best out of the gate one-two punch of the decade. “Love Don’t Work This Way” is the song that got Bono’s attention, and it’s superb. “It’ll Be Easier In The Morning” and “The Older We Get”…and, hell, everything else here, is outstanding. One of the better albums of the 80’s, and an almost forgotten gem…which is really a shame. [First added to this chart: 12/12/2024]
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1988 – CHRYSALIS
Produced By DAVID WAS, DON WAS & PAUL STAVELEY O’DUFFY
1. Somewhere In America There’s A Street Named After My Dad
2. Spy In The House Of Love
3. Out Come The Freaks
4. Earth To Doris
5. Love Can Be Bad Luck
6. Boy’s Gone Crazy
7. 11 MPH (Abe Zapp Ruder Version)
8. What Up, Dog?
9. Anything Can Happen
10. Robot Girl
11. Wedding Vows In Vegas
12. Anytime Lisa
13. Walk The Dinosaur
14. I Can’t Turn You Loose
15. Shadow And Jimmy
16. Dad I’m In Jail
By the 1980’s, musical acts that combined the best of what R&B is with pop and rock music were becoming rare…but the ones who did it were pretty damn good. Was (Not Was) lasted for a decade, and between 1981 and 1990, made some very refreshing music. Their peak was 1988’s What Up, Dog?, which mixed their infectious soul and funk grooves with great hooks, excellent performances, and a large dose of a sense of humor. “Out Come The Freaks” had put them on the map earlier (the one here is a re-recording), but it was the power of “Spy In The House Of Love”, and especially the hit “Walk The Dinosaur” that made them big. What Up, Dog? is their commercial and artistic height, and it’s an album well worth hearing. The two lead singers, Sweat Pea Atkinson and Sir Henry Bowens, are excellent, and this band of seemingly hundreds is as tight as a drum. Truly a band that could do anything…and a band that literally did just about everything.
While “Walk The Dinosaur” and “House Of Love” shine, there’s a lot more that this album has to offer. “Shadow And Jimmy” was co-written by Elvis Costello, and “Wedding Vows In Vegas” features a pure genius guest vocal from Frank Sinatra Jr. “Earth To Doris” would make Tom Waits shiver (“She kissed me like she was hungry. So we got a room. In the morning, she looked like a horse”…and “Dad, I’m In Jail” is one of the greatest comedy tracks of the decade. And fine songs like “Anytime Lisa”, “11 MPH”, “Robot Girl”, and “Somewhere In America…” make the album a true gem. It gets a little bit long (a lot of CD’s from that time did), and there’s a bit of filler because of that, but this is their best work, and one of the truly adventurous albums of its time. They made two albums that failed to reach the heights this one did and were gone before the mid 90’s, but What Up, Dog? remains their monument. A classic, a fine reminder of what music can be when we take down the damn barriers. [First added to this chart: 09/28/2024]
Produced By DAVID WAS, DON WAS & PAUL STAVELEY O’DUFFY
1. Somewhere In America There’s A Street Named After My Dad
2. Spy In The House Of Love
3. Out Come The Freaks
4. Earth To Doris
5. Love Can Be Bad Luck
6. Boy’s Gone Crazy
7. 11 MPH (Abe Zapp Ruder Version)
8. What Up, Dog?
9. Anything Can Happen
10. Robot Girl
11. Wedding Vows In Vegas
12. Anytime Lisa
13. Walk The Dinosaur
14. I Can’t Turn You Loose
15. Shadow And Jimmy
16. Dad I’m In Jail
By the 1980’s, musical acts that combined the best of what R&B is with pop and rock music were becoming rare…but the ones who did it were pretty damn good. Was (Not Was) lasted for a decade, and between 1981 and 1990, made some very refreshing music. Their peak was 1988’s What Up, Dog?, which mixed their infectious soul and funk grooves with great hooks, excellent performances, and a large dose of a sense of humor. “Out Come The Freaks” had put them on the map earlier (the one here is a re-recording), but it was the power of “Spy In The House Of Love”, and especially the hit “Walk The Dinosaur” that made them big. What Up, Dog? is their commercial and artistic height, and it’s an album well worth hearing. The two lead singers, Sweat Pea Atkinson and Sir Henry Bowens, are excellent, and this band of seemingly hundreds is as tight as a drum. Truly a band that could do anything…and a band that literally did just about everything.
While “Walk The Dinosaur” and “House Of Love” shine, there’s a lot more that this album has to offer. “Shadow And Jimmy” was co-written by Elvis Costello, and “Wedding Vows In Vegas” features a pure genius guest vocal from Frank Sinatra Jr. “Earth To Doris” would make Tom Waits shiver (“She kissed me like she was hungry. So we got a room. In the morning, she looked like a horse”…and “Dad, I’m In Jail” is one of the greatest comedy tracks of the decade. And fine songs like “Anytime Lisa”, “11 MPH”, “Robot Girl”, and “Somewhere In America…” make the album a true gem. It gets a little bit long (a lot of CD’s from that time did), and there’s a bit of filler because of that, but this is their best work, and one of the truly adventurous albums of its time. They made two albums that failed to reach the heights this one did and were gone before the mid 90’s, but What Up, Dog? remains their monument. A classic, a fine reminder of what music can be when we take down the damn barriers. [First added to this chart: 09/28/2024]
Total albums: 13. Page 1 of 2
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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s composition
| Year | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| 1980 | 14 | 14% | |
| 1981 | 7 | 7% | |
| 1982 | 11 | 11% | |
| 1983 | 7 | 7% | |
| 1984 | 8 | 8% | |
| 1985 | 5 | 5% | |
| 1986 | 10 | 10% | |
| 1987 | 11 | 11% | |
| 1988 | 13 | 13% | |
| 1989 | 14 | 14% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| U2 | 3 | 3% | |
| R.E.M. | 3 | 3% | |
| Bruce Springsteen | 3 | 3% | |
| X (US) | 3 | 3% | |
| The Jesus And Mary Chain | 2 | 2% | |
| Hüsker Dü | 2 | 2% | |
| AC/DC | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 9 from 75th to 66th Mirage by Fleetwood Mac |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 66th to 67th Building The Perfect Beast by Don Henley |
| Down 1 from 67th to 68th The Nightfly by Donald Fagen |
| Down 1 from 68th to 69th Dr. Feelgood by Mötley Crüe |
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s similar charts
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | caseygow | 1980s decade chart | 2018 |  |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | Finky | 1980s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s |  rockbluesfolkjaz | 1980s decade chart | 2022 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | edubs | 1980s decade chart | 2022 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | dmack | 1980s decade chart | 2016 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | matterhornrider | 1980s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s |  decemberhotel | 1980s decade chart | 2015 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s |  junodog4 | 1980s decade chart | 2023 |  |
| Die 100 besten Alben der 1980er Jahre | Popkultur.de | 1980s decade chart | 2022 |  |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | Rivera | 1980s decade chart | 2025 | |
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Other decade charts by Romanelli
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 4 Music Albums of the 2020s | Romanelli | 2020s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2010s | Romanelli | 2010s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2000s | Romanelli | 2000s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1990s | Romanelli | 1990s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | Romanelli | 1980s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s | Romanelli | 1970s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s | Romanelli | 1960s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 24 Music Albums of the 1950s | Romanelli | 1950s decade chart | 2025 | |
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s ratings
84/100 (from 29 votes)
where:
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).
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Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 29 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 80/100  | 02/06/2025 15:30 | BorderFreeAndrew | | 80/100 |
| 85/100 | 01/31/2025 14:12 | SomethingSpecial | | 85/100 |
| 70/100 | 01/23/2022 16:11 |  IlMala | | 95/100 |
| 80/100 | 10/22/2020 01:13 | leniad | | 85/100 |
| 85/100 | 09/05/2020 14:13 | MasterOfPuppets | | 91/100 |
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 has a Bayesian average rating of 83.9/100, a mean average of 81.4/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 83.2/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 13.4.
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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s favourites
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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s comments
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80/100
From BorderFreeAndrew 02/06/2025 15:33
Nice to see Adam Ant's "Friend or Foe" so high (a seriously underrated album), along with several other forgotten classics that tend to be ignored when most people make an 80's chart.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
80/100
From leniad 10/22/2020 01:13
Respect
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70/100
From 0129114 06/24/2020 03:52
some solid picks m8.
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80/100
From 
Liedzeit 11/24/2018 10:49
Liedzeit 11/24/2018 10:49
It is nice to see an 80s chart as chart of the day for a change. And what a pathetic decade it was if even someone like you who obviously knows a lot of stuff cannot come up with better records than these. TW are okay but as no. 1? The first decent LP enters at place 23, in my opinion.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
ForegroundNoise 11/24/2018 09:24
ForegroundNoise 11/24/2018 09:24
Really like your notes!!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
buzzdainer 07/16/2016 15:13
buzzdainer 07/16/2016 15:13
I love your take on the eighties! I really appreciate your #1 pick, as supergroups tend to be written off as inferior to the works of their individual members--an assumption that the Traveling Wilburys blew out of the water. Full Moon Fever, Disintegration, Doolittle, and The River are all great albums, too. Also really nice to see Blue Earth in your top ten, as I've been a huge fan of the Jayhawks for many years and love that album. Excellent work overall, especially on your notes!
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85/100
From BraddlesHendo 12/01/2014 14:31
Great albums I guess some I wouldn't play so much. We have quite a few similar choices
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
75/100
From 
tgarritsen 01/13/2014 15:59
tgarritsen 01/13/2014 15:59
Interesting number one pick.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From guigs13 01/10/2013 01:33
Nice chart!
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From davidhuret 12/11/2012 09:04
Good choice at #1.
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