Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s
by 
Robert Anton Wilson 
The 80s. My most hated decade and likely the one I am most familiar with. The fall of so many of my heroes going from great music to crappy attempts at hits or uninspired come-back. This is the beginning of the days when it was possible to make the big bucks with one charting album even if this album did not have staying power and when touring was now officially second to album sales in bringing in the dough. There was also the video revolution with MTV being born. And of course the ultimate thorn on our sides, the switch from vinyl to CD and the need to buy again the good albums. I resisted as long as I could the switch from vinyl to CD but eventually albums were made for the CD format and just did not belong on the vinyl anymore. Albums went from an average length of 40 minutes to 70 ... good thing for good bands ... much more filler for most. The early Beatles albums were often under a half hour of music. But there were new sounds (The Police, The Talking Heads) and new musical powerhouses (U2, REM) and quite a few surprises along the way. As you can see from my list, I never did get into the 80s sound though ... guilty as charged.
- Chart updated: 02/15/2015 18:15
- (Created: 12/15/2011 22:10).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 8 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s has an average rating of 83 out of 100 (from 8 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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[First added to this chart: 12/15/2011]
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One of the monument of rock. Good standard rock with no pretension or compromise. 2011 was a good concert year for me and I finally got to see him on stage. He grew up to be a loving husband and caring father without ever giving up on his long hair, jeans and guitar. They don't make 'em like him no more.
[First added to this chart: 12/20/2011]
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Following the meteoric rise of the Police they went their own way too soon. As expected, Sting was the one who remained in the spotlight. While he does not "rock" much anymore he did back then. Surrounded by virtuoso musicians he offered concerts of irresistible foot tapping, hand clapping and hip swaying jazz/funk/rock fusion like no one else could. Herein lies the proof.
[First added to this chart: 12/15/2011]
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[First added to this chart: 12/15/2011]
Year of Release:
1984
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,324
Rank in 1984:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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[First added to this chart: 12/15/2011]
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[First added to this chart: 01/09/2012]
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Sting (Roxanne & Message in a Bottle); Jeff Beck & Eric Clapton ('Cause We've Ended as Lovers; Farther Up the Road; Crossroads); Bob Geldof & Johnny Fingers (I Don't Like Mondays); Phil Collins (In the Air Tonight; The Roof Is Leaking); Donovan (The Universal Soldier, Catch the Wind) & The Secret Police (i.e. all of them together) (I Shall Be Released)
[First added to this chart: 12/15/2011]
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[First added to this chart: 01/08/2012]
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[First added to this chart: 12/15/2011]
Year of Release:
1983
Appears in:
Rank Score:
559
Rank in 1983:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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[First added to this chart: 01/09/2012]
Year of Release:
1984
Appears in:
Rank Score:
655
Rank in 1984:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 14. Page 1 of 2
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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s composition
| Year | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 16 | 16% | |
| 1981 | 13 | 13% | |
| 1982 | 13 | 13% | |
| 1983 | 12 | 12% | |
| 1984 | 10 | 10% | |
| 1985 | 8 | 8% | |
| 1986 | 6 | 6% | |
| 1987 | 7 | 7% | |
| 1988 | 9 | 9% | |
| 1989 | 6 | 6% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| U2 | 6 | 6% | |
| Marillion | 5 | 5% | |
| Tom Waits | 4 | 4% | |
| Kate Bush | 4 | 4% | |
| Peter Gabriel | 3 | 3% | |
| Peter Hammill | 3 | 3% | |
| Rush | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
 |
47 | 47% | |
| |
26 | 26% | |
| |
9 | 9% | |
 |
7 | 7% | |
 |
6 | 6% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s chart changes
There have been no changes to this chart.Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s similar charts
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Other decade charts by Robert Anton Wilson
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 81 Music Albums of the 2020s | Robert Anton Wilson | 2020s decade chart | 2024 | |
| Top 93 Music Albums of the 2010s | Robert Anton Wilson | 2010s decade chart | 2021 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2000s | Robert Anton Wilson | 2000s decade chart | 2019 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1990s | Robert Anton Wilson | 1990s decade chart | 2012 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | Robert Anton Wilson | 1980s decade chart | 2015 | |
Robert Anton Wilson has created 4 other 1980s decade charts - click here to explore them all.
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s ratings
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Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 8 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 03/08/2019 18:04 |  mickilennial | 715 | 77/100 |
| ! | 12/23/2014 16:54 |  Decurso | 171 | 82/100 |
| ! | 11/14/2013 23:09 |  sssvnnn | 2,864 | 83/100 |
| ! | 02/16/2013 23:11 |  sheep21 | 140 | 89/100 |
| ! | 01/08/2013 22:16 |  WrathchildIX | 19 | 84/100 |
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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s comments
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From mickilennial 03/08/2019 18:04 | #233220
mickilennial 03/08/2019 18:04 | #233220
Don't agree with you in the slightest still, but this is an alright chart.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Decurso 12/23/2014 16:55 | #130001
Decurso 12/23/2014 16:55 | #130001
I agree with you about the 80's, but I honestly have to say a lot of your picks kind of represent those comments. Some good stuff here, though. Particularly loved Spinal Tap on there.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From sssvnnn 11/14/2013 23:09 | #92482
sssvnnn 11/14/2013 23:09 | #92482
Ok, we have to accept: You hate the 80`s.
You managed to to a 80`s Chart nearly without typical 80`s bands... and it works.
We share the No. 1 and 11 Albums (with is a lot for me), but why didn`t you give some of the 80`s bands a chance:
I think there are bands that transformed the 70`s prog rock into the 80`s sound: Tuxedomoon, Cure, Von Zamla, Bauhaus, Kastrierte Philosophen, Japan, David Sylvian...
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From sheep21 02/16/2013 23:12 | #65290
sheep21 02/16/2013 23:12 | #65290
Good chart. I agree with you on the 80s blurb at top as well. For me, 80's is the worst decade for music yet so many people of my generation who reject todays music aspire to live in the 80s. Go figure.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | -1 votes (0 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
From Robert Anton Wilson 01/09/2013 18:38 | #60832
Robert Anton Wilson 01/09/2013 18:38 | #60832
At WrathchildIX, LOL!!! I undersatnd my chart does not make a strong AGAINST th 80s but a lot of it is 70s artists making good albums in the 80s and as you can see, what we usually think of as the sound of the 80s (Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Sonic Youth, Pixies, 80s metal ...)is wholly absent from my chart.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (1 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
From WrathchildIX 01/08/2013 22:17 | #60740
WrathchildIX 01/08/2013 22:17 | #60740
And u hate 80's?
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From daftpunter 01/21/2012 04:22 | #35555
A great top ten
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
Hayden 01/05/2012 15:32 | #34547
Hayden 01/05/2012 15:32 | #34547
I love your opener, it's really spot on. I can see you struggled making this chart...I don't really blame you though. I'm not a huge REM fan, and I've never heard Green. Is it that much better than their other albums?
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | -1 votes (0 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
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