Top 29 Music Albums of 1968
by 
Romanelli 
- Chart updated: 03/02/2026 19:15
- (Created: 04/11/2012 18:12).
- Chart size: 29 albums.
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Produced by George Martin. This was my first real exposure to The Beatles...what a ride!This album is like nothing else before it. You can feel the tension in it, and you can hear, more than on any of their other works, how different they were as individuals. This always seems a bit sad to me, but it's also a band stretching out in directions that no one had dared to ever record before. A great set of songs, and a highly emotional album. This made me love The Beatles. I don't regret it for a minute.
[First added to this chart: 04/11/2012]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
36,412
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 04/11/2012]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
13,575
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
1968-REPRISE
Produced By RAY DAVIES
1. The Village Green Preservation Society
2. Do You Remember Walter?
3. Picture Book
4. Johnny Thunder
5. Last Of The Steam Powered Trains
6. Big Sky
7. Sitting By The Riverside
8. Animal Farm
9. Village Green
10. Starstruck
11. Phenomenal Cat
12. All Of My Friends Were There
13. Wicked Annabella
14. Monica
15. People Take Pictures Of Each Other
Not all great albums sell a gazillion copies and become popular. A perfect example of that statement is this album, the sixth by The Kinks and the last to feature the original lineup. Despite the band’s previous success, Village Green sold only about 100,000 copies and contains no hit singles. But it has, over the years, become recognized as one of the great albums in rock history. A concept album about, of all things, the passing of old English traditional ways, the album began two years earlier with the recording of the song “Village Green”, and blossomed from there. It was planned to be a double album, but the record company said no, so Ray Davies pared it down to 15 tracks. It was released the same day as the first real successful two record set, the White Album by The Beatles. Despite no hit singles, the album was praised critically, and is now the band’s best selling studio album.
There are plenty of highlights, but the real winner has to be “Picture Book”…how this was not a big hit is puzzling. Davies always had a very British sounding writing style, so the concept of Village Green suits him well. More acoustic than anything before it, the album shows a new side of The Kinks, and is in every way their most beautiful collection. The strength of songs like “Big Sky”, Starstruck”, “Animal Farm” and “People Taking Pictures Of Each Other” is powerful, and everything altogether is what makes this album a true classic. It’s a shame that this was so ignored in its time, but it has, thankfully, been recognized as the classic it really is. You may not recognize any of the songs here, but you will love each and every one of them. [First added to this chart: 09/30/2012]
Produced By RAY DAVIES
1. The Village Green Preservation Society
2. Do You Remember Walter?
3. Picture Book
4. Johnny Thunder
5. Last Of The Steam Powered Trains
6. Big Sky
7. Sitting By The Riverside
8. Animal Farm
9. Village Green
10. Starstruck
11. Phenomenal Cat
12. All Of My Friends Were There
13. Wicked Annabella
14. Monica
15. People Take Pictures Of Each Other
Not all great albums sell a gazillion copies and become popular. A perfect example of that statement is this album, the sixth by The Kinks and the last to feature the original lineup. Despite the band’s previous success, Village Green sold only about 100,000 copies and contains no hit singles. But it has, over the years, become recognized as one of the great albums in rock history. A concept album about, of all things, the passing of old English traditional ways, the album began two years earlier with the recording of the song “Village Green”, and blossomed from there. It was planned to be a double album, but the record company said no, so Ray Davies pared it down to 15 tracks. It was released the same day as the first real successful two record set, the White Album by The Beatles. Despite no hit singles, the album was praised critically, and is now the band’s best selling studio album.
There are plenty of highlights, but the real winner has to be “Picture Book”…how this was not a big hit is puzzling. Davies always had a very British sounding writing style, so the concept of Village Green suits him well. More acoustic than anything before it, the album shows a new side of The Kinks, and is in every way their most beautiful collection. The strength of songs like “Big Sky”, Starstruck”, “Animal Farm” and “People Taking Pictures Of Each Other” is powerful, and everything altogether is what makes this album a true classic. It’s a shame that this was so ignored in its time, but it has, thankfully, been recognized as the classic it really is. You may not recognize any of the songs here, but you will love each and every one of them. [First added to this chart: 09/30/2012]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,253
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 04/11/2012]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,878
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
1968 – ATCO
Produced By FELIX PAPPALARDI
1. White Room
2. Sitting On Top Of The World
3. Passing The Time
4. As You Said
5. Pressed Rat And Warthog
6. Politician
7. Those Were The Days
8. Born Under A Bad Sign
9. Deserted Cities Of The Heart
1. Crossroads
2. Spoonful
3. Traintime
4. Toad
Following the success of their 1967 album Disraeli Gears, Cream unleashed this mammoth 2 record set in the summer of 1968. Containing one live disc and one recorded in the studio, Wheels Of Fire was intended to show off the strengths of the trio both as a band and as individual musicians, and it succeeds very well in doing just that. The only thing that Wheels Of Fire doesn’t have is a song written by Eric Clapton, who instead chose a pair of cover songs. The studio side opens with the impeccable “White Room”, featuring great guitar work from Clapton and sung by bassist Jack Bruce. Clapton’s covers, “Sitting On Top Of The World” and “Born Under A Bad Sign”, are powerful blues tracks. Drummer Ginger Baker contributed three songs, including “Pressed Rat And Warthog”, which is simply unexplainably weird. The studio half is pure excellence, and shows why Cream was, for the short time they could stand to be in the same room with each other, one of the great bands of the late 60’s.
The live half (the two records were, at one point, sold as separate albums) is more about showing off what each member could do individually, and it suffers from a bit of overindulgence. Clapton’s guitar work on “Crossroads” is legendary, and he tears up “Spoonful” just as exceptionally. But “Traintime” is too much Bruce on harmonica, and the plodding “Toad” is way, way, way too much of a Baker drum solo. But, even with these excesses, Wheels Of Fire is a great accomplishment, and one of the must have albums of the sixties. The band broke up soon after this was released…they recorded a handful of songs for the Goodbye album, and that was it. Baker and Bruce hated each other, and Clapton wanted to move into a different direction. But the band’s first three albums (Cream, Disraeli Gears and Wheels Of Fire) provided enough material to cement the band as legends forever. And important and short lived important band, always well worth hearing. [First added to this chart: 12/25/2012]
Produced By FELIX PAPPALARDI
1. White Room
2. Sitting On Top Of The World
3. Passing The Time
4. As You Said
5. Pressed Rat And Warthog
6. Politician
7. Those Were The Days
8. Born Under A Bad Sign
9. Deserted Cities Of The Heart
1. Crossroads
2. Spoonful
3. Traintime
4. Toad
Following the success of their 1967 album Disraeli Gears, Cream unleashed this mammoth 2 record set in the summer of 1968. Containing one live disc and one recorded in the studio, Wheels Of Fire was intended to show off the strengths of the trio both as a band and as individual musicians, and it succeeds very well in doing just that. The only thing that Wheels Of Fire doesn’t have is a song written by Eric Clapton, who instead chose a pair of cover songs. The studio side opens with the impeccable “White Room”, featuring great guitar work from Clapton and sung by bassist Jack Bruce. Clapton’s covers, “Sitting On Top Of The World” and “Born Under A Bad Sign”, are powerful blues tracks. Drummer Ginger Baker contributed three songs, including “Pressed Rat And Warthog”, which is simply unexplainably weird. The studio half is pure excellence, and shows why Cream was, for the short time they could stand to be in the same room with each other, one of the great bands of the late 60’s.
The live half (the two records were, at one point, sold as separate albums) is more about showing off what each member could do individually, and it suffers from a bit of overindulgence. Clapton’s guitar work on “Crossroads” is legendary, and he tears up “Spoonful” just as exceptionally. But “Traintime” is too much Bruce on harmonica, and the plodding “Toad” is way, way, way too much of a Baker drum solo. But, even with these excesses, Wheels Of Fire is a great accomplishment, and one of the must have albums of the sixties. The band broke up soon after this was released…they recorded a handful of songs for the Goodbye album, and that was it. Baker and Bruce hated each other, and Clapton wanted to move into a different direction. But the band’s first three albums (Cream, Disraeli Gears and Wheels Of Fire) provided enough material to cement the band as legends forever. And important and short lived important band, always well worth hearing. [First added to this chart: 12/25/2012]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,093
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 01/14/2013]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
15,964
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 12/10/2012]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,137
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
1968-POLYDOR
Produced By JOE BOYD & TOD LLOYD
1. Time Will Show The Wiser
2. I Don't Know Where I Stand
3. If (Stomp)
4. Decameron
5. Jack O'Diamonds
6. Portfolio
7. Chelsea Morning
8. Sun Shade
9. The Lobster
10. It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft
11. One Sure Thing
12. M.1 Breakdown
Fairport Convention, with this album, began a long, amazing musical journey that continues today. This debut album featured the excellence of one of rock's most underrated guitarists in Richard Thompson, and the vocals of Judy Dyble, who would soon be replaced by Sandy Denny. The songs are great, with the band showing an ability to rock and to play a ballad as well as anyone. Their Irish roots are at the front, and it works well...it always has.
The album features 2 strong Joni Mitchell covers ("I Don't Know Where I Stand" and "Chelsea Morning"), as well as a Bob Dylan tune. The original songs are strong, particularly "If" and "It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft". This album is a preview of great things to come from this band. They would be hurt by massive personnel changes over the years, but the fact that they are still around today is a testament to their abilities. Fairport is a great band. This is a fine debut album. [First added to this chart: 02/07/2013]
Produced By JOE BOYD & TOD LLOYD
1. Time Will Show The Wiser
2. I Don't Know Where I Stand
3. If (Stomp)
4. Decameron
5. Jack O'Diamonds
6. Portfolio
7. Chelsea Morning
8. Sun Shade
9. The Lobster
10. It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft
11. One Sure Thing
12. M.1 Breakdown
Fairport Convention, with this album, began a long, amazing musical journey that continues today. This debut album featured the excellence of one of rock's most underrated guitarists in Richard Thompson, and the vocals of Judy Dyble, who would soon be replaced by Sandy Denny. The songs are great, with the band showing an ability to rock and to play a ballad as well as anyone. Their Irish roots are at the front, and it works well...it always has.
The album features 2 strong Joni Mitchell covers ("I Don't Know Where I Stand" and "Chelsea Morning"), as well as a Bob Dylan tune. The original songs are strong, particularly "If" and "It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft". This album is a preview of great things to come from this band. They would be hurt by massive personnel changes over the years, but the fact that they are still around today is a testament to their abilities. Fairport is a great band. This is a fine debut album. [First added to this chart: 02/07/2013]
[First added to this chart: 01/30/2025]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,122
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 9. Page 1 of 1
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Top 29 Music Albums of 1968 composition
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| The Byrds | 2 | 7% | |
| The Incredible String Band | 1 | 3% | |
| The Jimi Hendrix Experience | 1 | 3% | |
| The Mothers Of Invention | 1 | 3% | |
| Otis Redding | 1 | 3% | |
| The Kinks | 1 | 3% | |
| Jeff Beck | 1 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 29 Music Albums of 1968 chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 2 from 9th to 7thBeggars Banquet by The Rolling Stones |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 7th to 8thWheels Of Fire by Cream |
| Down 1 from 8th to 9thBookends by Simon & Garfunkel |
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Showing all 5 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/26/2021 08:01 |  desh79 | 1,274 | 93/100 | |
| 01/15/2015 10:04 | gon2bed | 136 | 77/100 | |
| 08/22/2014 14:36 |  thedistantship | 162 | 84/100 | |
| 11/14/2013 14:52 |  bonafini | 155 | 84/100 | |
| 10/06/2012 12:32 |  ffudnebbuh | 653 | 91/100 |
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From gon2bed 01/15/2015 10:04 | #131580
Not really a year or decade I love that much, personally have Electric Ladyland top and cream higher.
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| Best Artists of the 1970s | |
|---|---|
| 1. Pink Floyd | |
| 2. David Bowie | |
| 3. Led Zeppelin | |
| 4. Neil Young | |
| 5. The Rolling Stones | |
| 6. The Clash | |
| 7. Black Sabbath | |
| 8. Fleetwood Mac | |
| 9. Stevie Wonder | |
| 10. The Who | |
| 11. Genesis | |
| 12. Brian Eno | |
| 13. Joni Mitchell | |
| 14. Paul McCartney | |
| 15. Yes | |
| 16. Bob Dylan | |
| 17. Bob Marley | |
| 18. Bruce Springsteen | |
| 19. Nick Drake | |
| 20. Marvin Gaye |
