Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s
by Madrocker

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No question but that the 80's provided a vast variety of music and artists. Some of the albums were among the best ever produced. Others, unfortunately, are so forgettable. So goes the wonderful world of popular recorded music. Please look over the list. I welcome any and all comments.
There are 3 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s has an average rating of 86 out of 100 (from 4 votes). Please log in or create an account to leave a comment or assign a rating.

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1. NEW
The Joshua Tree 
Ireland U2
Available from United States
Year of Release:
1987
Appears in:
1,894 charts
Rank Score:
17,935
Rank in 1987:
1
Rank in 1980s:
6
Overall Rank:
51
Average Rating:
 83 (2,484 votes)
Comments:
View 231
2. NEW
Thriller 
United States Michael Jackson
Available from United States
Year of Release:
1982
Appears in:
1,683 charts
Rank Score:
16,038
Rank in 1982:
1
Rank in 1980s:
8
Overall Rank:
63
Average Rating:
 82 (2,195 votes)
Comments:
View 162
3. NEW
Purple Rain 
Soundtrack
United States Prince And The Revolution
Available from United States
Year of Release:
1984
Appears in:
1,468 charts
Rank Score:
15,260
Rank in 1984:
1
Rank in 1980s:
9
Overall Rank:
71
Average Rating:
 83 (1,683 votes)
Comments:
View 132
4. NEW
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back 
United States Public Enemy
Available from United States
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
879 charts
Rank Score:
6,638
Rank in 1988:
4
Rank in 1980s:
29
Overall Rank:
233
Average Rating:
 80 (1,024 votes)
Comments:
View 61
5. NEW
Appetite For Destruction 
United States Guns N' Roses
Available from United States
Year of Release:
1987
Appears in:
1,412 charts
Rank Score:
10,517
Rank in 1987:
2
Rank in 1980s:
15
Overall Rank:
118
Average Rating:
 78 (1,974 votes)
Comments:
View 170
6. NEW
The Queen Is Dead 
United Kingdom The Smiths
Available from United States
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
2,505 charts
Rank Score:
31,190
Rank in 1986:
1
Rank in 1980s:
1
Overall Rank:
16
Average Rating:
Top rated album (88/100 - 2957 votes)  88 (2,957 votes)
Comments:
View 265
7. NEW
Murmur 
United States R.E.M.
Available from United States
Year of Release:
1983
Appears in:
1,157 charts
Rank Score:
9,506
Rank in 1983:
1
Rank in 1980s:
19
Overall Rank:
136
Average Rating:
 83 (1,434 votes)
Comments:
View 99
8. NEW
Remain In Light 
United States Talking Heads
Available from United States
Year of Release:
1980
Appears in:
2,059 charts
Rank Score:
26,347
Rank in 1980:
1
Rank in 1980s:
3
Overall Rank:
25
Average Rating:
Top rated album (87/100 - 2322 votes)  87 (2,322 votes)
Comments:
View 197
9. NEW
Back In Black 
Australia AC/DC
Available from United States
Year of Release:
1980
Appears in:
1,293 charts
Rank Score:
9,753
Rank in 1980:
3
Rank in 1980s:
18
Overall Rank:
132
Average Rating:
 80 (1,895 votes)
Comments:
View 143
10. NEW
Graceland 
United States Paul Simon
Available from United States
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
1,148 charts
Rank Score:
10,344
Rank in 1986:
3
Rank in 1980s:
16
Overall Rank:
121
Average Rating:
 81 (1,374 votes)
Comments:
View 82
Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s composition

Artist Albums %


R.E.M. 5 5% Filter chart to just show these albums
Prince 5 5% Filter chart to just show these albums
Bruce Springsteen 4 4% Filter chart to just show these albums
U2 4 4% Filter chart to just show these albums
The Smiths 3 3% Filter chart to just show these albums
The Cure 3 3% Filter chart to just show these albums
The Replacements 2 2% Filter chart to just show these albums
Show all
Country Albums %


United States 55 55% Filter chart to just show these albums
United Kingdom 36 36% Filter chart to just show these albums
Ireland 4 4% Filter chart to just show these albums
Mixed Nationality 2 2% Filter chart to just show these albums
Canada 2 2% Filter chart to just show these albums
Australia 1 1% Filter chart to just show these albums
TitleSourceTypePublishedCountry
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s StefanR101980s decade chart2020
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s eclab1980s decade chart2025
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s djnizzi1980s decade chart2021
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980sTheNowhereGuy1980s decade chart2020
Los 100 mejores discos de los años 80Diariocrítico1980s decade chart2023Spain
Die 100 besten Alben der 1980er JahrePopkultur.de1980s decade chart2022Germany
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980siamthewalrus1980s decade chart2022Unknown
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980schriskarman1980s decade chart2022Unknown
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s JR1980s decade chart2024

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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s ratings

Average Rating: 
86/100 (from 4 votes)
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RatingDate updatedMemberChart ratingsAvg. chart rating
 
95/100
 !		11/05/2020 18:55 leniad  Ratings distribution  67085/100
 
90/100
 !		07/12/2019 09:36 TheSmiths82-87  Ratings distribution  1,82883/100
 
90/100
 !		05/10/2019 06:49 Johnnyo  Ratings distribution  2,68980/100

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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s comments

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[Rating ignored]Help The person who submitted this rating does not have a public chart of their own which allows member feedback, and therefore their rating does not contribute towards the average.  
From 05/10/2019 06:49 | #236075
Might have put some of them in a different order but can't argue with most of the entries here. Good chart.
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[Rating ignored]Help The person who submitted this rating does not have a public chart of their own which allows member feedback, and therefore their rating does not contribute towards the average.  
From 11/07/2020 06:04 | #260306
Really like your picks , but i just camt agree with the joshua tree at 1
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[Rating ignored]Help The person who submitted this rating does not have a public chart of their own which allows member feedback, and therefore their rating does not contribute towards the average.  
From 11/05/2020 18:55 | #260217
50 albums in common
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