GREATEST ROCK ALBUMS OF THE 1980s

Criteria: Popularity, Influence, and Musical Impact. This includes Studio and Live albums.

This is the official DDD list, edited by Maria S., and last updated 5-4-07.

1. Thriller (1982) - Michael Jackson
2. It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (1988) - Public Enemy
3. Purple Rain (1984) - Prince and the Revolution
4. The Joshua Tree (1987) - U2
5. Raising Hell (1986) - Run-D.M.C.
6. Appetite For Destruction (1987) - Guns N' Roses
7. Back In Black (1980) - AC/DC
8. Licensed To Ill (1986) - Beastie Boys
9. Born in the USA (1984) - Bruce Springsteen
10. Sign O' The Times (1987) - Prince
11. Straight Outta Compton (1988) - N.W.A.
12. Murmur (1983) - R.E.M.
13. Like A Virgin (1984) - Madonna
14. Synchronicity (1983) - The Police
15. Graceland (1986) - Paul Simon
16. The Queen Is Dead (1986) - The Smiths
17. 1999 (1982) - Prince
18. Remain In Light (1980) - Talking Heads
19. Whitesnake (1987) - Whitesnake
20. 3 Feet High and Rising (1989) - De La Soul
21. Doolittle (1989) - Pixies
22. Master of Puppets (1986) - Metallica
23. The Stone Roses (1989) - The Stone Roses
24. Paul's Boutique (1989) - Beastie Boys
25. Daydream Nation (1988) - Sonic Youth
26. Paid In Full (1987) - Eric B. & Rakim
27. Number Of The Beast (1982) - Iron Maiden
28. Run-D.M.C. (1984) - Run-D.M.C.
29. Like A Prayer (1989) - Madonna
30. Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989) - Janet Jackson
31. Hysteria (1987) - Def Leppard
32. Radio (1985) - LL Cool J
33. Brothers In Arms (1985) - Dire Straits
34. Tracy Chapman (1988) - Tracy Chapman
35. Closer (1980) - Joy Division
36. Bad (1987) - Michael Jackson
37. 1984 (1984) - Van Halen
38. So (1986) - Peter Gabriel
39. War (1983) - U2
40. Ace Of Spades (1980) - Motorhead
41. Pretenders (1980) - Pretenders
42. The River (1980) - Bruce Springsteen
43. The Unforgettable Fire (1984) - U2
44. Disintegration (1989) - The Cure
45. Dirty Mind (1980) - Prince
46. The Message (1982) - Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five
47. Rain Dogs (1985) - Tom Waits
48. Let It Be (1984) - The Replacements
49. Faith (1987) - George Michael
50. The Smiths (1984) - The Smiths
51. King Of Rock (1985) - Run-D.M.C.
52. Beauty And The Beat (1981) - The Go-Go's
53. Psychocandy (1984) - The Jesus and Mary Chain
54. She's So Unusual (1983) - Cindi Lauper
55. Ride The Lightning (1984) - Metallica
56. Dare! (1981) - The Human League
57. Private Dancer (1984) - Tina Turner
58. Nothing's Shocking (1988) - Jane's Addiction
59. Hounds Of Love (1985) - Kate Bush
60. Document (1987) - R.E.M.
61. Nebraska (1982) - Bruce Springsteen
62. Slippery When Wet (1986) - Bon Jovi
63. Nick of Time (1989) - Bonnie Raitt
64. Reign In Blood (1986) - Slayer
65. Zen Arcade (1984) - Husker Du
66. Hi Infidelity (1980) - REO Speedwagon
67. True Blue (1986) - Madonna
68. Can't Slow Down (1983) - Lionel Richie
69. Kick (1987) - INXS
70. No Jacket Required (1985) - Phil Collins
71. Break Out (1983) - Pointer Sisters
72. The Game (1980) - Queen
73. Avalon (1982) - Roxy Music
74. Criminal Minded (1987) - Boogie Down Productions
75. Rio (1982) - Duran Duran
76. The Nightfly (1982) - Donald Fagen
77. Swordfishtrombones (1983) - Tom Waits
78. Ghost In The Machine (1981) - The Police
79. Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (1980) - Dead Kennedys
80. Sister (1987) - Sonic Youth
81. Surfa Rosa (1988) - Pixies
82. The End Of Innocence (1989) - Don Henley
83. Whitney Houston (1985) - Whitney Houston
84. Blizzard Of Ozz (1980) - Ozzy Osbourne
85. Double Nickels On The Dime (1984) - Minutemen
86. Pyromania (1983) - Def Leppard
87. Rapture (1986) - Anita Baker
88. Steve McQueen/Two Wheels Good (1985) - Prefab Sprout
89. Moving Pictures (1981) - Rush
90. Technique (1989) - New Order
91. Strictly Business (1988) - EPMD
92. Live At The Harlem Square Club 1963 (1985) - Sam Cooke
93. Business As Usual (1982) - Men At Work
94. Imperial Bedroom (1982) - Elvis Costello and The Attractions
95. Whitney (1987) - Whitney Houston
96. Eliminator (1983) - ZZ Top
97. Tattoo You (1981) - The Rolling Stones
98. Violent Femmes (1983) - Violent Femmes
99. Control (1986) - Janet Jackson
100. Shoot Out The Lights (1982) - Richard and Linda Thompson
101. Searching For Young Soul Rebels (1980) - Dexy's Midnight Runners
102. The Lexicon Of Love (1982) - ABC
103. Piece Of Mind (1983) - Iron Maiden
104. Rum, Sodomy & the Lash (1985) - The Pogues
105. Damaged (1981) - Black Flag
106. Speaking In Tongues(1983) - Talking Heads
107. Freedom (1989) - Neil Young
108. Pretty Hate Machine (1989) - Nine Inch Nails
109. Texas Flood (1983) - Stevie Ray Vaughan
110. Yo! Bum Rush The Show (1987) - Public Enemy
111. Heart (1985) - Heart
112. Tim (1985) - The Replacements
113. Low-Life (1985) - New Order
114. Tunnel Of Love (1987) - Bruce Springsteen
115. New Day Rising (1985) - Husker Du
116. Rattlesnakes (1984) - Lloyd Cole & The Commotions
117. Life's Rich Pageant (1986) - R.E.M.
118. Madonna (1983) - Madonna
119. Touch (1983) - Eurythmics
120. My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts (1981) - Brian Eno & David Byrne
121. Zenyatta Mondatta (1980) - The Police
122. Spirit Of Eden (1988) - Talk Talk
123. How Will The Wolf Survive? (1984) - Los Lobos
124. Green (1988) - R.E.M.
125. The Head On The Door (1985) - The Cure
126. Los Angeles (1980) - X
127. Let's Dance (1983) - David Bowie
128. Meat Is Murder (1985) - The Smiths
129. Skylarking (1986) - XTC
130. Combat Rock (1982) - The Clash
131. Scarecrow (1985) - John Cougar Mellencamp
132. Peter Gabriel (III) (1980) - Peter Gabriel
133. Toto IV (1982) - Toto
134. Sandinista! (1980) - The Clash
135. Parade (1986) - Prince
136. Midnight Love (1982) - Marvin Gaye
137. Boy (1980) - U2
138. Crazy Rhythms (1980) - The Feelies
139. Escape (1981) - Journey
140. ...And Justice For All (1988) - Metallica
141. Double Fantasy (1980) - John Lennon and Yoko Ono
142. Giving You The Best That I Got (1988) - Anita Baker
143. Full Moon Fever (1989) - Tom Petty
144. Scary Monsters (1980) - David Bowie
145. Songs From The Big Chair (1985) - Tears For Fears
146. Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me (1987) - The Cure
147. Different Light (1986) - The Bangles
148. Sound Affects (1980) - The Jam
149. Screaming For Vengeance (1982) - Judas Priest
150. An Innocent Man (1983) - Billy Joel
151. 4 (1981) - Foreigner
152. This Nation's Saving Grace (1985) - The Fall
153. Pump (1989) - Aerosmith
154. Private Eyes (1981) - Hall & Oates
155. Straight Out The Jungle (1988) - The Jungle Brothers
156. Club Classics Vol. 1/Keep On Movin' (1989) - Soul II Soul
157. Reckoning (1984) - R.E.M.
158. New York (1989) - Lou Reed
159. Stop Making Sense (1984) - Talking Heads
160. Diesel & Dust (1987) - Midnight Oil
161. Wild Gift (1981) - X
162. Pornography (1982) - The Cure
162. Ocean Rain (1984) - Echo and the Bunnymen
163. Lucinda Williams (1988) - Lucinda Williams
164. Face Value (1981) - Phil Collins
165. Kill Em All (1983) - Metallica
166. The Dream Of The Blue Turtles (1985) - Sting
167. Strangeways, Here We Come (1987) - The Smiths
168. Learning To Crawl (1984) - Pretenders
169. American Fool (1982) - John Cougar
170. Bad Brains (1982) - Bad Brains
171. Little Creatures (1985) - Talking Heads
172. Bella Donna (1981) - Stevie Nicks
173. Operation: Mindcrime (1988) - Queensryche
174. Reckless (1984) - Bryan Adams
175. Bring The Family (1987) - John Hiatt
176. Colour By Numbers (1983) - Culture Club
177. Introducing the Hardline According To Terence Trent D' Arby (1987) - Terence Trent D'Arby
178. The Wanderer (1980) - Donna Summer
179. Strong Persuader (1986) - Robert Cray Band
180. Get Happy!! (1980) - Elvis Costello and The Attractions
181. Make It Big (1984) - Wham!
182. Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret (1981) - Soft Cell
183. Dr. Feelgood (1989) - Motley Crue
184. No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (1981) - Motorhead
185. Heartbeat City (1984) - Cars
186. Hunting High & Low (1985) - A-Ha
187. Street Songs (1981) - Rick James
188. Forever Your Girl (1988) - Paula Abdul
190. Back In the High Life (1986) - Steve Winwood
191. Don't Be Cruel (1988) - Bobby Brown
192. I'm Your Man (1988) - Leonard Cohen
193. You're Living All Over Me (1987) - Dinosaur Jr.
194. Isn't Anything (1988) - My Bloody Valentine
195. Rattle and Hum (1988) - U2
196. 16 Lovers Lane (1988) - The Go-Betweens
197. Frontiers (1983) - Journey
198. New Jersey (1988) - Bon Jovi
199. The Real Thing (1989) - Faith No More
200. The Raw & The Cooked (1989) - Fine Young Cannibals

This is the forum version from 2/10/2008, edited by Rob.

1. Thriller (1982) - Michael Jackson
2. It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (1988) - Public Enemy
3. Purple Rain (1984) - Prince
4. The Joshua Tree (1987) - U2
5. Raising Hell (1986) - Run D.M.C.
6. Appetite For Destruction (1987) - Guns N Roses
7. Licensed To Ill (1986) - Beastie Boys
8. Back In Black (1980) - AC/DC
9. Born In The USA (1984) - Bruce Springsteen
10. Sign O' The Times (1987) - Prince

11. Straight Outta Compton (1988) - N.W.A.
12. Murmur (1983) - R.E.M.
13. Like A Virgin (1984) - Madonna
14. Synchronicity (1983) - The Police
15. 3 Feet High and Rising (1989) – De La Soul
16. 1999 (1982) - Prince
17. Paul's Boutique (1989) - Beastie Boys
18. Number Of The Beast (1982) - Iron Maiden
19. Master of Puppets (1986) - Metallica
20. Remain In Light (1980) - Talking Heads

21. Paid In Full (1987) - Eric B. & Rakim
22. The Queen Is Dead (1986) - The Smiths
23. Radio (1985) - LL Cool J
24. Graceland (1986) - Paul Simon
25. Run D.M.C. (1984) - Run D.M.C
26. Like A Prayer (1989) - Madonna
27. The Stone Roses (1989) - The Stone Roses
28. Doolittle (1989) – Pixies
29. Bad (1987) - Michael Jackson
30. Ace Of Spades (1980) - Motörhead

31. Daydream Nation (1988) - Sonic Youth
32. Closer (1980) - Joy Division
33. Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989) - Janet Jackson
34. Hysteria (1987) - Def Leppard
35. Brothers In Arms (1985) - Dire Straits
36. 1984 (1984) - Van Halen
37. King Of Rock (1985) - Run D.M.C.
38. Beauty And The Beat (1981) - The Go-Go's
39. Tracy Chapman (1988) – Tracy Chapman
40. So (1986) - Peter Gabriel

41. War (1983) - U2
42. Pretenders (1980) - Pretenders
43. The River (1980) - Bruce Springsteen
44. Disintegration (1989) - The Cure
45. Dirty Mind (1980) - Prince
46. The Message (1982) - Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five
47. The Unforgettable Fire (1984) - U2
48. Rain Dogs (1985) - Tom Waits
49. Let It Be (1984) - The Replacements
50. Faith (1987) - George Michael

51. The Smiths (1984) - The Smiths
52. Psychocandy (1984) – The Jesus and Mary Chain
53. She’s So Unusual (1983) - Cyndi Lauper
54. Ride The Lightning (1985) - Metallica
55. Dare! (1981) - The Human League
56. Private Dancer (1984) - Tina Turner
57. Nothing’s Shocking (1988) - Jane’s Addiction
58. Hounds Of Love (1985) – Kate Bush
59. Document (1987) - R.E.M.
60. Nebraska (1982) - Bruce Springsteen

61. Slippery When Wet (1986) - Bon Jovi
62. Nick of Time (1989) – Bonnie Raitt
63. Reign In Blood (1986) – Slayer
64. Zen Arcade (1984) - Hüsker Dü
65. Hi Infidelity (1980) – REO Speedwagon
66. True Blue (1986) - Madonna
67. Can't Slow Down (1983) – Lionel Richie
68. Kick (1987) - INXS
69. The Game (1980) - Queen
70. No Jacket Required (1985) – Phil Collins

71. Break Out (1983) - Pointer Sisters
72. Avalon (1982) – Roxy Music
73. Criminal Minded (1987) – Boogie Down Productions
74. Rio (1982) – Duran Duran
75. The Nightfly (1982) – Donald Fagen
76. Swordfishtrombones (1983) – Tom Waits
77. Ghost In The Machine (1981) – The Police
78. Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (1980) - Dead Kennedys
79. Sister (1987) – Sonic Youth
80. Surfa Rosa (1988) - Pixies

81. The End Of Innocence (1989) – Don Henley
82. Whitney Houston (1985) - Whitney Houston
83. Blizzard Of Ozz (1980) - Ozzy Osbourne
84. Double Nickels On The Dime (1984) – Minutemen
85. Pyromania (1983) – Def Leppard
86. Rapture (1986) – Anita Baker
87. Steve McQueen/Two Wheels Good (1985) – Prefab Sprout
88. Moving Pictures (1981) – Rush
89. Technique (1989) - New Order
90. Strictly Business (1988) – EPMD

91. Live At The Harlem Square Club 1963 (1985) – Sam Cooke
92. Business As Usual (1982) – Men At Work
93. Imperial Bedroom (1982) – Elvis Costello and The Attractions
94. Whitney (1987) – Whitney Houston
95. Eliminator (1983) – ZZ Top
96. Tattoo You (1981) - The Rolling Stones
97. Violent Femmes (1983) - Violent Femmes
98. Control (1986) – Janet Jackson
99. Shoot Out The Lights (1982) - Richard and Linda Thompson
100. Piece Of Mind (1983) - Iron Maiden

101. Searching For Young Soul Rebels (1980) - Dexy’s Midnight Runners
102. The Lexicon Of Love (1982) – ABC
103. Rum, Sodomy & the Lash (1985) - The Pogues
104. Damaged (1981) – Black Flag
105. Speaking In Tongues (1983) – Talking Heads
106. Freedom (1989) - Neil Young
107. Pretty Hate Machine (1989) - Nine Inch Nails
108. Tim (1985) – The Replacements
109. Yo! Bum Rush The Show (1987) - Public Enemy
110. Heart (1985) - Heart

111. New Day Rising (1985) – Hüsker Dü
112. Low-Life (1985) - New Order
113. Tunnel Of Love (1987) – Bruce Springsteen
114. Rattlesnakes (1984) - Lloyd Cole & The Commotions
115. Texas Flood (1983) - Stevie Ray Vaughan
116. Life’s Rich Pageant (1986) – R.E.M
117. Madonna (1983) - Madonna
118. Touch (1983) – Eurythmics
119. My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts (1981) – Brian Eno & David Byrne
120. Zenyatta Mondatta (1980) – The Police

121. Spirit Of Eden (1988) – Talk Talk
122. How Will The Wolf Survive? (1984) – Los Lobos
123. Green (1988) – R.E.M.
124. The Head On The Door (1985) – The Cure
125. Los Angeles (1980) – X
126. Let’s Dance (1983) – David Bowie
127. Meat Is Murder (1985) - The Smiths
128. Skylarking (1986) - XTC
129. Combat Rock (1982) – The Clash
130. Scarecrow (1985) - John Cougar Mellencamp

131. Peter Gabriel (III) (1980) – Peter Gabriel
132. Toto IV (1982) – Toto
133. Sandinista! (1980) – The Clash
134. Parade (1986) – Prince
135. Midnight Love (1982) – Marvin Gaye
136. Boy (1980) - U2
137. Crazy Rhythms (1980) - The Feelies
138. Escape (1981) - Journey
139. ...And Justice For All (1988) – Metallica
140. Double Fantasy (1980) - John Lennon and Yoko Ono

141. Giving You The Best That I Got (1988) - Anita Baker
142. Full Moon Fever (1989) - Tom Petty
143. Scary Monsters (1980) - David Bowie
144. Songs From The Big Chair (1985) - Tears For Fears
145. Screaming For Vengeance (1982) - Judas Priest
146. Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me (1987) - The Cure
147. Different Light (1986) - The Bangles
148. Sound Affects (1980) - The Jam
149. 4 (1981) - Foreigner
150. An Innocent Man (1983) - Billy Joel

151. Pump (1989) - Aerosmith
152. This Nation's Saving Grace (1985) - The Fall
153. Private Eyes (1981) - Hall & Oates
154. Straight Out The Jungle (1988) - The Jungle Brothers
155. Club Classics Vol. 1/Keep On Movin' (1989) – Soul II Soul
156. Reckoning (1984) - R.E.M.
157. New York (1989) – Lou Reed
158. Stop Making Sense (1984) - Talking Heads
159. Diesel & Dust (1987) – Midnight Oil
160. Wild Gift (1981) – X

161. Pornography (1982) - The Cure
162. Ocean Rain (1984) - Echo and the Bunnymen
163. Lucinda Williams (1988) - Lucinda Williams
164. Face Value (1981) - Phil Collins
165. Kill Em All (1983) - Metallica
166. The Dream Of The Blue Turtles (1985) - Sting
167. Strangeways, Here We Come (1987) - The Smiths
168. Learning To Crawl (1984) - Pretenders
169. American Fool (1982) – John Cougar
170. Bad Brains (1982) - Bad Brains

171. Little Creatures (1985) - Talking Heads
172. Bella Donna (1981) - Stevie Nicks
173. Operation: Mindcrime (1988) – Queensryche
174. Reckless (1984) - Bryan Adams
175. Bring The Family (1987) - John Hiatt
176. Colour By Numbers (1983) - Culture Club
177. Introducing the Hardline According To Terence Trent D' Arby (1987) - Terence Trent D'Arby
178. The Wanderer (1980) - Donna Summer
179. Strong Persuader (1986) - Robert Cray Band
180. Get Happy!! (1980) - Elvis Costello and The Attractions

181. Make It Big (1984) - Wham!
182. Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret (1981) - Soft Cell
183. Dr. Feelgood (1989) - Motley Crue
184. No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (1981) - Motörhead
185. Heartbeat City (1984) - Cars
186. Hunting High & Low (1985) - A-Ha
187. Street Songs (1981) - Rick James
188. Forever Your Girl (1988) - Paula Abdul
189. Computer-World (1981)* - Kraftwerk
190. Back In the High Life (1986) - Steve Winwood

191. Don't Be Cruel (1988) - Bobby Brown
192. I'm Your Man (1988) - Leonard Cohen
193. You're Living All Over Me (1987) - Dinosaur Jr.
194. Isn't Anything (1988) - My Bloody Valentine
195. Follow The Leader (1988)* - Eric B. & Rakim
196. Rattle and Hum (1988) - U2
197. 16 Lovers Lane (1988) - The Go-Betweens
198. Frontiers (1983) - Journey
199. New Jersey (1988) - Bon Jovi
200. The Real Thing (1989) - Faith No More

* = New addition to the list.

Pete Townshend's Empty Glass ought to be on this list.

I'd agree with that. Scanning through the list I'd be inclined to put it around the 140s or so.

Same here.

Daydream Nation is criminally low.

1. Thriller (1982) - Michael Jackson
4. The Joshua Tree (1987) - U2

Good joke

Good argument.

Influence - The Joshua Tree
Musical Impact - The Joshua Tree

Popularity doesn't matter in my opinion because nowadays Slash is more popular than Jimmy Page but this doesn't definitely mean anything

Except that breakdown is wrong.

Um, no.


Um, no.



you're deluded.

this may be the case, can i have your reasons out of interest?

who, me?
I dunno, I think that neither have all that much musical influence, as the style of pop/R&B that was on Thriller had already been done by Michael and others before him, but U2 hadn't really made a significant departure from the sound of their previous albums. I'd say it's close but I would probably lean slightly towards Thriller.

Influence is also pretty close. U2 may have influenced a lot of alternative bands with Tree, but MJ had a definite influence on pop/R&B acts after him. I'd lean slightly towards Thriller here as well, too.

Popularity is pretty much a given.

I'm probably wrong on all accounts, that's just my take on it tho.

I think being the most popular album of all time is enough to ensure top spot on this list.

You're mixing up musical impact and influence as well as influence and inspiration. Musical impact are the accolades the album receives from other musicians (inspiration would be part of that imo). Influence means the invention of new musical aspects in rock, their popularization or their introduction to rock music audiences.