These are the top albums from 1980-1989 according to Dave’s Music Database, which factors in sales, chart data, awards, album ratings, and appearances on best-of lists. Compilations, archival recordings, and reissues are not factored into this list.
Check out other Albums/Works by Era lists.
1. Michael Jackson Thriller (1982)
2. U2 The Joshua Tree (1987)
3. Prince Purple Rain (1984)
4. Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction (1987)
5. AC/DC Back in Black (1980)
6. Bruce Springsteen Born in the U.S.A. (1984)
7. Paul Simon Graceland (1986)
8. The Smiths The Queen Is Dead (1986)
9. The Police Synchronicity (1983)
10. Prince Sign ‘O’ the Times (1987)
11. Dire Straits Brothers in Arms (1985)
12. Public Enemy It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)
13. The Stone Roses The Stone Roses (1989)
14. Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet (1986)
15. Talking Heads Remain in Light (1980)
16. Pixies Doolittle (1989)
17. R.E.M. Murmur (1983)
18. Joy Division Closer (1980)
19. Def Leppard Hysteria (1987)
20. Michael Jackson Bad (1987)
21. N.W.A. Straight Outta Compton (1989)
22. Whitney Houston Whitney Houston (1985)
23. George Michael Faith (1987)
24. Metallica Master of Puppets (1986)
25. Sonic Youth Daydream Nation (1988)
26. Peter Gabriel So (1986)
27. Beastie Boys Licensed to Ill (1986)
28. Madonna Like a Virgin (1984)
29. Tracy Chapman Tracy Chapman (1988)
30. Lionel Richie Can’t Slow Down (1983)
31. The Cure Disintegration (1989)
32. Beastie Boys Paul’s Boutique (1989)
33. De La Soul 3 Feet High and Rising (1989)
34. Various Artists Dirty Dancing soundtrack, 1987)
35. Madonna Like a Prayer (1989)
36. Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989)
37. Pixies Surfer Rosa (1988)
38. Phil Collins No Jacket Required (1985)
39. Bruce Springsteen Nebraska (1982)
40. Journey Escape (1981)
41. Kate Bush Hounds of Love (1985)
42. Jesus and Mary Chain Psychocandy (1985)
43. U2 The Unforgettable Fire (1984)
44. U2 War (1983)
45. Van Halen 1984 (1984)
46. Rush Moving Pictures (1981)
47. Whitney Houston Whitney (1987)
48. Janet Jackson Control (1986)
49. Madonna True Blue (1986)
50. Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble Texas Flood (1983)
51. Tina Turner Private Dancer (1984)
52. The Replacements Let It Be (1984)
53. Prince 1999 (1982)
54. Cyndi Lauper She’s So Unusual (1983)
55. Def Leppard Pyromania (1983)
56. Tears for Fears Songs from the Big Chair (1985)
57. The Smiths The Smiths (1984)
58. Run-D.M.C. Raising Hell (1986)
59. ZZ Top Eliminator (1983)
60. Tom Waits Rain Dogs (1985)
61. Bruce Springsteen The River (1980)
62. Phil Collins …But Seriously (1989)
63. Hüsker Dü Zen Arcade (1984)
64. U2 Rattle and Hum (1988)
65. R.E.M. Document (1987)
66. Various Artists Footloose (soundtrack, 1984)
67. The Human League Dare! (1981)
68. Bonnie Raitt Nick of Time (1989)
69. INXS Kick (1987)
70. Bryan Adams Reckless (1984)
71. Men at Work Business As Usual (1981)
72. The Rolling Stones Tattoo You (1981)
73. Iron Maiden Iron Maiden The Number of the Beast (1982)
74. Asia Asia (1982)
75. Violent Femmes Violent Femmes (1983)
76. Black Flag Damaged (1981)
77. Duran Duran Rio (1982)
78. Marillion Misplaced Childhood (1985)
79. John Cougar Mellencamp Scarecrow (1985)
80. Eric B. & Rakim Paid in Full (1987)
81. Foreigner 4 (1981)
82. The Police Ghost in the Machine (1981)
83. John Lennon & Yoko Ono Double Fantasy (1980)
84. REO Speedwagon Hi Infidelity (1980)
85. Minutemen Double Nickels on the Dime (1984)
86. Huey Lewis & The News Sports (1983)
87. The Police Zenyatta Mondatta (1980)
88. Traveling Wilburys Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 (1988)
89. Phil Collins Face Value (1981)
90. Aerosmith Pump (1989)
91. Bon Jovi New Jersey (1988)
92. David Bowie Let’s Dance (1983)
93. Metallica …And Justice for All (1988)
94. R.E.M. Green (1988)
95. Genesis Invisible Touch (1986)
96. Tom Waits Swordfishtrombones (1983)
97. Paula Abdul Forever Your Girl (1988)
98. Bobby Brown Don’t Be Cruel (1988)
99. Billy Joel An Innocent Man (1983)
100. Toto Toto IV (1982)
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First posted 3/25/2011; last updated 2/7/2026. | 
I think this list is rigged... What "Murmur" is doing there? I don't think it fits according to "album sales, chart peaks, and awards"... And it's just an example...
ReplyDeleteIt is not rigged. Actually, you only noted part of the criteria used for making this list. The biggest component is appearance on best-of lists and, whether you agree or not, Murmur is an album that is widely celebrated by critics.
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