The Ballet Dancer

Essential albums of the 1980s

The 1980s is the decade that classic rock meets alternative rock, hip-hop invents new sounds, R&B is reborn and pop music meets electronica. So, when deciding on the best albums of the 80s one should practically consider all music genres as in all music types there have been album releases that have altered the course of music as we know it today.

For the pop fans, the 80s mostly belong to Michael Jackson and Madonna.

One of the most successful albums of all times is ‘Thriller’. Released in 1982 and having sold nearly 110 millions copies worldwide, ‘Thriller’ stayed #1 for 37 weeks and went 28x Platinum. The album’s hit singles ‘Beat It’ – one of the most awarded and recognized pop songs in the history of music – ‘Billie Jean’ – one of the most avant-garde songs in the pop music history and the title track ‘Thriller’ – a pop anthem with an excellent video, made Michael Jackson a pop icon and the first African American artist to have a video clip aired on MTV (‘Beat It’). ‘Thriller’ is broadly regarded as a revolutionary album that has strongly influenced music audiences upon its release, but also in our days.

Madonna’s ‘Like A Virgin’ was released in 1984 and sold nearly 21 millions copies worldwide. For many, this album gave birth to pop as we know it; glamorous, sugary, sexy, and dancy. Although, admittedly, Madonna doesn’t have the best voice in pop, she has an extraordinary ability to produce albums that hook audiences. ‘Like A Virgin’ is a mixed album with many pop singles, ‘Material Girl’, ‘Into The Groove’, ‘Dress You Up’, and the title track ‘Like A Virgin’, but also ‘Love Don’t Live Here Anymore’, a cover version of the original soulful ballad of Rose Royce.

Apart from Michael Jackson and Madonna, other pop artists that got it right in the 80s are Whitney Houston and George Michael.

‘Whitney Houston’, the debut album of R&B and pop diva Whitney Houston was released in 1985 and sold nearly 25 millions copies worldwide. Although initially the album did not receive great commercial acceptance, slowly it became great commercial success with numerous hit singles including ‘You Give Good Love’, ‘Saving All My Love for You’, ‘How Will I Know’, ‘Greatest Love of All’ and ‘All At Once’.  

‘Faith’, released in 1987, is one the greatest albums in the history of pop music having sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide. ‘Faith’ includes memorable hit singles such as ‘Father Figure’, ‘I Want Your Sex’, ‘One More Try’, ‘Kissing A Fool’ and the title track ‘Faith’.

Hip-Hop in the 80s is characterized by experimentation and diversity.

One of the most influential hip-hop albums is ‘Raising Hell’, by Run D.M.C. Released in 1986, ‘Raising Hell’ is a breakthrough album that received critical attention and established hip-hop as a cultural fact shifting perceptions of public ignorance that considered hip-hop groups a trend. The album went 3x platinum and includes the hit singles ‘It’s tricky’, ‘My Adidas’ and ‘Walk This Way’ (duet with Aerosmith).

Eric B & Rakim, one of the most innovative rap duos in the hip-hop history, released their debut album ‘Paid In Full’ in 1987. Considered as the duo’s greatest album, ‘Paid In Full reached #58 in the US Charts and #8 in the Top R&B Hip Hop Charts and went Platinum. Rakim’s innovative MCing that allows him to flow from one verse to other almost effortlessly, anchored by Eric B’s ingenious scratching make ‘Paid In Full’ widely regarded as one of the largely influential hip-hop albums ever.

R&B in the 80s is mostly celebrated by artists that trace their roots in the 70s or even earlier.

Aretha Franklin released ‘Who’s Zoomin’ Who?’ in 1985. ‘Who’s Zoomin’ Who?’, which is considered one of her best albums, went Platinum and includes the top hit single ‘Freeway of Love’ that topped #1 in U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles. Other great hits are ‘Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves’, a duet with Eurythmics, and the title track ‘Who’s Zoomin’ Who?’

‘Midnight Love, released in 1982, is the final release by Marvin Gaye before his sudden death in 1984. The album received international success featuring hit singles such ‘Sexual Heeling’, ‘Til Tomorrow’, ‘Joy’ and ‘My Love is Waiting’.

Rock in the 80s celebrates death, aggression and roadtrips through diverse music groups ranging from post-punk sounds to more commercial releases.

The darkest side of punk rock is echoed in ‘Closer’, by Joy Division. Released in 1980, ‘Closer’ reflects a feel of gloom and despair that is closely related to Curtis’ emotional state. The album’s sounds are anchored by leading bass arpeggios, powerful synth, military tempo drum and bass baritone vocals that all together compose a depressing post-punk hymn. Even more than its sounds, ‘Closer’ is acknowledged for Curtis’ lyrics. Writing about emotional isolation, rupture, demise and urban degeneration, Curtis’ words are viewed as a warning of his forthcoming suicide, two months after the album’s release.

A similar album with a pessimistic disposal and alternative post punk sounds is ‘Pornography’, by The Cure. Released in 1982, ‘Pornography’ was produced under exceptionally unfavorable conditions because of the psyche of Robert Smith. At the time of its recording, The Cure was balancing on a rope that would glorify or destroy them. For many, ‘Pornography’ is the absolute masterpiece of the group. Although some verses are naïve and of those that one wouldn’t expect from the ‘guru of gloom’ Robert Smith, ‘Pornography’ is a commendable album of a band on the verge of crash and, admittedly, one of the most important gothic albums in the history of music.

Bruce Springsteen is the absolute American rocker of the 80s. ‘Born in the USA’, released in 1984, sold 30 million copies worldwide and stayed #1 for 7 weeks. The album’s hit singles, ‘Dancing In The Dark’, ‘Cover Me’, ‘Glory Days’, ‘Downbound Train’, ‘I’m On Fire’, ‘Bobby Jean’ and the title track ‘Born In The USA’ are classic tracks that compose a magic, modern-day blend of rock & roll sounds.

Other great rock albums of the 80s are the legendary ‘Back In Black’, by AC/DC, released in 1980 with nearly 49 millions copies sold worldwide, ‘Brothers In Arms’, by Dire Straits, released in 1985 with nearly 30 millions copies sold worldwide, ‘Slippery When Wet’, by Bon Jovi, released in 1986 with nearly 28 millions copies sold worldwide and ‘Appetite for Destruction’, by Guns N’ Roses with nearly 28 millions copies sold worldwide. All these albums produced great hit singes such as ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ (AC/DC), ‘Money for Nothing’ (Dire Straits), ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ (Bon Jovi), Paradise City’ (Guns N’ Roses) and many more that still sound modern in our days.

The 80s are also characterized by an avalanche of soundtracks that included many memorable tracks. ‘Top Gun’, ‘Flashdance’, Footloose’, ‘Dirty Dancing’, ‘Cocktail’, and ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’, all are soundtrack releases that have captured the attention of global audiences and still offer excellent memories.

Without any doubt, the 80s are the richest decade that can satisfy any taste. Even if one is not into Michael Jackson, The Cure or Run D.M.C, there is Duran Duran, The Smiths, A-Ha, Spandau Ballet, Grandmaster Flash, Depeche Mode, INXS, Billie Ocean, Prince, Tears For Fears, Waterboys, Thompson Twins and so many other groups and artists that have released great music. And their music is still on.

About the Author

I work as a financial and investment advisor but my passion is writing, music and photography. Writing mostly about finance, business and music, being an amateur photographer and a professional dj, I am inspired from life.

Being a strong advocate of simplicity in life, I love my family, my partner and all the people that have stood by me with or without knowing. And I hope that someday, human nature will cease to be greedy and demanding realizing that the more we have the more we want and the more we satisfy our needs the more needs we create. And this is so needless after all.

Spandau Ballet – Paint Me Down