In its November 16th, 1989 issue (issue #565) Rolling Stone magazine published its list of the 100 greatest albums of the 1980s: This article is about the magazine. ...

1. London Calling - The Clash
2. Purple Rain - Prince and the Revolution
3. The Joshua Tree - U2
4. Remain in Light - Talking Heads
5. Graceland - Paul Simon
6. Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen
7. Thriller - Michael Jackson
8. Murmur - R.E.M.
9. Shoot Out the Lights - Richard and Linda Thompson
10. Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman
11. Get Happy!! - Elvis Costello and the Attractions
12. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back - Public Enemy
13. Diesel and Dust - Midnight Oil
14. So - Peter Gabriel
15. Let It Be - The Replacements
16. 1999 - Prince
17. Synchronicity - The Police
18. Dirty Mind - Prince
19. New York - Lou Reed
20. The Pretenders - The Pretenders
21. Rain Dogs - Tom Waits
22. The Smiths - The Smiths
23. Red - Black Uhuru
24. Los Angeles - X
25. Tunnel of Love - Bruce Springsteen
26. Back in Black - AC/DC
27. Appetite for Destruction - Guns n' Roses
28. Control - Janet Jackson
29. Double Fantasy - John Lennon and Yoko Ono
30. How Will the Wolf Survive? - Los Lobos
31. Avalon - Roxy Music
32. Uh-Huh - John Cougar Mellencamp
33. Zen Arcade - Hüsker Dü
34. Tattoo You - The Rolling Stones
35. Kill 'Em All - Metallica
36. Rapture - Anita Baker
37. Midnight Love - Marvin Gaye
38. Imperial Bedroom - Elvis Costello and the Attractions
39. Eliminator - ZZ Top
40. War - U2
41. Document - R.E.M.
42. Strong Persuader - The Robert Cray Band
43. Nebraska - Bruce Springsteen
44. Oh Mercy - Bob Dylan
45. Daydream Nation - Sonic Youth
46. Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel
47. Private Dancer - Tina Turner
48. Skylarking - XTC
49. Crazy Rhythms - The Feelies
50. Madonna - Madonna
51. Run D.M.C. - Run-D.M.C.
52. Making Movies - Dire Straits
53. Bring the Family - John Hiatt
54. Speaking in Tongues - Talking Heads
55. Centerfield - John Fogerty
56. Closer - Joy Division
57. Empty Glass - Pete Townshend
58. The Indestructable Beat of Soweto - Various Artists
59. Computer Games - George Clinton
60. The Blue Mask - Lou Reed
61. Doc at the Radar Station - Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band
62. Pyromania - Def Leppard
63. Entertainment! - Gang of Four
64. Vivid - Living Colour
65. In My Tribe - 10,000 Maniacs
66. Fiyo on the Bayou - The Neville Brothers
67. Trouble in Paradise - Randy Newman
68. The Specials - The Specials
69. Radio - LL Cool J
70. Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 - Traveling Wilburys
71. Crowded House - Crowded House
72. Marshall Crenshaw - Marshall Crenshaw
73. Building the Perfect Beast - Don Henley
74. Sign o' the Times - Prince
75. She's So Unusual - Cyndi Lauper
76. Second Edition (Metal Box) - Public Image Ltd.
77. Robbie Robertson - Robbie Robertson
78. Dare - Human League
79. Guitar Town - Steve Earl
80. Suzanna Vega - Suzanne Vega
81. 1984 - Van Halen
82. East Side Story - Squeeze
83. Let's Dance - David Bowie
84. Faith - George Michael
85. Freedom - Neil Young
86. The River - Bruce Springsteen
87. Steel Wheels - The Rolling Stones
88. Lives in the Balance - Jackson Browne
89. Who's Zoomin' Who? - Aretha Franklin
90. Nothing Like the Sun - Sting
91. Lyle Lovett - Lyle Lovett
92. Full Moon Fever - Tom Petty
93. The Night I Fell in Love - Luther Vandross
94. Power, Corruption & Lies - New Order
95. Scarecrow - John Cougar Mellencamp
96. Colour By Numbers - Culture Club
97. The Mona Lisa's Sister - Graham Parker
98. Labour of Love - UB40
99. What Up, Dog? - Was (Not Was)
100. Sun City - Artists United Against Apartheid

London Calling, a double album released by The Clash in December, 1979, in the UK and the first week of January 1980 in the US, marked the bands critical and commercial breakthrough. ... The Clash were an English rock band active from 1976 to 1986. ... Music from the Motion Picture Purple Rain (also called just Purple Rain) was a 1984 album by Prince and The Revolution. ... ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article is about the Irish rock band. ... Remain in Light is an album by Talking Heads, released on October 8, 1980 (see 1980 in music). ... Talking Heads was an American rock band existing between 1974 and 1991, composed of David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, and Jerry Harrison. ... Graceland is an album released in 1986 by Paul Simon. ... Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, half of the folk-singing duo Simon and Garfunkel who continues a successful solo career. ... Born in the U.S.A. is an album by Bruce Springsteen, released in 1984 (see 1984 in music). ... Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949) is an American rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. ... Thriller is an album by pop singer Michael Jackson, released by Epic Records on December 1, 1982. ... For other people named Michael Jackson, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation). ... Murmur is the first full-length album released by Athens, Georgia alternative rock band R.E.M.. Released in April 1983, Murmur was preceded by the Chronic Town EP the previous year. ... R.E.M. is an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in early 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and vocalist Michael Stipe. ... After their 1979 album Sunnyvista had sold poorly, Richard and Linda Thompson found themselves without a record deal. ... Richard Thompson (born April 3, 1949) is a musician, best-known as a guitar player and songwriter. ... Tracy Chapman is the self-titled debut album by American singer/songwriter Tracy Chapman, released in 1988 (see 1988 in music). ... Tracy Chapman (born March 30, 1964) is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her singles Fast Car, Talkin Bout a Revolution, Baby Can I Hold You, and Give Me One Reason. ... The fourth album by Elvis Costello, his third with the Attractions, Get Happy!! is notable for being a dramatic break in tone from Costellos previous trilogy of commercially successful albums, and for being heavily influenced by R&B and soul music. ... Elvis Costello Declan Patrick Aloysius McManus (born August 25, 1954), better known by his stage name, Elvis Costello, is a popular British musician, singer, and songwriter of Irish descent. ... It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back is a 1988 (see 1988 in music) album by the hip hop group Public Enemy. ... Public Enemy, also known as PE!, is a seminal hip hop group from Long Island, New York known for their politically charged lyrics, criticism of the media, and active interest in the concerns of the African American community. ... Diesel and Dust is an album by Midnight Oil that was released in 1987 under the CBS record label. ... Midnight Oil was an Australian rock band active from the early 1970s until 2003. ... So is the fifth studio album by British rock musician Peter Gabriel, released in 1986 (see 1986 in music). ... Peter Brian Gabriel (born February 13, 1950, in Chobham, Surrey, England) is an English musician. ... Let It Be is the title of a 1984 album released by The Replacements. ... The Replacements (also known as The Mats or The Mats, from the insult of a detractor who joked the bands name was The Placemats, which the band then adopted) were a seminal alternative rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. ... 1999 is Princes fifth album, released in October 1982. ... Prince changed his stage name into an unpronounceable symbol in 1993, but took up the name Prince again in 1999. ... Synchronicity is the fifth album by The Police, released in 1983 (see 1983 in music). ... The Police are a three-piece British rock band, which were strongly influenced by reggae. ... Dirty Mind is the third album by Prince, released October 8, 1980. ... Prince changed his stage name into an unpronounceable symbol in 1993, but took up the name Prince again in 1999. ... New York is a 1989 album by Lou Reed. ... Lewis Allen Lou Reed (born March 2, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. ... Pretenders was the self-titled debut by The Pretenders. ... The Pretenders are an Anglo-American rock band. ... Rain Dogs is an album by Tom Waits, released in August of 1985 (see 1985 in music). ... Thomas Alan Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. ... The Smiths is the eponymous debut album of the band The Smiths, released on February 20, 1984. ... The Smiths were an English rock group active from 1982 to 1987. ... Black Uhuru is a Jamaican reggae band probably best known for their hits Shine Eye Gal, Guess Whos Coming to Dinner, Sinsemilla, Solidarity, and What Is Life?. They were the first group to win a Grammy in the reggae category when it was introduced in 1985. ... Los Angeles was the 1980 debut album by X. It was #286 on the List of Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. ... X on the cover of their 1997 collection Beyond and Back: The X Anthology. ... Tunnel of Love is the eighth studio album by Bruce Springsteen released in 1987 (see 1987 in music). ... Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949) is an American rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. ... Back in Black is the seventh studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released on 25 July 1980 (see 1980 in music). ... This article is about the band. ... Appetite for Destruction was rock and roll band Guns N Roses debut album. ... Guns N Roses are an American hard rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in March 1985. ... Control is the third album from Janet Jackson. ... Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is a Grammy award-winning, Golden Globe, and Academy Award-nominated American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actress. ... Double Fantasy is the comeback album by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, released in 1980 initially on the newly-formed Geffen Records, and now through EMI, the distributor of all of Lennons output. ... John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980), (born John Winston Lennon, known as John Ono Lennon) was an iconic English 20th century rock and roll songwriter and singer, best known as the founding member of The Beatles. ... Yoko Ono Lennon (born February 18, 1933) is a Japanese musician and artist best known as the widow of John Lennon of The Beatles. ... How Will the Wolf Survive? is the major label debut album of Los Lobos. ... Los Lobos is an American rock band, heavily influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country music, folk, R&B, blues, and traditional Spanish and Mexican music such as boleros and norteños. ... Avalon, released in June 1982, was Roxy Musics eighth studio album; it is generally regarded as the culmination of the smoother, more adult-oriented sound of the bands later work. ... Roxy Music are an English art rock group founded in the early 1970s by art school graduate Bryan Ferry (vocals and keyboards). ... Uh-Huh is an album by John Cougar Mellencamp, released in 1983 (see 1983 in music). ... John Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951 in Seymour, Indiana) is an American singer and songwriter, known for a long and successful recording and performing career highlighted by a series of 1980s hits, including Jack and Diane, and by his role in the Farm Aid charity event. ... Zen Arcade is Hüsker Düs third full-length album, released in 1984 by SST Records, originally released as a double album on two vinyl LPs. ... Hüsker Dü was an influential rock music group from Minneapolis-St. ... Tattoo You is an album by The Rolling Stones, released in 1981. ... Rolling Stones redirects here. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Metallica is an American heavy metal band, formed on October 28, 1981. ... Rapture was the breakout 1986 album for Rhythm and blues singer Anita Baker earning her two Grammy Awards in 1987. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Midnight Love was the last major album recorded by soul singer Marvin Gaye. ... Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. ... Imperial Bedroom is a 1982 album by Elvis Costello. ... Elvis Costello Declan Patrick Aloysius McManus (born August 25, 1954), better known by his stage name, Elvis Costello, is a popular British musician, singer, and songwriter of Irish descent. ... Eliminator is the eighth studio album by American blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1983 (see 1983 in music). ... ZZ Top, affectionately known by their American fans as That little ol band from Texas,[1] is an American blues rock band formed in 1969 in Houston, Texas. ... War is a 1983 album from U2, again produced by Steve Lillywhite. ... This article is about the Irish rock band. ... Document is the fifth studio album by R.E.M. and their sixth overall. ... R.E.M. is an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in early 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and vocalist Michael Stipe. ... Cover of Strong Persuader Released in 1986, Strong Persuader was Robert Crays breakthrough album to the mainstream and his small fanbase grew to gigantic proportions. ... Robert Cray (foreground) Robert Cray (born 1 August 1953, in Columbus, Georgia) is a blues musician, guitarist and singer. ... Nebraska is a heartland rock album by Bruce Springsteen, released in 1982 (see 1982 in music). ... Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949) is an American rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. ... Oh Mercy is rock legend Bob Dylans twenty-sixth studio album, released in 1989 by Columbia Records. ... Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, author, musician, and poet who has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. ... Daydream Nation is the 1988 album by alternative rock group Sonic Youth. ... Sonic Youth is a seminal American alternative rock group formed in New York City in 1981. ... Peter Gabriel, released in 1980, is Peter Gabriels third eponymous album and his first for Geffen Records. ... Peter Brian Gabriel (born February 13, 1950, in Chobham, Surrey, England) is an English musician. ... Private Dancer was Tina Turners breakthrough solo album. ... Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939) is a Grammy Award-winning American pop/rock singer, Buddhist and occasional actress. ... Skylarking is a 1986 album by XTC. Considered by many to be their finest album, Skylarking displayed songwriting and arranging heavily influenced by The Beatles of Revolver and Sgt. ... XTC are an influential new wave band from Swindon, England. ... Crazy Rhythms is the Feelies first album. ... The Feelies were an alternative rock band from Haledon, New Jersey. ... Madonna is the self-titled debut album by dance-pop singer Madonna, released on July 27, 1983 (see 1983 in music). ... Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16, 1958), better known as Madonna, is a five-time Grammy award winning American pop singer, songwriter, record and film producer, dancer, actress, author and fashion icon. ... Run-D.M.C. is the debut album of the influential hip hop group by the same name. ... Run-DMC is a famous hip hop crew founded by Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay) and includes Joseph Run Simmons and Darryl DMC McDaniels, all from Hollis, Queens. ... Making Movies is the third album by British rock band Dire Straits, released in 1980. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Bring the Family is John Hiatts eighth album. ... John Hiatt (born August 20, 1952 in Indianapolis, Indiana) is an American musician with a growing following, who gets airplay on alternative radio stations. ... Speaking in Tongues is a 1983 album by the band Talking Heads. ... Talking Heads was an American rock band existing between 1974 and 1991, composed of David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, and Jerry Harrison. ... Centerfield is an album by musician John Fogerty, released in 1985. ... John Fogerty in Stockholm Globe Arena 2005. ... Closer is a 1980 album by Joy Division. ... Joy Division were an English rock band that formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. ... Empty Glass is the sophomore solo album by Pete Townshend, guitarist for the successful rock band The Who. ... Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (born May 19, 1945 in Chiswick, London) is an English rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer who is best known as the guitarist for the rock band The Who. ... Computer Games is a 1982 album by legendary funk musician George Clinton, released on Capitol Records. ... George Clinton is the name of several notable people: George Clinton (royal governor) (c. ... Eleventh studio album by singer-songwriter Lou Reed. ... Lewis Allen Lou Reed (born March 2, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. ... Doc at the Radar Station is the eleventh and penultimate album by Captain Beefheart & the Magic Band. ... Captain Beefheart Don Van Vliet (born January 15, 1941 in Glendale, California), is a musician and painter, best known under the pseudonym Captain Beefheart. ... Pyromania is the third album by British hard rock band Def Leppard, released in 1983. ... Def Leppard are a hard rock band from Sheffield, England, who formed in 1977 at the time of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. ... Entertainment! is the 1979 debut album by English post-punk band Gang of Four. ... The Gang of Four was an English post-punk group from Leeds. ... Vivid is Living Colours debut album, which was released on May 3, 1988. ... Living Colour is a hard rock group formed in New York city in 1984 by black musicians. ... In My Tribe is the breakthrough album by folk-rock band 10,000 Maniacs. ... 10,000 Maniacs is a United States-based alternative rock band, formed in 1981 and active with various line-ups since that time. ... The Neville Brothers, an R&B, Soul and a Jazz group, was formed in 1976 in New Orleans, LA. Group Members Aaron Neville Art Neville Charles Neville Cyril Neville Ivan Neville Discography The Neville Brothers (March 1978) Fiyo on the Bayou (April 1981) Nevillization I (September 1982) Nevillization II (February... Trouble in Paradise is the seventh album by American composer Randy Newman. ... Randall Stuart Randy Newman (born 28 November 1943) is an American songwriter, arranger, singer and pianist who is notable for his mordant (and often satirical) pop songs and for his many film scores. ... Specials is the debut album by the UK Ska band, The Specials. ... The Specials were an English 2 Tone band formed in 1977 in Coventry. ... James Todd Smith III (born August 16, 1968), better known as LL Cool J, is an American hip hop artist and actor. ... Traveling Wilburys Vol. ... The Traveling Wilburys were a supergroup created by George Harrison and Jeff Lynne. ... Crowded House was Crowded Houses debut studio album, released in 1986. ... Crowded House is a pop-rock group formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand musician Neil Finn. ... Somethings Gonna Happen 12 single sleeve (1981). ... Building the Perfect Beast is the second album by Don Henley, released in 1984 (see 1984 in music). ... Donald Hugh Henley (born July 22, 1947 in Gilmer, Texas) is an American rock musician who is the drummer and one of the lead singers and songwriters of the band the Eagles. ... Prince changed his stage name into an unpronounceable symbol in 1993, but took up the name Prince again in 1999. ... Shes So Unusual was the debut album by American 1980s icon Cyndi Lauper. ... Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper (born June 22, 1953), better known as Cyndi Lauper, is a singer whose melodic voice and wild costumes have come to epitomize the 1980s, the decade in which she first came to fame. ... Second Edition is a double-album by Public Image Ltd released in 1980 by Virgin Records. ... Public Image Ltd. ... Robbie Robertson is the self-titled solo debut by Robbie Robertson, released in 1987. ... Jaime Robert Robertson (born July 5, 1943 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a songwriter, guitarist and singer, best known for his membership in The Band. ... Dare! was the third album released by The Human League, and the first to feature singers Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catheral. ... The Human League are an English synthpop band formed in 1977, who, after several changes in line up, achieved great popularity in the 1980s and a limited comeback in the mid-1990s. ... Guitar Town is the debut album of country singer Steve Earle. ... Steve Earle (born Stephen Fain Earle January 17, 1955) is an American singer-songwriter, well known for his rock and country music, as well as for his radical political views. ... Suzanne Vega Suzanne Nadine Vega (born July 11, 1959) is an American songwriter and singer known for her poetic lyrics and eclectic folk-inspired music. ... 1984 is the sixth album by American hard rock band Van Halen. ... Van Halen is an American hard rock band. ... East Side Story is the fourth studio album by New Wave group Squeeze. ... Squeeze was a British rock music band that came to prominence in the New Wave period of the late 1970s. ... David Bowie scored his first truly commercial blockbuster with Lets Dance (1983), a dance album with co-production by Chics Nile Rodgers. ... David Bowie (born David Robert Jones on 8 January 1947) is an English Grammy Winning singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actor, producer, arranger and audio engineer whose work spans five decades. ... Faith is George Michaels first solo album which was released in 1987. ... George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou on June 25, 1963) is an English [1] singer-songwriter who performs soul influenced pop, and who (as a solo artist and half of the duo WHAM!) has enjoyed global success since 1982. ... For other albums named Freedom, see Freedom (album). ... Neil Percival Young OM (born November 12, 1945, Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist and film director who grew up during his teen years in Winnipeg, Manitoba. ... The River is a double album by Bruce Springsteen released in 1980 (see 1980 in music). ... Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949) is an American rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. ... ‹ The template below has been proposed for deletion. ... Rolling Stones redirects here. ... Lives in the Balance is the eighth album by American singer/songwriter Jackson Browne, released in 1986 (see 1986 in music). ... Clyde Jackson Browne (born October 9, 1948) is an American rock music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and pianist, whose introspective lyrics made him one of the most influential musicians of the confessional Southern Californian singer-songwriter movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. ... Whos Zoomin Who? is an 1985 album by soul/R&B artist Aretha Franklin. ... Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an American soul, R&B, and gospel singer, songwriter, and pianist born in Memphis, Tennessee, but raised in Detroit, Michigan. ... ...Nothing Like the Sun is a 1987 album by Sting. ... For professional wrestler Steve Borden, see Sting (wrestler). ... Lyle Lovett, from the cover of 1996s The Road to Ensenada Lyle Lovett (born in Klein, Texas on November 1, 1957) is an American singer-songwriter. ... It has been suggested that Free Fallin be merged into this article or section. ... Thomas Tom Earl Petty (born October 20, 1950) is a popular American musician, known for his album-oriented, classicist rocknroll. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Power, Corruption & Lies was the breakthrough album by Manchester band New Order, released in May 1983. ... This article is about the alternative rock/electronic band New Order. ... Scarecrows in a rice paddy in Japan For other uses, see Scarecrow (disambiguation). ... John Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951 in Seymour, Indiana) is an American singer and songwriter, known for a long and successful recording and performing career highlighted by a series of 1980s hits, including Jack and Diane, and by his role in the Farm Aid charity event. ... Colour By Numbers is an album by New Wave band Culture Club, released in 1983 (see 1983 in music). ... Culture Club was a very popular 1980s English pop group, famous for its gender-bending frontman Boy George. ... The Mona Lisas Sister is a 1988 album by Graham Parker. ... Graham Parker playing at Brits Pub in Minneapolis, Minnesota . ... Labour of Love is a reggae album by UB40. ... UB40 UB40 are a British dub / reggae pop music band formed in 1978 in Birmingham. ... Was (Not Was) was an R&B dance group featuring David Weiss (aka David Was), Don Fagenson (aka Don Was), Harry Bowens and Sweet Pea Atkinson. ... Artists United Against Apartheid was a protest group founded by activist performer Steven van Zandt to protest the existence of apartheid in South Africa. ...

Note

The Specials was released in December 1979 but was still inlcuded on this list; London Calling was similarly released in December 1979 in the UK but came out in January 1980 in the US. Specials is the debut album by the UK Ska band, The Specials. ... London Calling, a double album released by The Clash in December, 1979, in the UK and the first week of January 1980 in the US, marked the bands critical and commercial breakthrough. ...