Think you are a die-hard fan of 80s music?
Well, let's check. We've compiled a list of 10 albums that made a mark in the 80s.
Let's see how many of these you've heard--and don't forget to leave a comment so we can know.
Besides having great music, all these albums had amazing picture sleeves.
- Open Up and Say… Ahh! (Poison)
An all-American glam metal band, Poison became a world-famous name with this album. Open Up and Say…Ahh! proved to be their most successful album.
Poison’s most famous single ever, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”, a love ballad, was in this album. Other popular singles included were “Nothin’ but a Good Time”, “Your Mama Don’t Dance”, and “Fallen Angel”.
Apart from being a great album musically-speaking, Open Up and Say… Ahh! had a very unique and unforgettable cover.
- Born In The USA (Bruce Springsteen)
This albun needs to introduction, so I'm not even gonna try.
But why does The Boss show his butt in this album cover? Was he saluting the flag or making a subversive gesture by showing his butt with the flag in the backdrop?
Whatever he was thinking, hats off to him because the “butt-shot” really appealed to all and sundry.
Maybe Bruce Springsteen wanted us to see things differently. Or maybe it was just a whim of a moment. But one thing is sure, this is one album cover which we can recognize even from a mile!
And yes, his is the most iconic rock’n’roll ass—ever.
- Killers (Iron Maiden)
One thing is certain. 80s music lovers really knew their rock music. This was the second album of IronMaiden, featuring the famous hit "Wrathchild".
And one more think: If you think the cover of Poison’s second album was graphic, you ain’t seen anything yet.
- Love At First Sting (Scorpions)
Released in March ’84, Love At First Sting was the 9th album of Scorpions, a German rock band which had a huge fan following in the UK and the USA. This album features three of the most famous songs of Scorpions: “Still Loving You”, “Big City Nights”, “Rock You Like a Hurricane”.
- RIO (Duran Duran)
Did you know that RIO remained on Billboard charts for 129 weeks?
While for sure, this is not the one of the most famous albums of Duran Duran, an English new wave/synthpop band, but it became noticeably popular in both the UK and the USA, where it was release some 5 months after its UK release. Perhaps the most famous single of this album was “Hungry Like the Wolf”.
- The Joshua Tree (U2)
There’s no point of me talking about the Joshua Tree music album. It is, after all, one of the best-selling albums of all time, with more than 25 million copies sold.
So, let’s focus on its cover for a change. It’s a simple one, but one which instantly catches your eye and depicts the brand members in American desert landscape.
- Hysteria (Def Leppard)
“Hysteria” is the most successful album of Def Leppard till date and ruled the charts for as long as 3 years after its launch in 1987.
As far as it cover photo goes, hundred times I’ve looked at the Hysteria album cover and hundred times I’ve not been able to grasp what it really wants to say. Nevertheless, it remains one of my favorite picture sleeves from the 80s.
- Frontiers (Journey)
Journey was an American rock band of considerable repute. “Frontiers” is their 8th studio album and featured four top 40 singles: Separate Ways (Worlds Apart), After the Fall, Faithfully, and Send Her My Love.
- Back in Black (AC/DC)
By the time 70s was winding up, AC/DC started gaining a lot of popularity outside their native Australia, partly because of their highly-commendable track record and partly because of their octane-charged live performance.
However, in February 1980 the band faced a setback. Bon Scott, their lead vocalist died because of alcohol poisoning. But the band decided to stick together and roped in Brian Johnson for vocals.
Back in Black is the most successful AC/DC album and sold about 50 million copies. Its cover is known for its simplicity, but it is quintessential AC/DC all the way.
- Thriller (Michael Jackson)
Without an iota of doubt, this is the most recognisable album of the 80s. And did you know that MJ won the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal performance for Thriller?
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