In the no-skip albums, such as Blink-182 in pop-punk, Michael Jackson in pop, and Black Sabbath in heavy metal. However, there was something truly special about these bands in the '80s.
One thing that sets the decade apart regarding classic rock was the fact that so many groups were entering the scene, constantly trying to outdo one another. Not only that, but so many of them had adversities to overcome, which made the task of creating new music even more difficult. Nonetheless, as the old saying goes, "pressure makes diamonds," and that's exactly what happened when some of the greatest records were released.
10 The Cure
Album: Disintegration (1989)
Known for its darker sound, the gothic rock has always been a category that fascinates music fans. There is something unique about the dark romanticism on which many songs in the genre are based. One of the most famous bands to use this style is the Cure. Lead singer Robert Smith has become an iconic figure in the genre. After the band focused more on pop, they sought a culmination of all they had done, which they achieved with Disintegration.
The album was a masterclass in crafting songs, as no track was under three minutes. In fact, half of them were over six minutes, which was impressive. The success of this record is a key highlight in the band's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame career. It remains their highest-selling record and has ranked on many lists, including Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and Apple Music's 100 Best Albums.
9 The Police
Album: Synchronicity (1983)
With billions of streams across YouTube and Spotify alone, "Every Breath You Take" has grown to be the most sought-after songs by the Police. After its debut, it spent eight weeks as a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Over time, it has been recognized as one of the most played songs in radio history. Since the song has become so big, it certainly could have overshadowed the rest of the album, but it did not.
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The other tracks were able to hold their own. Although "Every Breath You Take" is what people wanted to hear, it did not stop listeners from going through the whole album. After all, "Synchronicity I" gets the record off to a great start and builds from there. Since this is the band's final album, there is added historical value. It has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and has been preserved by the Library of Congress.
8 Styx
Album: Paradise Theater (1981)
Forming in 1972, Styx quickly worked their way up in rock, delivering nine albums throughout the '70s. They created high expectations for themselves to live up to, but the band was up for the challenge. As they entered the '80s, they did so, looking to outdo their previous work with their 10th studio album. Just the fact that they had made it to this many records would have been enough reason to celebrate, but they had something to prove.
They released Paradise Theater in 1981 and it quickly became a hit. The record would spend a total of three weeks at the number one spot on the Billboard 200. It also marked the fourth consecutive album for the band to be certified 3x platinum. Additionally, two singles reached the Top 10 of the coveted Billboard Hot 100. Although Styx slowed down on making records after this, it was an incredible feat that proved they were key players of the genre.
7 Rush
Album: Moving Pictures (1981)
The incredible lineup of Geddy Lee, Neil Peart, and Alex Lifeson entertained fans for decades as the remarkable Rush. The band experienced incredible highs throughout their career, but the biggest may have been their 1981 album, Moving Pictures. Some of the biggest songs they ever created were on this record, including "Tom Sawyer," "Limelight," and "YYZ," with the latter receiving a Grammy Award nomination.
Although they would go on to release over 10 more albums, according to the official Rush website, the 1981 record remains their most popular and successful studio release. It reached as high as number three on the Billboard 200 and cemented the legacy of the eventual Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. After Neil Peart's health issues and his death in 2020, the band is over, but they left behind magnificent works of art, including this masterpiece.
6 Journey
Album: Escape (1981)
A rock band that found more success after changing its sound, Journey replaced original lead singer Gregg Rolie with Steve Perry. This was a decision that paid off tremendously for the band, as Perry is regarded as one of the best performers in rock, and his voice led the band to focus more on writing hits fit for a stadium. With Perry at the helm, they started to gain momentum, ending the '70s and transitioning into 1980. Then in 1981, everything clicked just as they had hoped.
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With the release of Escape, the band had what they needed to ascend into superstardom. The album featured four songs that ended up on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition, "Stone in Love" also became a staple of rock radio. Behind their Greatest Hits album, Escape remains the best-selling. This is no surprise since the album within itself is like a greatest hits record, given how spectacular the songs are.
5 Van Halen
Album: 1984 (1984)
With one of the greatest frontmen in rock, one of the greatest guitarists ever, and a family bond at the core, Van Halen quickly established themselves as one of the premier emerging rock bands in the 1970s, especially after their no-skip debut album, which is considered one of the best ever. When they released their record 1984 in January of the same year it's titled after, its significance was not yet known.
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1984 would be lead singer David Lee Roth's last album with the band until their final record in 2012. However, there was no better way for him to exit than with what they had created. The album featured some of the band's most popular tracks and showcased every ounce of the talent that brought them to the mainstream. The album would eventually achieve diamond certification, standing right next to the debut as their greatest success ever.
4 U2
Album: The Joshua Tree (1987)
Over the course of their career, U2 have established themselves as an international success, becoming one of the greatest touring bands ever. They have consistently released hits throughout their 15 studio albums. However, their greatest release is the 1987 record, The Joshua Tree. After its debut, it topped the charts in 20 countries, becoming a fast seller, eventually reaching over 25 million copies sold worldwide.
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The album has been nominated for many awards and appears on numerous all-time best lists. With the success it achieved, this record has become a piece of music history. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and preserved by the Library of Congress. It led to a huge 30th anniversary tour by the band, and all but cemented their spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which they claimed in 2005.
3 Def Leppard
Album: Hysteria (1987)
Def Leppard is regarded as one of the best rock bands, having achieved feats that other legends have, such as recording over 10 studio albums. To Def Leppard's credit, they have released two of the best records ever in the genre's history, with Pyromania and Hysteria. The latter may be more impressive though, because it had to follow the success of Pyromania, and the band faced a new obstacle to overcome.
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The recording of the album took three years for the band to complete. They had to overcome challenges such as their drummer, Rick Allen, being in a car accident and subsequently losing his left arm. The recording was such a challenge, the band wrote a book at that time to chronicle what went on. Ultimately, they were able to come out on top and create an album that has become 12x platinum.
2 Bruce Springsteen
Album: Born In The U.S.A. (1984)
Known as "The Boss," Bruce Springsteen has become ingrained in Americana. He has sold over 140 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. He has even been called "the embodiment of rock and roll" by Rolling Stone. To achieve this, he had to constantly produce great work, which he did, but for many, his greatest was his 1984 release, Born in the U.S.A.
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The album kicks off with the title track and immediately draws attention. After that, the hits kept coming, with some of his most well-known songs included, such as "Glory Days" and "Dancing in the Dark." Overall, it has reached an astonishing 17x platinum. It has also been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, further cementing the legacy of the record and Bruce Springsteen as an artist.
1 AC/DC
Album: Back In Black (1980)
As AC/DC sought to move on after the death of their lead singer, Bon Scott, the band promptly began working on their album, Eagles. This record features some of the band's biggest hits, such as "Hells Bells," "You Shook Me All Night Long," and the title track, "Back in Black."
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Impressively, the album reached the fourth spot on the Billboard 200. AC/DC set a high standard for bands to aspire to as the '80s began, but an album like this only comes around occasionally. Currently, it holds a 27x platinum status, with an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide. Before this record, AC/DC was establishing a legacy worthy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but with it, their place was secured.