10 Best Pop Albums of the 1980’s

My favorite pop albums of the 80’s.

[@bubble-and-scrape]

Cheap trick, Journey and Billy Joel might have been big in the US but i wouldn’t call them essential 80’s artists for a world wide audience. I’m missing Tears for fears, U2, Depeche mode, Wham, Duran duran and Dire straits in your list. If you just look at the massive world wide stadium tours they did in the 80’s, you will have to admit their were more than popular.

[@jerrycote659]

As an American who was brought up with the second British Invasion in the 80s I completely agree with you. I would also add Human League, Thompson Twins, Ultravox, OMD, Culture Club to the ones you listed. I was a huge Duran Duran fan and loved Depeche Mode right from the debut album “Speak & Spell”.

[@STEVEHEROLD]

hey rick. once upon a time is one of my favorite albums of all-time. nice to see it on your list.

[@rickandrecords]

@@STEVEHEROLD hey, thx for watching. That is an amazing album and it has held up over the years. Still sounds like a new release

[@vinylshawn4757]

Nice picks, no complaints on any of those. I would definitely put Simple Minds, Bruce,Michael Jackson and A-HA on my list.

[@rickandrecords]

I think I should maybe have added Scandal or maybe even Sting. Or maybe I should have made it a too 20 list instead of just 10. Oh well. Thx for watching.

[@jornfox3545]

The Simple Minds 'Once upon a Time' album, song for song is one the best albums ever made imho, pop or no pop .

[@rickandrecords]

I agree. Great album, great band and many great memories associated with that album for me.

[@jornfox3545]

@@rickandrecords agreed, the memories are what make the albums so great and they just seem to get more special over time.

[@68404]

Journey was unknown in Australia, a bit like Kansas. Australia followed English music in the 1980s, and out local bands tried to emulate them. US stuff (apart from the heavily promoted pop scene like MJ, Madonna etc) wasn't big here. What is interesting is the US (mostly) missed the ska movement of the late 70s / early 1980s but seemed to find it in the 1990s (Mighty Mighty Bosstones etc).

[@rickandrecords]

Ah…ska…it had a very short US lifespan; About a tenth as long as grunge which also wasn’t around terribly long. Weird how a band like Journey was huge in Japan in the early 80’s, but missed Australia.

[@allyoopopp]

Blondie : Autoamerican 1980 Had so much going on Live It Up - a song about shooting herion Do The Dark - satanic disco song Faces - a sad jazz song about a homeless man's life T - Birds a song about female roller derby Rapture - introduced the planet to rap, also first rap song with original music (previous rap tracks were only minor local hits)

[@WyomingDave]

i have the a-ha and the simple minds album, i used to have the Michael Jackson,Thriller album,, all good ones.

[@rickandrecords]

I forgot to put Scandals The Warrior on the list. I played that a lot back then .

[@hurricane_valence]

TOP FAVORITE 80S RECORDS Kate Bush - The Dreaming/ The Sensual World/ Hounds Of Love Peter Gabriel - So. Rick Springfield - Tao. Paul Young - The Secrets of associon ABC - How To Be A Zillionaire Peter Cetera - Solitude/ Solitaire. One More Story, world falling down Jane Child - Jane child. Howard Jones - Dream Into Action. Pet Shop Boys - Please. Bryan Ferry - Bete Noire Kystol - Gettin Ready The Blow Monkeys - she was only a grocers daughter Pet Shop Boys - Please A-ha - Stay On These Roads Michael jackson - Thriller Madonna - True Blue ENJOYABLE LISTENS ABC - Lexacon Of Love Bryan ferry - Boys and girls Patti Austin - gettin' away with murder Johnny logan Mention My Name Diana Ross - Eaten Alive Angela Bofill - Tell Me Tomorrow Alison Moynet - Alf Mike + The Machanics debut Tears For Fear - Song From The big Chair Sparks - Music That You Can Dance To Cyndi lauper - True colors, a night to remember Kim wilde - Teases and dares

[@rickandrecords]

@@hurricane_valence Nice list. Tears for Fears would make my list if I did it over again. Springfield’s Tao had success mostly because it was given away as part of promotions and prizes for other products and contests. I remember it being a prize in Wheel of Fortune or you could get it by mailing in box tops from certain cereals. It was everywhere. Pet Shop Boys West End Girls was a 45 I completely wore out back in the day. And Paul Young was of course great!

[@garagegeek4863]

I know you’re gonna make some bold statements. Book and Record set - nice! Surprised you didn’t choose Glass Houses - that was sooo popular and all over the radio. Be nice to Madonna or I’ll send my hubby….i guessed the number one. Fun fun video.

[@rickandrecords]

I should have put in Scandal instead of AHA. Oh well…the world will keep spinning I suppose

[@garagegeek4863]

I was in an antique mall and I thought about you and Chris at Rekkid Talk.

[@stefano.b65stef77]

Hi, this would be my top 10: Prefab Sprout Swoon/Steve McQueen( two wheels good), Simple Minds NGD, Big Country The Crossing, U2 War/ Joshua Tree, R.E.M Murmur/ Fables of the Reconstruction, Tears for Fears the hurting/ songs from big chair

[@rickandrecords]

Great list. U2 was huge, I know, but I just did not like them at the time. I am a much bigger fan now. Big Country was awesome and of course REM. They would make my list if I had to redo it. Thx for commenting. Good stuff!