Albums of the Year | 1984

[@MyargonautsJason]

My top albums for 1984 1. Stop Making Sense - Talking Heads 2. Purple Rain - Prince 3. Body & Soul - Joe Jackson 4. Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen 5. Welcome to the Pleasuredome - Frankie Goes to Hollywood 6. Sade - Diamond Life 7. 1984 - Van Halen 8. The Unforgettable Fire - U2 9. Queen - The Works 10. The Cars - Heartbeat City Special Mention - Legend by Bob Marley & The Wailers. It’s a compilation, but I might have played that disc more than any other disc above.

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

1. Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen 2. Like a Virgin - Madonna 2. Purple Rain - Prince 4. All Over the Place - The Bangles(The Bangles don't get the credit they are due. This album is probably closer to their "sound" as it is more garage group guitar based) 5. Welcome to the Pleasuredome - Frankie Goes to Hollywood Honourable mentions to The Unforgettable Fire - U2 and Private Dancer - Tina Turner.

[@albarton7189]

1. Go Insane - Lindsey Buckingham 2. Private Dancer - Tina Turner 3. Learning to Crawl - Pretenders 4. Heartbeat City - The Cars 5. Unforgettable Fire - U2

[@Christopher-jv2ec]

1)SWOON- Prefab Sprout 2)WALK ACROSS ROOFTOPS-The Blue Nile 3)PURPLE RAIN-Prince 4) LEARNING TO CRAWL-Pretenders 5) BODY AND SOUL-Joe Jackson 5.5) BIG EXPRESS-XTC 5.75) GRACE UNDER PRESSURE-Rush

[@RandyforRoyals]

A pretty great year. 1. Born In The U.S.A.-Bruce Springsteen 2. Purple Rain-Prince 3. How Will The Wolf Survive-Los Lobos 4. All Over The Place-The Bangles 5. Reckoning-R.E.M. 6. Ocean Rain-Echo & The Bunnymen 7. Goodbye Cruel World-Elvis Costello 8. Let It Be-The Replacements 9. Aimless Love-John Prine 10- EB84-The Everly Brothers

[@varsityfan2000]

My favorite albums of 1984 are: 1. Cocteau Twins - “Treasure” 2. Frankie Goes to Hollywood - “Welcome to the Pleasuredome” 3. Echo & The Bunnymen - “Ocean Rain” 4. U2 - “The Unforgettable Fire” 5. Modern English - “Ricochet Days” Honorable mention: Julian Cope - “World Shut Your Mouth”

[@philliplochlan1134]

instablaster...

[@brianjackson5541]

First laugh out loud moment on “listography”...Kramzer eye roll on Jason being born...🤣

[@pulsar861]

I laughed out loud also! I enjoyed that moment so much, I backed up and watched it 3 times! :

[@eljac63]

5. Reckoning-R.E.M. 4.The Unforgettable Fire-U2 3. Learning To Crawl-Pretenders 2. Born In The U.S.A.-Bruce Springsteen 1. Purple Rain-Prince & The Revolution

[@Pulsar77]

1. Prince - Purple Rain 2. U2 - The Unforgettable Fire 3. Bruce Springsteen - Born In The U.S.A. 4. Queen - The Works 5. Joe Jackson - Body and Soul Honorable mention: Depeche Mode - Some Great Reward

[@celticbird2398]

-Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA -Prince - Purple Rain -Scorpions - Love at First Sting -Van Halen - 1984 -Sade - Diamond Life AOTY: Metallica - Ride the Lightning 🏆

[@frangarcia7774]

The 80s were amazing. It has as many classics as any other decade, but what makes it extraordinary is the vast amount of second level great albums that are personal favorites of many of us. Here is my list: 1. Hatful of Hollow. The Smiths (I know it's a compilation but none of these tracks, in this version, are included in any other album and it's too damn good to be forgotten because of a technicality!) 2. Ocean Rain. Echo & The Bunnymen 3. Reckoning. R. E. M. 4. The Smiths. The Smiths. 5. Rattlesnakes. Loyd Cole & The Commotions 6. Treasure. Cocteau Twins 7. Let it Be. The Replacements 8. Springhill Fair. The Go-Betweens 9. The Top. The Cure 10. From Her to Eternity. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 11. The Unforgettable Fire. U2 12. Brewing Up with. Billy Bragg 13. Red Roses for Me. The Pogues 14. Knife. Aztec Camera 15. Learning to Crawl. The Pretenders 16. It'll End Up in Tears. This Mortal Coil 17. Cafe Bleu. The Style Council 18. Good bye Cruel World. Elvis Costello 19. A Pagan Place. The Waterboys 20. Swoon. Prefab Sprout The seven first are 9 out of 10 records in my opinion.

[@12spanku]

Hatful of Hollow is one of the greatest albums of the 80's and don't let anybody tell you any different.

[@NaughtyVampireGod]

nice - i also have REM and E&TB in my top 3.

[@roxannewalsh]

Hatful of Hollow and The World Won't Listen belong to the Smith's original discography for me. They are essential part of the magnificent legacy this band created in just 3 years. One of the game changers of the 80s and everything thereafter.

[@NormanWorm]

Terrific list!!

[@drdavid1963]

Yes. As I genuinely consider The Smiths to be even better than The BEATLES, I refuse to accept their greatest output ruined by overproduction that is the debut album The Smiths. Hatful of Hollow is how the band were meant to sound and sees these great songs in all of their glory - making it one of the greatest collection of songs ever out to vinyl up there with the likes of Revolver

[@jamesbaxterfromax]

1. Purple Rain - Prince 2. It'll End In Tears - This Mortal Coil 3. Stop Making Sense - Talking Heads 4. The Smiths 5. Born In The USA - Springsteen need to listen to some more this year

[@chasingthebeat]

A wonderful year - the swan song from The Specials and one of the best debuts ever from Lloyd Cole. Still think Julian Cope's wonderfully weird solo debut is desperately underrated (he released the equally weird, slightly less wonderful Fried in the same year) 1. World Shut Your Mouth - Julian Cope 2. In the Studio - Special AKA 3. Rattlesnakes - Lloyd Cole & the Commotions 4. The Unforgettable Fire - U2 5. Ocean Rain - Echo & the Bunnymen 6. Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen 7. Cafe Bleu - The Style Council 8. Immigres - Youssou N’dour 9. Hatful of Hollow - The Smiths 10. Swoon - Prefab Sprout Bubbling Under: Diamond Life - Sade Fried - Julian Cope Brewing Up With Billy Bragg - Billy Bragg Purple Rain - Prince & the Revolution The Smiths - The Smiths Reckoning - REM Love Wars - Womack & Womack Mirror Moves - The Psychedelic Furs Knife - Aztec Camera The Top - The Cure Climate of Hunter - Scott Walker Eden - Everything But The Girl Learning to Crawl - The Pretenders Like a Virgin - Madonna Welcome to the Pleasuredome - Frankie Goes To Hollywood Pacific Street -The Pale Fountains

[@johnkennedy7786]

Couldn't agree more re: Mr. Cope (and Lloyd Cole). And just knowing that at least one other person out there knows and loves 'Climate Of Hunter' makes the world seem a slightly better place...

[@varsityfan2000]

I agree that Julian Cope's "World Shut Your Mouth" is a great album ... it made my honorable mention list.

[@citehman]

1. Alphaville - Forever Young 2. REM - Reckoning 3. U2 - The Unforgettable Fire 4. The Smiths - The Smiths 5. The Style Council - Cafe Bleu

[@realCaptainSanta]

HM: Learning To Crawl - Pretenders; In the Eye of the Storm - Roger Hodgson; The Unforgettable Fire - U2; Out of the Cellar - Ratt; Declaration - the Alarm 5. 1984 - Van Halen 4. Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen 3. Love at First Sting - Scorpions 2. Heartbeat City - the Cars 1. Couldn't Stand the Weather - Stevie Ray Vaughan

[@Twotontessie]

For the love of God. Your number one - how could I have forgotten? Good call. "Tin Pan Alley." One take. Weren't even all dialed in just soundchecking. Essential listening.

[@benderrodriguez5934]

my top 5 1. IRON MAIDEN - Powerslave 2. MIDNIGHT OIL - Red Sails in the Sunset 3. U2 - The Unforgettable Fire 4. MARILLION - Fugazi 5. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - Born in the USA Greetings from Gran Canaria

[@roxannewalsh]

Another of those release year traps...I had Midnight Oil on my 1985 list just now I found it is really an 84 record. It is one of my favourites from that band.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

🏆 Purple Rain -Prince & the Revolution... like my winner from last year (Synchronicity) there's a couple skippable songs but the good songs are so amazing they'll be remembered forever. RUNNER-UPS: The Unforgettable Fire -U2 The Smiths (s/t) Ride the Lightning -Metallica Let It Be -The Replacements JUST MISSED THE CUT: Ocean Rain -Echo & the Bunnymen Learning to Crawl -The Pretenders Born in the USA -Bruce Springsteen Treasure -Cocteau Twins Reckoning -REM LIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Stop Making Sense -Talking Heads My winner for this year is pretty well set in stone but you could rearrange the other albums and I'd be okay with it. Strong year for music.

[@expresscp]

A great year for music. 1 Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen 2 Building The Perfect Beast - Don Henley 3 Heartbeat City - The Cars 4 Purple Rain - Prince 5 The Unforgettable Fire - U2 6 Reckless - Bryan Adams 7 Grace Under Pressure - Rush 8 Reckoning - REM 9 1984 - Van Halen 10 Street Talk - Steve Perry

[@heresthething41]

5. "Sparkle in the Rain" Simple Minds 4. "The Unforgetable Fire" U2 3. "The Waking Hour" Dalis Car 2. "Ocean Rain" Echo & the Bunnymen 1. "The Top" The Cure

[@trickygoose2]

5 Geffery Morgan - UB40 4 Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen 3 Building the Perfect Beast - Don Henley 2 Reckoning - REM 1 Purple Rain - Prince

[@davidgagen9856]

1. Let It Be - The Replacements 2. Reckoning - REM 3. A Pagan Place - The Waterboys 4. Zen Arcade - Husker Du 5. Born In The USA- Springsteen 6. The Unforgettable Fire- U2 7. From Her To Eternity - Nick Cave 8. Ride On - Christy Moore 9. The Smiths 10. New Sensations - Lou Reed 11. Stealing Fire - Bruce Cockburn

[@oppothumbs1]

Good List! Let it BE - THE Replacements is the best record of the decade imo.

[@APAL880]

Zen Arcade!

[@gassyjack5421]

Red Roses For Me (The Pogues) and The Wonderful and Frightening World of The Fall (The Fall)

[@timbicktoo7837]

5- David Bowie --- Tonight 4- Sade --- Diamond Life 3- Pretenders --- Learning to Crawl 2- The Smiths --- The Smiths 1- Prince --- Purple Rain

[@echosmyron1278]

Top 25 Albums of 1984: 1. Husker Du - Zen Arcade 2. Minutemen - Double Nickels on the Dime 3. Cocteau Twins - Treasure 4. Echo and the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain 5. The Replacements - Let It Be 6. Meat Puppets - II 7. R.E.M. - Reckoning 8. Foetus - Hole 9. Iron Maiden - Powerslave 10. Black Flag - My War 11. Felt - The Strange Idols Pattern and Other Stories 12. Violent Femmes - Hallowed Ground 13. Lloyd Cole and the Commotions - Rattlesnakes 14. Christian Death - Catastrophe Ballet 15. The Fall - The Wonderful and Frightening World of The Fall 16. This Mortal Coil - It‘ll End in Tears 17. Scott Walker - Climate of Hunter 18. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA 19. Prince - Purple Rain 20. Siouxsie and the Banshees - Hyena 21. The Pogues - Red Roses for Me 22. The Smiths - The Smiths 23. Run DMC - Run DMC 24. Dead Can Dance - Dead Can Dance 25. Flipper - Gone Fishin’

[@toddhill7483]

Solid.

[@stuartfishman1044]

I appreciate the breadth and variety on your list. Nicely done.

[@edreynolds5769]

5. Madness - Keep Moving 4. Talk Talk - It's My Life 3. Echo & The Bunnymen - Ocean Rain 2. OMD - Junk Culture 1. Nik Kershaw - The Riddle

[@painless465]

1.Double Nickels on the Dime-The Minutemen 2.Unforgettable Fire-U2 3.Reckoning-REM 4.Zen Arcade-Husker Du 5.How Will the Wolf Survive-Los Lobos 6.Meat Puppets II-Meat Puppets 7.Let it Be-The Replacements 8.Learning to Crawl-The Pretenders 9.I Often Dream of Trains-Robyn Hitchcock 10.Ocean Rain-Echo & the Bunnymen

[@roxannewalsh]

10 strong albums, all of them are still enjoyable today.

[@toddhill7483]

Great list. I have some duplicates.

[@christianewen3227]

I’ve been really looking forward to this one... such a fantastic year for music. It was very difficult for me to choose, but here’s my Top 5 for ‘84: 1 - Felt - The Splendour of Fear 2 - Echo & The Bunnymen - Ocean Rain 3 - R.E.M. - Reckoning 4 - Prince & The Revolution - Purple Rain 5 - Minutemen - Double Nickels on the Dime

[@briantwiss9078]

Being a native of the North Star state myself, I’ve never realized how great a year this was for Minnesotan artists, between Purple Rain and Let it Be (my personal favorite from ‘84) alone. You also had Hüsker Dü releasing Zen Arcade.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

'84 is to Minneapolis as '91 is to Seattle (my hometown).

[@kentuckydaveinidaho4764]

5) Heartbeat City- The Cars 4) Aimless Love- John Prine 3) Born In The USA- Bruce Springsteen 2) The Unforgettable Fire- U2 1) Purple Rain- Prince & The Revolution Honorable Mention: Various Positions- Leonard Cohen; Building The Perfect Beast- Don Henley; Learning to Crawl- The Pretenders; Reckoning- R.E.M.; 1984- Van Halen

[@frodofraggins]

1) It's My Life - Talk, Talk 5 (So underrated - I watched them live on youtube and then this album clicked with me. Amazing voice and synths) 2) Love At First Sting - Scorpions 5 (almost perfect Hard rock album) 3) The Last In Line - Dio 5 (First album I listened to with Dio as the singer - his last 5 star album sadly) 4) Heartbeat City - The Cars 5 (Drive is a top 3 song for the decade. their best album since their debut) 5) The Unforgettable Fire - U2 5 (possibly my favorite - won't know until I score Achtung Baby) 6) Slide It In - Whitesnake 5 (The first great album by Whitesnake - probably thanks to John Sykes on guitar) 7) Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen 4.5 (would score higher if not for at least three songs I simply don't like) 8) Street Talk - Steve Perry 4.5 (less guitar focused than with Schon - but still pretty solid overall) 9) 1984 - Van Halen 4.5 10) Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple 4.5 11) Learning To Crawl - The Pretenders 4.5 12) Purple Rain - Prince and the Revolution 4.5 13) Private Dancer - Tina Turner 4.5 14) Chicago 17 - Chicago 4.5 15) Suddenly - Billy Ocean 4 16) The Smiths - The Smiths 4 (U.S. version with This Charming Man) 17) Building The Perfect Beast - Don Henley 4 18) Agent Provocateur - Foreigner4 19) Grace Under Pressure - Rush 4 (Red Sector A may be my fav song of theirs - most of the songs are uninteresting though) 20) Reckoning - R.E.M. 3.5

[@mjbachman3027]

1. The Replacements - Let It Be 2. Echo and The Bunnymen - Ocean Rain 3. Cocteau Twins - Treasure 4. The Bangles - All Over The Place 5. Robyn Hitchcock - I Often Dream Of Trains.

[@scottanthonyweidner8692]

5. U2 - The Unforgettable Fire 4. Echo & the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain 3. Iron Maiden - Powerslave 2. Prince - Purple Rain 1. The Replacements - Let It Be

[@anthonybernard3689]

joe jackson-body and soul, van halen-1984, rem-reckoning, bangles-all over the place, prince and the revolution-purple rain

[@dan-ws2sf]

Almost forgot, this was the first tour I’d seen Rush live and what a great show with the spinning drum platform for Neil, acoustic drums in the front, electric drums in the back, no problem, we’ll just spin those around for the Grace tracks. What a memory at the Worcester centrum In Worcester,Mass. now it’s called the DCU center I believe. Nothing as great as Rush gets booked now days

[@greigmartin4339]

1. Lloyd Cole & the Commotions - Rattlesnakes 2. The Smiths - Hatful of Hollow 3. REM - Reckoning 4. Talk Talk - Its My Life 5. Spinal Tap - This Is Spinal Tap

[@chrisverby3047]

1. How will the Wolf Survive?-Los Lobos; 2. Unforgettable Fire-U2; 3. Reckoning-R.E.M.; 4. Learning to Crawl-Pretenders; 5. Let it Be-Replacements.

[@darrellwhitman2484]

My list: 5. All Over The Place - The Bangles 4. How Will The Wolf Survive - Los Lobos 3. Too Tough To Die - Ramones 2. Let It Be - Replacements 1. Double Nickels On The Dime - Minutemen

[@johnw706]

My vote for best of 1984 goes to Heartbeat City by the Cars . It's Not the Night and Why Can't I Have You are the highlights for me , and like Jason said , sound amazing on headphones . Both of those songs prove that Greg Hawkes , the keyboard player , was their secret weapon . Like Dave Greenfield in the Stranglers , Greg Hawkes' contributions are crucial to raising the level of the songs . Other great albums in '84 : Tina Turner : Private Dancer The Pretenders : Learning to Crawl Los Lobos : How Will the Wolf Survive The Stranglers : Aural Sculpture Van Halen : 1984 Bruce Springsteen : Born in the USA Psychedelic Furs : Mirror Moves ( with my favourite song by them : The Ghost in You ) Sade :Diamond Life Thanks !

[@Sir_Eyeball]

(Honourable Mentions: Spliff - Schwarz auf Weiss, Frank Zappa - Them Or Us) 1. Talk Talk - It’s My Life [Basically a perfect album.] 2. Depeche Mode - Some Great Reward [DM is always only at No. 2. That will change in 1986, that's for sure.] 3. Echo and the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain 4. Metallica - Ride the Lightning [Loving the title.] 5. King Crimson - Three of a Perfect Pair [This is the last time for KC to appear on my lists. But they've been nominated a lot! Great band.]

[@plank577]

1. The Unforgettable Fire - U2 2. New Sensations - Lou Reed 3. How Will the Wolf Survive - Los Lobos 4. Learning to Crawl - Pretenders 5. Reckoning - REM 6. Couldn't Stand the Weather - Stevie Ray Vaughan 7. Double Nickels On the Dime - The Minutemen 8. 1984 - Van Halen 9. Slide It In - Whitesnake 10. Warrior - Scandal 11. Word of Mouth - The Kinks

[@179rich]

I gave it to U2 this year as well. Absolutely magical album.

[@Twotontessie]

Generally not a big U2 fan but can't think of many albums where the band pulled every last ounce of productivity out of really minimal ability. A part of me wished they would have folded after Actung Baby. You would think more bands would do that. Where do you go from Giants Stadium? Call it.

[@Footjones]

A great year for me. Musically I was all over the place, lots of guilty pleasures! 5. WASP - debut. Ridiculous comic book metal with incredibly memorable riffs. 4. The Bangles - All Over The Place. Another great debut. I remember critics calling them the "female Beatles." They really were that good. 3. Alphaville - Forever Young. Shut up, I love this album. German synth about finding love in East Berlin will always get my attention. 2. Prince - Purple Rain. All time classic. My great great grandchildren will love this one day. 1. The Replacements - Let It Be. In my top 5 albums ever. We're Comin Out was my senior year anthem and Answering Machine still gives me goosebumps. Cheers!

[@roxannewalsh]

A list about those guilty pleasures would be some idea. Mine for 1984 would be Don Henley's Boys of Summer...that line about the Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac (in an abstract way) could have been about me. I confess that I even bought the album...

[@ventiproduction8186]

1. Reckoner (R.E.M) 2. Ocean Rain (Echo and the Bunnymen) 3. Ride the Lighting (Metallica) 4. The Smiths (The Smiths) 5. Hatful of Hallow (The Smiths)

[@BanalayerPete1972]

1. Perfect Strangers, Deep Purple 2. Agent Provocateur, Foreigner 3. Self Control, Laura Branigan 4. Last in Line, Dio 5. Down on the Street, Shakatak

[@anabellelei8540]

Lloyd Cole and the Commotions Rattlesnakes Echo and the Bunnymen Ocean Rain Let's Active Cypress Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds From Her to Eternity Husker Du Zen Arcade What a year 84 was!!!

[@threestringsomg]

1 Purple Rain 2 Ride The Lightning 3 Make it Big 4 Ocean Rain 5 Powerslave Bit of a weather based year... Lol🤔 Considering its the year purple rain came out I think 84 is a bit thin on the ground for me.... Waking up with the house on fire is my guilty pleasure of that year....just outside top 5 an underated album....and Nick Caves From Her To Eternity.....and meat puppets ll worth a mention

[@kevinmcardle4087]

1. Purple Rain - Prince 2. Reckoning - R.E.M. 3. The Smiths - The Smiths 4. The Unforgettable Fire - U2 5. Ocean Rain - Echo and the Bunnymen 6. Born in the U.S.A. - Bruce Springsteen 7. Heartbeat City - The Cars 8. Let It Be - The Replacements 9. Double Nickels on the Dime - Minutemen 10. Powerslave - Iron Maiden 11. Some Great Reward - Depeche Mode 12. Mirror Moves - Psychedelic Furs 13. Remote Luxury * - The Church 14. Learning to Crawl - Pretenders 15. The Swing - INXS 16. 1984 - Van Halen 17. Talk Show - The Go-Go's 18. Zen Arcade - Hüsker Dü 19. All Over the Place - The Bangles 20. Grace Under Pressure - Rush * combined two Australian EP's into an LP for international release

[@paulsimister944]

The 80s really get going in 1984 after stalling in 81 and 83. A reminder of my ratings 10 = brilliant, 9 excellent, 8 very good Purple Rain - Prince 9.5 A classic. I nearly gave this great album a rating of 10 as there are great funk/pop tunes and Prince straps on his guitar after listening to Funkadelic. Ocean Rain - Echo and the Bunnymen 9 More accessible, lighter and with strings. The early promise they showed in a few songs is delivered over the entire album. Body and Soul - Joe Jackson 9 Builds on the promise of Night And Day with sophisticated jazz influenced pop. My favourite of his albums and recently upgraded to a 9. Diamond Life - Sade 9 Lush, beautiful, romantic. A terrific debut. Hatful of Hollow - The Smiths 9 Am I cheating including this excellent compilation of early singles and BBC live in the studio recordings? A great album. Reckless - Bryan Adams 8.5 Plenty of classic hits that made Adams an international star. Rattlesnakes - Lloyd Cole 8.5 Very well written and performed jangle pop. Not had this long but I wouldn't be surprised if this rises even higher in my ratings. Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen 8.5 The Boss as a pop star. The title track is often misunderstood because of its rousing chorus. As a standalone album it's fine but it pales in comparison to Born To Run or Darkness. Native Sons - The Long Ryders 8 Another Paisley Underground band drawing on the music of 10 to 15 years ago. This time the inspiration is The Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers. Pacific Street - The Pale Fountains 8 The first album by Michael Head's first band. Inspired by Love and Burt Bacharach. Things get even better later. Swoon - Prefab Sprout 8 Their debut isn't as catchy as Steve McQueen and their later work but their class is clear. Sophisticated pop. Mirror Moves - The Psychedelic Furs 8 Follow up to Forever Now isn't as strong but still very good and accessible. Hope And Glory - Tom Robinson 8 Robinson was always an interesting songwriter but here he adds saxophone to his sound and comes up with the terrific War Baby. The Smiths - The Smiths 8 The debut from this iconic 80s indie rock band. It doesn't include their great early singles which is why I feel Hatful of Hollow is more essential. The Poet 2 - Bobby Womack 8 My favourite soul singer songwriter joins forces with Patti Labelle on three duets to look at the ups and downs of relationships.

[@roxannewalsh]

I would NOT consider the two original compilation albums by the Smiths as cheat. I think they belong to their regular discography and are worthy albums on their own. Tom Robinson is one of those easily overlooked artists, I also love Hope and Glory as well as North by Northwest and his earlier albums with TRB. I share your love for Joe Jackson's Body and Soul - especially Go For It...not as high as you rank it but one of his best albums...I once had the original I'm the Man release as 5 singles in a box.

[@Twotontessie]

That Bryan Adams kicks major ass. If only side 2 didn't kind of fall apart....

[@spencergadoury]

For me: 1. The Unforgettable Fire: U2 2. Reckoning: REM 3. Grace Under Pressure: Rush 4. 1894: Van Halen 5. The Smiths: The Smiths

[@afermata949]

5. The Blue Nile - A Walk Across the Rooftops 4. The Fall - The Wonderful and Frightening World of The Fall 3. Minutemen - Double Nickles on the Dime 2. Prince - Purple Rain 1. Cocteau Twins - Treasure

[@Dkatanasoul0]

5. Cocteau Twins - The Spangle Maker (an EP...but one of their best releases) 4. Queen - The Works 3. Metallica - Ride the Lightning 2. Cocteau Twins - Treasure 1. Van Halen - 1984

[@carncats07]

5. The Works by Queen 4. Powerslave by Iron Maiden 3. Ride The Lightning by Metallica 2. Red Sails In The Sunset by Midnight Oil 1. I Often Dream Of Trains by Robyn Hitchcock (backing up his number 1 placing in '82.)

[@shaynewest8757]

1. Powerslave - Iron Maiden ( saw them on this tour) 2. Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple ( saw them on this tour) 3. Two Minute Warning- Angels 4. Zen Arcade - Husker Du 5. Dont Break The Oath - Mercyful Fate

[@TastesLikeMusic]

It was tough leaving Powerslave off. I’ll make it up to Maiden later. - Joe

[@Twotontessie]

If I need my head blown clean off I go to Rime of the Ancient Mariner .... the big scream going into the "Children of the Grave" style groove at the end .... oh man.

[@wishawodenahi8881]

Been watching all these in order and so far this is the first year I agree with 2 of you on the top pick 😸

[@ChristopherDeSanty]

1. Rush - Grace Under Pressure 2. King Crimson - Three of a Perfect Pair

[@SCjuisy]

Heartbeat City, Grace Under Pressure, Unforgettable Fire, Lloyd Cole-Rattlesnake, Sade-Diamond Life.

[@steveramsey6562]

I was twenty in 1984, obviously good memories for me in more ways than just music, lol, just remember Bruce and Prince everywhere, remnants from the previous year still going strong, Michael Jackson, Huey and the news, Cyndi Lauper , and a lot of soundtracks, especially Footloose, gotta love Kenny Loggins, I'm also one of the boring people who wishes Prince would've stuck to the Purple Rain formula for a few more albums. Love that record, anyway nice video guys.

[@NaughtyVampireGod]

it was the year Bruce was back . . . . with muscles!

[@threestringsomg]

And I forgot Legend by Clannad...darn it....that TV series soundtrack moulded my youth....it's still incredibly beautiful (I'd go as far as saying it is more important to me than Powerslave, not my no1 maiden record, so it's in my top 5)....darn doing this is tricky....

[@chrisdelisle3954]

1. Reckoning-R.E.M. 2. Purple Rain-Prince 3. Unforgettable Fire - U2 4. Grace Under Pressure - Rush 5. Husker Du Zen Arcade Honorable Mentions: The Smiths - s/t, Born In The U.S.A.-Bruce Springsteen

[@corleth84]

Sorry, Van Halen, U2 and Violent Femmes didn't make my top.... tough year: 1 - The Television Personalities - The Painted Word 2 - The Smiths - s/t 3 - The Replacements - Let It Be 4 - The Psychedelic Furs - Mirror Moves 5 - R.E.M. - Reckoning HM's Lloyd Cole and the Commotions - Rattlesnakes Pretenders - Learning to Crawl The Cars - Heartbeat City King Crimson - Three of a Perfect Pair U2 - The Unforgettable Fire Aztec Camera - Knife Violent Femmes - Hallowed Ground Echo & the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain The Cure - The Top

[@toddhill7483]

Solid top 5 and HM'S.

[@RPS67]

It is fun to see how guys born around this year have music taste not that different to some of us that were teenagers in 1984. 10 for 1984 Rattlesnakes - Lloyd Cole & the Commotions Brewing up with -Billy Bragg Zen Arcade - Husker Du Purple rain - Prince Texas Fever - Orange Juice Hatful of Hollow - The Smiths The Wonderful & Frightening World of - The Fall Red Roses For Me - The Pogues Hallowed Ground - Violent Femmes Cafe Bleu - The Style Council

[@ste.6026]

Lloyd Cole & The Commotions - Rattlesnakes David Sylvian - Brilliant Trees Echo & The Bunnymen - Ocean Rain The Smiths - The Smiths Blow Monkeys - Limping For A Generation

[@blakeplaster7139]

5 amazing albums not mentioned! 1. Dokken: Tooth and Nail 2. Ratt: Out of the Cellar 3. Queen: The Works 4. Whitesnake: Slide it in 5. Bryan Adams: Reckless

[@kkww7707]

5-Metallica-Ride The Lightning 4-R.E.M.-Reckoning 3-Run DMC-Run DMC 2-U2-The Unforgettable Fire 1-Prince And The Revolution-Purple Rain

[@ianp9086]

This was a strange year as My choices are usually closer to either Kram or Joe but this time Jason has almost matched mine. I wouldn’t have the Furs on though (much prefer Forever Now), and my winner might be Brilliant Trees by David Sylvian! And what about Rattlesnakes by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions?

[@davea9142]

Going through the years is really interesting, some of my personal favourites (A-Z) from '84. "Pagan Place" from The Waterboys, played that a couple of weeks ago, first time in years, what a classic! That might just about be my favourite from 1984, just so much emotion... Brilliant. Iron Maiden - Powerslave. Marillion - Real to Real (Live). Gary Moore - We want Moore (Live). Alison Moyet - Alf. Prince - Purple Rain. Rush - Grace Under Pressure. Simple Minds - Sparkle in the Rain. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA. Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense (Live). U2 - Unforgettable Fire. Van Halen - 1984. Waterboys - Pagan Place.

[@toddhill7483]

5 The Replacements. Let it Be 4 REM. Reckoning 3 Robyn Hitchcock. I Often Dream of Trains 2 XTC. The Big Express 1 Minutemen. Double Nickles on the Dime HM'S: Siouxsie Hyena, Pretenders Learning to Crawl, The Smiths, Husker Du Zen Arcade, Meat Puppets II, The Cult Dreamtime, Cardiacs The Seaside, King Crimson Three of a Perfect Pair, The Church Remote Luxury, Depeche Mode Some Great Reward, Cocteau Twins Treasure. Thanks guys.

[@stuartfishman1044]

My Five For '84: Prince: Purple Rain Linton Kwesi Johnson: Making History Minutemen: Double Nickels On The Dime Husker Du: Zen Arcade Replacements: Let It Be

[@yedgim8172]

BIG 5 1. Into the Gap by Thompson Twins 2. Ride the Lightning by Metallica 3. Treasure by Cocteau Twins 4. Reckoning by REM 5. Ocean Rain by Echo and the Bunnymen And den.. 6. Purple Rain 7. Red Sails in the Sunset by Midnight Oil 8. Unforgettable Fire by U2 9. Some Great Reward by Depeche Mode 10. Mister Heartbreak by Laurie Anderson ✌🏼🎧

[@JalalLatif]

1.Prince - Purple Rain 2.Van Halen - 1984 3.Whodini - Escape 4.Steve Arrington - Positive Power 5.Glenn Jones - Finesse Other Albums I Dig From 1984: The Time - Ice Cream Castles Run DMC - Run DMC Cherelle - Fragile The Cars - Heartbeat City New Edition - New Edition Foreigner - Agent Provocateur Chaka Khan - I Feel For You Miles Davis - Decoy Billy Ocean - Suddenly Iron Maiden - Powerslave Wham - Make It Big Midnight Star - Planetary Invasion Starpoint - It's All Yours Klymaxx - Meeting In the Ladies Room McCoy Tyner - Dimensions O'Bryan - Be My Lover Breakin' Soundtrack S.O.S. Band - Just The Way You Like It Al Jarreau - High Crime Madonna - Like A Virgin

[@briangilroy6294]

1. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A 2. Van Halen - 1984 3. Bryan Adams - Reckless 4. Metallica - Ride the Lightning 5. Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers Honorable Mention U2 - The Unforgettable Fire Scorpions - Love at First Sting Don Henley - Building the Perfect Beast Iron Maiden - Powerslave The Cars - Heartbeat City Billy Squier - Signs of Life Rush - Grace Under Pressure The Kinks - Word of Mouth The Pretenders - Learning to Crawl Twisted Sister - Stay Hungry Joan Jett - Glorious Results... REO Speedwagon - Wheels are Turning Bruce is a clear winner for me with one of his best albums. I’m surprised nobody had him on your lists.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

Springsteen's album is great but '84 was a strong year with a bunch of other fantastic albums. Even some longtime Bruce fans see Born in the USA as a bit too consciously commercial and of its time. It just missed being in my top 5 even though I consider Bruce to be a top 40 all-time artist.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Top 10 for sure in a ridiculously strong year. - Joe

[@ThePhysicalillusion]

R.E.M. repeats for me this year with Reckoning, but this time I can’t be disappointed with all of you leaving them out since the competition is much better than 1983. I have Metallica - Ride The Lightning, Prince - Purple Rain, Van Halen - 1984 and The Replacements - Let It Be for my runners up, and probably leading the just misses for me are Echo And The Bunnymen - Ocean Rain, XTC - The Big Express and The Smiths debut.

[@ryankramzer1256]

I love R.E.M. but terrified they may be the artist that misses out on my lists in the 80s...just like Yes in the 70s.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

@@ryankramzer1256 I'm a massive REM fan but even so only 2 of their albums appear in my top 5- Murmur in '83 and Automatic for the People in '92. All their other '80s albums are very good but just don't happen to crack my top 5 for those years.

[@ThePhysicalillusion]

Actually Husker Du - Zen Arcade would probably be my #6.

[@ThePhysicalillusion]

Ryan Kramzer Looks like a Yes Listography is needed. I’ve been going through 1971 albums lately and Fragile might be the winner of that year for me rather than Who’s Next.

[@mrtb7676]

10. Depeche Mode - Some Great Reward 9. The Fall - The Wonderful and Frightening World of The Fall 8. Scott Walker - Climate of Hunter 7. Flipper - Gone Fishin' 6. Hunters & Collectors - The Jaws of Life 5. Midnight Oil - Red Sails In The Sunset 4. The Fall - Perverted By Language 3. Prince - Purple Rain 2. Echo & the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain 1. REM - Reckoning

[@mutant_blues]

A very fruitful year including some great debuts, but my first choice belongs to Ennio Morricone. Once upon a time in America. The maestro was a Genius! Other favourites: Harold Budd/Brian Eno - The Pearl David Sylvian - Brilliant Trees Meat Puppets II Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - From Her to Eternity Foetus - Hole Snakefinger's History of the Blues Michael Karoli and Polly Eltes - Deluge Julian Cope - World Shut your Mouth Jack DeJohnette - Album Album

[@christoddur]

It's hard to top PURPLE RAIN - however, I am still frustrated that even after all of these years, we still have not seen a definitive soundtrack featuring ALL of the great music featured in the movie. They had their chance a couple of years ago when they remastered the album, but still no "Jungle Love," "The Bird," "Sugar Walls" (YES, it IS in the movie - listen for it), "Sex Shooter," "Modernaire," and many others. Also, it would be awesome to have all of the extended versions included in the complete soundtrack package (the full "Let's Go Crazy" is a masterpiece). My favorites from 1984 would have to include TINA TURNER's PRIVATE DANCER and BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN's BORN IN THE USA.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Yeah I really want the entire Let’s Go Crazy. You’d think that would be a no brainer for a release. - Joe

[@shannonswift2233]

Thank you for bringing up Private Dancer! Especially all the hit collaborations in the 30th Anniversary version. It was a monumental album that outsold Like A Virgin, Purple Rain, etc. in many countries & did this in the most competitive year in music history (and should be recertified after her passing).

[@davidgagen9856]

Forgot Walk Across The Roof Tops by Blue Nile, brilliant album

[@rafaelcruz4176]

My top 5 5. Love At First Sting (Scorpions) 4. Out Of The Cellar (Ratt) 3. Powerslave (Iron Maiden) 2. Slide It In (Whitesnake) 1. 1984 (Van Halen)

[@joedec]

1. Prince & The Revolution - Purple Rain 2. Metallica - Ride the Lightning 3. The Smiths - The Smiths 4. Depeche Mode - Some Great Reward 5. Echo & The Bunnymen - Ocean Rain 6. The Replacements - Let It Be 7. Iron Maiden - Powerslave 8. Samhain - Initium 9. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A. 10. Madonna - Like a Virgin

[@kenm.3512]

Okay, here go's. 10. Learning To Crawl - The Pretenders 09. Toothe and Nail - Dokken 08. Will the Wolf Survive - Los Lobos 07. Powerslave - Iron Maiden 06. Fugazi - Marillion 05. Rising Force/Live Sentence - Yngwie Malmsteen & Alcatrazz. 04. Reckoning - REM 03.The Unforgettable Fire - U2 02. Ride the Lightning - Metallica 01. Couldn't Stand the Weather - Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. H.M. - Flexible - Steve Vai I cheated a bit with Yngwie. Throwing in Live Sentence which was an album Yngwie said he hated. I loved it. What does Yngwie know anyway? Shut up and play yer guitar, Malmsteen. For the love of God. Thanks Gentlemen.

[@kevtruth]

Been waiting all week for this one, guys. Jason, was wondering your age after I started watching this channel. Amazed by your music acumen 1. Minutemen - Double Nickels On The Dime 2. REM - Reckoning 3. Bangles - All Over The Place 4. Pretenders Learning To Crawl 5. Meat Puppets II

[@toddhill7483]

Same number one. The best album from Minutemen. Excellent list.

[@Shah-of-the-Shinebox]

1. Purple Rain - Prince 2. 1984 - Van Halen 3. Run-DMC - Run-DMC 4. Building the Perfect Beast - Don Henley 5. Diamond Life -Sade

[@NormanWorm]

1-Will the Wolf Survive - Los Lobos 2-Rattlesnakes - Lloyd Cole 3-Hatful of Hollow - The Smiths 4-Knife - Aztec Camera 5-Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen 6-Junk Culture - OMD 7-It’s My Life - Talk Talk 8-Poor Little Critter on the Road - The Knitters 9-Purple Rain - Prince 10-Reckoning - R.E.M.

[@paulsimister944]

Guys, you're building a wonderful community of avid music fans with tastes that step well away from the mainstream. It's fascinating to see the albums and combinations that are recommended every week.

[@NaughtyVampireGod]

Agree. Honestly I appreciate that this is not heavy metal dominated like some other channels.

[@paulsimister944]

@@NaughtyVampireGod yes I'm pleased to escape all the metal too. I've always struggled when it gets very heavy but, the older I get, the lower my tolerance.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Watch out for my 1988 picks. - Joe

[@NaughtyVampireGod]

@@TastesLikeMusic I was actually going to mention that Joe comes the closest to a heavy metal fan!

[@TastesLikeMusic]

@@NaughtyVampireGod "Like some other channels" 🤔...😂

[@5150-for-music]

1. "Purple Rain" by Prince 2. "1984" by Van Halen 3. "Heartbeat City" by The Cars 4. "Body & Soul" by Joe Jackson 5. "Grace Under Pressure" by Rush

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Doesn’t get much closer to Mine than that. - Joe

[@markgatica12]

1. Stop Making Sense - Talking Heads 2. Purple Rain - Prince 3. Unforgettable Fire - U2 4. Alchemy - Dire Straits 5. Diamond Life - Sade 6. Three of a Perfect Pair - King Crimson Down year for me after several great years. Stop Making Sense is a masterpiece, Purple Rain is close behind. Unforgettable Fire gets better and better over time.

[@179rich]

I think the guys would say live albums don't qualify but hey, it's your list. Rock on.

[@AnotherBadSpeech]

My winner for 1984 is Rattlesnakes by Lloyd Cole And The Commotions , a rather perfect album. Hatful Of Hollow (The Smiths) is technically a compilation of BBC sessions and singles but I think it's fair to include it (as fair as including Magical Mystery Tour, I think) and it's absolutely great. Also on my list: Reckoning (R.E.M.), Treasure (Cocteau Twins) and The Unforgettable Fire (U2) - all great.

[@sbdowling]

Really good year. Steel Pulse’s Earth Crisis is my dark horse from ‘84. Spinal Tap RULES!!

[@AndrewMckay]

some nice picks there , give Rattlesnakes the debut album Lloyd Cole and the Commotions a go , in my top 5 but number one for me will be the Boss, Born in the USA

[@roxannewalsh]

I had a hard time deciding on my number 5, with two very strong competitors and in the end I had to make a 'strategic' decision... Honorable Mentions are - Box of Frogs - self titled (The Yardbirds non-stars so to say, however the guest musicians like Jeff Beck or Rory Gallagher made this record a treat.) - Ramones - Too Tough to Die (in which they turn into the best Heavy Metal band not named Motorhead...) - Van Morrison - A Sense of Wonder (simply beautiful) - Replacements - Let it Be (Just as rough and perfect as you can think of) - Midnight Oil - Red Sails in the Sunset (I missed this in the top 5 because I had it listed for 1985 - which it is not...) Almost #5 - The Smiths >> released their phenomenal debut, since they may win one of the next years, they are just not in the top 5 this time. But they were game changers... 5. David Johansen - Sweet Revenge (Until last minute I was torn between this and the Smiths' debut. This is Johansen's strongest solo album and nearly as good as his earlier New York Dolls albums. He was the one to take all the 80s heavy rock elements and make sense out of them because he could write songs and use wit like no other.) 4. U2 - The Unforgettable Fire ( Eno/Lanois added exactly what their sound needed, this is as much their album as it is the bands. The band of course continued and rose into superstardom, for me however, this was their peak.) 3. Prince - Purple Rain (rarely a platinum album is my favourite and even fewer are still great 30+ years later, but there are exceptions to every rule. Masterwork.) 2. Psychedelic Furs - Mirror Moves (their fourth and strongest album and each song is a winner, they stick with you long after the music has stopped and haunt you at unexpected moments.) 1. Tom Verlaine - Cover (After Television split with just having released two albums, Verlaine started to create strong solo albums, each one quite different from the others. This is his fourth and it does not contain cover versions despite the title. Each song starts out like staggering, searching a way to go and when they find it they soar into the stratosphere. They remind me of an airplane that leaves the ramp, and taxis around the apron to the runway but then the pilot pushes the throttle to full and they lift of.)

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Love that Box of Frogs album. Not enough for top 5, but good to give it a shout -Jason

[@paulsimister944]

Super picks again. I loved Marquee Moon but the TV solo albums have never grabbed me but I haven't heard Cover. I have the Van Morrison album down as 1985.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Are you familiar with British Lions? Essentially Mott fronted by John Fiddler. If not, they're worth checking out.

[@179rich]

The Unforgettable Fire is my fav U2 album. Magical.

[@roxannewalsh]

@@TastesLikeMusic Yes, I have their albums and also the Medicine Head catalogue (his first band). He seemed to be the frontman on Box of Frogs debut but on the second album he appeared as just another guest. I liked British Lions much more than the Mott attempts without Ian Hunter.

[@kevlar_t4echo]

These for top 5...Prince-Purple Rain Rush-Grace Under Pressure The Cars-Heartbeat City U2-The Unforgettable Fire Stevie Ray Vaughan-Couldn't Stand the Weather These for consideration... The Pretenders-Learning To Crawl Marillion-Misplace Childhood The Fixx-Phantoms Van Halen-1984 Ultravox-Lament Echo & the Bunnymen-Ocean Rain Dio-The Last In Line Roger Waters-The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking Scorpions-Love At First Sting Judas Priest-Defenders Of the Faith The Replacements-Let It Be Thomas Dolby-The Flat Earth Depeche Mode-Some Great Reward Joe Jackson-Body and Soul Bruce Springsteen-Born In the U.S.A. The Bangles-All Over the Place Prefab Sprout-Swoon The Smiths-s/t Deep Purple-Perfect Strangers Zebra-Telling No Lies Whitesnake-Slide It In Robyn Hitchcock-I Often Dream of Trains

[@ryankramzer1256]

right on

[@nickwhitfield3898]

1. Ocean blue. Echo & the Bunnymen. 2.Treasure. Cocteau twins. 3. Reckoning. REM 4. Some great reward. Depeche mode 5. Brewing up with Billy Bragg. Billy Bragg Others would be the smiths, Eden by Everything but the girl, Purple rain prince. Goodbye cruel world Elvis costello & the attractions.

[@dans3765]

1.Born in the U.S.A.-Bruce Springsteen (#9 on my list of My Top 25 Albums of the 80s) 2.Let It Be-The Replacements (#12) 3.The Unforgettable Fire-U2 (#17) 4.Purple Rain-Prince and The Revolution (#19) 5.The Smiths-The Smiths 6.Ride the Lightning-Metallica 7.Reckoning-R.E.M. 8.Legend-Bob Marley & The Wailers 9.Double Nickels on the Dime-Minutemen 10.The Swing-INXS 11.Declaration-The Alarm 12.The Works-Queen 13. Red Roses For Me-The Pogues 14.Ocean Rain-Echo & The Bunnymen 15.The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking-Roger Waters 16.Hallowed Ground-Violent Femmes 17.Zen Arcade-Hüsker Dü 18.A Pagan Place-The Waterboys 19. How Will the Wolf Survive-Los Lobos 20.Too Tough to Die-Ramones 21.Hatful of Hollow-The Smiths 22.Repo Man (Soundtrack) 23.1984-Van Halen 24.The Las Vegas Story-The Gun Club 25.Dreamtime-The Cult

[@qroqqle]

1. transfer station blue - micheal shrieve 2. fugazi - marillion 3. ocean rain - echo & the bunnymen 4. from her to eternity - nick cave & the bad seeds 5. reckoning - rem

[@chrisboerger465]

There were some really good albums by mainstream alternative rock artists this year, Learning to Crawl, How Will the Wolf Survive, Body and Soul, Reckoning, Mirror Moves. Purple Rain with the mighty When Doves Cry is certainly notable. Let It Be, also a winner. But my top five goes like this: The Unforgettable Fire: it jumps ahead of the others I mentioned primarily because of Bad, one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs ever written and arguably the band's best. Meat Puppets II. Red Sails in the Sunset by Midnight Oil. It was a tough race between one and two, and I'm just going to make a snap decision right now. Okay, I'll go with Born in the USA at number two, and New Sensations by Lou Reed at number one, only because I've only recently been able to recognize the Springsteen album's utter brilliance, despite being a huge fan of the artist for quite some time, whereas I've admired the Reed effort for a number of years. Born in the USA has obviously left a much larger cultural impact, but this is based on personal tastes, and in a closer than usual matchup between one and two, I give the tiebreaker to the late great Lou Reed.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

That Meat Puppets record is good but there's only like 4 songs that Im truly wild about. Unforgettable Fire made my runner-up list over Born in the USA precisely because I think Unforgettable Fire is far less dated. It's a more timeless record than 'USA'.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I’m kinda with you on Meat Puppets. I love their less cool records starting with Too High to Die and even think their more recent stuff is great, but the early “classics” that get all the praise...I want to like them more than i do. -Jason

[@chrisboerger465]

@@TastesLikeMusic I would definitely steer clear of the first album, which is hardcore to the point of being unlistenable. It makes Trout Mask Replica sound like Barry Manilow. Not familiar with their recent stuff, I'll have to look into it.

[@prockrog5219]

Great listings guys! Great to see the spread from metal via synth pop to alternative/indie. 1984 was a good year indeed, especially for synth pop. Sadly though, most synth pop bands had great singles but shitty albums, like Alphaville, Limahl, Thomas Dolby, Ultravox etc. Anyway, here's my Top 5 of 1984: 5. Bryan Adams - Reckless 4. Talk Talk - It's My Life 3. Judas Priest - Defender of The Faith 2. Van Halen - MCMLXXXIV 1. Rush - Grace Under Pressure And bubbling just under the Top 5 was Born In The USA, Fugazi, Powerslave, Purple Rain, E2-E4 and Aerial Boundries.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Agree with you about the synth pop bands. Most pure 80s pop bands I found their albums to be pretty lacking even when I love some of their songs. That explains why all my picks are 70s artists. Talk Talk is great though. - Joe

[@independenceltd.]

5. Psalm 9 - Trouble 4. Two Steps from the Move - Hanoi Rocks 3. Powerslave - Iron Maiden 2. W.A.S.P. 1. Ride the Lightning - Metallica

[@pauljohnson5925]

Still catching up on these and loving the countdowns. Didn’t think I’d have much to say come the 80’s but I couldn’t let The Blue Nile being mentioned pass. One of my favourite bands, but never hear much about them, am intrigued to see if any of their (limited) albums make the grade, “Hats” being my favourite.....and, I now can’t stop playing Elvis Costello after the last few posts. “Punch the Clock” and “Armed Forces” newly added to my vinyl collection 👍

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Niceeeee. - Joe

[@davidbarnette5649]

1984: (Year Average 8.6) 1. The Pros And Cons of Hitchhiking - Roger Waters (9) 2. The Smiths - The Smiths (8.5) 3. Purple Rain - Prince and the Revolution (8.5) 4. Ride The Lightning - Metallica (8.5) 5. Born In The USA - Bruce Springsteen (8.5)

[@Moneytane1976]

You guys have GREAT taste. I hope you listen to more of PRINCE'S music.

[@steventalavera2381]

Nothing is better than The unforgettable fire

[@drdavid1963]

As my entry seems have disappeared I'll do it again. A very good year but my top 5 is 5 tie Blue Nile Walk Across The Rooftops / Lloyd Cole and The Commotions Rattlesnakes 4 Cocteau Twns Treasure 3 Simple Minds Sparkle In The Rain 2 Julian Cope Fried 1 THE SMITHS HATFUL OF HOLLOW