Huge Selling Albums That Did Not Become Legendary

In this video I talk about a selection of albums which, despite selling squillions of copies, did not for some reason join the ranks of the huge, influential albums that everyone says you must hear. Along the way I present some theories about why that might be the case. Please share your ideas of other massive albums that were big sellers but now are sadly lacking in credibility and respect!
Please subscribe and share if you liked the video, thanks.

[@invisibleray6987]

excuse me but Brothers in arms is a serious classic......5 star baby

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Fair enough.

[@leonardobrien]

One good song, the title track. Everything else: filler.

[@BeatlesEddieV]

No it Isn’t

[@natesvideos7339]

@@leonardobrienwhat about Walk of Life

[@natesvideos7339]

Same with Hysteria

[@dominicpardo4783]

Brothers in Arms is legendary. KZbin channels constantly critique the title track and the massive hit Money for Nothing. It's not an easy get in the record stores and regularly sells for $20+ in the states.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Yeah you might be right about Brothers in Arms being legendary - quite a few people have made that point. Maybe I need to do a follow-on video and put the record straight.

[@ronfowlermusic]

Many of the albums that turn up on the "most important" "greatest" "influential" albums lists were not HUGE sellers. This includes ANY Bob Dylan albums, Pet Sounds, Kinks Village Green, Odyssey and Oracle. Some of these sold decently, but the era of the mega album sellers didn't really start until the late 70s - Frampton Comes Alive, Rumours, Hotel California. What was the biggest selling album of 1967? More of the Monkees! That's right, it outsold Sgt. Pepper in its day, the Doors debut, Jefferson Airplane, all the hip music.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Yep, made that point in the video.

[@DavidCarrol-i2q]

Oasis' 1997 album Be Here Now had the unwanted tag of "most returned album" in the late '90s. Quite right as it was terrible.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Ah yes, I thought of that one too! Don't own it though. Quite liked the single Do You Know What I Mean, used to have that as a CD-single.

[@ErnestIII83]

Brothers In Arms seems to be pretty legendary. I can think of some albums from the 1990s and 2000s that would fit this category - Human Clay and Weathered by Creed, Eric Clapton's Unplugged, Santana's Supernatural, a couple of Boyz II Men albums, etc. Ha.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I kind of agree about Brothers in Arms, wondering if it does belong in the legendary camp. Can't quite get with Walk of Life though.

[@ErnestIII83]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic Can't quite get with Dire Straits in general myself. Ha.

[@dixielandfarm]

Very nice rundown. Brothers in Arms - definitely a perfect choice. The Whitney Houston album would be one as well.

[@Amphy002]

Endless Flight is well worth checking out, especially for 25P! The hotshot producer Richard Perry was brought in and he encouraged Leo Sayer to try other people's material. The result is an album of strong songs. There are Elton John connections: Paul Buckmaster did the arrangements, Gene Page did some strings and two of Elton's band feature in a long list of talented session players. You can't go wrong, really.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I totally agree...will be doing a video on 'Endless Flight' in the not-too-distant..stay tuned!

[@jonnyduk3968]

Walk of Life, it was everywhere in the summer of 87, gives me the heebie geebies just thinking about it..

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Ha! Yes, me too.

[@mikescully6972]

I don’t know what country you’re from but brothers in arms was top of the charts for many weeks here in the USA, and as a musician it had an impact on my own songwriting

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I'm in the UK...it was massive here too.

[@ELDuderino597]

Back in the fabulous 1970's I was one of just 4 people under 20 in the UK who didn't own 'Frampton Comes Alive'.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I've never even heard it!!

[@vinylrichie007]

I bought Frampton Comes Alive when it came out. What a disappointment. I only liked two songs.

[@philipjones3517]

We must have been moving in different circles; for me, it was one of those: wow, obscure Brit doing surprisingly well in the States

[@Texeq]

I love Wings At The Speed of Sound. Two big hits, the rockin Beware My Love, The Note You Never Wrote...but I can see why its not a cited classic in the wake of Band On The Run and Venus & Mars.

[@ronfowlermusic]

a lot of Paul fans hate it because half of the songs are sung by Denny, Jimmy, Joe and Linda. Personally, that's what I like about the album! Denny had been the lead singer in the Moody Blues, so it makes sense that he would sing some songs on Wings albums.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Fair point.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I think it works with all the vocalists.

[@Texeq]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic Yes it does. The variety is a nice change.

[@mrhoffame]

Great and fun vid my friend! I would agree with most below that Brothers In Arms is considered pretty darn legendary. Still an album I see spoken about VERY frequently. The same with Hysteria. I think both those albums are such clear marks of the time that people maybe get more "sick" of hearing them, but their legendary status seem undeniable where as stuff like DSOTM or Rumours have songs that are more timeless because they weren't as tied down to the "what was in at the time" so they carry over to the next generation easier. Like the songs Dreams by Fleetwood Mac could come out today and be a hit, but Love Bites or Walk Of Life couldn't bc they are too tied down to their time period. ...but both still legendary. I think defining "legendary" and "timeless" is kinda key in the thought process. IMO that is lol.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks! I'm thinking of doing a follow-up video and actually trying to define what 'legendary' means.

[@moose6509]

Good stuff. Overfamiliarity is definitely a part of it. I love most of these albums but could happily never hear some of the songs again. P.S. The title track of Endless Flight is absolutely beautiful.......

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I really like Endless Flight, I forgot to say that in the video. Some great musicians on it too.

[@Slotnikoff]

I can think of one reason why Wings' 'At The Speed of Sound' may not today be considered "legendary". Most albums of such ilk not only had, arguably' great music on them but also their covers made and still make for great eye candy. Look at the cover of this one... how friggin' uninspiring, unimaginative, and just plain cheap can a record get?

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

The mad thing is, although the cover looks cheap it wasn't at all. They actually assembled those letters on a huge screen in central London and photographed them!

[@Slotnikoff]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic All that trouble for an ugly album cover... I guess Sir Macca was indulging in his reefer consumption.

[@richardriley4415]

Good idea. I enjoyed this. I'm still a fan of Leo Sayer and Brothers in Arms.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Richard. I like Leo and Dire Straits also!

[@CalicoSilver]

Great topic. So many come to mind from the '80s (the decade of my 20s and what a fun decade it was). Mr. Mister's "Welcome to the Real World", Huey Lewis' "Sports", and best-selling albums by Howard Jones, Thompson Twins, Men At Work, Billy Idol, Thomas Dolby, and on and on. All good-to-excellent music, very enjoyable and fun (just like the decade itself), but I sometimes think that the unfortunately blanket "bad reputation" of '80s albums damage their chances at becoming "legendary". Unfair, but there it is.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Photograph is my favourite Leps song.

[@CalicoSilver]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic ???

[@michaelbushell4356]

That’s a really interesting topic and I wouldn’t argue with anything you highlighted (although I love the song Brothers In Arms). I’d add anything by Oasis after the first two, Blur’s The Great Escape and any Robbie Williams album. I’ve seen comments about Born In The USA. I’m a Springsteen fan but it wouldn’t make my Top 10 of his albums, but some of the individual songs are still amazing. It’s always great when people misunderstand lyrics badly!

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Michael. I would have shown Born in the USA, but I don't actually own it.

[@craigblack7076]

Queen's "A Kind of Magic" stalled at #46 in America. It's their best album since '78's "Jazz."

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I like it! Prefer other post-Jazz albums though.

[@pierce_13]

I would say that "Synchronicity" by The Police is an album that sold very well but is not held in especially high regard these days.

[@walterevans5658]

Not sure I agree on Brothers in Arms. A lot of people still are really fond of Dire Straits, and some of those tracks from that album in particular. Nice pick with Reckless, though. That was huge, and I am really fond of that record. I think it's fantastic. But you are right, people don't dig Bryan Adams much anymore.

[@papabear1417]

What's popular isn't necessarily good and what's good isn't necessarily popular. They captured a certain zeitgeist.

[@anotherfatbeardedmantalkin5893]

It's the lack of credibility. You can't have a "legendary" album unless you have, or had at the time of release, credibility. You need the sweet spot in the legendary album Venn diagram. Sales can't bring you credibility and credibility can't bring you sales. You also have to factor in which legendary albums sold masses on release, and which have accrued massive sales over time. Dark Side Of The Moon is the biggest selling album from 1973, but it never made it to number 1 in the charts. It did get to number 2, but only stayed there for 1 week, despite being in the charts for 42 weeks. That's the credibility and word of mouth equating to sales over a longer period. The charity shops are full of flash-in-the-pan albums. Massive selling albums which scratch a certain itch at the time, but have fleeting appeal. You find very little credibility in the music racks at charity shops. Credibility = Longevity Longevity = $$$$$$$$

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Hedley. Credibility is an interesting one, as it's sometimes conferred by history rather than something that happened at the time. Certain artists end up being recuperated. Weird to think now but Led Zeppelin were critically reviled in their day. Queen after about 1975 had no cred at all but now they're viewed as the second greatest band ever after The Beatles (though their 'cred' still gets questioned by some).

[@fwnfaa]

Great great albums, nice video

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks!

[@vinylrichie007]

Record sales have nothing to do with how good an album is.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

True in a lot of cases but maybe not all. Sometimes you get word of mouth happening on an album which has a lot to commend it and that takes it up the charts.

[@Bobmacca64]

Hi, James. Great video on a very interesting topic. I think that Sports(1983) by Huey Lewis And The News could fit in that category as well. 7 times platinum in the States, big singles, a big 80's production and sheen to it...but LEGENDARY? That may be a bit of a stretch:) Anyway, take care and see you in the next one!

[@michaeldallaway1988]

Have you heard it lately? Sports is brilliant!

[@Bobmacca64]

@@michaeldallaway1988 yes, but not legendary:)

[@michaeldallaway1988]

@@Bobmacca64 depends who's asking 😉. I think the live version on the special edition is even better.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Bob, that is a great suggestion. I used to own that album but I must have moved it on at some point as I don't seem to have it anymore. You can always pick it up cheap, thus proving your point!

[@BambiTheHooligan]

I wonder how much the intent behind the album affects its reputation. If a band or artist isn't aiming for legendary status with an album and they put out consistently decent-to-great stuff, they're probably better off in terms of credibility than putting out one or two legendary albums and the rest being utter dross. Most of the time, anyway, there definitely are exceptions that I can't think of right now.

[@ChrisTian-rm7zm]

I love “Hysteria” more than anything, I don't think there's any other album I've listened to so many times. But I can understand why people think it's overproduced and that it aged badly. That typical 80s sound had already kind of become obsolete a few years later with the advent of Nirvana and Pearl Jam. I also think that Def Leppard never really recovered artistically from the loss of Steve Clark.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I hear that a lot about Steve C. I guess after his death the band's commercial and artistic decline started happening pretty swiftly.

[@prairiedogsareextant]

I recall reading a review of Speed of Sound, and Silly Love Songs was likened to a bit of gum that gets stuck to the bottom of your shoe that you just can't get rid of cuz it was so ubiquitous in the summer of '76. That describes it perfectly. I recall the summer of 76. One could not escape Silly Love Songs or Frampton Comes Alive.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

It's true that overkill radio play can really ruin a song.

[@RandallWeaver]

This was a great idea for a video and you did it without hurting my feelings at all. lol It's interesting that several of the albums you list are also ones that you still like. I can't think of any to add to this list off the top of my head; it's hard to say which albums became legendary and which ones didn't. I'll reply back here if I think of any that I think meet your criteria. Your choices are perfect. Enjoyed it James!

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Randy, glad I didn't ruffle your feathers! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@3dimensionsofmusic3D]

Interesting topic. Unsurprisingly none of those albums less Brothers on CD can be found in my collection. I've come across them in dollar bins and markets but couldn't even part with a single quid for them 😊. I guess I've contributed to, as you say, lack of legendary status. No judgements. To quote Steve @alltheworldsastage , the music chooses you I suppose. Well 👍 done James. Greg

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Ha, thanks! They all have their moments. In fact I really like some of them.

[@greenalishi222]

Cool topic. Kinda loaded too. Trippy how time effects stuff. Not one of those was my faves, then n now. But they are relevant. I hear 80s stuff in so much now. It translated.

[@johnbellamy3406]

Interesting topic here James. Don't know if I agree with you about Brothers in Arms or Hysteria. I'd say those two are particularly iconic of their time and represent the peek of Dire Straights' and Def Leppard's popular success. I remember well an interview with Mark Knopfler after Brothers in Arms and before On Every Street was released. He said "How do you follow an album like Brothers..., well maybe you don't". I think he was well aware than anything the band ever did after that would fall forever in it's shadow. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that On Every Street was made for contractual reasons because it doesn't even try to live up to it predecessor. The best best thing to come out of Def Leppard's Hysteria album is the commentary by The Wildhearts in the song Turning American. They don't hold back. I'm trying to think of albums that were huge but that gained no long time status as being great. The only one that comes to mind for me is the Duran Duran live album called Arena. It must have sold a shed load because it was released just a bit before their decline, but as a live album it is rubbish. One of those 80s live records that is so over dubbed that it's like listening to a studio album with a little reverb and crowd noise. What happened to Blonds Have More Fun? I was looking forward to you showing that in your video.

[@mikethebloodthirsty]

Hysteria was great, its dated... but it was a perfect melting pot of pop and metal... the only metal band that pulled it off to my ears.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Ha! My copy of Blondes Have More Fun is back at my mum's house, or I would have showed it! Come to that, it's an album I keep meaning to listen to again. I'm inclined to agree with you about both Brothers in Arms and Hysteria, I was a little unsure about both of them to be honest. I may have to do a sequel video and address this.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I agree, it's a really good album.

[@stephenbrown4211]

How you can lump Brothers in Arms in this list is beyond me. It’s not my favourite DS album but being one of the first CDs alone makes it legendary. You’re obviously not a Dire Straits fan. Their career didn’t nosedive after BIA. Knopfler put them to bed. They got back together for the Mandela concert and Knebworth. Then came out with On Every Street which really was a Knopfler Solo album under the DS name. It was a commercial success and the tour sold out arenas and stadiums around the world. Mark then walked away DS had got too big, he didn’t want to do it any more.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I'm not a Dire Straits fan really and the point I was made in the video is that fans of a band can't by themselves declare an album to be 'legendary'......there needs to be near universal agreement in the broader music community about it. That said, I think there is a case for both 'Brothers in Arms' and 'Hysteria' to be labelled 'legendary', and these were the two I was a bit unsure about.

[@stephenbrown4211]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic fair enough. I guess I was more miffed about you saying their career nosedived after BIA. Just to add to my previous comment, I think On Every Street was the direction Mark wanted to go in, especially after the Notting Hillbillies project. The bandwagon jumpers that joined during BIA didn’t get a BIA 2 so abandoned ship. Same thing happened to Springsteen with Tunnel of Love, it wasn’t Born in the USA 2. I did look at that last tour and can only say six nights at Earls Court doesn’t constitute a career nosedive. I think it was a record until Floyds Division Bell tour

[@matthewmedley8532]

Great albums and video James.

[@mattgaskell945]

Agree about brothers in arms, although the title track is a classic. Walk of life and money for nothing were terribly overplayed and flimsy, Dad rock, and the production is very dated. Their first two albums, however, are classics and legendary. Agree about Bryan Adams as well. The Robin Hood song ruined him.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Matt. I really like the first two Dire Straits albums, in fact I just picked up the CDs from HMV the other week!

[@mattgaskell945]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic Excellent. While their remaining albums all contained classic songs (Telegraph road, Tunnel of love, Romeo & Juliet etc) they really dropped off in consistency, had some terrible Filler, and the production hasn’t dated well. The first two are brilliant, very analogue in sound, and no filler. Love them.

[@MisterBrain]

No Parlez by Paul Young was an ever-present in charity shop cardboard boxes for a very long time.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Good one! I saw that in Oxfam just the other day, along with the first album by The Q-Tips.

[@RekkidTalk]

I think a lot of these albums are the kinds of records that people who only ever owned a couple dozens records/tapes/CDs bought. You know, people that only listened to mega-selling albums and greatest-hits compilations, sort of the opposite of rekkid collecting nerds. These are the people that have either dumped their physical format or have this stuff sitting in a box in their garage/basement/attic and now rely on Spotify or Alexa or satellite radio to entertain them in the car or as background music for a party.

[@donaldanderson6604]

Brothers in Arms came out just a CD sales were taking off and it was regarded as a very good test disc because of the production quality. Yes 90125 was another big seller for the same reason. Dark Side was another excellent test record for the beginnings of home hi fi.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks....I did an in-depth video on 90125 a few weeks ago.

[@jnagarya519]

Most came during the 1970-80s to those who are too young to know the history before then.

[@FlavianFanatic]

Super idea for a video. Another one that springs to mind - The Cars Heartbeat City, another "Mutt" Lange production.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Great one! I used to have that, don't any more though. I like their first 4.

[@FlavianFanatic]

I agree, but if Roy Thomas Baker produced HB City it would rank as one of their best. Strong songs undermined by mid 80s production.

[@stevecarlsonvinylcommunity9147]

Yes the Robin Hood song drove me nuts, I couldn’t handle Bryan Adam’s. At least he made a ton of money off of it. I love the Sayer album , part of my teenage years. Great video, very interesting. The Queen album did struggle here. I do like Brothers In Arms a lot

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Steve....interesting that the Robin Hood song was an annoyance on your side of the pond as well!

[@RobertFithen]

Great video! One thing that those albums have in common is that they are basically singles albums. The album tracks aren't well known at all. Whereas "Dark Side..." and "Rumours", etc contain popular tracks that weren't singles. I don't care for the album, but I would say "Hysteria" is a legendary album in the US.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Good point....Queen in particular always put out too many singles from their albums.

[@johnebejer]

Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen was a huge seller but I don't think it is legendary.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Yep, had that one on my list but I don't own a copy!

[@vinylrichie007]

The song My Hometown is great.

[@vinylwood]

Agree 👍. Fun video with some great information. I think the lack of love and appreciation for these albums may stem from not actually being around or buying/ owning these albums when they were on the charts. Also ppl tend to follow others on KZbin and not go out and explore or listen to these forgotten treasures to find out for themselves. I just pulled Pink Floyd’s Momentary Laps…..” album at had a fresh listen. I was very impressed and surprised how good it is, yet it is considered a weak album. Fresh ears or age may make the difference. Till next time.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I thought of including Momentary Lapse actually.....I did a video a while back looking at the remix at came out a few years ago - it's really good.

[@vinylwood]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic Yes yes it was the remix 45 double album I was listening to. I had just bought it used in mint shape at my local store. Owner text me to say he just got it. He knows what I tend to buy. Fantastic work, this remixed package really brings that album to a new level. It’s like cd clear and new tweeks added. Big improvement from the OG.

[@retromusings]

So interesting. Yep. That Leo Sayer album is everywhere in charity shops like John Denver and Gilbert O'Sullivan.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Endless Flight is worth hearing, it's a good album! Thanks, always great to hear from you.

[@LloydBoonworldofmusic2]

Hi James, an interesting topic to pursue for sure. BTW, i have no answers nor reasons why this happens to certain records and/or artists, now maybe if Stephen Hawking was still alive we might have all the answers LOL - food for thought though! - Lloyd

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Lloyd. Yeah, Stephen definitely had all the answers, lol.

[@DadgeCity]

I suppose that you're right that Discovery lost most of its hype, but it's still a classic album and not uncool in the way that Leo Sayer or David Gray are considered.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I love Discovery.

[@gatefold33]

Interesting subject James. My favourite Bryan Adams song is the one he did with Mel C, although I'm not a fan...A song from A Kind of Magic was the first dance at my wedding and I was a big fan of the Highlander film back in the day...Brothers in Arms has definitely outstayed its welcome with me.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Dale. I remember you saying about dancing to Just One Year of Love on your wedding night. Details like that always stick in my mind.

[@trickygoose2]

Simply Red's albums A New Flame and Stars were both massive sellers in the UK but are now semi forgotten.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Would have featured them but I don't have them!

[@aminahmed2220]

Brothers in arms ❤😊

[@Wayner71]

Yes, its interesting what you say about 'Brothers in Arms' and 'Rumours'. Whereas songs from 'Brothers in Arms' are dated and difficult to listen to now, the tracks from 'Rumours' seem to have a timeless quality that allows endless listening. Some of that might be due to the eras they were recorded in but it could also be a testament to the respective quality of the songs. Cheers.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Think you're right...80's production has dated more in some ways because of the technology they were using. I think a lot modern music that supposedly sounds 'great' these days is going to date very quickly, particularly the drum sounds, which are all identikit.

[@kylewoolsey6635]

I'd argue that Pyromania was more legendary than Hysteria, even with the bigger sales, the band produced a cool modern classic with Photograph, but Foolin' is nearly as good. If I want some Def Leppard, its not Hysteria with all its crap production that I;m reaching for.

[@mjanovec]

There is often little correlation between album sales and artistic credibility. Sometimes they coincide, but often album sales were tied with whatever the radio decided to push on us. People bought what they heard, but then a collective fatigue set in once everyone heard those songs too many times. Also, I think albums that have a production style that matches the flavor of the moment never seem to age well… something you alluded to. The 80s were full of albums that have that overly slick, glossy production that quickly went out of style when the 90s rolled around.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Totally agree on all counts!

[@terrymann1341]

I have all of those albums bar Hysteria by Def Leppard, was never a fan, but fair play to them, that album was huge at the time. I think sometimes a band can be the victim of their own success, a case in point being The Knack. Their one big hit My Sharona was literally everywhere, and their album Get The Knack was a massive seller. I actually think it was a legendary album of the Power Pop era, it's only now that it's lauded as a classic. Though My Sharona is one of my all time favourite singles, but again it was constantly on the radio and eventually people got tired of it. But there are so many albums that suffer a similar fate, and undeservedly so in my opinion.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Can't believe I didn't think of The Knack! Although that does often get described as a bit legendary. I picked up a copy finally last year and wasn't too impressed with it overall but maybe I need to give it another chance!

[@Rr0gu3_5uture]

I think the one thing you failed to mention, was just how massively uncool all these artists are/were considered. It's what kids these days call 'NPC Music.'

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I did touch on it, mentioned Wings Speed of Sound being slagged off by the punks and ELO having no critical standing.

[@Harrispilton22]

Interesting stuff. I'm always fascinated by albums from the CD era that sold in insane amounts..that..to me at least are almost completely anonymous.. The Bodyguard soundtrack sold 28.7 million copies....ive never heard anyone play it! Hootie & The Blowfish 'Cracked Rear View Mirror' 23.2 million copies..I actually dont know what that record is! but it sold 8 million more than Def Leppards 'Hysteria' which i also don't like..but I accept that its iconic for stadium rock fans.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Ha, Hootie and the Blowfish are a great example. Have you seen that Toto are doing a huge comeback tour at the moment - there's another one!

[@blackbaron0]

Great subject James. Well popular music was always supposed to be disposable, and perhaps this part explains some of the names on your list. As an ELO fan, I always loved Discovery. i still do, though it has moved down on my ranking list these days. You could say in addition to the points you made that it is in effect a compilation of A and B sides, rather than something more cohesive. As far as Brothers in Arms is concerned well within my circle it depended really on whether they were already fans or 'bought into the hype'. The former would call the album patchy and their worst album up to that point. The latter - well could they be like the football fans who go up to Wembley to see the Playoff Final, only there for the occasion and ultimately ruining the atmosphere. Even though it was the best seller in the UK for 1985 and 1986 it ultimately burned the group out, and though it has its moments - like the title track - I like their earlier stuff much better. I think Endless Flight saw Leo Sayer's career move from singer songwriter to something more lightweight, some have called it the bland ballader period. There were also some good uptempo songs like Thunder in my Heart, which kinda laid dormant for decades until Meck got it to number one in the 2000's. Perhaps that proves your point. I don't know the sales but you could say any of the post second album Oasis output count here. Don't hear much post 1995 output from them on the radio, though I don't exactly listen a lot these days. Still, with the new concerts I'm sure we will hear more, if only that one of them has stuck one on the other and it's all been cancelled.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Great comment, thanks! If you're interested, I did an in-depth review of ELO's 'Time' album a while back, you shouldn't have to scroll back too far to find it.

[@blackbaron0]

Thanks James. Indeed seen it. Very good review, and time for a rewatch.

[@FuturePast2019]

So ... I think it's albums that women liked ....Except Rumours?

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

You might have a point there. Good comment!!

[@thelonestranger4226]

Big selling albums aside, interesting how Dark Side... and Hysteria both have triangles on their front covers,but the former has been,and always will be,the more legengary of the two.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Good point, never noticed that!!

[@thelonestranger4226]

Also interesting how I put 2 G's in legendary when there should only be one

[@RandyforRoyals]

I inherited the Leo Sayer and Genesis albums you mentioned when a friend of mine gave me his records. It's been years ago and I still haven't played them. I didn't like the single "Silly Little Love Songs" and that may have influence me enough to not purchase that Wings album. I never got into Bryan Adams and have never owned any of his albums. I still quite like the Dire Straits album although it is not my favorite in their canon. Very interesting topic.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Hi Randy. Give 'Endless Flights' a listen, it's a really nice album. Shame you didn't like 'Silly Love Songs', one of Paul's best!😆

[@marksmadebyrobots]

Songs of Faith and Devotion by Depeche Mode is a good example of this. Coming off the back of Violator, it sold 4 million worldwide, backed up by a massive tour that almost killed the band (and Dave Gahan). I don’t think even DM fans regard it as a classic, certainly not legendary, but at the time it was huge.

[@fmellish71]

DM fans actually do regard it as a classic

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I always that was a very well-regarded one!

[@TheDoctor394]

I would argue that it's not hard for 80s albums to be legendary because of their sound, but because of the negative attitude towards their sound. Good list though. 🙂

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks!

[@petercena9497]

Disagree on Brothers in Arms, however Night at the Opera while legendary in the UK never quite hits the mark here in the states. Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette is legendary only in sales numbers. It didn't move the needle for women rockers, or for that matter Alanis career.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Good suggestion...never actually heard JLP though I have seen Alanis live.

[@stephenbarrow3352]

Leppard never headlined Donington. I was there when they played there. Can't stand them myself, sell outs 😂

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Ha! Don't know where I got the idea they headlined.

[@edvonblue]

Another very entertaining video - interesting topic. I think you kinda hit on why none of those became legendary - and it mostly has to do with timing. Each of these albums came out at the right time as to catch hold of a trend that rode them to fleeting success. Brothers in arms was heavily promoted due to it being one of the first digitally recorded albums, plus some popular videos. Leo Sayer hit the era when disco and dance songs were trendy Speed of Sound hit just before punk - as you mentioned Hysteria was at the tail end of hair metal, between van Halen a peak and the emergence of guns and roses. I think queen was riding the success of live aid - but honestly I don't even remember that album being released at all. Im not sure what to think of the ELO album - I havnt listened to in decades. The Bryan Adams one came out during the end of the peak of what we call trad rock; Springsteen, Melloncamp, Fogerty, etc and Adams was kinda seen in that vein at the time.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Nice insights, thanks. Worth revisiting Discovery by ELO. Bit homogenised production-wise but it has some really nice tunes on it.

[@edvonblue]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic Yeah, I'll give it another listen. Thanks

[@fmellish71]

A lot of these albums are really treading water because of their hits and pale in comparison the artists' stronger albums. It looks like Reckless is Bryan Adams' strongest album, but I wouldn't know because I hate his hits and he always seemed like a singles artist, which if that's true, would explain why its not legendary.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Fair comment!

[@FatCityVinyl]

Nice to see hometown boy Bryan Adams in the mix - yes those couple of albums were massive and we sure heard the singles a lot here. Possibly even still do on certain radio stations. The dreadful Robin Hood song (which shall not be named by me) must have made him a boatload of money and enabled him to do whatever he wants but he lost that rock & roll credibility (though he did dabble in disco and prog before all that!). Dire Straits have always struggled with a sort of critical disdain and I'm not sure why - I can revisit their earlier songs and they still sound good to me, I remember first hearing Brothers via a friend's cassette copy at the time and listening to it intently. Everybody's heard the hits off Rumours and Hotel California a million times and yet those albums still have legendary status but the Straits do not. Cheers James!

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Dire Straits were championed early on by a very respected British broadcaster and music writer called Charlie Gillett, who went on to have a very illustrious career promoting all kinds of world music and international sounds. He certainly heard something in them. I enjoy the early albums more, and do have a sneaking fondness for BIA, but some of that may be mid-to-late eighties nostalgia! Thanks Doug.

[@greenalishi222]

Sade's stuff holds up i think. 80s sound but travels well

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I thought of that one actually. Great album.

[@stereo999]

I dig Wings at the Speed of Sound. I think Band on the Run and Venus and Mars are the best Wings albums, though

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I love all the Wings albums apart from Back to the Egg, which is not terrible but has a fair few tracks I can live without.

[@John-w3u3w]

I prefer Pyromania Making Movies

[@derekroberts6654]

I have a feeling that a few of the Bee Gees albums went that direction…. Atleast “Main Course” (im not gonna count the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack because even though they had the majority of the songs it was still a Various Artists album)

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I love Main Course, keep meaning to do a video on that. It was a real transitional album for them I think.

[@6758pasi]

I have Genesis, Bryan Adams,Queen, Dire Straits and Def Leppard and i think they are all great except for Hysteria which is "merely" good. For Hysteria i think it's lack of recognition is mostly down to it's divisive position in their discography. There are the metal fans who love their albums prior to it and then the pop(and pop metal) fans who love that album. Maybe because they weren't able to stay upon a wave of success with their later albums Hysteria hasn't been granted legendary status. Unlike somebody like Rolling Stones whose legacy with many people is divided between the rhythm and blues years of 63-67 and rock years from then on. It's worth remembering that Exile On Main st. was hated at the time of it's release. Maybe because of their continued success it found a new Stones audience while not alienating the older fans.Unlike with Def Leppard. Pasi

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I really wasn't sure about whether to include Hysteria. To be honest, it does seem a bit legendary.

[@Thevinylscavenger]

Sounds like a thread to me if you don't mind? Fleetwood Mac Rumours I deliberately got shot of because I don't need to hear it anymore. By the 80s it was accustomed to have at least four top 30 hits albums became (I think) less themed or conceptual. I think Bry (an) just had well written hits (even with Mel C sorry!) the robin hood factor yes not as bad as wet wet wet though..... I used to like brothers in arms but now no can't bear it. Def Leppard 1987 right up my street with my matching mullet. Seven singles is phenomenal success. Leo Sayer remains in the bargain bins yes he tarnished himself on big brother. Yeah I think this is a bit of a goer it's got legs.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Martin...not quite sure this one will turn into a thread, but you never know. Amazingly I have never owned a copy of Rumours.

[@Ianmackable]

Discovery was released in '79, not '78.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

So it was! For some reason I always think of it as being a 1878 album.

[@Ianmackable]

Sorry to be finicky. I was working at my first-ever job in Summer '79. It was at a record store, and Discovery got a LOT of in-store turntable time. It's still legendary to me!

[@Ianmackable]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic It was released almost simultaneously with In Through the Out Door, Slow Train Coming, Chic's Risqué, and ABBA's Voulez-Vous. A pretty good couple of weeks there!

[@marktrimnell8245]

@@Ianmackable I turned 16 in 1979, and was a big ELO fan by then, so 'Discovery' brings back some lovely memories. A long hot summer doing nothing before I started an apprenticeship in September. Other than 'Wimp', I still enjoy those tracks but 'New World Record', 'Out Of The Blue' and 'Time' are the albums I tend to dig out these days if I want to listen to some of those records. 'Face The Music' and 'Eldorado' get a spin occasionally, too. Yes, wonderful memories - 'Don't Bring Me Down' was in the top 5 when I started work or within a week or so after, and if I ever hear that drum intro I'm taken right back to my life at 16.

[@bazza5699]

haha blame it on freddys tash.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

That tash symbolised a lot for some folk!

[@Pwecko]

Do people still buy albums?

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I still buy too many.

[@knockedoutloaded279]

Next low selling albums that r great..ie b wilson solo

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Good idea! I showed Brian's first solo album in a finds video a while back.

[@ianlamb2123]

Love Endless Flight.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Good album!

[@georgesawtooth]

Never liked Wings. Novelty group period.

[@neilbower9052]

Def Leppard never headlined a monsters of rock festival, not even second on the bill, they have only appeared once, 3rd on the bill in '86. They have headlined the Download festival 3 times though, 2009, 2011 & 2019.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks for the correction!