25 albums that defined the 1980s and beyond

Thriller - by Michael Jackson (1982)

Starting off with the big one, the Number One Selling Album of All Time. Everywhere. That's right, throughout the whole world, this is the best-selling album ever. Yes, Thriller even beat out the likes of Elvis Presley and The Beatles. But even if Michael Jackson wasn't a favorite of yours, if you were around back in the early 1980s, you have to admit this album was everywhere. On the radio. On TV (especially MTV). In magazines. Just all over the place. There was, obviously, some great songs here. Who could forget "Thriller" and "Billie Jean?"

Asia - Asia (1982)

Asia isn't the best-known band out there, though they had a string of hits in this album with "Only Time Will Tell," "Heat of the Moment" and "Only Time Will Tell." What I find so influential about the band Asia is they were the first of several similar bands (such as The Outfield) that weren't quite hard rock, but were a little more than true soft rock. This seemed to be a trend throughout the '80s. And in my opinion, it was a decent album ... not a favorite, but worth listening to.

The Lexicon of Love - ABC (1982)

British. New Wave. Pop. Sure, there were bigger bands than ABC (like Flock of Seagulls and Duran Duran), but this album was one of the first that really helped kick off what's come to be known as the Second British Invasion, which was basically a bunch of English pop musicians. It's arguable what's true New Wave and which bands should be included in the Second British Invasion, but for the MTV generation I'd kick things off with The Lexicon of Love and ABC. Those other bands (even including The Police) were big on the radio, but they had yet to master the music video, though they soon would. This album included the popular "Poison Arrow" and "The Look of Love (Part One)."

The Number of The Beast - Iron Maiden (1982)

This wasn't Iron Maiden's first album, but it was the band's first really big album with such songs as "Run to the Hills" and "The Number of the Beast." Maybe you don't think heavy metal music is mainstream enough, but it doesn't matter. This band and this album might be the most influential heavy metal album of all time (sorry, Black Sabbath). The rest of the '80s was filled with metal and hard rock bands, some mainstream and some underground, who learned their stuff from The Number of the Beast.

Synchronicity - The Police (1983)

The band's last studio album together, and that's a shame in my opinion. This album produced the iconic, simple song "Every Breath You Take" and also included great songs like "Synchronicity II" and "King of Pain." The '80s, especially the early and mid-80s just wouldn't have been the same without The Police and Synchronicity.

Eliminator - ZZTop (1983)

Come on. Who could forget chart toppers like "Legs" and "Sharp Dressed Man?" ZZTop was a '70s holdover band that really made it big, and into the mainstream, with this top album. And the videos? They were some of the best of early MTV.

She’s So Unusual - Cyndi Lauper (1983)

"Girls Just Want to Have Fun." "Time After Time." "She Bop." All of these and more were big hits off this recording. Earning 5 Grammy nominations, She's So Unusual shot Lauper to the top of the charts and ensconced her as an '80s pop icon. She also had some pretty funny videos.

Sports - Huey Lewis and the News (1983)

1982's Picture This was a pretty big album for Huey Lewis and the News, but it was Sports that shot this band to music royalty. Okay, at least music royalty for the mid-1980s. But who could argue with great songs like "I Want A New Drug," "Walking on a Thin Line" and "The Heart of Rock & Roll?" The band's next album, Fore, was nearly as good as Sports and had its own share of hits.

Purple Rain - Prince (1984)

Prince had had several hit songs before Purple Rain was released, but even today I'd guess most people would think this is his best album (though I'm not sure how Prince would feel about that). Purple Rain had a perfect mix of pop, ballads and even some hard-rock guitar solos. Heck, there's even just a touch of a gospel feel in a couple of songs. This album really had everything. Just a few of the amazing songs here were "Purple Rain," "Let's Go Crazy" and "When Doves Cry." But overall, just an awesome album.

1984 - Van Halen (1984)

It's no easy task to pick a Van Halen album for this list. For one thing, there are so many great albums to pick from. For another, fans of the band always seem to be split between David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar, the two best-known lead singers of the band. 1984 was the last album to feature Roth at the lead, but the reason I decided to include it instead of any of the other albums is because Van Halen's only No. 1 hit, "Jump," can be found on this record. Hope that satisfies some folks as to my reasoning. Other great songs here include "Panama" and "Hot for Teacher."

Like a Virgin - Madonna (1984)

Love her or hate her, any child of the '80s would have to admit Madonna had a huge influence on the music of the generation, especially with this album. Such hits as "Material Girl," "Like a Virgin" and "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" can be found here. This was Madonna's second album, and while her first album did very well, I've always felt Like a Virgin was the first album to sort of cement her into music history.

The Smiths - The Smiths (1984)

This is probably the least-known band and least-known group on this least, but they still deserve to be here. The Smiths, with lead vocalist Morrisey, were a gigantic influence on the indie, alternative and underground music scenes of this period, and even later. Heck, it's possible that if there had never been The Smiths, grunge might not have even taken off if the early '90s (maybe). This was the band's first album, and it did much better on the UK charts than it did in the United States. A few songs from here are "Suffer Little Children," "The Charming Man" and "Hand in Glove."

Born in the U.S.A. - Bruce Springsteen (1984)

If you are an American living or born any time after 1984, you just about have to know this album. The title song, "Born in the U.S.A.," has been played over and over and over on radios and TV for years. But that doesn't mean it's not a good song. In fact, it's a pretty good song, though it suffers from overplay. Other great songs on this album from The Boss include "Glory Days" and "My Hometown."

Heartbeat City - The Cars (1984)

The Cars was one of those bands that had been around a little while, since the late '70s, but really took advantage of the video revolution and increased their potential and their profits. Heartbeat City was the result, a pretty good album that had some big hits with songs like "Drive," "Magic" and "You Might Think." Unfortunately, The Cars wasn't a band that had longevity, but they still put out some goods albums in the '80s.

No Jacket Required - Phil Collins (1985)

Phil Collins was not an unknown when this album came out. He was the lead singer of Genesis at the time, and had had two solo albums before. But No Jacket Required shot Collins (and subsequently Genesis) into the big, big, big time. Songs included "One More Night," "Sussudio" and "Take Me Home."

Scarecrow - John Cougar Mellencamp (1985)

In my opinion, John Cougar Mellencamp's last really big album and his best. Not only was this a solid album with songs like "Scarecrow" and "Small Town," but it also helped to the show the plight of the American farmer at that time.

Whitney Houston - Whitney Houston (1986)

I'm not the biggest Whitney Houston fan, but even I'm familiar with this album's hits, like "You Give Good Love," "Saving All My Love for You" and "Greatest Love of All." There's no doubt, Whitney Houston has had a large influence on R&B and pop music ever since.

Raising Hell - Run-D.M.C. (1986)

This one album did so many things. It boosted rap music into acceptance by mainstream audiences, it brought back the career '70s music icons Aerosmith, and it had some darn fine tunes. As well as fun and funny videos. "It's Tricky" and "Walk This Way" were the biggest hits from Raising Hell, but there were plenty of other catchy songs, like "My Adidas."

Slippery When Wet - Bon Jovi (1986)

Bon Jovi's album after this one, New Jersey, has actually been a bigger seller over the years. But I always felt Jon and the boys really hit there stride here, with Slippery When Wet. "Wanted Dead or Alive" is still to this day my all-time favorite Bon Jovi song, but I also like "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Never Say Goodbye."

Appetite for Destruction - Guns ’N Roses (1987)

For hard rock fans, this album was like a breath of fresh air. Guns 'N Roses got back to the bluesy roots of hard music and not only rocked with the best of them, but lead the pack. One of the best hard rock albums of all time, keeping hard rock at the top of the charts another 5 or so years until grunge came along. "Welcome to the Jungle" was the first big MTV and radio hit, but it was followed up by songs like "Paradise City" and "Nightrain."

Document - REM (1987)

REM was around before Document was released, and they had a few decent MTV hit videos and plenty of airtime on college radio stations, but it was really this album that shot the band up into superstardom. Breakthrough songs like "The One I Love" and "It's The End of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" were all over MTV and the radio at the time.

The Joshua Tree - U2 (1987)

Sure, U2 had lots of hits and good albums before The Joshua Tree, but this was the album that ensured the band would be around for a long, long time as superstars. And this is one of the biggest mainstream albums that could be called "political" for its time. "With or Without You," "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and "Bullet the Blue Sky" are just a sampling of the fantastic tunes found here.

Faith - George Michael (1987)

How could this album have not had an influence on pop music, and even R&B to some extent? With hits like "Faith," "Father Figure" and "I Want Your Sex (Parts I & II)" that are still catchy more than 20 years later, this has to be one of the most fun albums ever. No? Not your thing? Don't worry. Millions of others will disagree. And this was back when George Michael was still a hearthrob for teen girls.

Don’t Be Cruel - Bobby Brown (1989)

This album came at the end of the '80s, but it was still influential then and continued to be so into the 1990s. Bobby Brown, a former member of New Edition, helped to fuse R&B and hip hop together on this album, and many other performers attempted to follow him or improve upon him in the coming years, some successful and some not. This album had a really huge song. Do you remember what it was? "My Prerogative." There were some other cool songs, too, like "Don't Be Cruel" and "Roni."

Garth Brooks - Garth Brooks (1989)

With this album, Garth Brooks really paved the future of country music. Even if you don't like country music or Garth Brooks, you'd have to admit this one album has influenced nearly all of country since. "Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)" was always one of my favorites from this record, but "The Dance" was the really big hit and it's still remembered today.

11 albums every headbanger should have

Because there couldn't be only 10.

Paranoid, by Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath, with Ozzy and without, has been around like, forever. But it was still easy to pick an album from their litter for this listing. I had to go with their second album from 1970, “Paranoid.” The reasoning behind this was simple. The album hums. The album rocks. The album rolls. It’s just a hot-ass album from beginning to end. Who can forget great, heavy tunes such as “Iron Man,” “War Pigs” and “Paranoid?”

Destroyer, by KISS

Yeah, KISS. What more really needs to be said? If you were a metal head and lived through the ’70s without listening to KISS, then you missed out on a lot. This 1976 recording, “Destroyer,” always felt like one of the steelier KISS efforts to me. “God of Thunder” rocks. “Shout It Out Loud” kicks tail all over the place. And there’s even “Beth” for those who like the softer tunes.

Bomber, by Motorhead

Motorhead was one of those bands that has so much great material, it was somewhat difficult to decide which album to include on this list. Everyone’s familiar with the ever-popular “Ace of Spades,” but I chose “Bomber” from 1979 instead because I’ve always felt it had a harsher, more guttural feel to it than other Motorhead works. The lyrics have always struck me as a bit more loaded, and Lemmy’s voice really shines on “Lawman,” “Stone Dead Forever” and “Dead Men Tell No Tales.”

Highway to Hell, by AC/DC

Despite this band’s longevity, and all they’ve accomplished, I tend to think of them more as a hard, bluesy rock band than a true metal band. Still, they’ve got plenty of metal in them, and 1979’s “Highway to Hell” is, in my opinion, their most metal album to date. With a song titled “Highway to Hell,” it’s just got to be metal, right? And tunes like “Love Hungry Man” and “Walk All Over You” only add to the heat.

British Steel, by Judas Priest

There was a lot of material to pick from Judas Priest, but this 1980 album makes the grade because it’s got to be the toughest, raunchiest recording the band has put out. Besides the radio charter, “Breaking the Law,” you’ll also find other hotter than hot tunes here like “Metal Gods” and “The Rage.”

The Number of the Beast, by Iron Maiden

Song titles alone could have earned a place on this list for this 1982’s recording, but besides that, “The Number of the Beast” has got to be one of the most influential metal albums of all time. With songs like “The Number of the Beast,” “Hallowed be thy Name” and “Children of the Damned,” Iron Maiden has more than earned its place among the legends of heavy metal.

Holy Diver, by Dio

This 1983 album featured Ronnie James Dio and band at their finest. Songs that made the charts, “Holy Diver” and “Rainbow in the Dark,” are still heavy all these years later, and “Straight Through the Heart” is still an awesome tune.

Stay Hungry, by Twisted Sister

What is Twisted Sister doing here? Weren’t they a glam band? No, not really, or at least Dee Snider and boys have never really thought of themselves that way. Yeah, maybe they had the makeup and the frizzy hair and spandex, but if you really listen to this album from 1984, you’ll realize it’s metal. The song “Captain Howdy” is downright creepy. And there’s always the favorites, “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock.”

… And Justice for All, by Metallica

I know a lot of Metallica fans prefer earlier albums, and I have to admit there’s some darn good material there, but I’ve always preferred 1988’s “… And Justice for All” because it felt more complete to me for some reason. It’s almost like a concept album in its constant thrashing. Even the slower songs, “One” and “To Live is to Die,” are gut wrenching. But my favorite on the album? Man, that’s a hard one. I’ll go with “Blackened.”

Badmotorfinger, by Soundgarden

Yes, it’s a grunge band. Or what came to be known as a grunge, or alternative, band. But Soundgarden was really more than that. The band was older than grunge itself, and it rocked hard with a heavy, low, bluesy sound. “Badmotorfinger,” from 1991, has Chris Cornell and the boys kicking ass on songs such as “Jesus Christ Pose,” “Holy Water” and “Outshined.”

Countdown to Extinction, by Megadeth

Some might scowl that of all the Megadeth recordings that could’ve made this list, I picked the band’s most radio-friendly album from 1992. The reasoning behind this is two-fold. First, the entire albums burns leather from beginning to end; it’s not just a great song here and there, but full of great tunes. Second, it’s a rocking album, even if it did get lots of radio time. Some of my favorites from this album are “Countdown to Extinction,” “Ashes in Your Mouth” and “Sweating Bullets.”

10 often overlooked albums of the 1980s

Kings of the Wild Frontier - Adam and the Ants (1980)

This album was huge at the time, especially in Britain, but Adam Ant has kind of been forgotten over the decades. This was one of the first big New Wave albums of the 1980s, continuing the trend from the late '70s, but also giving it that glam edge that caught on so well for many '80s bands. The title track, "Kings of the Wild Frontier," was a fun song, but there were also fun tunes like "Dog Eat Dog" and "Ants Invasion."

Aldo Nova - Aldo Nova (1981)

In my opinion, Aldo Nova is too often overlooked when it comes to early 80s hard rock music, not that his tunes rocked the hardest being more akin to early Bon Jovi than the more metal bands of the time, like Judas Priest. This, his first album, was his biggest seller, and it well deserves it. There were hit songs like "Fantasy" and "Foolin' Yourself," but there were other cool songs like "Heart to Heart."

High N Dry - Def Leppard (1981)

A big band, but before they hit it big. This album was Def Leppard's second, the album before they became a U.S. sensation with Pyromania. I've always preferred High N Dry. In fact, I think it's their best album. It's got a solid ballad in "Bringin' On the Heartbreak," but the albums not full of ballads like later works from the band. There are also plenty of heavy rocking tunes, such as "Let it Go" and "On Through the Night."

Come An' Get It - Whitesnake (1981)

This is another rock band that hit in big, this time in the mid-to-late 1980s. But before that, Whitesnake was still pretty well known in Britain, and this album proves why. Before the band's leader, David Coverdale, discovered spandex and screaming guitars, Whitesnake was a band more akin to bluesy, guitar-driven '70s rock. And this album, in my opinion, is the best of the lot from those days of Whitesnake. My favorite song here is "Child of Babylon," but you can also find great tunes like "Lonely Days, Lonely Nights" and "Don't Break My Heart Again."

Valotte - Julian Lennon (1984)

The son of John Lennon began his musical career with this album, and it was a solid, poppy album. Julian even sounds a bit like his father, especially on the hit "Too Late for Goodbyes." Julian stayed in the music industry after this album, but this one was his biggest. He continues to put out albums every so often, and has done work on soundtracks and has filmed a documentary himself. Other songs I like on this album are "Valotte" and "Let Me Be."

The Lace - Benjamin Orr (1986)

The late Benjamin Orr is most-often remembered as a member of the '80s hit band The Cars, but he was in some other bands, too, and had this, his only solo album. "Stay the Night" was the only hit off the album, but if you like '80s pop, you should enjoy songs such as "When You're Gone" and "This Time Around."

Unlimited! - Roger Troutman (1987)

The late Roger Troutman is remembered for a lot of things in hip hop and R&B circles. Not only was he the lead singer for the band Zapp, but he's also fondly remembered for his unique use of the talkbox, which is featured quite heavily on this album. "I Want to Be Your Man" was a huge hit off Unlimited!, but I enjoyed other tunes, too. Roger's version of "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" is awesome, as is "Tender Moments."

See the Light - The Jeff Healey Band (1988)

Jeff Healey has always been my favorite of the blues guitarists who came out of the 1980s. Sorry, Stevie Ray Vaughan, fans, but I always felt Stevie's guitar was a little too clean. But that's just me. This was Healey first albums, and it rocks right along in his bluesy kind of way. "Angel Eyes" was a big hit from See the Light, but other great songs are "Confidence Man" and "Nice Problem to Have."

Outrider - Jimmy Page (1988)

This album was released back in the days when Led Zeppelin fans were missing their favorite band, and former Zep guitarist Jimmy Page helped fill that void with this, his first and only solo album. Page himself did very few vocals on the album, though it's his guitar work all the way. Vocals were provided by Robert Plant, Chris Farlowe and John Miles. This is just an awesome, awesome album. Fans of Zeppelin, hard rock and blues should definitely check out Outrider. It's difficult to pick out only a few of my favorites from the track list, but I'll go with "Wanna Make Love," "Wasting My Time" and "Prison Blues."

Kingdom Come - Kingdom Come (1988)

The heyday of this German hard rock band was short lived, basically just this album. But it had some groovy songs, including the hit "Get It On." I also enjoyed "Living Out of Touch" and "Now Forever After." Kingdom Come, the band, was compared a lot to Led Zeppelin, which actually hurt the band because of all the bashing from critics. Still, though they're no Led Zeppelin, Kingdom Come was a decent band and I've always enjoyed this album.

10 more essential albums for fans of 80s hair bands

Aldo Nova, by Aldo Nova (1981)

Canadian musician Aldo Nova unfortunately isn't remembered a lot today in the U.S., though he's still recording albums. His first album, Aldo Nova, had a hit song with "Fantasy," but it also had several other good tunes, including "Ball and Chain" and "See the Light." While Aldo Nova might not strictly be a hair band musician, his style of music and guitar playing was definitely a precursor of what was to come in the next few years with the hair bands.

Diver Down, by Van Halen (1982)

Van Halen started back in the 1970s, but these rockers still had a major influence over the hair bands. Not only did the David Lee Roth and gang have the hair back in the day, but Dave also sported the spandex and their songs sported the attitude. This band probably came closest to the hair band phenomenon with their album 1984, but everyone knows that album and I wanted to feature something a little different. Diver Down was the album before 1984, and it included some greats songs such as "Cathedral," "Intruder" and the hilarious cover of the old song "Happy Trails."

Lick it Up, by KISS (1983)

Even though KISS started back in the early 1970s, you have to include them as a hair band, at least as a glam band (if you don't know the difference ... learn). This was the band's first album without the trademark makeup, and it comes smack dab in the middle of the hair band craze, so I decided to include it here. Solid songs are "Lick It Up," "Not for the Innocent" and "All Hell's Breakin' Loose."

Frontiers, by Journey (1983)

Journey is another band that's a holdover from the 1970s, and while they're not exactly a hair band, they had more power ballads than just about anybody from the 80s. Who can forget all the great songs on this album, such as "Send Her My Love," "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" and "Faithfully?" If that's not hair band music, then I don't know what is.

Headhunter, by Krokus (1983)

Krokus was strictly more of a heavy metal band, but this 1983 album had its influences on harder-edged hair band stuff to come. If you like early 80s metal, you've got to give this record a listen. Songs include "Night Wolf," "Ready to Burn" and "Eat the Rich."

Vital Signs, by Survivor (1984)

Before this band hit it big with the song "Eye of the Tiger" for the Rocky III movie soundtrack, they were a big ballad band. Survivor was kind of a mix of hair band and pop band with all the hair but more mainstream 80s clothes, sort of like the band Asia and somewhat like The Outfield. Still, you can't deny the power of their ballads, especially the ones on this album like "High on You," "I Can't Hold Back" and "The Search is Over."

Out of the Cellar, by Ratt (1984)

Now we are deep into hair band territory. Ratt's career didn't have the longevity of other bands, like Motley Crue or Def Leppard, but back in the day they were big stuff. Especially with this album, the band's first full-length recording. "Round and Round" was the huge hit here, but other great tunes were "Wanted Man" and "The Morning After."

Hysteria, by Def Leppard (1987)

Def Leppard's fourth album, Hysteria, was a big comeback recording for this band after having not put out an album since 1983's Pyromaniaand coping with drummer Rick Allen's car accident in 1984 that cost him an arm. Still, these British rockers showed they had the stuff and they proved it with strong tunes like "Women," "Animal" and "Pour Some Sugar on Me." This album has produced a shift in the direction of Def Leppard as the band's songs were a little less metal and more radio friendly. The shift worked, however, and Def Leppard is still going strong to this day.

Faster Pussycat, by Faster Pussycat (1987)

Coming in toward the end of the 1980s, Faster Pussycat was never the most popular of hair bands, but they had their following and they knew how to rock real hard. Strong songs from this, the band's first album, include "Don't Change That Song," "Cathouse" and my favorite, "No Room for Emotion."

Lap of Luxury, by Cheap Trick (1988)

This was a bit of an unusul album for the great Cheap Trick. For one thing, it was the band's most radio friendly album, and remains so to this day. Cheap Trick had always been a weird mix of rock and pop music, sometimes bordering on the edge of punk. They'd never truly been a hair band, but Lap of Luxuryis the closest they ever came to a hair band album. The big hit song here, "The Flame," is obviously a hair band ballad. But there are other decent songs here, such as "Ghost Town" and "Space." Worth checking out whether you are a true hair band afficianado or a fan of Cheap Trick.

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