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The 200 Best Albums of the 1980s

By Pitchfork

Kate Bush, N.W.A., Brian Eno, Madonna, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Sade, Sonic Youth, Janet Jackson, and the other icons who defined a decade

575 songs

  1. 1.
    Let's Go CrazyPrince • Purple Rain
    4:400:30
  2. 2.
    When Doves CryPrince • Purple Rain
    5:520:30
  3. 3.
    I Would Die 4 UPrince • Purple Rain
    2:580:30
  4. 4.
    Purple RainPrince • Purple Rain
    8:400:30
  5. 5.
    Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'Michael Jackson • Thriller
    6:030:30
  6. 6.
    Baby Be MineMichael Jackson • Thriller
    4:200:30
  7. 7.
    Billie JeanMichael Jackson • Thriller
    4:540:30
  8. 8.
    P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)Michael Jackson • Thriller
    3:590:30
  9. 9.
    Straight Outta ComptonN.W.A. • Straight Outta Compton
    4:180:30
  10. 10.
    Fuck Tha PoliceN.W.A. • Straight Outta Compton
    5:450:30
  11. 11.
    Gangsta GangstaN.W.A. • Straight Outta Compton
    5:360:30
  12. 12.
    Express Yourself - RemixN.W.A. • N.W.A. Greatest Hits
    4:210:30
  13. 13.
    Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)Kate Bush • Hounds Of Love
    4:580:30
  14. 14.
    Hounds Of LoveKate Bush • Hounds Of Love
    3:030:30
  15. 15.
    The Big Sky - Special Single MixKate Bush • Hounds Of Love
    4:380:30
  16. 16.
    CloudbustingKate Bush • Hounds Of Love
    5:100:30
  17. 17.
    Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) - 2005 RemasterTalking Heads • Remain In Light (Deluxe Version)
    5:490:30
  18. 18.
    Crosseyed and Painless - 2005 RemasterTalking Heads • Remain In Light (Deluxe Version)
    4:450:30
  19. 19.
    The Great Curve - 2005 RemasterTalking Heads • Remain In Light (Deluxe Version)
    6:270:30
  20. 20.
    Once in a Lifetime - 2005 RemasterTalking Heads • Remain In Light (Deluxe Version)
    4:190:30
  21. 21.
    Bring The NoisePublic Enemy • It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
    3:460:30
  22. 22.
    Don't Believe The HypePublic Enemy • It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
    5:190:30
  23. 23.
    Black Steel In The Hour Of ChaosPublic Enemy • It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
    6:230:30
  24. 24.
    Rebel Without A PausePublic Enemy • It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
    5:020:30
  25. 25.
    Teen Age Riot (Album Version)Sonic Youth • Daydream Nation (Deluxe Edition)
    6:570:30
  26. 26.
    Silver Rocket (Album Version)Sonic Youth • Daydream Nation (Deluxe Edition)
    3:470:30
  27. 27.
    'Cross the Breeze (Album Version)Sonic Youth • Daydream Nation (Deluxe Edition)
    7:000:30
  28. 28.
    A) the Wonder (Album Version)Sonic Youth • Daydream Nation (Deluxe Edition)
    4:150:30
  29. 29.
    ControlJanet Jackson • Control
    5:550:30
  30. 30.
    What Have You Done For Me LatelyJanet Jackson • Control
    5:000:30

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