Albums of 1983
The records from 1983 that made our lists.
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1ConfrontationBob Marley and the Wailers
Confrontation
A posthumous peak, home to 'Buffalo Soldier'. Powerful and beloved. A poignant close.
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2Apollo: Atmospheres and SoundtracksBrian Eno
Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks
A serene, country-tinged ambient landmark, home to 'An Ending (Ascent)'. Beautiful and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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3She's So UnusualCyndi Lauper
She's So Unusual
A vibrant, eccentric debut packed with hits and personality, from 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' to 'Time After Time'. Joyful and sharp. An 80s pop classic.
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4Let's DanceDavid Bowie
Let's Dance
Bowie's glossy, Nile Rodgers-produced pop blockbuster, home to its irresistible title track. Slick and huge. His commercial high.
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5Holy DiverDio
Holy Diver
A landmark of melodic heavy metal, home to its iconic title track. Powerful and beloved. Dio's solo peak.
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6Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)Eurythmics
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
A cool, synth-driven landmark of 80s pop, its title track instantly iconic. Sleek and influential. A definitive synth-pop record.
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7Future ShockHerbie Hancock
Future Shock
An electro-funk landmark, home to the scratch-driven 'Rockit'. Inventive and huge. A pivotal record.
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8Piece of MindIron Maiden
Piece of Mind
A polished peak of intricate, melodic metal, home to 'The Trooper'. Tight and beloved. A classic.
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9MelissaMercyful Fate
Melissa
A theatrical, twin-guitar landmark of early metal drama. Sharp and influential. A cult classic.
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10Kill 'Em AllMetallica
Kill 'Em All
A blistering thrash debut of speed and aggression. Raw and influential. The genre's opening shot.
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11Power, Corruption & LiesNew Order
Power, Corruption & Lies
The leap from post-punk grief into electronic dance-rock, melodic and forward-looking. The foundation of their sound. Hugely influential.
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12The Final CutPink Floyd
The Final Cut
A bleak, Waters-dominated song-cycle of war and grief. Sombre and divisive. A poignant late record.
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13MurmurR.E.M.
Murmur
A murky, jangling debut that helped invent American college rock, lyrics half-buried and atmosphere thick. Mysterious and influential. The start of something.
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14Texas FloodStevie Ray Vaughan
Texas Flood
The debut that single-handedly revived blues-guitar in the 1980s, all fire and feel. Virtuosic without losing the groove. A modern blues landmark.
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15Speaking in TonguesTalking Heads
Speaking in Tongues
A funky, accessible peak, home to 'Burning Down the House'. Danceable and beloved. A commercial high.
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16The HurtingTears for Fears
The Hurting
A dark, synth-driven debut of childhood trauma. Sharp and acclaimed. A strong start.
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17SynchronicityThe Police
Synchronicity
The band's polished, tense final album, home to 'Every Breath You Take'. Sleek and dark. Their commercial peak.
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18SwordfishtrombonesTom Waits
Swordfishtrombones
A radical reinvention into clanking, experimental art-song that redefined his career. Bold and strange. A pivotal record.
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19WarU2
War
A fierce, political early peak, home to 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' and 'New Year's Day'. Urgent and anthemic. The album that broke them.
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20Labour of LoveUB40
Labour of Love
A hugely popular covers record that brought reggae to the UK mainstream. Tuneful and big. A commercial peak.
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21EliminatorZZ Top
Eliminator
A synth-and-boogie blockbuster, home to 'Sharp Dressed Man' and 'Legs'. Sleek and huge. Their commercial peak.