Data collector – Biggest CSPC Albums of the 1980s

https://flic.kr/p/TWn17m

In the 1980s, the advent of music videos fundamentally changed the musical landscape. Some artists knew how to take advantage of this new support to promote their albums and acquire a huge popularity, including Madonna and of course Michael Jackson. There is no suspense about the most successful album of this decade, it is obviously Thriller. Who rank behind this legendary album? You will find the answer in the list below!

The albums ranked here have been released from January 1, 1980 to December 31, 1989. All figures are given in EAS (equivalent album sales).

Please keep in mind that some albums haven’t been studied so far, e.g. Lionel Richie‘s Can’t Slow Down, Tracy Chapman‘s eponymous album and Van Halen‘s 1984. All figures reflect the value as collected at the time of the artist’s respective articles.

A lot of lists like this one are available in the Data Collector, so feel free to read them to gauge how your favorite artist charts on them.

ALBUMS RANKING – CSPC – 1980s

1. 1982 – Michael JacksonThriller116,732,000
2. 1987 – Michael JacksonBad62,899,000
3. 1980 – AC/DCBack in Black58,224,000
4. 1986 – Bon JoviSlippery When Wet50,117,000
5. 1987 – U2The Joshua Tree47,665,000
6. 1984 – Bruce SpringsteenBorn in the U.S.A.47,373,000
7. 1987 – Guns N’ RosesAppetite For Destruction46,651,000
8. 1985 – Dire StraitsBrothers in Arms45,751,000
9. 1984 – MadonnaLike A Virgin39,677,000
10. 1986 – MadonnaTrue Blue36,655,000
11. 1987 – Dirty DancingDirty Dancing34,994,000
12. 1985 – Phil CollinsNo Jacket Required30,956,000
13. 1989 – Phil Collins…But Seriously29,736,000
14. 1980 – QueenThe Game29,481,000
15. 1985 – Whitney HoustonWhitney Houston28,646,000
16. 1981 – Phil CollinsFace Value27,602,000
17. 1984 – Wham!Make It Big27,055,000
18. 1987 – George MichaelFaith26,767,000
19. 1987 – Whitney HoustonWhitney26,560,000
20. 1989 – MadonnaLike A Prayer25,419,000
21. 1983 – U2War24,747,000
22. 1980 – Barbra StreisandGuilty22,973,000
23. 1983 – Billy JoelAn Innocent Man22,490,000
24. 1982 – QueenHot Space21,468,000
25. 1980 – ABBASuper Trouper21,261,000
26. 1987 – Fleetwood MacTango In The Night21,067,000
27. 1984 – QueenThe Works20,133,000
28. 1988 – EnyaWatermark19,936,000
29. 1988 – Bon JoviNew Jersey19,564,000
30. 1983 – MadonnaMadonna18,537,000
31. 1988 – Metallica…And Justice For All17,842,000
32. 1980 – Bruce SpringsteenThe River17,545,000
33. 1989 – Janet JacksonRhythm Nation 181417,523,000
34. 1988 – U2Rattle And Hum16,822,000
35. 1982 – Phil CollinsHello, I Must Be Going!16,598,000
36. 1981 – Rolling StonesTattoo You16,243,000
37. 1980 – Bob MarleyUprising16,027,000
38. 1986 – MetallicaMaster Of Puppets15,477,000
39. 1983 – David BowieLet’s Dance15,180,000
40. 1986 – Janet JacksonControl14,963,000
41. 1980 – Billy JoelGlass Houses14,930,000
42. 1984 – MetallicaRide The Lightning13,928,000
43. 1986 – QueenA Kind of Magic13,272,000
44. 1984 – U2The Unforgettable Fire13,156,000
45. 1987 – Pink FloydA Momentary Lapse of Reason12,334,000
46. 1989 – CherHeart of Stone12,163,000
47. 1981 – AC/DCFor Those About to Rock We Salute You11,930,000
48. 1980 – Dire StraitsMaking Movies11,825,000
49. 1988 – Guns N’ RosesGnr Lies11,767,000
50. 1988 – Dirty DancingMore Dirty Dancing11,097,000
51. 1983 – Elton JohnToo Low for Zero10,642,000
52. 1987 – Bruce SpringsteenTunnel of Love9,954,000
53. 1986 – Wham!Music from the Edge of Heaven9,775,000
54. 1989 – NirvanaBleach9,449,000
55. 1982 – Dire StraitsLove over Gold9,423,000
56. 1989 – Elton JohnSleeping with the Past8,798,000
57. 1989 – QueenThe Miracle8,743,000
58. 1988 – Kylie MinogueKylie8,485,000
59. 1981 – ABBAThe Visitors8,461,000
60. 1982 – Fleetwood MacMirage8,256,000
61. 1987 – EnyaEnya (The Celts)8,123,000
62. 1983 – Bob MarleyConfrontation8,011,000
63. 1989 – Billy JoelStorm Front7,900,000
64. 1983 – MetallicaKill ‘Em All7,686,000
65. 1983 – Pink FloydThe Final Cut7,351,000
66. 1985 – Barbra StreisandThe Broadway Album7,209,000
67. 1980 – Rolling StonesEmotional Rescue6,863,000
68. 1987 – MadonnaWho’s That Girl6,720,000
69. 1982 – Billy JoelThe Nylon Curtain6,483,000
70. 1988 – Phil Collins & Various ArtistsBuster6,393,000
71. 1989 – Rolling StonesSteel Wheels6,255,000
72. 1982 – Bruce SpringsteenNebraska6,100,000
73. 1980 – David BowieScary Monsters (And Super Creeps)5,940,000
74. 1984 – Bon JoviBon Jovi5,701,000
75. 1980 – U2Boy5,694,000
76. 1986 – Johnny HallydayGang5,563,000
77. 1986 – Billy JoelThe Bridge5,411,000
78. 1984 – The JacksonsVictory5,371,000
79. 1983 – Wham!Fantastic5,070,000
80. 1989 – Billy JoelStrom Front4,959,000
81. 1985 – Elton JohnIce on Fire4,936,000
82. 1981 – U2October4,454,000
83. 1986 – Rolling StonesDirty Work4,406,000
84. 1987 – Bee GeesE.S.P.4,314,000
85. 1980 – The JacksonsTriumph4,301,000
86. 1989 – Red Hot Chili PeppersMother’s Milk4,189,000
87. 1984 – David BowieTonight4,180,000
88. 1988 – AC/DCBlow Up Your Video4,149,000
89. 1983 – AC/DCFlick of the Switch4,094,000
90. 1980 – QueenFlash Gordon4,028,000
91. 1985 – Bon Jovi7800° Fahrenheit3,983,000
92. 1983 – Rolling StonesUndercover3,931,000
93. 1983 – Barbra StreisandYentl3,929,000
94. 1983 – Bee GeesStaying Alive3,917,000
95. 1985 – AC/DCFly on the Wall3,888,000
96. 1989 – Kylie MinogueEnjoy Yourself3,580,000
97. 1984 – Elton JohnBreaking Hearts3,538,000
98. 1987 – CherCher3,145,000
99. 1985 – Johnny HallydayRock N’ Roll Attitude3,124,000
100. 1985 – RenaudMistral gagnant2,910,000

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