U2‘s 1987 monster The Joshua Tree has been voted as the greatest album of the 1980s by the listeners of BBC Radio 2.
“The Joshua Tree changed everything for us as a band,” The Edge has responded. “It was written in the mid-eighties, during the Reagan-Thatcher era of British and U.S. politics, a period when there was a lot of unrest. And it feels like we’re right back there in a way, politics are still so polarized.”
“We’ve had the privilege of playing The Joshua Tree live all over the world in the last few years and it’s almost like the album has come full circle. We’re just thrilled that people are still connecting with these songs, night after night, year after year. Huge thanks to Radio 2 and everyone who voted!”
Another huge commercial seller, Dire Straits’ Brothers In Arms, is at #2, while the world of 80s indie is represented straight after by The Stone Roses’ debut before more huge hits from Michael Jackson and Guns N’ Roses complete the Top 5.
BBC Radio 2 listeners’ greatest albums of the 1980s:
1/ U2 – The Joshua Tree
2/ Dire Straits – Brothers In Arms
3/ The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses
4/ Michael Jackson – Thriller
5/ Guns N’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction
6/ The Human League – Dare
7/ The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead
8/ Paul Simon – Graceland
9/ ABC – The Lexicon Of Love
10/ Prince – Purple Rain
11/ Kate Bush – Hounds Of Love
12/ Duran Duran – Rio
13/ Tears For Fears – Songs From The Big Chair
14/ Bruce Springsteen – Born In The USA
15/ AC/DC – Back In Black
16/ Deacon Blue – Raintown
17/ Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Welcome To The Pleasuredome
18/ INXS – Kick
19/ George Michael – Faith
20/ Pet Shop Boys – Actually