U2’s The Joshua Tree Has Been Voted The Best Album Of The 1980s By Radio 2 Listeners.
To mark National Album Day, which this year falls on Saturday, October 10, BBC Radio 2’s Sounds of the 80s set up a poll for its listeners to vote on the most defining album of the decade.
But while there’s a lot of stiff competition – with the likes of Prince, Guns ‘n’ Roses and Michael Jackson all making it to the top 10 – it’s U2 who have claimed victory.
Here is the full top 10 list:
- U2 – The Joshua Tree
- Dire Straits – Brothers In Arms
- The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses
- Michael Jackson – Thriller
- Guns ‘n’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction
- The Human League – Dare
- The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead
- Paul Simon – Graceland
- ABC – Lexicon of Love
- Prince – Purple Rain
The Irish rock band released their fifth studio album back in 1987 and achieved global success, winning Grammy Album of the Year in 1988.
Including massive hits such as With Or Without You and I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, The Joshua Tree topped the charts in over 20 countries, and became the fastest-selling album in British history, with over 25 million copies sold worldwide.
Upon hearing the results, guitarist The Edge told BBC Radio 2: “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.”
Sounds of the 80s host Gary Davies commented: “Because there were so many brilliant albums in the 80s, having to choose just one is really difficult.
“I’m very pleased to see that the Radio 2 listeners have impeccable taste by choosing an album from my all-time favourite band.”
On Friday, October 9, a countdown of listeners’ top 40 favourite albums from the 80s will commence.