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The 1980s is the decade that classic rock meets alternative rock, hip-hop invents new sounds, R&B is reborn and pop music meets electronica. So, when deciding on the best albums of the 80s one should practically consider all music genres as in all music types there have been album releases that have altered the course of music as we know it today.

For the pop fans, the 80s mostly belong to Michael Jackson and Madonna.

One of the most successful albums of all times is 'Thriller'. Released in 1982 and having sold nearly 110 millions copies worldwide, 'Thriller' stayed #1 for 37 weeks and went 28x Platinum. The album's hit singles 'Beat It' - one of the most awarded and recognized pop songs in the history of music - 'Billie Jean' one of the most avant-garde songs in the pop music history and the title track 'Thriller' a pop anthem with an excellent video, made Michael Jackson a pop icon and the first African American artist to have a video clip aired on MTV ('Beat It'). 'Thriller' is broadly regarded as a revolutionary album that has strongly influenced music audiences upon its release, but also in our days.

Madonna's 'Like A Virgin' was released in 1984 and sold nearly 21 millions copies worldwide. For many, this album gave birth to pop as we know it; glamorous, sugary, sexy, and dancy. Although, admittedly, Madonna doesn't have the best voice in pop, she has an extraordinary ability to produce albums that hook audiences. 'Like A Virgin' is a mixed album with many pop singles, 'Material Girl', 'Into The Groove', 'Dress You Up', and the title track 'Like A Virgin', but also 'Love Don't Live Here Anymore', a cover version of the original soulful ballad of Rose Royce.

Apart from Michael Jackson and Madonna, other pop artists that got it right in the 80s are Whitney Houston and George Michael.

'Whitney Houston', the debut album of R&B and pop diva Whitney Houston was released in 1985 and sold nearly 25 millions copies worldwide. Although initially the album did not receive great commercial acceptance, slowly it became great commercial success with numerous hit singles including 'You Give Good Love', 'Saving All My Love for You', 'How Will I Know', 'Greatest Love of All' and 'All At Once'.

'Faith', released in 1987, is one the greatest albums in the history of pop music having sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide. 'Faith' includes memorable hit singles such as 'Father Figure', 'I Want Your Sex', 'One More Try', 'Kissing A Fool' and the title

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