Only five albums reached number one in 1984 and the list might surprise you

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As someone who grew up during the golden era of cassette tapes and MTV, I can still vividly remember the impact these albums had on me and my peers. The year 1984 was a pivotal one for music, with some of the most iconic artists of all time gracing the Billboard charts.

Achieving both a top-ranking single and a top-selling album as an artist has always been quite challenging due to the combination of good fortune and exceptional musical talent. Typically, in years past when albums, cassettes, or CDs were prevalent, album sales were monitored, and the artists with the highest estimated sales theoretically made it onto the charts.

Musical trends swiftly emerge and fade with the ebb and flow of preferences in songs and performers. While some tunes retain their popularity over time, others shine briefly like fleeting comets, dazzling us for a short spell before disappearing again.

1984 saw just five albums reaching the top of the Billboard 200 album chart, which is relatively few compared to other years. Contrastingly, in 1985, a total of fourteen albums claimed the number one spot, with two of those being carryovers from 1984.

Can you guess what five albums hit number one in 1984?

15 weeks – Thriller, Michael Jackson

Regardless of your age, you’re probably familiar with Michael Jackson’s phenomenal “Thriller” album. Occasionally, other albums strive for the ultimate position in record sales, but none have surpassed “Thriller.” As per Guinness World Records, it holds the title as the best-selling album of all time, having sold around 68 million copies as of 2021.

The album showcased two chart-topping singles, namely “Beat It” and “Billie Jean,” five additional tracks that reached the top 5, and a total of seven hits in the top 10. This remarkable accomplishment remains unparalleled to this day.

Apart from being at the top for 15 weeks in 1984, the album also held the top spot four separate times during 1983, totaling an incredible 22 weeks. When you add up these two years, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” had two distinct periods of 17 consecutive weeks at number one.

Not only was it one of the best albums of 1984, but it is arguably the greatest album of all time.

10 weeks – Footloose, Various Artists

For a span of 15 weeks from the start of 1983, Jackson held the top position. Subsequently, the soundtrack for the film “Footloose” maintained the top spot for 10 consecutive weeks.

The soundtrack boasted two chart-topping singles – “I’m Alright” by Kenny Loggins and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Deniece Williams. A collaboration between Mike Reno (of Loverboy) and Ann Wilson (from Heart) peaked at number seven, while three other tracks made their way onto the Top 40 playlists.

In a small town where dancing was prohibited, a fresh high school student, portrayed by Kevin Bacon, defies this peculiar rule. He rallies fellow students to organize a clandestine prom. The music in this film contributed significantly to the atmosphere, and eventually, with the catchy tunes that became chart-toppers, the students were able to celebrate their prom and dance freely.

The soundtrack from an excellent ’80s teen film retained strong popularity on the music charts for quite some time.

1 week – Sports, Huey Lewis and the News

The “Sports” album, filled with catchy rock tunes, was remarkable, but it’s somewhat unexpected that it managed to top the charts for only a week. This was due to fierce competition that was simply extraordinary when the album was released, causing it to be briefly dethroned.

Although Huey Lewis and the News managed to reach number one with three different songs, interestingly, none of these hits were from their album titled “Sports“. However, this album did produce four top-10 charting tracks instead.

These popular tunes included: “Heart and Soul” (peaked at #8), “The Heart of Rock & Roll” (reached #6), “I Want a New Drug” (also reached #6), and “If This is It” (#6 as well). Given their lively and enjoyable nature, it’s no wonder these songs and the album did so well.

These tunes are perfect for joining in, especially if you’re looking for a fun-filled musical experience. Why not give the album called “Sports” a try and enjoy the music?

4 weeks – Born in the U.S.A., Bruce Springsteen

It’s indisputable that Bruce Springsteen is a legendary figure in music, recognized worldwide for his songwriting, singing, and live performances. Over the course of an impressive, extended career, he has achieved great success. Among his many accomplishments, “Born in the U.S.A.” stands out as his greatest commercial triumph, rivaling Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album with seven top 10 singles.

It might astonish you to learn that Bruce Springsteen has never reached the top of the charts with a single song, yet his highest-charting hit remains “Dancing in the Dark,” which only made it to number two. The iconic video for this track features Springsteen plucking a fan from the audience and dancing with her on stage. That lucky fan was Courtney Cox!

In my early days as a gamer, The Boss had some killer tunes under his belt, like “Badlands” and “Born to Run”. But it wasn’t until he released “Born in the U.S.A” that he truly struck gold with the commercial success that song brought him.

The album hadn’t been completed yet. It fell out of the top spot after a month-long reign in 1983, only to reclaim the number one position 24 weeks later in 1985 and hold it for an additional three weeks.

22 weeks – Purple Rain, Prince and the Revolution

From The Boss to His Royal Highness! For 22 weeks towards the end of 1984 and the start of 1985, Prince’s outstanding soundtrack for his possibly semi-autobiographical film “Purple Rain” maintained its position atop the Billboard album chart without wavering.

The album yielded two chart-topping singles, surprisingly, neither of them was the sensational title song that reached number two on the charts. Instead, “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy” ruled the top spots, while “I Would Die 4 U” landed at number eight.

Although this album and his entire musical career are filled with fantastic tracks, it’s the title song, “Purple Rain,” that might endure as his most significant contribution, even though it didn’t reach the number one spot on the charts. Remarkably, it stands among the best songs ever featured in a film soundtrack. In 2021, Rolling Stone ranked “Purple Rain” at number 18 on their list of the greatest songs of all time.

Without a doubt, Prince is among the most outstanding musicians in history, and had there been more albums, he would have undoubtedly produced even more chart-toppers. However, “Purple Rain” remains his most intimate musical expression, and it continues to be an exceptional collection of songs that resonates strongly today.

In 1983, only five albums reached the top spot on the charts, with one holding the position for just a week. That’s right – it was quite a year for Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, and Prince! There were also plenty of other fantastic releases that year. Can you tell me how many of those top-five albums you correctly identified?

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2024-10-20 13:00