Best Albums of 1984, Ranked

Discusses the report's connection to Bob Geldof organizing the Band Aid charity single and the later Live Aid concert.

St. John developed reactive arthritis shortly after joining the band, played only a partial tour before leaving, and died several years later following a jailhouse assault and a reported drug-related medical episode.

Discusses the rating's effect on film marketing and production choices, tied to a personal memory of repeatedly watching Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter in theaters that year.

Discusses the incident's connection to Jackson's later chronic pain and medication history, and notes he won 8 of 12 Grammy nominations about a month later at a ceremony hosted by John Denver.

The band's final album with David Lee Roth; discusses Michael McDonald's uncredited co-writing contribution to 'I'll Wait,' and the tension between Roth and Eddie Van Halen over the album's synthesizer-driven direction.

Cites 'Dancing in the Dark,' 'Glory Days,' 'My Hometown,' and 'I'm on Fire'; discusses the title track's frequently misunderstood patriotic image.

Discusses several parody and original tracks, including 'Eat It,' 'King of Suede,' and 'I Lost on Jeopardy.'

Cites 'High on You' and 'The Search Is Over'; recalls seeing the band open for REO Speedwagon at his first concert on Valentine's Day, 1984.

The first Prince album to credit outside collaborators; discusses the song 'Darling Nikki' directly prompting Tipper Gore to help found the PMRC.

Cites 'Run to You,' 'Somebody,' and 'Summer of '69'; praises Adams and co-writer Jim Vallance's broader songwriting contributions to other artists' work.

Repeat of Mark's #9 pick; ties the album to a personal memory of receiving it as a Christmas gift from his late brother David.

A third repeat of this album; compares its cultural impact to Dark Side of the Moon and Def Leppard's Pyromania.

Discusses guitarist John Sykes's contributions, songwriting credits from Ted Nugent and Adrian Belew, and a mastering error on the US mix that left audible traces of an earlier recording underneath the final version.

Cites 'Magic,' 'Drive,' and the title track; discusses the band's reputation for a low-energy live show.

Repeat of Kevin's #9 pick; cites 'Let's Go Crazy' as the song that drew him into the album.

Cites 'Rock You Like a Hurricane,' 'Big City Nights,' and 'Still Loving You.'

Discusses the well-documented personal conflict between Don Dokken and George Lynch, which required separate producers and studio schedules; also notes bassist Jeff Pilson replaced Juan Croucier, who left to join Ratt.

Features Brian Howe (later of Bad Company) on lead vocals for several tracks; cites 'Where Do You Draw the Line?' (co-written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance), 'Go Down Fighting,' and 'Tied Up in Thunderthighs.'

The band's debut; praises guitarist Warren DeMartini and discusses singer Stephen Pearcy's reputation as a stronger studio performer than live vocalist.

Cites 'Hard Habit to Break' as a favorite slow-dance song from his adolescence.

Discusses the associated World Slavery Tour's massive scale, including a stop at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine, that Kevin attended, and the band's performance at the first Rock in Rio festival in front of a reported 350,000 people.

Repeat of Dongo's #8 pick; again cites 'Still Loving You' as a favorite.

Ronnie James Dio's second solo album; praises the title track and calls Dio possibly the greatest heavy metal vocalist of all time.

Cites 'Follow Your Heart'; discusses the Canadian band's outsized popularity in the American Midwest compared to other regions.

Discusses songwriters Jim Vallance and Bryan Adams contributing the track 'Ballroom Blitz'-adjacent song 'Ballroom Blitz'; also notes singer Marc Storace was reportedly considered as a possible replacement for Bon Scott in AC/DC.

Discusses Gene Simmons's reduced songwriting contributions during a period of film-industry side projects, and praises Paul Stanley's tracks, including 'Heaven's on Fire' and 'Thrills in the Night.'

Praises brothers Michael and Robert Sweet's musicianship; notes the band's rare crossover success on MTV for a Christian rock act.

Cites 'Runaway' and 'She Don't Know Me'; discusses Richie Sambora's backing vocal contributions.

Praises Vaughan's guitar playing, including his cover of Jimi Hendrix's 'Voodoo Chile.'

Repeat of Kevin's #10 pick; cites 'Drop Dead Legs' and 'I'll Wait,' and notes a small lyric difference between the music video and studio version of 'Jump.'

Discusses the band's two major MTV hits and their comedic music videos featuring an Animal House actor, and praises the ballad 'The Price.'

Repeat of AJ's #4 pick; discusses Dee Snider's later interview comments about avoiding drugs and alcohol despite the band's excess-driven image.

Features guitarist Jack Sherman, who replaced Hillel Slovak partway through recording; Kevin says he prefers this album to the band's later, more famous work.

A third repeat of this album; cites 'I Would Die 4 U' and 'When Doves Cry.'

Repeat of Mark's #10 pick; discusses 'I'm on Fire' and 'Glory Days' as personally emotional songs from the album.

Cites the title track, 'Angel,' and 'Material Girl'; discusses Madonna's visual image and performance style as a defining element of the era.

An EP of 1950s-style covers led by Robert Plant, featuring guitar contributions from Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Nile Rodgers; cites 'Sea of Love.'

Cites 'Middle of the Road,' 'Back on the Chain Gang,' 'My City Was Gone,' and '2000 Miles'; praises Chrissie Hynde's voice and notes 'My City Was Gone' was later used as bumper music on a political talk-radio program.

Discusses initially disliking the band's earlier record before this album changed his opinion; cites 'Fade to Black,' 'For Whom the Bell Tolls,' and 'Creeping Death' as favorites.

A repeat of AJ's #7 pick; again praises Warren DeMartini's rhythm guitar work as underrated.

A short-lived supergroup featuring Sammy Hagar, Neal Schon, Kenny Aaronson, and Michael Shrieve; discusses the album's rushed recording schedule and its status as a largely forgotten release.

Repeat of AJ's #2 pick; praises Kirk Hammett's guitar work and calls 'Fade to Black' his favorite Metallica song.

A repeat of Mark's #5 pick, chosen here as AJ's #1; discusses the album's significance as the year of his first-ever concert, and again praises the Paul Stanley-led tracks over 'Heaven's on Fire.'

A repeat of Kevin's #10 and Mark's #4 picks, chosen here as Dongo's #1; ties the album to early childhood memories of first discovering MTV and radio.