U2’s The Joshua Tree, co-produced by Canada’s Daniel Lanois, has been voted the greatest album of the 1980s.
The poll was conducted by BBC Radio 2 ahead of the UK’s National Album Day on Saturday.
“The Joshua Tree changed everything for us as a band,” said guitarist The Edge, in a statement. “It was written in the mid-80s, during the Reagan-Thatcher era of British and US 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.”
The Joshua Tree was released in March 1987 and spawned hits like “Where the Streets Have No Name,” “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” and “With or Without You.” It was named Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards.
Lanois, who was born in Quebec and started his music career in Hamilton, Ont., produced the album with Brian Eno.
No albums by Canadian artists made the list of the Top 20 albums of the ‘80s and, notably, only one is from a female artist – Kate Bush’s Hounds Of Love.
Check out the list below:
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 – The Lexicon Of Love
Prince – Purple Rain
Kate Bush – Hounds Of Love
Duran Duran – Rio
Tears for Fears – Songs From The Big Chair
Bruce Springsteen – Born In The USA
AC/DC – Back In Black
Deacon Blue – Raintown
Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Welcome To The Pleasuredome
INXS – Kick
George Michael – Faith
Pet Shop Boys – Actually