History's Best Selling Music of 1983

Hats off to 1983! Few music commanded as much fanfare and nationwide excitement as Eliminator. Alongside sensationally popular hits like Murmur and Let's Dance, consumers eagerly embraced the neon-soaked culture and synthwave energy. Pioneering outfits from industry leaders like ZZ Top and R.E.M. set the standard for quality, producing celebrated items that sparked mega-hit frenzies and Saturday morning excitement. Browse our definitive retrospective below to rediscover the genuine articles of the era.

1. Eliminator

   Released in 1983 by ZZ Top, Warner Bros. Records

   On March 23, 1983, the Texas blues-rock trio ZZ Top unleashed their eighth studio album, "Eliminator," forever changing their career trajectory and the sound of mainstream rock. The album represented a radical sonic shift for the band, integrating synthesizers, sequencers, and drum machines into their signature blues-boogie style. This fusion was perfectly timed for the dawn of the MTV era, and the album's release marked the moment ZZ Top transformed from a respected rock act into global superstars, thanks to a combination of radio-friendly hits and iconic, visually-driven music videos that captivated a massive new audience.

2. Murmur

   Released in 1983 by R.E.M., I.R.S. Records

   On April 12, 1983, the landscape of American rock music was quietly but irrevocably altered with the release of R.E.M.'s debut full-length album, "Murmur." Arriving at a time when mainstream radio was dominated by slickly produced synth-pop and hard rock, "Murmur" offered a starkly different sound. It was enigmatic, layered, and rooted in a blend of folk-rock, jangle-pop, and post-punk sensibilities. This release marked the official arrival of the American underground music scene into the broader consciousness, championing a D.I.Y. aesthetic and intellectual depth that would define the burgeoning "college rock" genre and lay the groundwork for the alternative rock explosion of the 1990s.

3. Let's Dance

   Released in 1983 by David Bowie, Nile Rodgers, EMI America Records

   On April 14, 1983, David Bowie unleashed "Let's Dance," an album that would redefine his career and dominate the decade's pop landscape. Released at a time when MTV was becoming a cultural force, the album and its accompanying music videos catapulted Bowie from a revered art-rock icon to a global megastar. Produced by Chic's Nile Rodgers, the record was a deliberate move towards a more accessible, commercially viable sound. This release date marks the moment Bowie fully embraced the mainstream, trading his experimental personas for a sharp suit and a sound that was slick, funky, and irresistibly danceable, setting the tone for pop music for years to come.

4. Crises

   Released in 1983 by Mike Oldfield, Virgin Records

   On May 27, 1983, multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield released "Crises," his eighth studio album. This date marked a significant commercial peak in Oldfield's career, coming a decade after his monumental debut, "Tubular Bells." The album was released into a musical landscape dominated by synth-pop and new wave, and "Crises" cleverly integrated these contemporary sounds with Oldfield's signature progressive rock and folk leanings. This fusion not only appealed to his existing fanbase but also captured a much wider mainstream audience, particularly in Europe. The release solidified Oldfield's reputation as an artist capable of both complex, long-form compositions and crafting perfect, radio-friendly pop hits, a dual ability that defined this successful era for him.

5. Speaking in Tongues

   Released in 1983 by Talking Heads, Sire Records

   On June 1, 1983, the landscape of new wave and art rock was irrevocably altered with the release of Talking Heads' fifth studio album, "Speaking in Tongues." Arriving at a time when the band was at its commercial and creative peak, the album represented a synthesis of their nervous, intellectual art-punk roots with a deep, newfound appreciation for funk, world music, and polyrhythmic grooves. This release wasn't just another album drop; it was a cultural event that solidified the band's transition from a quirky CBGB act to mainstream superstars. It captured the zeitgeist of the early 80s, blending artistic ambition with undeniable danceability, and introduced their biggest American hit, "Burning Down the House," to a global audience.

6. Synchronicity

   Released in 1983 by The Police, A&M Records

   Released on June 17, 1983, "Synchronicity" by The Police marked both the pinnacle of their success and their swan song. The album arrived when the band was arguably the biggest in the world, capturing a moment of immense creative tension and commercial power. This date signifies the release of a record that would dominate global charts, define the sound of the early 80s new wave, and produce the timeless mega-hit "Every Breath You Take." It was a complex, layered work that explored themes of paranoia, love, and Jungian psychology, all while delivering stadium-sized hooks. Its release solidified The Police's legacy, even as it signaled the end of their collaboration, making it a monumental and bittersweet moment in music history.

7. Sports

   Released in 1983 by Huey Lewis and the News, Chrysalis Records

   On September 15, 1983, the landscape of American pop-rock was irrevocably altered with the release of "Sports" by Huey Lewis and the News. Coming at a time when new wave and synth-pop dominated the airwaves, this album offered a refreshing, back-to-basics sound rooted in classic rock and R&B, yet polished for the MTV generation. Its release wasn't an immediate explosion but a slow burn, building momentum through a series of irresistible singles that would eventually make the band global superstars and define the upbeat, feel-good sound of the mid-1980s. The album captured a quintessential American optimism, perfectly timed for a nation experiencing economic recovery and a renewed sense of patriotism.

8. Pipes of Peace

   Released in 1983 by Paul McCartney, Parlophone, Columbia Records

   Released on October 31, 1983, Paul McCartney's fourth solo studio album, "Pipes of Peace," arrived amidst massive anticipation. It served as a direct follow-up to the commercially and critically successful "Tug of War" (1982) and continued his fruitful collaboration with legendary Beatles producer George Martin. The album's release was supercharged by the inclusion of two duets with Michael Jackson, who at the time was the biggest star on the planet, riding the unprecedented wave of his album "Thriller." The lead single, "Say Say Say," had been released earlier in the month and was already a global phenomenon, setting the stage for the album to become an instant commercial success.

9. Touch

   Released in 1983 by Eurythmics, RCA Records

   On November 14, 1983, British synth-pop duo Eurythmics released their third studio album, "Touch," cementing their status as global superstars. Coming just ten months after their breakthrough album "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," "Touch" was not a mere follow-up but a bold artistic statement that expanded their sonic palette. The album arrived at a peak moment for the Second British Invasion, where UK artists armed with synthesizers and stylish music videos were dominating the American charts via MTV. "Touch" captured this zeitgeist perfectly, showcasing Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart's sophisticated songwriting, experimental production, and iconic visual aesthetic, making its release a key event in 1980s pop music history.