As part of my Decades project, I counted down my own favorite albums of the year then explored other notable releases with which I was less familiar.

The year 1986 might be the mightiest of this whole project, at least based on the quality of the heaviest hitters. Any one of my top five could be my favorite album of any other year, and my top two are on my list of the ten best albums by anybody ever.

Originally published: 2025 | Song of the Day posts featured: 19

My top ten albums of 1986:

#1. Graceland – Paul Simon

#2. The Queen is Dead – The Smiths

#3. King of America – Elvis Costello

#4. Lifes Rich Pageant – R.E.M.

#5. So – Peter Gabriel

#6. Blood & Chocolate – Elvis Costello

#7. The Bridge – Billy Joel

#8. Especially For You – The Smithereens

#9. Lyle Lovett – Lyle Lovett

#10. True Blue – Madonna

Other notable albums of 1986…

Rapture – Anita Baker

Different Light – The Bangles

Licensed to Ill – Beastie Boys

Slippery When Wet – Bon Jovi

Notorious – Duran Duran

Invisible Touch – Genesis

Control – Janet Jackson

Fore! – Huey Lewis and the News

Skylarking – XTC