The 1980s often get overlooked when it comes to discussions about the greatest eras in country music despite boasting a laundry list of classic albums. Some fans champion the 1990s as the genre’s best era. Before that, the rise of the Outlaw Country movement in the 1970s gave the decade something to hang its hat on. Before that, the 40s and 50s saw the release of timeless music from legendary artists.
Today, we’ll look at 5 country albums from the 1980s that prove how underrated the decade is.
Right or Wrong (1983) by George Strait— The 1980s Saw the King of Country’s First No. 1 Album
George Strait was one of a few artists who went against the pop-influenced country music of the 1980s and this album helped solidify him as a star. He had already achieved success with his first two albums—Strait Country and Strait from the Heart. However, Right or Wrong was his first album to go to the top of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
More importantly, Right or Wrong contained songs that are still popular among fans of all ages today. For instance, it featured the No. 1 singles “A Fire I Can’t Put Out,” “You Look So Good in Love,” and the title track.
Why Not Me (1984) by The Judds—The Iconic Duo’s Debut Album
It’s hard to talk about country albums from the 1980s without mentioning this major milestone. The Judds released their debut album in 1984 and split just six years later after releasing their final album in 1990. However, despite their short run, the mother-daughter duo of Naomi and Wynonna Judd remains popular today.
Besides marking the debut of one of the most enduring country duos, this album contains great songs. “Mama He’s Crazy,” “Endless Sleep,” “My Baby’s Gone” and the title track keep this album in rotation for many fans.
Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. (1986) by Dwight Yoakam—An Album That Went Against the Grain of 1980s Country
When Dwight Yoakam released his debut album in 1986, he didn’t fit into the country music mold. The “Urban Cowboy” movement and pop-infused country dominated the radio waves. Then came Yoakam with his take on the Bakersfield Sound. Following in the footsteps of artists like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, Yoakam dropped a smoking-hot honky tonk record on the unsuspecting masses.
As it turns out, this is exactly what many country fans were looking for. Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. was the first of three consecutive No. 1 albums for Yoakam. “It Won’t Hurt,” “Miner’s Prayer,” “Twenty Years, “Heartaches by the Number,” remain favorites of country fans everywhere.
Storms of Life (1986) by Randy Travis—Another Legendary Debut Album
Dwight Yoakam wasn’t the only artist to find success with a traditional country album in the middle of the 1980s. Randy Travis released his debut album a few months after Yoakam’s and kicked off his own string of No. 1 records. Storms of Life is more than a hit album, though. It’s a timeless collection of country songs.
“On the Other Hand,” “Diggin’ Up Bones,” “Reasons I Cheat,” “There’ll Always Be a Honky Tonk Somewhere,” and the title track helped this album age like wine.
Killin’ Time (1989) by Clint Black—A Country Album That Bridged the 1980s and 1990s
Today, ‘90s country is all the rage. However, some may not realize that some of the best ‘90s country albums came from the late 1980s. The so-called Class of ’89—Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Travis Tritt, and Alan Jackson—made waves in the final years of the decade. Their music helped to codify the sound of the 1990s.
Black’s debut album, Killin’ Time, made him one of the biggest stars in the genre in the early ‘90s. “A Better Man,” “Walking Away,” “Nobody’s Home,” and the title track were all No. 1 singles. More importantly, those songs help make this album a hit among country fans decades after its release.
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