U2’s The Joshua Tree has been named the best album of the 1980s, beating records by Michael Jackson, Prince and Madonna. The 1987 album received the most votes in a poll conducted by BBC Radio 2, which urged listeners of Sounds of the 80s to name their favourite records of the decade.9 Oct 2020…

U2’s The Joshua Tree Named Best Album of the 1980s by BBC Radio 2 Listeners

In a defining moment for fans of classic rock, U2’s The Joshua Tree has been named the best album of the 1980s, beating out formidable competition from pop icons such as Michael Jackson, Prince, and Madonna. The announcement came in October 2020 following a poll conducted by BBC Radio 2, as part of its Sounds of the 80s programming. Listeners were invited to vote for their favourite album of the decade, and U2’s seminal 1987 record came out on top.

The Joshua Tree marked a major turning point in U2’s career and in the broader landscape of rock music. Released on March 9, 1987, the album catapulted the Irish band—comprising Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.—from rising stars to global superstars. It blended arena-ready rock anthems with pointed political and social commentary, particularly focused on American culture and foreign policy.

Featuring timeless tracks like “With or Without You,” “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” and “Where the Streets Have No Name,” the album demonstrated both musical ambition and emotional depth. These songs dominated airwaves in the late ’80s and have remained fixtures on rock radio and in U2’s live sets ever since.

Critically acclaimed upon release, The Joshua Tree won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group in 1988. It was lauded for its atmospheric production, provided by longtime collaborators Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, and for Bono’s introspective yet impassioned lyrics.

The poll results from BBC Radio 2 are particularly significant given the strength of the competition. Albums like Michael Jackson’s Thriller—the best-selling album of all time—Prince’s Purple Rain, and Madonna’s Like a Prayer are often cited as defining works of the 1980s. That The Joshua Tree edged past these titans of pop speaks to its enduring influence and emotional resonance with listeners.

Bono has often described The Joshua Tree as a love letter to—and a critique of—America. The band, inspired by a mixture of blues, gospel, and American folk traditions, sought to explore both the beauty and contradictions of the American experience. The result was a deeply layered and sonically rich album that resonated across borders and generations.

Over the years, The Joshua Tree has been recognized in countless “greatest albums” lists, and its 30th anniversary in 2017 was marked by a massive world tour, further cementing its legacy. The BBC Radio 2 poll is yet another testament to the album’s power to connect with listeners on a deep, lasting level.

In a decade dominated by synth-pop, dance music, and flashy aesthetics, The Joshua Tree stood out for its earnestness, ambition, and epic scope. More than 30 years later, it remains not just a high point in U2’s career but a defining artifact of 1980s music.