Best Vinyl Records to Own - Top 30 Records To Invest In
Are you a record collector looking for the best vinyl records to own? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of our top 30 vinyl records that are worth investing in. Whether you’re a classic rock lover or a jazz enthusiast, there’s something here for everyone. So grab your turntable and get ready to shop!
1. Abbey Road - The Beatles
Abbey Road by The Beatles - This classic album has been a staple in any record collection since it debuted in 1969. The iconic cover alone makes it worth owning, but its timeless songs like “Come Together” and “Here Comes the Sun” make it an even more desirable addition to any collection. Click to order!
2. Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
Released in 1971, this album features some of Led Zeppelin’s most popular songs such as “Stairway to Heaven” and “Black Dog”. It is also one of the band's best selling albums with over 23 million copies sold worldwide. Click to order!
3. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
This 1975 album is often cited as one of the greatest rock albums ever made, featuring songs like “Thunder Road” and “Jungleland” that will make you want to get up and dance. Click here to buy!
4. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
This 1973 gem was one of the first concept albums ever released and features tracks like “Money” and “Time” that are just as relevant today as they were when they were first released. Click here to buy!
5. Thriller by Michael Jackson
Released in 1982, this iconic album includes timeless hits like “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” that still hold up decades later despite being heavily sampled by modern artists. Click to buy!
6. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
One of the best-selling albums of all time, Rumours was released in 1977 and quickly became a hit with fans due to its catchy pop hooks and infectious melodies. Songs like “Go Your Own Way” are still played on radio stations around the world today! Click here to buy!
7. Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles
This 1967 album changed the face of popular music forever with its mix of psychedelic rock, pop, classical influences, and lyrical themes that set it apart from anything else being made at the time . From start to finish Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is an absolute classic! Click here to buy!
8. Who's Next by The Who
This 1971 masterpiece features some of The Who's most famous songs such as "Baba O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again". It also marked a shift away from their earlier sound towards more experimental song structures which would become their signature sound for years to come. Click to buy!
9. The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)
This landmark album was produced by Andy Warhol and features some of The Velvet Underground's best work, including "Sunday Morning" and "Heroin." Its minimalist packaging makes this record stand out among other classic albums and its significance in music history makes it an essential part of any collection. Click to buy!
10. David Bowie – Diamond Dogs (1974)
Bowie’s 1974 concept album is considered one of his best works and features the hit single “Rebel Rebel” as well as other classics like “Diamond Dogs” and “1984”. It also comes with beautiful cover art that has become synonymous with Bowie himself. Click to buy!
11. The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed (1969)
Another band whose entire discography could easily make this list, but our pick has to go to The Rolling Stones' 1969 classic, Let It Bleed. A timeless collection of bluesy rock n' roll tunes featuring such classics as “Gimme Shelter” and “You Can't Always Get What You Want”, this is an album that every self-respecting music fan needs in their collection.
12. Appetite for Destruction- Guns N' Roses
Appetite for Destruction, the debut album of Guns N' Roses released in 1987, is an iconic offering of hard rock that invaded the minds of those who heard it. It earned legendary status with its fusion of punk attitude, head banging riffs and bombastic drums. Whether it was the anthemic "Welcome to the Jungle," power-balladry on "Sweet Child O' Mine" or gritty, blues-infused "Paradise City," Appetite for Destruction defined a whole new era of rock-n-roll music. While its success granted Guns N' Roses plenty of riches, there's something about the raw energy and unbridled enthusiasm that thirsts on long after the credits roll.
13. Back in Black- AC/DC
It's an iconic song by the legendary rock band AC/DC. The song was released as the lead single from the band's seventh studio album of the same name in 1980. It is also one of the most successful songs of all time, becoming the second best-selling single in history and reaching number one on the UK, US and Australian charts.
14. Bat out of Hell- Meat Loaf
Bat Out of Hell is the 1977 debut studio album by American rock singer Meat Loaf. It was released on bats out of hell Records in partnership with Cleveland International Records. The album was produced by Todd Rundgren and was certified Diamond in the United States with sales of over 15 million copies. The album was a commercial success, spawning several hit singles including the iconic songs "Paradise by the Dashboard Light", "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad", and "Bat Out of Hell".
15. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap- AC/DC
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap is the third studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released on 20 September 1976. The album is the band's third studio release in Australia and second in Europe and the United States. The album contains the singles "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", "Jailbreak", and "Big Balls". It was the last AC/DC album to feature bassist Mark Evans, who was replaced by Cliff Williams prior to the recording of their next album. The album's title track was released as the lead single in September 1976 and went on to become one of the band's most popular songs. The album was certified gold in both Australia and the US shortly after its release, and is now certified Platinum in both countries. Click to order!
16. Highway to Hell- AC/DC
Highway to Hell is a classic rock song by the Australian band AC/DC, released on their album of the same name in 1979. The song is the album's opening track and was written by lead singer Bon Scott and guitarist Angus Young. Highway to Hell is seen as a classic of hard rock and heavy metal, often cited as one of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time. It's the classic vinyl record to add to your collection.
17. Let There Be Rock- AC/DC
AC/DC's sixth studio album, Let There Be Rock, was released in 1977 to critical acclaim. The album cemented AC/DC as one of the biggest hard rock bands in the world, thanks to its anthemic title track and driving rhythm section that made it an instant classic. It also features some of their signature power-chord driven riffs and Angus Young’s iconic guitar solos. With tracks like Whole Lotta Rosie and Problem Child, Let There Be Rock has become a classic piece of music history that every rock fan should know.
18. Nevermind- Nirvana
Nevermind by Nirvana is a classic rock album and one of the most influential albums of all time. Released in September 1991, it was Nirvana's second studio album and the major-label debut of the band led by Kurt Cobain. The album was a massive commercial success, becoming a cultural phenomenon and helping to popularize the grunge movement of the early 1990s. The lead single "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was an instant hit, and the album went on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide. The original vinyl record of Nevermind is a must-have for any fan of the band. The artwork features a baby swimming underwater towards a dollar bill on a fishhook, and the iconic yellow and orange color scheme. The vinyl record features all the songs from the album, including bonus tracks and extended versions of some songs. The vinyl record of Nevermind conveys all of Nirvana's unique energy and emotion, making it a classic for any music lover.
19. Paranoid- Black Sabbath
Paranoid is the second studio album by English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released in September 1970. It is considered one of the most influential heavy metal albums of all time and is among the most popular albums in the genre. The album topped the UK Albums Chart, and was certified Platinum in the US and double platinum in Canada
20. Physical Graffiti- Led Zeppelin
Physical Graffiti is the sixth studio album by English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in 1975. It is a double album with a total of 15 songs. It was the first Led Zeppelin album to be released as a double album, and the first to be released on the band's own Swan Song Records label. The album contains some of the band's most popular songs, including “Kashmir”, “Trampled Under Foot” and “In My Time of Dying”. Physical Graffiti was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 album chart. The album has been certified 16x platinum in the United States and is one of the best-selling albums of all time. The album cover, designed by artist Peter Corriston, was inspired by a New York City building covered in graffiti.
21. Powerslave- Iron Maiden
Powerslave is the fifth studio album by heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on 3 September 1984. It was their fourth consecutive release to reach the top five of the UK album charts, and its singles "Aces High" and "2 Minutes to Midnight" helped the band break into the American market. The album's epic title track is one of the band's best-known songs, and its cover art of an Egyptian-style Eddie the Head mascot is one of Iron Maiden's most iconic images. The album also features many fast-paced songs, such as "Flash of the Blade" and "Back in the Village".
22. Ride the Lightning- Metallica
Ride the Lightning is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on July 27, 1984, by the independent record label Megaforce Records. Ride the Lightning is considered a landmark thrash metal album and has been frequently cited as one of the genre's most influential releases. It was well received by music critics and featured in several publications' best album lists. The album peaked at number 100 on the US Billboard 200, a remarkable achievement for an independent metal record. It has been certified 6× platinum in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
23. The Doors – The Doors
The Doors is the debut album by the American rock band the Doors, released on January 4, 1967. The album features their breakthrough single "Light My Fire" and the lengthy song "The End" with its Oedipal spoken word section. The Doors was produced by Paul A. Rothchild, who would continue to work with the group until the end of their career. The album also includes the hit singles "Break On Through (To the Other Side)", "Soul Kitchen", and "Crystal Ship". The Doors was released in the United States and went on to become one of the most influential albums of the 1960s. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential rock albums of all time. The Doors was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1993, and was added to the National Recording Registry in 2006.
24. Sticky Fingers- The Rolling Stones
Sticky Fingers is the ninth studio album by The Rolling Stones, released in 1971. Sticky Fingers features a broad range of styles, from the blues rock of the opening track "Brown Sugar" to the reggae-influenced single "Wild Horses" and the country-inflected "Dead Flowers". The album was a commercial and critical success, spending four weeks at the top of the US album charts and becoming the band's fifth consecutive US number one album.
25. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
Bohemian Rhapsody is the sixth studio album by the British rock band Queen, released on 31 October 1975. It was the band's most successful album and is one of the world's best-selling albums, having sold more than 25 million copies. The album is often cited as Queen's magnum opus and is considered one of the greatest albums of all time.
The album contains the hit single "Bohemian Rhapsody", which topped the UK Singles Chart for nine weeks and helped popularize the music video format. Other tracks from the album include "Killer Queen", "You're My Best Friend", "Somebody to Love", and "We Are the Champions". The album has been reissued numerous times and remains a popular favorite among fans, critics, and musicians alike.
26. The Number of the Beast- Iron Maiden
The Number of the Beast is the third studio album by the band Iron Maiden, released on March 22, 1982. The album was the band's first to feature vocalist Bruce Dickinson and their first to enter the UK album charts at number one. It was also their first album to enter the U.S. Billboard chart. The album is considered by many to be Iron Maiden's most recognizable and popular album, and has sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
27. The Wall - Pink Floyd
The Wall is a rock opera by the English progressive rock band Pink Floyd, released as a double album in 1979. It is the band's 11th studio album, and their first concept album. The album was certified 23x platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of over 23 million copies in the US. It is the second best-selling album in the US with sales of over 30 million copies. The Wall is Pink Floyd's highest charting album in the US and reached number three in the UK. It has since been certified 14x platinum in the UK.
28. Toys in the Attic- Aerosmith
Firstly, the album contains some of the band's most beloved and timeless songs, including classics like "Walk This Way," "Sweet Emotion," and "Toys in the Attic." Secondly, it is widely regarded as one of the best hard rock albums of all time, and was even certified 8x platinum in the US. Lastly, it contains some of Aerosmith's most iconic music videos, such as "Walk This Way" and "Sweet Emotion." This album is an essential part of any Aerosmith fan's collection.
29. Kate Bush – The Hounds Of Love
Kate Bush's fifth album The Hounds Of Love was released in September 1985 and is considered one of her best albums. It's a concept album, with the first side of the album focusing on love, and the second side exploring more dark and personal themes. The lead single from the album, 'Running Up That Hill', was a major hit, reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart. Other singles from the album included 'Cloudbusting', 'The Big Sky', and 'Hounds of Love'. The album was a critical success, with Rolling Stone naming it one of the best albums of the 1980s. The album was certified 3x Platinum in the UK, and has been included in multiple lists of the best albums of all time.
30. Miles Davis – Kind of Blue
Miles Davis's Kind of Blue is an essential album for any jazz fan. It's considered one of the most influential jazz albums of all time, and it contains some of Davis's most famous pieces, such as "So What" and "Flamenco Sketches." The album is also a perfect example of modal jazz, a style of jazz that Davis pioneered. Kind of Blue is a timeless classic, and it's an essential part of any jazz collection.
There you have it! 30 must-own vinyl records that every record collector should have in their collection! From classic rock icons like Led Zeppelin to pop sensations like Michael Jackson, these are surely some of the best vinyl records out there so don't wait another minute—start shopping now! With so many amazing options available it can be difficult to decide what records should take pride of place on your shelf but hopefully this list has given you some ideas on where to start building your perfect collection! Happy hunting!
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