1984 albums:

1. Laurie Anderson: United States Live

2. The Replacements: Let It Be

3. Bruce Springsteen: Born in the U.S.A.

4. King Sunny Adé and His African Beats: Aura

5. Prince: Purple Rain

6. Franco: Tres Impoli

7. Los Lobos: How Will the Wolf Survive?

8. Franco & Josky: Missile

9. The Minutemen: Double Nickels on the Dime

10. Lou Reed: New Sensations

11. Black Uhuru: Anthem ('83 in Jamaica)

12. Persian Gulf: Changing the Weather

13. Metallica: Ride the Lightning

14. Run-D.M.C.

15. Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Induku Zethu ('83 in SA)

16. Arto Lindsay/Ambitious Lovers: Envy

17. Geri Allen Trio: The Printmakers

18. Tina Turner: Private Dancer

19. Ramones: Too Tough to Die

20. George Strait: Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind

Good year, not to me the all-timer it’s sometimes made out to be. (Singles would be another story.)