The 100 Greatest Vinyl Album Covers of All Time

Welcome to our definitive guide to the 100 most iconic, creative, and influential vinyl album covers of all time. As music lovers and appreciators of art, we have undertaken the enjoyable task of curating this list for you. From the 1960s to the present day, we cover multiple genres and showcase a plethora of artistic styles that graced the covers of these timeless vinyl records. It's more than just a trip down memory lane—it's a visual journey through music history.

(Kindly note, the following list is not ranked in any particular order.)

1 The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)

Breaking away from traditional photographic portraits, this album cover, featuring a colorful collage of life-sized cardboard models of famous people, is as legendary as the band itself. Designed by Peter Blake and Jann Haworth, it served as a gateway into the psychedelic era.

2 Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of The Moon (1973)

This minimalist and enigmatic design, featuring a prism refracting a beam of light, represents the band's stage lighting and the album's lyrical themes. It's an epitome of how simplicity can capture the complexity of music and its underlying messages.

3 Nirvana - Nevermind (1991)

An image that sparked controversy and conversation in equal measure, the cover features a baby underwater chasing a dollar bill on a fishhook. A profound commentary on capitalism, it remains an iconic visual statement in the world of grunge.

4 David Bowie - Aladdin Sane (1973)

Bowie's lightning bolt makeup has become a symbol of his boundary-pushing artistry. It is as much a testament to his transformative style as to the era of glam rock that he dominated.

5 The Velvet Underground & Nico - The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)

Andy Warhol's bold, pop-art banana illustration echoes the avant-garde nature of the music within. A visual statement in its own right, it signifies the alliance between music and visual art.

6 Miles Davis - Bitches Brew (1970)

This swirling, psychedelic cover designed by Mati Klarwein reflects the equally experimental, genre-defying jazz inside. It represents a moment when album art mirrored the cultural and stylistic shifts of its era.

7 Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures (1979)

The pulsar wave design, minimalist yet captivating, embodies the post-punk movement. It's a testament to the power of simplicity in conveying complex, emotional landscapes.

8 Radiohead - OK Computer (1997)

Stanley Donwood’s sketch-like cityscape, overlaid with cryptic text, complements Radiohead’s commentary on the rise of technology and its impact on society. It's an eerily prophetic depiction of the digital age.

9 Björk - Post (1995)

This vibrant cover, featuring Björk in a playful and surreal postal outfit against a bustling cityscape, captures her unique brand of art-pop. It's a visual tribute to the eclecticism of her music.

10 Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (1977)

Featuring band members Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks in a peculiar pose, this album cover is as intriguing and mysterious as the inner turmoil that fueled the album's creation. A testament to the private dramas that often fuel great art.

11 The Clash - London Calling (1979)

Epitomizing punk's rebellious spirit, this cover captures Paul Simonon smashing his bass guitar. It's a timeless image that exudes raw energy, mirroring the disruptive and revolutionary nature of the band's music.

12 Prince - Purple Rain (1984)

Bathed in ethereal purple light, Prince on his motorcycle captures the flamboyance and mystique of the artist. It's a representation of his genre-bending music that challenged societal norms and conventions.

13 Frank Ocean - Blonde (2016)

The minimalistic cover, showing a shot of a green-haired Frank Ocean, resonates with the album's deeply personal and introspective themes.

14 The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers (1971)

Conceived by Andy Warhol, this album cover, featuring a close-up of a jeans-clad male crotch, pushed boundaries and sparked controversy, much like the band's edgy rock n' roll.

15 Grace Jones - Nightclubbing (1981)

Jones's defiant gaze and square-cut hairstyle became a striking statement of her avant-garde image and music. The cover is a stark, visual testament to her unique persona in the pop industry.

16 The Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols (1977)

The brash typography and garish color scheme echo the punk band's anarchic spirit and unapologetically loud music. A cover that's as provocative as the music it encapsulates.

17 Janis Joplin - Pearl (1971)
Showcasing Joplin's signature bohemian style with an enthusiastic smile, this album cover serves as a poignant reminder of her immense talent and tragic end. A visual memento of the counterculture icon.

18 Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA (1984)

This cover, featuring Springsteen's backside and a red cap stuffed into the back pocket of his jeans, has become a symbol of working-class America. It's as iconic as the heartland rock anthems contained within.

19 Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)

The image of Jackson in his white suit, lying nonchalantly against a baby blue background, has become synonymous with the world's best-selling album. It perfectly captures the King of Pop at the peak of his stardom.

20 Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV (1971)

The enigmatic cover featuring a framed black-and-white image of an elderly man carrying a bundle of sticks is as iconic and mysterious as the groundbreaking music it houses, a tribute to the band's mythical allure.

21 King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King (1969)

The haunting illustration of a screaming face has become emblematic of progressive rock. The startling image, like the music, forces us to confront the cacophonous beauty of our inner selves.

22 The Who - Who's Next (1971)

This iconic cover featuring band members walking away from a large concrete slab they've just urinated on is a tongue-in-cheek commentary on their rebellious persona, capturing the renegade spirit of rock 'n roll.

23 AC/DC - Highway to Hell (1979)

The cover shot of the band with Angus Young sporting devil horns and a devil tail perfectly symbolizes the band's high-voltage rock and their non-conformist attitude.

24 Blondie - Parallel Lines (1978)

The black-and-white image of the band members, with Debbie Harry front and center, captures the cool, punk-meets-disco vibe of the album. It's a visual testament to Blondie's unique blend of style and sound.

25 U2 - The Joshua Tree (1987)

The stark, desert landscape speaks to the spiritual and socio-political themes within the album. The vast emptiness serves as a metaphor for spiritual desolation and the search for hope.

We've just begun our trip down memory lane and already, the captivating power of album cover artistry is evident. Each vinyl cover is a testament to the transformative power of music and its enduring influence on fashion, lifestyle, and culture. As we dive further into the list, we'll be exploring even more unique and influential pieces of art.

26 Nas - Illmatic (1994)

The cover, featuring a young Nas superimposed over a gritty cityscape, is a powerful visual narrative of his coming-of-age story in the rough neighborhoods of Queensbridge, New York.

27 New Order - Power, Corruption & Lies (1983)

The abstract, color-coded cover art eschews band and album title, reflecting New Order's groundbreaking synth-pop soundscape and their desire to let the music speak for itself.

28 The Strokes - Is This It (2001)

The album's cover art features two distinctly different designs owing to a change prompted by the sensitivities of some international markets. The original cover, a provocative image featuring a black background with a leather-gloved hand resting on a starkly lit, nude lower torso, captures the raw and unfiltered nature of the band's sound. This bold choice represents their garage rock ethos and the vibrant, gritty energy of New York's early 2000s rock scene.

However, due to the potentially controversial nature of this artwork, an alternative cover was used for certain markets, featuring a psychedelically colored particle collision pattern. While less provocative, this cover still embodies the band's unique aesthetic, hinting at the explosive and transformative impact of the music within.

These two versions of the cover not only reveal a fascinating aspect of music industry dynamics but also contribute to the album's status as a landmark of early 21st-century rock.

29 The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Axis: Bold As Love (1967)

The colorful and psychedelic artwork, featuring a blending of Hendrix's face with Hindu imagery, perfectly echoes the album's experimental sound, pushing the boundaries of what was expected from rock music.

30 Cream - Disraeli Gears (1967)

The vibrant, psychedelic cover art reflects the transition into the psychedelic rock era. The kaleidoscopic effect is synonymous with the band's evolving musical style.

31 Pixies - Doolittle (1989)

The enigmatic black-and-white cover featuring a surreal montage mirrors the band's offbeat approach to indie rock, combining sweet melodies with dark, eccentric lyrics.

32 Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (1971)

The cover, featuring a close-up, candid shot of a rain-soaked Marvin Gaye, is a stark visual representation of the introspective and socially-conscious themes within the album. Gaye's pensive gaze, combined with the gritty realism of the photo, reflects the album's exploration of deeply personal and politically charged subjects such as war, environmental issues, and racial inequality. The raw and evocative image, combined with the groundbreaking soul music it houses, has made this album cover iconic in its own right.

33 The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966)

The cover, featuring a candid snapshot of the band members feeding goats at the San Diego Zoo, exudes a charmingly casual and whimsical vibe, contrasting with the complex and layered music within. This contrast contributes to the album's mystique. Even though the cover might not be as visually striking as others, "Pet Sounds" has grown to become an iconic piece of art due to the album's monumental influence on pop music. Its sophisticated production, deeply emotional lyricism, and intricate harmonies have solidified its status as one of the greatest albums in the history of popular music.

34 Radiohead - Kid A (2000)

The cryptic, abstract mountainous landscape, akin to the band's shift in musical style, creates a sense of distance and alienation, perfectly encapsulating the experimental soundscapes contained within.

35 N.W.A - Straight Outta Compton (1988)

The powerful image of the band members standing defiantly against a backdrop of a troubled neighborhood, taken from a low perspective, mirrors the raw, confrontational power of their ground-breaking rap.

36 Lou Reed - Transformer (1972)

The black-and-white cover shot of Reed, taken by rock photographer Mick Rock, encapsulates Reed's enigmatic persona and his pivotal role in the glam rock movement.

37 Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)

The provocative image of young black men and children celebrating over the body of a white judge on the White House lawn speaks volumes about the album's deep exploration of racial and social issues.

38 The Beatles - Abbey Road (1969)

The simple yet iconic shot of the band members walking across a zebra crossing is as timeless as the band itself. It's a testament to the enduring power of great music and imagery.

39 David Bowie - Heroes (1977)

The cover, inspired by German artist Erich Heckel's 'Roquairol,' captures Bowie mid-motion, a poignant representation of the album's themes of hope amidst despair.

40 Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique (1989)

The cover art, featuring a wide-angle shot of a corner store in New York City, captures the eclectic and sample-heavy nature of the album's groundbreaking hip-hop sound.

41 Kate Bush - Hounds of Love (1985)

The intense close-up of Bush's face, with a hound silhouette in the backdrop, is as hauntingly beautiful as the eclectic and emotionally resonant music within the album.

42 Depeche Mode - Violator (1990)

The single red rose against a black backdrop represents the darkly romantic synth-pop of the album, a perfect blend of beauty and melancholy.

43 Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)

The cover, featuring two men passing each other on a London street, has a surreal quality that mirrors the band's anthemic Britpop sound and their embodiment of 90s British youth culture.

44 Rage Against the Machine - Rage Against the Machine (1992)

The cover, featuring a monk self-immolating in protest, is a powerful commentary on self-sacrifice for the greater good, a theme that runs deep in the band's politically charged music.

45 Queen - Queen II (1974)

The band members' dramatic poses against a black background, inspired by Marlene Dietrich's lighting in the movie "Shanghai Express," echo the grand theatricality of Queen's music.

46 Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)

The simple, minimal cover featuring the group's iconic logo stands as a strong representation of their raw, stripped-back hip-hop style that transformed the genre.

47 Sonic Youth - Goo (1990)

The cover is a re-interpretation of a paparazzi photo of two British fans on their way to a Beatles concert. The black-and-white, pen-drawn image captures the band's indie rock spirit and their underground roots.

48 PJ Harvey - Rid of Me (1993)

The black-and-white cover shot, featuring a menacingly smiling Harvey, mirrors the raw emotion and intense sexuality that characterizes her powerful alt-rock music.

49 The White Stripes - Elephant (2003)

The cover, featuring Jack and Meg White engaged in a compelling red, black, and white tableau, is as stark and arresting as the raw, minimalist rock music within the album. Jack's intent gaze towards the camera combined with Meg's demurely averted eyes creates a powerful dynamic that encapsulates the duo's enigmatic relationship. The cover's simplistic color scheme is also symbolic of the band's stripped-down musical approach, making it a visually iconic component of their discography.

50 David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)

The cover portrays Bowie as his alter ego Ziggy Stardust, donning flamboyant attire and vibrant makeup, encapsulating the album's glam rock concept.

And we've arrived at the halfway point of our journey! We hope you're enjoying this exploration of iconic album covers as much as we are. The merging of visual and audio artistry in these albums represents more than just the music contained within; it serves as a reflection of the times, a symbol of cultural shifts, and often a bold statement from the artist. As we continue, let's dive deeper into these visual narratives.

51 Run DMC - Raising Hell (1986)

The cover, featuring the trio in their signature Adidas sneakers, black hats, and gold chains, captures their ground-breaking style that transformed the landscape of hip-hop.

52 Joy Division - Closer (1980)

The haunting image of a family tomb from an Italian cemetery reflects the album's dark and mournful tone, serving as a poignant memorial to the band's late singer, Ian Curtis.

53 Guns N' Roses - Appetite for Destruction (1987)

The album's original cover, designed by Robert Williams, featured a controversial surrealist scene. It was replaced by the now iconic image of skulls each representing a band member on a cross, a testament to their hard-hitting rock music.

54 Nirvana - In Utero (1993)

The cover art, featuring a model of a human-like angel, embodies the album's raw and introspective grunge rock sound.

55 Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest (2010)

The cover features a black and white image of a man dressed in a 1950s-style dress, with his hands clasped as if in prayer, looking upwards. This image evokes a sense of profound introspection and nostalgia, paralleling the album's exploration of memory, time, and loss. The picture's ambiguity and vintage aesthetic combined with the band's ethereal sound create an iconic piece of cover art that is a perfect visual representation of the music within.

56 Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)

The simple black and white close-up of the duo reflects the timeless and comforting folk soundscapes within the album.

57 Kendrick Lamar - DAMN. (2017)

The cover, featuring a close-up of Kendrick with the bold, red title "DAMN." at the top, is both simple and striking. Kendrick's weary and introspective expression combined with the minimalist design serves as a reflection of the album's exploration of personal and societal struggles. The rawness of the image, complementing the introspective and politically charged content of the album, makes it a visually potent representation of Kendrick's artistry, thus making it an iconic piece of contemporary hip-hop culture.

58 Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath (1970)

The eerie image of a witch-like figure standing in front of an old building under a gloomy sky perfectly encapsulates the band's groundbreaking heavy metal sound and dark themes.

59 R.E.M. - Murmur (1983)

The cover's dreamy, obscure landscape of kudzu vines reflects the band's enigmatic lyrics and the cryptic nature of their jangly alternative rock.

60 Tom Waits - Rain Dogs (1985)

The cover, featuring Waits in a circus-like pose with a forlorn expression, echoes the album's exploration of the underbelly of society and Waits' gruff, bluesy sound.

61Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (1975)

The cover, featuring two businessmen shaking hands - one that happens to be on fire - represents the themes of absence, the music industry's exploitative nature, and Syd Barrett's mental decline, which are prevalent throughout the album. Its surreal and striking visual design adds another layer to Pink Floyd's exploration of existential themes.

62 Fugees - The Score (1996)

The cover, showcasing the trio in a dark room, mirrors the album's introspective look into the struggles of inner-city life.

63 Patti Smith - Horses (1975)

The stark black-and-white cover shot, featuring Smith in an androgynous pose, is as groundbreaking as the punk poetry contained within the album.

64 Snoop Dogg - Doggystyle (1993)

This album cover, featuring an animated illustration of a dog in a very human-like scenario, captures the fun and laid-back vibe of Snoop Dogg's West Coast hip-hop.

65 Bob Dylan - The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963)

The cover image, featuring a casual Dylan walking down a snowy street with then-girlfriend Suze Rotolo, is as iconic as his folk songs that became anthems of the civil rights and anti-war movements.

66 Eagles - Hotel California (1976)

The cover, featuring a photograph of the Beverly Hills Hotel at dusk, perfectly encapsulates the album's exploration of the decadence and disillusionment of the American dream.

67 Talking Heads - Remain in Light (1980)

The cover, featuring abstract, red images of the band's four members, reflects the album's innovative fusion of new wave and African rhythms.

68 The Doors - The Doors (1967)

The cover shot of the band, with a charismatic Jim Morrison front and center, is as iconic as the psychedelic rock and poetic lyrics contained within the album.

69 Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)

The cover, featuring the band members in a prison cell, symbolizes their combative stance against societal injustices and their potent blend of hip-hop and political activism.

70 Ramones - Ramones (1976)

The cover features the band members leaning against a brick wall. This seemingly simple image would become emblematic of their stripped-down approach to rock 'n' roll and their pioneering role in punk.

71 Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast (1982)

The cover art, featuring the band's zombie-like mascot Eddie controlling a devil puppet, is as powerful and chilling as the album's heavy metal music.

72 The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead (1986)

The cover, featuring French actor Alain Delon, mirrors Morrissey's fascination with pop culture and the album's introspective jangle-pop.

73 Madonna - Like a Virgin (1984)

The cover shot of Madonna in a wedding dress, with a lion at her side, symbolizes her provocative blend of sexuality and pop music.

74 The Beatles - The White Album (1968)

The stark, all-white cover, featuring the band's name embossed and a serial number stamped, is as legendary as the eclectic music contained within the album.

75 The War on Drugs - Lost in the Dream (2014)

The cover, showcasing a grainy, out-of-focus image of band frontman Adam Granduciel against a backdrop of greenery, echoes the introspective and hazily beautiful sonic landscapes within the album. The dreamlike aura of the cover image perfectly complements the band's blend of heartland rock and neo-psychedelia, marking it as a memorable piece in their discography.

76 Childish Gambino - "Awaken, My Love!" (2016)

The cover, featuring a striking image of a woman wearing a tribal-like headpiece, is both captivating and slightly unsettling. The surreal and futuristic visuals serve as a fitting representation of the album's departure from Gambino's previous hip-hop sound towards more funk-infused, psychedelic sonics. The cover's unique and intriguing aesthetics, paired with the daringly experimental music within, has made it an iconic album cover in recent years.

77 Pink Floyd - Animals (1977)

The cover, featuring a giant inflatable pig floating between the smokestacks of the Battersea Power Station, reflects the album's dystopian themes inspired by George Orwell's "Animal Farm". The industrial backdrop combined with the absurdity of the floating pig is a poignant representation of the band's critique on societal stratification and political corruption.

78 Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill (1986)

The cover, featuring a tail of a plane that looks like a joint or a pencil, captures the band's playful and innovative blend of hip-hop and rock.

79 The Cure - Disintegration (1989)

The abstract, smeared cover art echoes the album's lush soundscapes and the band's pioneering role in the gothic rock genre.

80 Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley (1956)

The cover, featuring a photograph of Elvis in full, kinetic performance, is as iconic as the King of Rock 'n' Roll himself.

81 AC/DC - Back in Black (1980)

The black cover, a tribute to the band's late singer Bon Scott, is as iconic as the hard-hitting rock anthems contained within the album.

82 Kraftwerk - The Man-Machine (1978)

The stark, red cover art, depicting the band members as robots, perfectly symbolizes the album's exploration of the fusion between humans and technology.

83 Amy Winehouse - Back to Black (2006)

The cover shot of Winehouse, with her trademark beehive and tattoos, captures her retro-inspired music and her raw, emotional talent.

84 Jay-Z - The Blueprint (2001)

The cover art, showcasing Jay-Z with a cigar in a contemplative pose, underscores his confident lyrical prowess and the game-changing hip-hop within this record.

85 Townes Van Zandt - Townes Van Zandt (1969)

The cover, featuring a close-up black and white portrait of Van Zandt, encapsulates the raw and deeply personal nature of his songwriting. The honesty in his eyes matches the stark vulnerability within the album, marking it as a classic image in folk and country music.

86 Massive Attack - Mezzanine (1998)

The cover, featuring a close-up of a beetle, is as dark and enigmatic as the band's trip-hop soundscapes.

87 Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde (1966)

The cover, showcasing Dylan in a playful and enigmatic pose, matches the sprawling and poetic folk rock compositions on the album.

88 The Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream (1993)

The cover, featuring two little girls, one of whom is staring directly at the camera, mirrors the album's themes of youth and nostalgia.

89 The Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed (1969)

The cover art, featuring a vinyl record cake decorated with surrealistic elements, perfectly represents the album's blend of rock, blues, and dark themes.

90 Yes - Fragile (1971)

The intricate and surreal cover art by Roger Dean, featuring a fragile planet, perfectly mirrors the band's complex and epic progressive rock compositions.

As we near the end of our visual journey, it's worth reflecting on the incredible variety and creativity we've encountered so far. Each album cover, in its own unique way, captures the spirit of the music it encapsulates and provides insight into the era it was created. It's a testament to the inseparable bond between visual art and music, both of which continue to evolve, influence, and inspire. Let's delve into the final ten.

91 Arctic Monkeys - AM (2013)

The cover, with a stark white waveform image superimposed over a black background, creates an instantly recognizable and symbolic visual for the album. The simple yet distinctive design mirrors the band's evolution into a more sleek, mature sound on this album, with its heavier emphasis on hip-hop inspired beats and Alex Turner's seductive lyricism. The cover's minimalist aesthetics and the groundbreaking music it encases makes it a contemporary icon in the rock genre.

92 Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (1998)

The cover, featuring a vintage sepia-toned image of what appears to be a bathing beauty, her head replaced with a drum, is as enigmatic and surreal as the album's lyricism and sound. This intriguing image evokes a dream-like state that parallels the album's themes of love, loss, and memory intertwined with fantastical elements. The unique cover, combined with the album's cult status in the realm of indie rock, has made it a distinctive and enduring symbol in the music world.

93 Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation (1988)

The cover, showcasing a candle set against a background of silver foil, embodies the band's noise-rock aesthetic and their evocative lyrics.

94 Daft Punk - Random Access Memories (2013)

The helmet-clad duo's portrait on the cover serves as a reflection of their exploration of the intersection between man and machine in this album.

95 Metallica - Master of Puppets (1986)

The cover, showing a graveyard of white crosses manipulated by strings, mirrors the album's exploration of control and manipulation, making it an iconic image in the heavy metal genre.

96 The Weeknd - Beauty Behind the Madness (2015)

The cover, featuring a black and white close-up of The Weeknd's face wreathed in smoke, presents a haunting and introspective image. This visual reflects the darker, complex themes explored within the album, including fame, love, and excess. The eerily beautiful image, combined with the album's groundbreaking blend of R&B and pop, has solidified its place as an iconic cover in modern music.

97 OutKast - Stankonia (2000)

This psychedelic cover, featuring Big Boi and André 3000 against an American flag backdrop, captures the duo's eccentric style and the genre-bending music contained within.

98 Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967)

The cover photograph, featuring a close-up of Franklin, speaks to the soulful and emotionally charged performances that made this album a landmark in soul music.

99 Bob Marley & The Wailers - Legend (1984)

The cover, featuring a close-up, black and white shot of Marley in a contemplative pose, captures the singer's introspective nature and spiritual aura. This striking image embodies the timeless and influential status of Marley, as well as the uplifting and revolutionary spirit of his music. The album's title, "Legend", aptly describes both the music within and the enduring legacy of Marley himself.

100 Dr. Dre - The Chronic (1992)

The cover, stylized like a Zig-Zag rolling paper's package, showcases Dre's laid-back style while subtly hinting at the album's title. It's a staple in the G-funk and West Coast hip-hop scene.

That brings us to the end of our journey through the 100 greatest vinyl album covers of all time. Of course, art is subjective, and we understand that there might be some personal favorites we missed out on. Therefore, we encourage our readers to participate in this celebration of music and art.

In the comments below, please share your favorite vinyl album covers that didn't make the list. Which ones have resonated with you the most? Which ones do you believe deserve more recognition? Please share and engage.