Top 100 Albums to Own on Vinyl

Welcome to the Ultimate Vinyl Collection Guide

Building a vinyl collection is more than just accumulating records – it's about curating a personal museum of musical history that you can touch, see, and most importantly, hear in all its analog glory. Whether you're just dropping the needle for the first time or you're a seasoned collector looking to fill gaps in your shelves, this list of 100 essential albums will guide you toward the records that truly matter.

Why These 100 Albums?

Every album on this list earned its place for multiple reasons. First, these are records that shine on vinyl – albums recorded and mastered during the analog era or with techniques that particularly benefit from the warmth and dynamics of vinyl playback. You'll hear details, depth, and dimension that digital formats often miss.

Each selection also represents a pivotal moment in music history. These aren't just great albums; they're the records that changed everything – the ones that launched movements, defined genres, and influenced generations of musicians. From Robert Johnson's foundational blues to Kendrick Lamar's modern hip-hop mastery, these albums tell the story of popular music.

Practically speaking, we've focused on albums you can actually find. While some rare pressings fetch astronomical prices, most of these titles have quality reissues available at reasonable prices. Remember: original pressings aren't always superior – many modern reissues use better source materials and superior pressing techniques than their vintage counterparts. See our blog post 100 Audiophile Vinyl Pressings...

Most importantly, these are albums with serious replay value. The true test of any record is whether you'll want to spin it again and again. Every album here rewards repeated listening, revealing new layers and nuances each time the needle drops.

Tips To Help Build Your Collection

Start with 5-10 albums from the genres that speak to you most. There's no "wrong" way to build a collection – follow your passion and interests. Once you get started, don't forget to invest in proper vinyl record covers, vinyl record sleeves, a storage bin for the collection, and cleaning supplies to protect your investment.

Remember, part of vinyl's enduring appeal is the full-size artwork and liner notes – you're not just buying music, you're acquiring pieces of art history. Take time to appreciate the covers, read the credits, and immerse yourself in the complete album experience that artists intended.

Let's dive into the 100 albums that belong in every serious vinyl collection...

Rock (25)

1. The Beatles - Abbey Road

2. Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon

3. Led Zeppelin - IV

4. The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street

5. Nirvana - Nevermind

6. David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

7. The Velvet Underground & Nico - The Velvet Underground & Nico

8. Radiohead - OK Computer

9. Fleetwood Mac - Rumours

10. The Who - Who's Next

11. Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run

12. The Clash - London Calling

13. Television - Marquee Moon

14. Talking Heads - Remain in Light

15. Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation

16. The Strokes - Is This It

17. Arcade Fire - Funeral

18. Pearl Jam - Ten

19. Guns N' Roses - Appetite for Destruction

20. Queen - A Night at the Opera

21. AC/DC - Back in Black

22. Black Sabbath - Paranoid

23. Metallica - Master of Puppets

24. Van Halen - Van Halen

25. Neil Young - After the Gold Rush

Blues & Blues-Rock (15)

26. Robert Johnson - King of the Delta Blues Singers

27. Muddy Waters - The Best of Muddy Waters

28. B.B. King - Live at the Regal

29. The Allman Brothers Band - At Fillmore East

30. Derek and the Dominos - Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs

31. Stevie Ray Vaughan - Texas Flood

32. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced

33. Cream - Disraeli Gears

34. John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers - Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton

35. Albert King - Born Under a Bad Sign

36. Howlin' Wolf - Moanin' in the Moonlight

37. Bessie Smith - The Essential Bessie Smith

38. Big Brother & The Holding Company - Cheap Thrills

39. T-Bone Walker - T-Bone Blues

40. Etta James - At Last!

Jazz (15)

41. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue

42. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme

43. Dave Brubeck - Time Out

44. Bill Evans - Sunday at the Village Vanguard

45. Thelonious Monk - Monk's Dream

46. Charles Mingus - The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady

47. Cannonball Adderley - Somethin' Else

48. Art Blakey - Moanin'

49. Duke Ellington - Ellington at Newport

50. Count Basie - The Atomic Mr. Basie

51. Billie Holiday - Lady in Satin

52. Charlie Parker - Bird and Diz

53. Stan Getz & João Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto

54. Herbie Hancock - Head Hunters

55. Weather Report - Heavy Weather

Standards & Vocal Jazz (10)

56. Frank Sinatra - In the Wee Small Hours

57. Ella Fitzgerald - Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book

58. Tony Bennett - I Left My Heart in San Francisco

59. Sarah Vaughan - Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown

60. Nat King Cole - After Midnight

61. Dean Martin - Dream with Dean

62. Nina Simone - Pastel Blues

63. Peggy Lee - Black Coffee

64. Louis Armstrong - Ella and Louis

65. Art Tatum - The Complete Capitol Recordings

R&B/Soul (15)

66. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

67. Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

68. James Brown - Live at the Apollo

69. Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life

70. Prince - Purple Rain

71. Al Green - Let's Stay Together

72. Curtis Mayfield - Super Fly

73. Otis Redding - Otis Blue

74. Sam Cooke - Live at the Harlem Square Club

75. Isaac Hayes - Hot Buttered Soul

76. Michael Jackson - Thriller

77. D'Angelo - Voodoo

78. Erykah Badu - Baduizm

79. Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

80. Sly & The Family Stone - Stand!

Hip Hop (10)

81. Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

82. N.W.A - Straight Outta Compton

83. Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

84. Nas - Illmatic

85. The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die

86. Dr. Dre - The Chronic

87. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly

88. A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory

89. OutKast - Aquemini

90. De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising

Country & Americana (10)

91. Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison

92. Willie Nelson - Red Headed Stranger

93. Patsy Cline - Showcase

94. Hank Williams - 40 Greatest Hits

95. Dolly Parton - Coat of Many Colors

96. Emmylou Harris - Wrecking Ball

97. Gram Parsons - Grievous Angel

98. Waylon Jennings - Honky Tonk Heroes

99. George Jones - The Grand Tour

100. The Band - Music from Big Pink

Honorable Mention

These 10 albums nearly made the top 100 and are essential additions for any serious collector:

101. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

102. Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks

103. The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

104. Patti Smith - Horses

105. Ramones - Ramones

106. Joy Division - Closer

107. Funkadelic - Maggot Brain

108. Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique

109. The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead

110. Loretta Lynn - Coal Miner's Daughter

25 Essential First Purchases:

If you're just starting your vinyl collection, these albums offer the perfect foundation:

Rock Essentials:

1. The Beatles - Abbey Road

2. Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon

3. Led Zeppelin - IV

4. Fleetwood Mac - Rumours

5. The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street

6. David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

7. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

Soul/R&B:

8. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

9. Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life

10. Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved a Man

11. Prince - Purple Rain

12. Al Green - Let's Stay Together

Jazz:

13. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue

14. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme

15. Bill Evans - Sunday at the Village Vanguard

Blues/Blues-Rock:

16. B.B. King - Live at the Regal

17. The Allman Brothers Band - At Fillmore East

Country:

18. Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison

19. Willie Nelson - Red Headed Stranger

Alternative/Indie:

20. Nirvana - Nevermind

21. Radiohead - OK Computer

22. The Velvet Underground & Nico - The Velvet Underground & Nico

Standards:

23. Frank Sinatra - In the Wee Small Hours

Hip Hop:

24. Nas - Illmatic

25. A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory