# The best Prince albums

Prince's studio albums ranked by the consensus of critics and fans: the 80s masterpieces first, the experiments and minor records further down.

- 203 votes · 19 items
- May 2, 2021 · encore_salty
- https://even.best/en/l/2588/the-best-prince-albums

## Top 19

1. **Sign o' the Times** (15 · ▲16 ▼1) — 1987. A double album covering every style he mastered.
2. **Purple Rain** (15 · ▲16 ▼1) — 1984. The film soundtrack that made him a superstar.
3. **Dirty Mind** (12 · ▲13 ▼1) — 1980. Raw, minimal new-wave funk.
4. **Parade** (12 · ▲12 ▼0) — 1986. With "Kiss", the soundtrack of Under the Cherry Moon.
5. **1999** (11 · ▲13 ▼2) — 1982. Synth funk for the end of the world.
6. **The Gold Experience** (10 · ▲11 ▼1) — 1995. The best of his "Symbol" years.
7. **Lovesexy** (10 · ▲10 ▼0) — 1988. A spiritual, non-stop party.
8. **Around the World in a Day** (8 · ▲11 ▼3) — 1985. His psychedelic turn.
9. **Controversy** (7 · ▲9 ▼2) — 1981. Funk, politics and provocation.
10. **Emancipation** (7 · ▲9 ▼2) — 1996. Three CDs after leaving Warner.
11. **Diamonds and Pearls** (7 · ▲8 ▼1) — 1991. Big hits with the New Power Generation.
12. **Come** (6 · ▲7 ▼1) — 1994. One of his weakest in many rankings.
13. **Love Symbol** (4 · ▲7 ▼3) — 1992. The album with an unpronounceable title.
14. **Graffiti Bridge** (4 · ▲5 ▼1) — 1990. Often called his first disappointing album.
15. **Prince** (3 · ▲7 ▼4) — 1979. "I Wanna Be Your Lover" and an early peak.
16. **For You** (3 · ▲6 ▼3) — 1978. His debut, playing almost every instrument.
17. **3121** (3 · ▲5 ▼2) — 2006. His last US number-one album in his lifetime.
18. **Musicology** (2 · ▲5 ▼3) — 2004. A return to classic funk and soul.
19. **Batman** (0 · ▲1 ▼1) — 1989. Songs for Tim Burton's film.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.