Fans vote for the most iconic album cover of all time! The Beatles, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac and Nirvana all make the list… but do you agree with the winner?
It was the subject of a lawsuit after the cover star said the photoshoot caused him “extreme and permanent emotional distress.”
But that doesn’t stop Nirvana’s Nevermind from being voted the most iconic album cover of all time.
The 1991 album, which featured a striking image of a naked boy swimming underwater with a US dollar bill on a fishing hook, received 44 percent of the vote in a poll.
The idea for the image is said to have been conceived by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain while watching a television show about water births.
The baby, Spencer Elden, now 32, sued the group in 2021, claiming the photo was sexual exploitation, which caused him “extreme and permanent emotional distress.” The band rejected the claims and a California judge dismissed the case.
Nirvana’s Nevermind has been named the most iconic album cover of all time. The 1991 album, which featured a striking image of a naked boy swimming underwater with a US dollar bill on a fishing hook, received 44 percent of the vote.
Dave Grohl, Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic of Nirvana. Their breakthrough album Nevermind knocked Michael Jackson’s Thriller off the top spot on the Billboard 200
Second on the list was The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd (36 percent), which came out 50 years ago this year.
The iconic cover, produced by design studio duo Hipgnosis, focuses on a prism that reflects light rays into deep space.
The meaning behind it has sparked much debate among fans, with some suggesting it is a symbol of personal and psychological darkness, while others think it represents intellectual thinking and ambition.
But Storm Thorgerson, who was part of Hipgnosis, revealed in 2013 that Pink Floyd’s stage light show was the inspiration, while co-designer Aubrey Powell claimed it was the result of a prism on top of sheet music.
David Bowie is third in the poll with his 1973 album Aladdin Sane (34 percent). On the cover, Bowie is depicted with closed eyes, made up by a deadly-looking pallor and a red-and-blue lightning bolt across his face.
The brief was simple: Bowie wanted a flash: something reminiscent of the Taking Care of Business logo Elvis had used since his return to performing in 1969. The recording, made by Brian Duffy, has become iconic in the world of music, fashion and art appear on clothes, walls, in galleries and even household items.
In fourth place is Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (27 percent), which was released in 1967.
Originally conceived by Paul McCartney, the final design was staged by British pop artist Peter Blake and his then-wife Jann Haworth and is a dazzling display of modern art that defines its era.
Second on the list was The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, released 50 years ago this year. The meaning behind the artwork has sparked much debate among fans, with some suggesting it is a symbol of personal and psychological darkness
David Bowie’s 1973 album Aladdin Sane placed third. The cover depicts Bowie with his eyes closed, made up with a deadly-looking pallor and a red-and-blue lightning bolt across his face
The Beatles’ St Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band placed fourth on the list. Staged by British pop artist Peter Blake and his then-wife Jann Haworth, the final design is a dazzling display of modern art that defines its era
Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, released in 1977, completed the top five most iconic album covers. It has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. The cover features singer Stevie Nicks holding hands with drummer Mick Fleetwood
Amy Winehouse’s 2006 release Back in Black was her second and final album. The singer-songwriter passed away in 2011. The photo was taken by Mischa Richter, who wrote an article in The protector and said, ‘I feel privileged to have done the cover art for this amazing album’
Beyonce’s I Am… Sasha Fierce also made the top 30. The album was released in 2008 and references her “Sasha Fierce” alter ego, which the former Destiny’s Child star said she “made it (because it made me a bit protects) and who I really am’
Gorillaz’s Demon Days reached number one on the UK album chart in 2005. It includes top hits ‘Feel Good Inc’, ‘Dare’ and ‘Kids With Guns’
The Rolling Stones released Sticky Fingers in 1971. It was the ninth UK album by Mick Jagger and co. Andy Warhol came up with the idea for the artwork
Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy received 10 percent of the vote. The 1973 album reached number one on the album chart
The cover of Prince’s Purple Rain album features the iconic singer-songwriter on a purple 1981 Hondamatic motorcycle
The artwork, one of the most expensive ever made at the time, cost nearly £3,000 – more than £50,000 in today’s money – and the band appears front and center in costume as Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. They are surrounded by 58 influential people.
Rounding out the top five most iconic album covers of all time is Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors (23 percent), which was released in 1977.
Other covers in the top 30 include Back to Black by Amy Winehouse (21 percent), I Am… Sasha Fierce by Beyonce (18 percent), Demon Days by Gorillaz (18 percent), Sticky Fingers by the Rolling Stones (11 percent ). percent), Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy (10 percent), and Prince’s Purple Rain (14 percent).
The survey found that more than half of those surveyed say a good album cover is art, while 45 percent agree that it can define and represent an era.
Harriet Scott of research firm Perspectus Global, which commissioned the survey of 2,000 people, said: ‘Music is so much more than just the music. Sure, great sound is an essential element, but album art is an important part of creating that buzz and excitement.
“Even though the way we listen to music has changed over the years, the impact of album art has not diminished. In fact, it’s as important as ever: it grabs our attention and determines how we look at a particular album and how we interpret it.’