Are you a music lover?
Not all of us have the talent to become musicians and make our own music, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy the music that others have made. Music affects every one of us in a different way, helping to keep us calm or make us have a fun party.
If you love music, you’ll love this list of 60 covers that make up the iconic album cover art of all time.
Read on for a massive groovy guide that’ll make you want to listen to these albums right away.
1. A Look Back on the Abbey Road Cover Art of The Beatles
The album cover design created by photographer, Iain Macmillan, captured the iconic shot in 10 minutes with 4 of the Beatles walking 33 strides across the zebra crossing.
From sneakers to tattoos, the album art gained monumental recognition as a symbol of immense creativity. The cultural and historical relevance of such cover art is significant, making it “iconic” in a sense that still resonates today.
2. Decoding the Symbolism Behind Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon
The iconic prism that lights up in a rainbow of colors symbolizes the spectrum of emotion, alternating between light and dark.
The light, barred in blues, greens, reds, and yellow further implies the idea of multiple ways of seeing a single idea.
The solitary, black triangle signifies the magnitude of the theme of the album, which is the universal struggle between light and dark.
3. David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust Era Presented on Aladdin Sane
The cover art has become a symbol of the glam rock era with Ziggy Stardust’s lightning bolt and mullet hairstyle. The album was released in 1973 and was considered by many to be Bowie’s most ambitious concept album.
A mix of glam rock and pop rock, the album was too derivative and complex for radio play, but it eventually became one of Bowie’s best-selling albums.
4. Nirvana’s Unforgettable Nevermind Album Cover Art
It has become a recognizable symbol for the grunge music movement, and the antithesis of popular culture of the time – it’s a visual representation of wanting more out of our society and rejecting the ‘normal’ mainstream.
The photo taken by Kirk Weddle, and its genius “subversion of innocence” perfectly embodies Nirvana’s raw, revolutionary sound. The album cover continues to inspire today and stands out as an iconic representation of a revolutionary era in popular music.
5. Led Zeppelin’s Legendary Self-Titled Album Cover Art
The image on the cover shows a four-man band bracing against a Viking ship on a waterway in their somber painting. The cover was inspired by the group’s interest in Norse mythology and history and was designed by George Hardie.
The then-controversial artwork helped to solidify the band’s reputation as a renegade and rebellious force to be reckoned with. Despite its age, the art on the cover of Led Zeppelin’s self-titled album cover art has not aged a bit and still looks as vivid and striking today as it did in 1969.
Read More About Album Cover Art
Overall, album cover art is a great way to express the artist’s message, while also inspiring their fans. It’s no wonder why some of the best album covers of all time have become iconic pieces of pop culture.
If you’re looking to explore more iconic album cover art or want to learn more, head over to our website to read more about album cover art.
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