Over the years there have been some pretty odd record covers. And as times and trends have changed, these covers now seem even more peculiar. Here are our list of the 10 worst record covers of all time:
10. Millie Jackson – Back to the shit
The controversial R&B artist Millie Jackson released the record Back to the Shit in 1989. She is known for explicit lyrics in her music, and her terrible album covers. Consequently she never got the mainstream acceptance she could have attained , judging by her music skills alone.
So, what is there to say about the style of this cover? The bathroom looks okay. The interior design may be a little too chess inspired for my taste, but it’s probably the best thing about this cover anyway. What’s up with taking a crap while appearing on a record cover? This should be a felony. And why is she holding up her shoe? I sure don’t wanna know.
9. Breakwater - Splashdown
If there’s one thing in the world I hate more than anything else, it’s bad footwear. Crocs, Snowjoggers and that kind of stuff are not supposed to be worn in public. Ever.
So, when Breakwater released this CD in the late 70s, it was not their idea. It was actually SC Johnson Wax Inc. who created a imaginary team of hard-scrubbing superjanitors to promote their products: industrial strength urinal cleaners. Smart, huh?
Well, the marketing campaign worked. But the CD flopped (I could have told you, SC Johnson), and Breakwater was soon replaced with the Scrubbling Bubbles. Lucky you.
8. Jim Post – I love my life
Forget Morrissey. Forget Joy Division. Forget My Chemical Romance. And forget Bright Eyes.
No matter how hard the aforementioned bands try, they’ll never look as emo as Jim Post does in this picture. The album title makes the whole thing perfect.
I have to confess I haven’t heard a single song from this album, but it doesn’t matter. The cover truly holds its own anyway. Released in 1978, it is one of many records released by this man whose biggest hit was ”Reach out of the darkness” with the band Friend and Lover.
Wanna hear how it sounds? Order it at jimpost.com. Or just enjoy the picture here.
7. Abba – Gracias Por La Musica
Sweden gave us Volvo, Saab, Ikea, H&M and Ericsson. Thank you.
But they also gave us Abba. Which was nice in the 70s and 80s. But now they’re just another reason to put on a musical in London’s West End, and certainly no reason to love music. And no reason to love fashion either.
When were neon blue dresses for men ever cool? And purple ones? I could forgive them the excessive amount of chest hair, but it is not nearly good enough when the ladies wear the same uniforms as the men.
The title of this 1980 release is the Spanish translation for Abba’s hit ”Thank you for the music”. Not thank you for the fashion advice.
6. Herbie Mann – Push Push
A jazz-flutist who names his album Push Push? If we had not known about Herbie Mann, we probably wouldn’t believe it. Mister Mann is not your average flutist, neither in style nor in tunes. He came in for a lot of flak because of this record, mostly because his music was too disco-inspired.
He is also one of the most productiv musicians of the last few decades, with over 100 albums to his name. Many of these were released on Kokopelli Records, his own label.
Mann died in 2003, 73 years old. But the Push Push cover remains. Thank God for that.
Compared to him, every hairychested middle-aged man looks pretty good. There’s hope for everyone.
5. Knorkator - Hasenchartbreaker (1999)
Its only seven years since this parodic record was released onto an unexpecting public. Knorkator are, as you might have guessed, from Germany, and belongto the more eccentric part of the rock genre.
The band is known for its unique lyrics and outrageous stage shows. The vocalist has half his body covered in tattoos. Their biggest fans claim that this disguises the band’s brilliance. Well,at least the band agrees: Knork means great.
4. The Beatles – Yesterday and today
It’s hard to believe that The Beatles were behind one of the worst record covers of all time. But, as you can see, they were. Yesterday and today was released in 1966, right after John Lennon spoke out about the Beatles being bigger than Jesus, a statement that caused quite a stir. This record cover caused only slightly less controversy.
The fab four sitting on a bench in white coats with broken baby dolls and fresh meat is quite a view. No wonder they had to withdraw the record only days after its release. Who needs Pete Doherty to put Babies in the Shambles, when The Beatles can kill the babydolls for you?
3. The Rolling Stones – Dirty Work
To all you Stones-fans out there: I am sorry. But I just couldn’t exclude this album cover from the list. While they may still be living legends, it is very wrong to say that they are fashion icons. Period. Maybe they were in the early days of the band, but since Mick Jagger took to jogging around in supertight silver jeans and a pink shirt, they’venot been remotely close to fashion icons. Not to mention that Mick is still doing this at the age of 60-something.
I just had to get that off my chest.
The Dirty Work album was supposed to be The Stones’ return to hard rock after weak albums like Undercover and Emotional Rescue. Well, the cover does not exactly agree. Charlie Watts is hiding in a camouflage blouse, while everything else is just a collision of garish pink and mint green. Rock ‘n’ Roll.
There is no-drugs campaign lying around than this record cover. < forsto ikke denne?
2. Raffi – Bananaphone
Not since the human race evolved from the apes have the banana been cool. It might be tasty. It might be healty. And it might resemble something that at least half the population appreciates.
But none of the points above are ever reasons to use the banana on a record cover in the way that Raffi has done here. Even though the guy was a popular kids entertainer in the US and Canada.
We don’t care that Raffi received both the “Member of the Order” award in Canada and the “Order of British Columbia” for his work with children. This is just plain unforgivable.
1. Vanilla Ice – Cool as Ice
Vanilla Ice must be the ultimate champion of bad taste, which of course is duly reflected in all his record covers. Let’s start with the basics on this one:
First, you don’t mix purple and yellow. You just don’t. Unless you’re David Beckham or Madonna, there’s no way you’re gonna get away with it. It looks awful. Plain awful.
Now onto the baggy leather jacket with letters on. A big mistake. But what really takes the grand prize in this picture are the pants on this white rapper. What in the world is wrong with you!?
When looking at this man’s style, it is almost inconceivable that he actually made some sort of impact on the music business at the end of the 80s. His major hit Cold As Ice has never gone out of fashion.
Or maybe it always was. Perhaps that’s the secret behind his success?
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