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36 Essential Albums To Add To Your Record Collection

Do you have all of these?

Posted on July 20, 2017, 15:30 GMT

Rebecca O'Connell

BuzzFeed Staff

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We asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us their favorite records in their collections. Here are their go-to choices:

If you haven't heard some of these classic albums you can check *most* of them out by streaming them with an Amazon Music Unlimited subscription — sign up here.

1. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac

"It's a good album to jam to and there's a Fleetwood Mac song for every occasion. Got a new job? Fleetwood Mac. Just ended a relationship? Fleetwood Mac. Road trip with your friends? Fleetwood Mac." —shaynan4ef31cee7Get it on Amazon for $24.22.

2. C'est Si Bon by Louis Armstrong

"I have a Louis Armstrong album that makes me feel amazing. I actually kept the album to myself for a long time because it was so special to me. When I finally played it for someone, it was for my boyfriend. During 'La Vie en Rose' he asked me to dance for the first time (it's a rare occurrence!). When we got married two years later, we danced to the same song, recorded off of the record, pops and all. A friend got married on our 7th wedding anniversary and had the DJ play the song for us as well. That record will make me smile on the worst of days." —hintofsuspenseGet it on Discogs for $5.20+ (stream on Amazon here).

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3. Is This It by The Strokes

Submitted by joshuag44d3cd67cGet it on Amazon for $15.25.

4. Hotel California by the Eagles

"One of the only records I have where I love every single song. Such a classic album!"—allisonkatedGet it on Amazon for $23.74.

5. Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd

"I don't care if you have 500+ records, but if you don't have Dark Side of the Moon, you're not a real vinyl collector." —s4039da13fGet it on Jet for $28.45 or Barnes and Noble for $30.39 (stream on Amazon here).

6. A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi Trio

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7. Prince by Prince

"Prince's self-titled album is so perfect. Definitely a must-have." —maryc4949eb7b7Get it on Amazon for $39.23.

8. Golden Hits by the Four Seasons

"'Sherry' and 'Big Girls Don't Cry' always bring a smile to my face!" —rachelelizabethfriedlandGet it on Amazon for $4.95.

9. American Pie by Don McLean

"My favorite vinyl (and one of my all time favorite albums) is Don McLean's American Pie. We've all heard that one song of his and can agree that he's an incredible lyricist. So check out the rest of the album you won't regret it!" —kaleep43bdb1b45Get it on Amazon for $18.99.

10. Parachutes by Coldplay

"Coldplay's first full length album that came out in 2000 is my favorite album of all time. It's very chill and relaxing, and good to fall asleep to. Key tracks: 'Sparks' (my favorite song of all time), 'Spies', and 'Don't Panic.'" —kaleep43bdb1b45Get it on Amazon for $16.67.

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11. The Sound of Music Soundtrack by various artists

"It was my grandmother's favorite movie before she passed away and every year during Christmas my dad and I watch the movie together. So having the soundtrack on vinyl is a must for my collection." —thealyssaannGet it on Amazon $18.23.

12. I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning by Bright Eyes

"I'm a huge Bright Eyes fan and this is undoubtedly their best album. Conor Oberst is an incredible lyricist." —karlar49d7e4dceGet it on Amazon for $18.99.

13. Grace by Jeff Buckley

"If you want to hear one of the most hauntingly beautiful voices and music ever recorded, Jeff Buckley's Grace is for you. He died tragically young, but not before releasing this masterpiece. His rendition of 'Hallelujah' is the best you'll ever hear. 'Lover, You Should Have Come Over' will have you crying. This album is utterly magnificent." —kaleep43bdb1b45Get it on Amazon for $20.49.

14. Loaded by The Velvet Underground

"So, so good—it's definitely my top choice." —adsoliz88Get it on Amazon for $18.99.

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15. Star Wars: The Force Awakens by John Williams

16. Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

"Pretty much any Bruce Springsteen album. I love The River and Born to Run the most. My father was not such a fan—he said that 'that boy writes great songs but he cannot sing!' Dads, what do they know?" —Audrey S, FacebookGet it on Amazon for $22.96.

17. Abbey Road by The Beatles

"You need at least one Beatle record. No matter how extensive my collection gets, I always go back to the perfection that is Abbey Road." —s4da32dad6Get it on Amazon for $19.88.

18. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie

"The other day I got a limited edition 40th edition of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust on gold vinyl, and it's an immediate favorite. The key is to start collecting your favorite albums first and then venture into things you haven't heard yet." —sarahannb3Get the non-gold version on Amazon for $22.74.

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19. The Game by Queen

"I absolutely LOVE Queen and this is my first Queen vinyl record. It has some of my favorite songs like 'Save Me' and 'Another One Bites the Dust.' I think it's one of Queens best albums and among my favorite records." —blaisem3Get it on Amazon for $28.49.

20. The 50 Greatest Hits by Elvis Presley

"I have a 'Greatest Hits of Elvis Presley' album which is extra special because it's PINK and it used to belong to my mom. It has some amazing songs that you can never get bored of listening to." —danav4f41fef45Get the (sadly) non-pink version on Amazon for $31.99.

21. I Care Because You Do by Aphex Twin

"Awesome record with great tunes, especially if you like electronica. But what makes it essential is the slightly terrifying cover that is equally hilarious and practical for things like scaring your roommates at night." —acidrayneGet it on Amazon for $24.39.

22. In an Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel

"Pretty much one of the pinnacles of indie music." —thinginabookGet it on Amazon for $9.91.

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23. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Soundtrack by various artists

Submitted by comicbooksandtiarasGet it on Amazon for $24.98.

24. Thriller by Michael Jackson

Submitted by kelciew3Get it on Amazon for $14.88.

25. The Perks of Being a Wallflower Soundtrack by various artists

"There are tons of great classics with not just one artist."—mirandaj48917ea18Get it on Amazon for $18.99.

26. Dirty Dancing Soundtrack by various artists

"One of my best purchases."—seand4c7c48b7bGet it on Amazon for $18.99.

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27. Kindly Now by Keaton Henson

"A very, very underrated album. I've never had songs haunt me, like his. The lyrics are so biting and uncomfortably honest. Not a breath, word, or note wasted. One of the very few records I just sit quietly and listen to. It demands to be heard."—d4b7d1a273Get it on Barnes and Noble for $23.49 (stream on Amazon here).

28. Midnight Marauders by A Tribe Called Quest

"Revolutionary hip hop all-stars and a great starter album if you want to get into hip hop. Legendary. Great to listen to when relaxing or getting ready to party." —lindsaybbennett80Get it on Amazon for $15.50.

29. The Concert in Central Park by Simon and Garfunkel

"I wasn't born yet when the concert took place, so being able to hear one of my favorite groups as it would've sounded had I been there is amazing, especially on vinyl." —carolines4589353d1Get it on Amazon for $20.23.

30. An Awesome Wave by Alt-J

"It's the best background music, best intimate music, and a couple of the songs are so beautiful they make me cry ('Dissolve Me' is the main one) but also none of them are distinctly sad, so I don't feel like I can only listen to it when I'm in the mood to be sad." —taylorh4edf628b1Get it on Amazon for $11.98.

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31. Let it Bleed by The Rolling Stones.

Submitted by julieh4fc8eea39Get it on Amazon for $21.24.

32. Tapestry by Carole King

"A must have." —brockhdGet it on Amazon for $23.99.

33. For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver

Submitted by ssphoenix94Get it on Amazon for $19.10.

34. The American Graffiti Soundtrackby Various Artists

"It belonged to my grandparents, who gave it to me when I got my own record player. It's a quintessential collection of music from the 1950s and I listen to it all the time. It goes with any mood." —chatoyantcosmosGet it on Amazon for $34.19.

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35. Madonna by Madonna

"It's full of good bops like 'Holiday' and 'Borderline.' And the album cover is iconic." —michaela71Get it on Amazon for $20.89.

36. Deja Entendu by Brand New

"The whole album is gold. I could listen to the whole album over and over, and it still feels like the first time I heard it." —laurenwortmanGet it on Amazon for $31.88.

Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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