History's Best Selling Music of 1978

Make way for the hits of 1978! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the disco & blockbuster decade and the march of first-rate music. Crowd-pleasers such as Infinity shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers Van Halen and The Kick Inside. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Journey and Eddie Van Halen, these trailblazing products defined the laid-back, radical spirit of the seventies and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. Infinity

   Released in 1978 by Journey, Columbia Records

   On January 30, 1978, the landscape of arena rock was forever altered with the release of Journey's fourth studio album, "Infinity." This date marks a pivotal moment in music history, not just for the band but for the entire genre. After three albums of progressive rock-leaning instrumentals that garnered critical respect but limited commercial success, "Infinity" introduced the world to the soaring, golden-throated tenor of new lead vocalist Steve Perry. His arrival was the catalyst that transformed Journey from a talented San Francisco instrumental outfit into one of the most successful and beloved rock bands of all time, setting a new standard for melodic hard rock that would dominate the airwaves for the next decade.

2. Van Halen

   Released in 1978 by Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony, Warner Bros. Records

   On February 10, 1978, the landscape of rock music was irrevocably altered with the release of Van Halen's self-titled debut album. Dropping like a sonic bomb into a scene dominated by disco, punk, and aging progressive rock acts, the album was a jolt of high-voltage energy. It wasn't just another hard rock record; it was a declaration of a new era. With David Lee Roth's swaggering bravado, the powerhouse rhythm section of Alex Van Halen and Michael Anthony, and, most importantly, the revolutionary guitar pyrotechnics of Eddie Van Halen, the album immediately established the band as a dominant force. This release date marks the moment the world was formally introduced to a sound that would define arena rock for the next decade and inspire countless musicians for generations to come.

3. The Kick Inside

   Released in 1978 by Kate Bush, EMI Records

   On February 17, 1978, the music world was introduced to a singular, ethereal talent with the release of Kate Bush's debut album, "The Kick Inside." Arriving at a time when punk rock's raw energy dominated the UK charts, Bush's intricate, piano-led art-pop was a startling and refreshing anomaly. The album was preceded by the single "Wuthering Heights," which had soared to number one, building immense anticipation for a full-length project. This date marks the unveiling of a truly unique artist, a 19-year-old prodigy whose literary influences, theatrical vocal delivery, and sophisticated songwriting defied easy categorization and signaled the arrival of a major, enduring force in popular music.

4. You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish

   Released in 1978 by REO Speedwagon, Epic Records

   On March 16, 1978, the landscape of American arena rock was irrevocably altered with the release of REO Speedwagon's seventh studio album, "You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish." The release marked a pivotal moment for the Illinois-based band, who had been toiling for years to break through to the mainstream. This album was the culmination of their evolving sound, perfectly blending hard rock riffs with pop-infused melodies. It arrived at a time when album-oriented rock (AOR) dominated the airwaves, and its combination of anthemic rock tracks and power ballads was precisely what audiences were craving, setting the stage for the band's ascent to superstardom.

5. The Cars

   Released in 1978 by The Cars, Elektra Records

   On June 6, 1978, the musical landscape was irrevocably altered with the release of the self-titled debut album by a Boston-based band called The Cars. Arriving at a time when punk's raw energy was colliding with polished pop sensibilities, the album served as a perfect synthesis of both worlds. It established the New Wave genre as a commercial powerhouse, blending Ric Ocasek's quirky, detached songwriting with slick, radio-friendly production by Roy Thomas Baker. The album's release on this date marked the formal introduction of a band that would define the sound of the late 70s and early 80s, offering a cool, modern alternative to both disco and classic rock.

6. Some Girls

   Released in 1978 by The Rolling Stones, Rolling Stones Records

   On June 9, 1978, The Rolling Stones unleashed "Some Girls," an album that served as a powerful rebuttal to critics who claimed the band was past its prime. Released amidst the dual ascendance of punk rock and disco, the album saw the rock legends absorb and re-interpret these contemporary sounds with their signature swagger. It was a raw, energetic, and vital statement that proved The Rolling Stones were not just a legacy act but a continuing creative force. The album's release on this date marked a pivotal moment, re-establishing their dominance on the charts and in the cultural conversation, and kicking off a new, highly successful era for the band.

7. Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!

   Released in 1978 by Devo, Warner Bros. Records

   On August 28, 1978, the world was formally introduced to the bizarre, brilliant, and deeply satirical philosophy of "de-evolution" with the release of Devo's debut album, "Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!". Arriving amidst the punk and new wave explosion, the album was a startlingly original statement from the Akron, Ohio art-rockers. It wasn't just a collection of songs but a manifesto, delivered with jerky rhythms, robotic vocals, and a healthy dose of irony. The release date marks a pivotal moment when this quirky, intellectual project, honed for years in the Midwest underground, was unleashed upon an unsuspecting mainstream, forever altering the landscape of popular music and aesthetics.

8. Parallel Lines

   Released in 1978 by Blondie, Chrysalis Records

   On September 23, 1978, the musical landscape was irrevocably altered with the release of Blondie's third studio album, "Parallel Lines." At the time, Blondie was a respected act within the New York punk and new wave scenes, but they hadn't achieved major mainstream success. This album, helmed by producer Mike Chapman, was a deliberate and masterful pivot towards commercial appeal without sacrificing their artistic edge. The release date marks the moment a cult band from CBGB exploded into a global pop phenomenon, perfectly capturing the zeitgeist of the late 1970s and proving that punk energy could coexist with disco polish and pop sensibilities.

9. 52nd Street

   Released in 1978 by Billy Joel, Columbia Records

   On October 11, 1978, Billy Joel released "52nd Street," an album that would not only solidify his status as a global superstar but also make history in the world of audio technology. Coming off the massive success of "The Stranger," Joel was under immense pressure to deliver a follow-up. He responded with a sophisticated, jazz-infused collection of songs that captured the vibe of late-70s New York City. The album's release date marks a pivotal moment, cementing the "Piano Man" as a versatile and commercially dominant force in popular music and setting the stage for it to win the coveted Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

10. Jazz

    Released in 1978 by Queen, EMI, Elektra Records

    On November 10, 1978, the iconic rock band Queen unleashed their seventh studio album, "Jazz," upon the world. Released during a period of musical transition, with punk and disco challenging the dominance of stadium rock, the album was a characteristically bold and eclectic statement from a band that refused to be categorized. Preceded by the controversial double A-side single "Bicycle Race" / "Fat Bottomed Girls," whose promotional materials caused a stir, "Jazz" arrived with a wave of publicity. It was a defiant celebration of musical diversity and rock and roll showmanship, demonstrating Queen's unique ability to blend genres with theatrical flair and confidence, solidifying their status as global music superstars.

11. Blondes Have More Fun

    Released in 1978 by Rod Stewart, Warner Bros. Records

    On November 24, 1978, Rod Stewart, already a global rock superstar, released his ninth solo album, "Blondes Have More Fun." The date marked a pivotal moment in his career, as the album saw him fully embrace the sounds of disco and new wave, which were dominating the airwaves. This stylistic shift, particularly embodied by its lead single "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?", was a commercial masterstroke. Released into a music landscape captivated by dance floors and synthesizers, the album's debut was perfectly timed to capitalize on the disco craze, propelling Stewart to new heights of international fame while simultaneously drawing criticism from rock purists who felt he had abandoned his roots.