This album cover is being hailed as the most iconic of all time. Do you agree?
- Replies 9
Many of us have fond memories of our youth, enjoying the music produced by some of the most influential artists of our era. These artists probably played a role in inspiring today's popular chart-topping musicians.
But although we may be familiar with all the iconic hits, have you ever given much thought to the album covers that contain them?
It takes much more effort to create a visual representation of music, and many times, the artwork chosen to accompany an album can be just as iconic as the music within it.
So, which album cover do you believe is the most iconic of all time? A recent survey posed that exact question, and the results are as follows. Let's delve in!
According to a recent survey of 2,000 people, Nirvana’s album Nevermind takes the cake, with 44 per cent of the votes. If you’re familiar with the album, you’d know that the 1991 release featured the unforgettable image of a naked baby boy swimming underwater with a US dollar bill on a fish hook.
The idea for the image was said to have been conceived by Nirvana's frontman Kurt Cobain while watching a television show about water births. While this image has proven iconic from both cultural and visual perspectives, it has also been the source of some controversy.
In 2021, the baby in the photo, now 32-year-old Spencer Elden, sued the band, alleging the photograph was sexual exploitation and caused him ‘extreme and permanent emotional distress’. However, a judge in the California court later dismissed the case.
Credit: Nirvana
Coming in second place in the poll with 36 per cent of the votes is Pink Floyd's The Dark Side Of The Moon, which recently celebrated 50 years since its release.
The iconic cover, designed by the renowned design agency duo Hipgnosis, focuses on a prism refracting a beam of light amid a dark background. It has been the subject of intense debate about the conveyed message and the era it captures. Some say it represents one’s darkness, while others view it as a symbol of the diversity of thought.
When asked why they chose this particular image, Storm Thorgerson, who was part of Hipgnosis, revealed in 2013 that the inspiration came from Pink Floyd's on-stage light show.
His teammate, Aubrey Powell, also revealed that the prism appeared atop a music sheet.
David Bowie’s 1973 album, Aladdin Sane, secured third place in the poll with 34 per cent of the votes. The instantly recognisable cover image features Bowie with closed eyes, a deathly pallor, and a striking red-and-blue lightning bolt across his face.
According to reports, the photographer was given a simple brief: Bowie wanted a flash reminiscent of the ‘Taking Care of Business’ logo that Elvis adopted upon his return to performing in 1969.
The resulting image was undeniably iconic, and it is no surprise that it has adorned walls, clothing, galleries, and homeware worldwide. Many have even gone so far as to recreate the look!
Credit: David Bowie.
The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band came in fourth place (27 per cent), with the colourful 1967 album cover artfully visualising the band's chosen album identity.
Originally conceived by Paul McCartney, the stunning design was created by British pop artist Peter Blake and his then-wife Jann Haworth.
It was the most expensive album cover created at the time, costing nearly AU$98,062.96 (in today’s money), and it depicted the band in costumes as Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, with 58 influential people surrounding them.
Completing the lineup of the top five most iconic album covers of all time is Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, which garnered 23 per cent of the votes.
Among the other noteworthy selections in the Top 30 are the Rolling Stones' Sticky Fingers (11 per cent), Led Zeppelin's Houses Of The Holy (10 per cent), and Prince's Purple Rain (14 per cent).
The survey findings also shed light on people's perspectives regarding album covers.
More than half of the respondents expressed that a captivating album cover is genuine art. In addition, 45 per cent of those surveyed agreed that an album cover holds the power to encapsulate and symbolise an entire musical era.
Harriet Scott, from the research agency Perspectus Global, which commissioned the survey, said: ‘Music is so much more than just the music.’
‘Of course, having a great sound is an essential element, but cover 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 cover art hasn't diminished.’
He went on to say: ‘In fact, it is as important as ever, drawing our attention and defining how we look at and interpret a particular album.’
Well, members, what do you think? Do you agree that Nirvana’s Nevermind is the most iconic album cover of all time, or do you think another album takes the cake? Please do share your thoughts in the comments below!
But although we may be familiar with all the iconic hits, have you ever given much thought to the album covers that contain them?
It takes much more effort to create a visual representation of music, and many times, the artwork chosen to accompany an album can be just as iconic as the music within it.
So, which album cover do you believe is the most iconic of all time? A recent survey posed that exact question, and the results are as follows. Let's delve in!
In a survey, fans vote for the most iconic album cover of all time. Credit: Unsplash.
According to a recent survey of 2,000 people, Nirvana’s album Nevermind takes the cake, with 44 per cent of the votes. If you’re familiar with the album, you’d know that the 1991 release featured the unforgettable image of a naked baby boy swimming underwater with a US dollar bill on a fish hook.
The idea for the image was said to have been conceived by Nirvana's frontman Kurt Cobain while watching a television show about water births. While this image has proven iconic from both cultural and visual perspectives, it has also been the source of some controversy.
In 2021, the baby in the photo, now 32-year-old Spencer Elden, sued the band, alleging the photograph was sexual exploitation and caused him ‘extreme and permanent emotional distress’. However, a judge in the California court later dismissed the case.
Credit: Nirvana
Coming in second place in the poll with 36 per cent of the votes is Pink Floyd's The Dark Side Of The Moon, which recently celebrated 50 years since its release.
The iconic cover, designed by the renowned design agency duo Hipgnosis, focuses on a prism refracting a beam of light amid a dark background. It has been the subject of intense debate about the conveyed message and the era it captures. Some say it represents one’s darkness, while others view it as a symbol of the diversity of thought.
When asked why they chose this particular image, Storm Thorgerson, who was part of Hipgnosis, revealed in 2013 that the inspiration came from Pink Floyd's on-stage light show.
His teammate, Aubrey Powell, also revealed that the prism appeared atop a music sheet.
David Bowie’s 1973 album, Aladdin Sane, secured third place in the poll with 34 per cent of the votes. The instantly recognisable cover image features Bowie with closed eyes, a deathly pallor, and a striking red-and-blue lightning bolt across his face.
According to reports, the photographer was given a simple brief: Bowie wanted a flash reminiscent of the ‘Taking Care of Business’ logo that Elvis adopted upon his return to performing in 1969.
The resulting image was undeniably iconic, and it is no surprise that it has adorned walls, clothing, galleries, and homeware worldwide. Many have even gone so far as to recreate the look!
Credit: David Bowie.
The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band came in fourth place (27 per cent), with the colourful 1967 album cover artfully visualising the band's chosen album identity.
Originally conceived by Paul McCartney, the stunning design was created by British pop artist Peter Blake and his then-wife Jann Haworth.
It was the most expensive album cover created at the time, costing nearly AU$98,062.96 (in today’s money), and it depicted the band in costumes as Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, with 58 influential people surrounding them.
Completing the lineup of the top five most iconic album covers of all time is Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, which garnered 23 per cent of the votes.
Among the other noteworthy selections in the Top 30 are the Rolling Stones' Sticky Fingers (11 per cent), Led Zeppelin's Houses Of The Holy (10 per cent), and Prince's Purple Rain (14 per cent).
The survey findings also shed light on people's perspectives regarding album covers.
More than half of the respondents expressed that a captivating album cover is genuine art. In addition, 45 per cent of those surveyed agreed that an album cover holds the power to encapsulate and symbolise an entire musical era.
Harriet Scott, from the research agency Perspectus Global, which commissioned the survey, said: ‘Music is so much more than just the music.’
‘Of course, having a great sound is an essential element, but cover 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 cover art hasn't diminished.’
He went on to say: ‘In fact, it is as important as ever, drawing our attention and defining how we look at and interpret a particular album.’
Well, members, what do you think? Do you agree that Nirvana’s Nevermind is the most iconic album cover of all time, or do you think another album takes the cake? Please do share your thoughts in the comments below!
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