The Good, The Bad, And The Hilarious: Unveiling The Worst LP Covers In Music History

Music history is filled with iconic and influential albums that have shaped the industry into what it is today. However, not all albums are created equal, and some have managed to become infamous due to their questionable artwork. From bizarre to cringe-worthy, these album covers are a testament to the creative – and sometimes misguided – decisions made by artists, designers, and labels.

In the world of music, an album's cover art can be just as memorable as the music itself. It can capture the essence of the artist's vision, convey the tone of the album, and even influence how the music is perceived by fans and critics alike. However, some album covers have been so misinterpreted, misunderstood, or just plain weird that they have become legendary in their own right.

In this article, we'll delve into some of the most infamous and hilarious LP covers in music history, exploring what went wrong and why these covers remain etched in our collective memory.

The Weird and the Wonderful

Music has always been a reflection of its time, and some album covers from the past may seem more strange than we're comfortable with today. The 1970s and 1980s, in particular, were a time of great experimentation in music and art. Here are a few examples of album covers that pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable:

The Sex Pistols' "God Save the Queen" (1977)

The Sex Pistols' anti-monarchy single and its accompanying album cover caused quite a stir in the UK. The cover featured a provocative, feces-covered image of Queen Elizabeth II, which sparked widespread outrage and protests. This album cover's infamous status has been cemented in music history, making it a prime example of how a cover can be both shocking and memorable.

Pink Floyd's "The Final Cut" (1983)

Pink Floyd's album "The Final Cut" was released during a tumultuous time in music history, with the Cold War and the Falklands War dominating headlines. The album's cover featured a sprawling, graphic representation of the conflict, complete with flying planes, tanks, and even a Japanese bombing run. The cover's bold imagery was meant to convey the album's themes of war and its impact on society.

Some Other Notable Mentions

• The Ramones' self-titled debut album cover features a poorly lit and awkward photo of the band, which has become a staple of the punk rock aesthetic.
• Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" (1977) features a series of cryptic, surreal images that seem to reflect the band members' tumultuous relationships.
• The Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" (1969) features a vibrant, pop-art-inspired cover that has become one of the most iconic images in music history.

The Bad and the Ugly

Not all album covers are created equal, and some have been so misguided that they have become notorious. Here are a few examples of album covers that are more cringe-worthy than they are collectible:

Milli Vanilli's "Girl You Know It's True" (1989)

Milli Vanilli's infamous album cover features a poorly Photoshopped image of the duo, which has become a symbol of the duo's lip-syncing scandal. The album itself was also plagued by controversy, with the duo's names being removed from the credits after it was discovered that they didn't actually sing on the tracks.

Shocking Blue's "Rhythm of the Night" (1974)

Shocking Blue's album cover features a risqué, barely-there photo of the band's lead singer, which has become a symbol of the band's trashy, 1970s excess.

Other Notable Disasters

• AC/DC's "T.N.T." (1975) features a skull-and-crossbones image that seems to have been ripped straight from a lawless comic book.
• MC Hammer's "Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em" (1990) features a cartoonish, Hammer-esque image that has become a relic of the 1990s excess.

The Hilarious and the Campy

Not all infamous album covers are created equal, and some have become so memorable that they're actually endearing. Here are a few examples of album covers that are so bad they're good:

Herman's Hermits' "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" (1965)

Herman's Hermits' album cover features a crude, hand-drawn image of the band's lead singer, Peter Noone, holding a miniature teddy bear. This cover is a relic of the 1960s innocence and naivety that characterized so much of British Invasion music.

David Lee Roth's "Eat 'Em and Smile" (1986)

Van Halen's frontman David Lee Roth's solo album cover features a snarky, Roger-ski-esque image that showcases Roth's signature wit and irreverence.

Some Other Notable Mentions

• The Cast's "All Tomorrow's Parties" (1992) features a UK-style indie cover art with surreal images that have become a staple of Britpop.
• The Thompson Twins' "Dive" (1984) features a messy, DIY aesthetic that has become a nostalgic throwback to the 1980s indie scene.
• Jethro Tull's "A" (1977) features a grotesque, feline-inspired image that has become a relic of the band's quirky, offbeat sense of humor.

In conclusion, music history is filled with album covers that are so infamous, so bizarre, or so just plain funny that they've become legendary in their own right. Whether it's the weird and wonderful, the bad and the ugly, or the hilarious