An iconic album cover can evoke intrigue while giving listeners an idea of what to expect. Some top-of-mind examples include "Led Zeppelin I" and the Hindenburg disaster, The Velvet Underground and Nico with the banana and Andy Warhol's name, and the afro baby on The Notorious B.I.G.'s debut record "Ready to Die."
On the other side of the spectrum is album art that induces head scratches and awkward laughs. It involves images and texts that make no sense, which, unfortunately, gives a shaky first impression of the record.
Describing them won't do enough justice, so go ahead and see them for yourself. You'll mostly see artwork from unknown artists, but one of these is from the world's most famous band.
These images are from the Bad Album Cover Collective Facebook page, and we've compiled some of the standouts for you.
#1 Wild Thing (1969) So Much Product In Their Hair They Couldn't Stand Closer Than 20 Feet From A Naked Flame
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#2
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#3 I Would've Gone With A Different Album Title
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
Artists express themselves through the cover art of their records and the songs they create. Parma Recordings describes this as a “symbiotic relationship” between the music and artwork.
Album art is no longer as prominent in this day and age of streaming. However, according to Parma art director Ryan Harrison, it still pays to have a cover that grabs attention.
“Having an awesome-looking cover definitely helps you stand out in a sea of tiny squares.”
#4 Um, No Thanks
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#5 Here's A Woman Who Wants To Be Split Open
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#6 Small Dolphin
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
That begs the question: “What makes an album cover bad?” British album cover connoisseur Simon Robinson has a simple criterion. As he explained in an interview with Exclaim, it’s “any cover design which sets out to achieve a particular end result — and misses.”
Robinson used Tony Orlando and Dawn’s 1973 record “Tuneweaving” as an example. The cover featured an embroidered photo of the three band members.
“Any sane record label executive (is there such a thing?) would have swapped it over for the nice photo on the back,” Robinson said of the album art.
#7 Stop Granny, I Think It's Too Late!
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#8 "Squirt Does Its Thing"
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#9 No, I Don’t Think We Will
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
Some experts believe the streaming era hurts the music industry and impacts listeners’ appreciation of album art. Syndey-based record dealer Mark Lumley said music fans “lost something” when new technology took over.
“The digital age has removed the tactile experience of looking at the cover, reading the cover notes, that type of thing,” Lumley told ABC Australia.
#10 Just A Reminder That Someone, Somewhere, At Sometime Thought This Was A Good Idea
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#11 No, Staying Away From You
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#12 I'm Glad We're Not Friends
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
However, current-day artists see it differently, especially since vinyl records have returned over the past few years. For award-winning songwriter Kate Lucas (a.k.a. Coda Chroma), creating album art is part of the creative process.
“You want to have a visual component of that. It is a complete body of work,” Lucas said to ABC Australia, adding that she earns more by selling physical copies of her music.
#13 I’m Gonna Bet The Answer Is No
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#14 Hmm John.. Not Sure If That’s Legal In Most States?
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#15 Bad Album Cover! "Stoop Down Baby ... Let Your Daddy See"
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
So, what makes a good album cover? Sometimes, it’s the simplicity of the artwork that may literally encapsulate the music’s spirit. For this, Lumley used AC/DC’s 1975 record “TNT” as an example.
“It’s an explosive album, and it’s an explosive cover. Perfect,” he said.
#16 When Nobody Else Is Competing?
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#17 I Should Hope Not
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#18 All Together Now! ''yes I Found Jesus At A Walmart While Pushing On A Shopping Cart By The Fruit Loops And The Sweet-Tarts I Found Forgiveness And A Brand New Start About The Cheetos And The Mountain Dew That's Where I Break Through I Got Low Prices And A Brand New Heart And Now I've Found Jesus At A Walmart''
''Yes I found Jesus at a Walmart while pushing on a shopping cart by the fruit loops and the sweet-tarts I found forgiveness and a brand new start about the cheetos and the mountain dew that's where I break through I got low prices and a brand new heart and now I've found Jesus at a Walmart''
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
Let’s hear from you, readers. Which of these album covers ranks the worst for you? Are there any honorable mentions that should be on this list? Share your thoughts in the comments!
#19 Nice Haircut Style
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#20 I Have Questions
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#21 I’d Be Careful To Shake His Hand…
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#22 Something Tells Me Payback Is Coming
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#23 Found In Narva
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#24 From My Home Country Italy, I Now Present Cicciolina. Being Bored With Releasing Albums, She Later Became An Italian Politician. Released In Italy - 1981
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#25 Badiscs! "Smack My Crack"
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#26 Um, No Thanks
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#27 No..........just No
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#28 Turns Out They Do Make Size Massive Diapers
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#29 Cerrone 3...as The Singer Descended Into Madness, He Hired An All Swine Backup Band. The Tour Was A Mess
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#30 The Eggs-Traordinary Edith Massey
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#31 Someone Doesn't Count
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#32
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#33 What We Have Here Are Costume Experts. Released In Sweden - 1975
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#34
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#35 Hypnotized By Corndog
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#36 Ummm
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#37 Woman Needs Her Beef
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#38 If These Two Are Husband & Wife I Feel Sorry For Both Of Them......and Their Children
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#39
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#40 No, You Dont
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#41 Mrs. Mills!
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#42 I Never Heard This Guy Music And Judging By This Cover I Never Will Do
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#43 Here's A Trio That Were Into Bondage. Released In America - 1967
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#44 This Is A Portuguese Misprint, It Meant To Say English Boys, Not Bogs
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#45 A Giant Baguette Wearing A Beret And Smoking A Cigarette?
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#46 Karate Guy Snuck Into The Photo? Hammer Guy Is About To Take Him Out!
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#47 No, That's Actually All Wrong
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#48 Check Out This Bad Boy! "Plays For Youth"
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#49 Found In Narva, Estonia
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
#50 I Am Pretty Damn Sure There Was A Third Brother
Image credits: Bad Album Cover Collective
