If Aliens Came to Earth and Were Looking To Get Into Popular Music, I’d Play Them These 3 Universally Beloved Albums

If aliens came to Earth and were looking to get into popular music, what easily accessible albums would you give them? Would you hit hard and fast with Trout Mask Replica right out of the gate? Or would you ease them into some low-stakes releases that everyone usually likes? Not that an impending alien visitation is upon us, but it never hurts to be prepared.

‘Thriller’ — Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson released Thriller in 1982, and it has since come to be known as one of the most popular albums in history. It’s an easily accessible album to those starting out in pop music at the same time that it’s actually really good. Remember, “accessible” doesn’t necessarily mean “bad.” Mostly just “easy to listen to.”

Thriller became Jackson’s first No. 1 album in the U.S. Since then, it remains the best-selling album of all time, having sold more than 70 million copies since its release. The album features hits like “Billie Jean,” the ever popular Halloween anthem “Thriller,” “The Girl Is Mine,” “P.Y.T.,” “Beat It,” and “Human Nature.”

‘1989’ — Taylor Swift

1989 is one of Taylor Swift’s most popular albums out of her already wildly popular discography. No accessible album list would be complete without an entry for the biggest pop star in the world. Swift’s brand of pop is easily consumable, low stakes, and doesn’t take much thought beyond surface level human experiences.

Released in 2014, the album was billed as a creative rebirth for Swift. Before that, she’d been labeled as a country artist. It featured songs like “Shake It Off,” “Bad Blood,” “Blank Space,” and “Style.” At the time, Swift had the highest-grossing tour when she embarked on the 1989 World Tour in 2015. Since then, she’s most likely surpassed herself with The Eras Tour.

Now the conundrum remains: do we start out with the original version of 1989, or skip straight to Taylor’s Version? Essentially, they’re the exact same album and still as accessible as ever.

‘Rumours’ — Fleetwood Mac

Rumours was released in 1977 and has gone on to be the album most associated with Fleetwood Mac. It’s an accessible album content-wise, skillfully executed and well produced. Essentially, Fleetwood Mac was looking to make a pop album in order to sustain the success of their 1975 self-titled album. Rumours is easily listenable and generally wide-spread.

This album became the band’s first No. 1 in the U.K. and topped the Billboard 200 in the U.S. It won Album of the Year at the 1978 Grammys, and was praised for its vocal harmonies and composition. Musically, it’s accessible. But when you dig in to the actual making of the album, it’s anything but.

Still, Rumours remains a highly popular album. It catapulted the band to further stardom and granted them success that they have not quite managed to replicate. However, Fleetwood Mac did cement themselves in the hearts of classic rock fans everywhere with this one.

Photo by Richard Creamer/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images