Five album covers that reference other albums
From The Residents and The Beatles to The Clash and Elvis Presley, several musicians and bands throughout history have repurposed album covers for impact.
(Credits: Far Out / Album Covers)
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Wed 12 February 2025 7:00, UK
Just like eyes are windows to the soul, album covers are glimpses into a musician’s artistic expression. In some instances, cover art has become just as—if not more—iconic than the music itself, proving that the visual component has always been a significant aspect of the broader experience. Take Fleetwood Mac‘s English Rose, for example: not one of their best or most impactful albums by a long shot, but an immensely famous image nonetheless.
Still, the psychology behind such an observation is simple. Images, colours, and texts are immensely powerful signs that our minds hold onto, and when they’re associated with something as visceral and emotionally connecting as music, the association builds itself. For instance, while Low became legendary for various reasons, it also visually epitomised the grounded tonality of David Bowie’s time in Berlin, signalling a new era with bold colour contrasts that immediately drew you in.
The same goes for many sleeves—Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Velvet Underground & Nico, Rumours, Nevermind, The Dark Side Of The Moon, the list goes on—each of these ventured beyond the impact of the music itself, contributing to the culture they emerged from, proving the ever-importance of unique and artistic album cover art.
Throughout history, however, several bands and musicians have sought to recreate the magic of the past, whether in reference to their own narratives or the impact of their heroes. By utilising intertextual layers like this, they have been able to mirror different facets of the industry with refreshed perspectives, offering different takes on bygone eras. In some instances, this serves to poke fun at others, while in others, it honours the legacy of the originators who came before. Let’s dive into some…
Album covers that reference other albums:
Related Topics
albumsThe BeatlesThe ClashThe Rolling Stones
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