The 5 Most ‘Black Friday’ Albums of All Time

Which album should be the soundtrack to North America’s most notorious shopping day? Here’s a Theory.

It’s Black Friday. That means sales, discounts, coupons and deals galore.

But can’t it mean music too? We think so.

So I’ve decided to figure out what the most Black Friday album of all time is.

I’ve narrowed it down to 5 candidates. But only 1 album can truly be the most Black Friday of all time…

Oh, and by the way, we’re offering 25% off all our yearly plans and per-track masters until Monday. ‘Cause Black Friday needs more music.

Signup before Monday and use coupon code FLACKBRIDAY at checkout, get 25% off your purchase, and turn Black Friday into Track Friday.

5. Jay-Z – The Black Album

Who could forget Jay Z’s final send off before his “retirement.” The Black Album was everywhere.

The bombastic farewell tour to promote the album increased the album’s mythic stature as well — including a sold out Madison Square Garden concert that later became the documentary Fade to Black.

The album went on to sell over 3,000,000 copies in the US and is certified triple platinum.

The Black Friday Factor:

So what makes this album Black Friday? Well, first of all it’s called ‘The Black Album.’ Which is a pretty Black Friday thing to be called.

It also came out on November 14th, 2003 which was (you guessed it) A Friday. And in true Black Friday form, It sold 463,000 copies in it’s first week.

So why isn’t the Black Album the top Black Friday album? Seems like all the criteria are there right?

Sorry Jay, but there’s nothing worse than a false advertisement, especially on a Black Friday.

One simple reason: JAY-Z DIDN’T RETIRE! In fact, Jay has released 5 albums since “retiring.” C’mon man…

This is a huge deal breaker for the Black Album. Sorry Jay, but there’s nothing worse than a false advertisement, especially on a Black Friday. Stick to your word, then maybe we can talk about bumping you up a couple spots.

4. Metallica – Metallica (The Black Album)

Metallica by Metallica was a quick classic. This album contains some of Metallica’s biggest hits including “Enter Sandman,” “Nothing Else Matters,” and “Sad But True.”

This one has stuffed more than a few metalhead’s stockings over the years. But as far as topping the all time best Black Friday album list I’m not so sure…

The Black Friday Factor:

Despite being the ultimate gift idea for headbangers, this album isn’t really Black Friday material.

First of all, it was released on a Monday (ew). No day of the week could be more different than a Friday. So that’s already a huge strike against it.

Secondly, It’s not even officially called The Black Album. It’s just called Metallica. It unofficially got the title ’cause the cover is black. Not good enough in my books.

Despite being the ultimate gift idea for headbangers, this album doesn’t even come close to reaching the Black Friday hall of fame.

Perhaps the most Black Friday thing about this album is the song Nothing Else Matters. Because every time Black Friday rolls around it seems like nothing else matters except popping a few tags.

Nevertheless, Metallica’s black album doesn’t really scream Black Friday. But I think we’re getting closer. Let’s move on.

3. Megadeth – Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?

Another thrash classic that ranks right up there for most Black Friday Album of all time. Coincidence? Who knows.

What I do know is that this Megadeth album will go down in history as one of the most iconic thrash albums of all time.

But we’re not here to rank albums on their actual music merits, we’re here for the Black Friday factor.

The Black Friday Factor:

The number one thing that makes this album a Black Friday classic is that it ACTUALLY has a track on it CALLED Black Friday. Huge points for just coming out and calling a song Black Friday.

Second of all, the title of this record is about selling and buying stuff, the essence of Black Friday. It was also released on a Friday — September 19th, 1986 to be exact. Not bad.

I’m just not sure this album is the best soundtrack for purchasing a George Foreman Grill and a 6 pound bag of Goji Berries for under the tree.

But despite all the signs pointing to this being a Black Friday masterpiece, the music itself isn’t that good for shopping. Unless you live by the ethos “shop angry.” If that’s your thing go for it.

I’m just not sure this album is the best soundtrack for purchasing a George Foreman Grill and a 6 pound bag of Goji Berries for under the tree.

2. Steely Dan – Katy Lied

Nobody beats The Dan.

Katy Lied is their 4th album and was released in 1975. Steely Dan may not seem like the most Black Friday of bands. But this album has a special similarity to everyone’s favourite shopping day…

The Black Friday Factor:

Guess what the hit single from this album is called? 10 points if you said Black Friday.

Instead, the lyrics talk about “grey men” coming down the stairs, moving to Muswellbrook, and ditching your shoes and socks.

Black Friday peaked at #34 on the US charts. Unfortunately the song has absolutely nothing to so with the Black Friday buying bonanza.

Instead, the lyrics talk about diving “grey men,” moving to Muswellbrook, and ditching your shoes and socks — interesting subject matter, but not the most Black Friday of topics…

1. Prince – The Black Album (The Funk Bible)

Prince’s Black Album — also know as The Funk Bible — is his 16th studio album.

Originally slated for release on Dec. 7th, 1987, the album was meant to be a follow-up to his album Sign O’ The Times. However, the release of this album was anything but ordinary…

The Black Friday Factor:

Despite the Black Album’s projected release date of Dec. 7th, 1987, Prince pulled all copies from shelves just days before it’s release! Less than 100 promo copies made it to market.

In true Black Friday fashion the album quickly became a hot commodity. Bootlegs of the album popped up everywhere as the myth and demand surrounding the album grew.

The bootleg problem got so bad that when the album was released properly in 1994, Warner took out an ad in Billboard magazine offering free copies of the album to the first 1000 people that mailed in their bootlegs.

In fact, one of the promo copies sold this year for $15,000, making it the highest priced record to ever sell on the vinyl marketplace Discogs.

To make this album even more Black Friday, the proper release came out on Tuesday, November 22nd. That’s just 3 days before Black Friday — just enough time to make sure the album was full stocked for all those holiday shoppers…

Oh, and remember those promo copies that snuck out into the world before Prince had time to snuff the album in 1987?

They’re still the grail for Prince fanatics everywhere. In fact, one of the promo copies sold this year for $15,000, making it the highest priced record to ever sell on the vinyl marketplace Discogs.

This album has Black Friday written all over it: It’s called the Black Album, everyone wanted it, there were super-limited quantities, it finally came out just in time for Black Friday 1994, and copies of it sell for $15,000.

It doesn’t get much more black Friday than that! So it’s settled: Prince’s Black album is officially the most Black Friday album of all time.

Track Friday

There you have it. The burning question has been answered. We can finally crown the most Black Friday album of all time. Glad we took care of that.

Now it’s time to make some tracks. Black Friday? Nahhhhhh. Track Friday!

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