Golden Earring Albums Ranked

Golden Earring is a Dutch rock band, founded in 1961 in The Hague as The Golden Earrings (the definite article was dropped in 1967, while the “s” was dropped in 1969). They achieved worldwide fame with their international hit songs “Radar Love” in 1973, which went to number one on the Dutch charts, reached the top ten in the United Kingdom, and went to number thirteen on the United States charts, “Twilight Zone” in 1982, and “When the Lady Smiles” in 1984. During their career, they have had nearly 30 top-ten singles on the Dutch charts while releasing 25 studio albums. The band’s lineup consists of co-founders Rinus Gerritsen (bass and keyboards) and George Kooymans (vocals and guitar), along with Barry Hay (vocals, guitar, flute, and saxophone), and Cesar Zuiderwijk (drums and percussion). All musicians in the present lineup of the band have been continuous members of the band since 1970, although other musicians have joined and left the band during the intervening years. Here are all of Golden Earring albums ranked.

Relive the music of Golden Earring. Click below and experience true Progressive Rock songs.

10. Golden Earring (1970)

“After recording their heaviest album (Eight Miles High), Golden Earring decided to find a halfway solution – heavy guitars with pop sensibilities. And it worked. Back Home was not only a #1 hit in Holland but Top 10 in Switzerland and Top 20 in Germany – it should have also been in the US and UK. The album also contains the original recording of Big Tree Blue Sea. Can someone tell me which track The Loner is based on?“

9. On The Double (1969)

“These guys age quite well. They do always sound of their time , but not in a way that they were mimicking . Love this album, another reviewer astutely compared it to the WHITE ALBum . As I listen to it now, a more accurate comparison might be Kinks’ Preservation Society-period. (With a little more rock element, kinda if Ray let Dave have more say!)”

8. Cut (1982)

“Every song on “Cut” is a real gem. “Twilight Zone” is a great rocker, but as good as it is, it isn’t the best track. My personal favorite is “Last of the Mohicans” (Dick, it’s gotta good beat and ya can dance to it I give it a 95). I really had no idea these guys were as talented as they show on every album they’ve ever recorded. as far as I’m concerned these amazing musicians were to the Netherlands and Europe what the Beatles were to Britain. You can’t go wrong purchasing this (or any other) album by Golden Earring.”

See more: Muse Albums Ranked

7. Just Earrings (1965)

“The lead singer here is Frans Krassenburg, personally I prefer his voice to Barry Hay. The best way I can describe this is moody and melodic but still packed with energy. If you like groups like “The Hollies” or “The Zombies”, you will fall in love with this CD. I won’t even try to point out stand-out tracks because I think they are all great.”

6. Together (1972)

“Golden Earring found a new direction in their music by Together which finds the band in a more progressive direction back in 1972. Seven Tears and Golden Earring (1970) are still some of their best records which are some of their heaviest, they had the band in a more straight-up hard rock and blues rock in a similar vein of Led Zeppelin. Seven Tears is still my favorite of the pre-Moontan albums personally but Together did something different for the band which I appreciate for and ranks as one of their 10 best albums to date.”

5. The Continuing Story Of Radar Love (1989)

“All I knew about Golden Earring were the two songs, “Radar Love” and “The Twilight Zone”. But what I discovered was that these guys were before their time. The music is pulsating, the vocals are crisp, powerful and melodic. As a fan of great vocals and incredible music, I am pleased to recommend this disc as a needed addition to anybody’s collection.”

See more: Smashing Pumpkins Albums Ranked

4. The Complete Single Collection 1965-1991 Vol 1 & 2 (1992)

“This represents the most comprehensive Golden Earring collection to date, and although it is not a “lavish” set, it really is all about the music, and in this box you get every studio album released by the band in their native Holland. As another reviewer pointed out, several USA releases had variations in track listings and/or album titles.”

3. To The Hilt (1976)

“The music on here doesn’t resemble either of the previous two albums and instead proves once again that Golden Earring experiments like no other rock band. It’s honestly quite difficult to describe the majority of the songs because the album is not necessarily focused around hard rock riffage and horns like, for example, “Radar Love”. Instead it touches upon many different styles.”

2. Eight Miles High (1969)

“On Eight Miles High, one of their earliest albums, you’re not getting nearly as much experimenting as you’d hope, that is, assuming you went into this album under the same assumption I did- that being their willingness to throw in some of the most highly unusual sounds and combining them with their distinctive rock style, giving listeners really fascinating results. “

1. Moontan (1973)

“Moontan is the climax in the natural evolution of the band through the string of all worthy first four albums on their re-invented career, from 1970 and on: Golden Earring – Seven Tears – Together – Moontan. What we find here is an elaborate hard rock/prog style, with a jam-like feeling, long, hypnotic instrumental passages. Unusual rhythms (at moments even latin flavoured), good melodies, infectious chorus, jazzy drums full of swing and dynamics, groovy bass lines, piercing guitar solos, sax brushstrokes here and there , spirited vocals, and all sort of tricky effects