The band's fifth album beat off competition from the likes of Prince, The Smiths and Kate Bush

U2 are a divisive force amongst Irish music fans, but there's no questioning their enormous global success over the last few decades.

And while some might argue that their finest days are behind them, Bono and co. continue to churn out albums - their most recent being 2017's 'Songs of Experience'.

One of their best-known albums, however, has topped a recent poll conducted by the BBC.

'The Joshua Tree' was named 'Best Album of the 1980s' in the public vote amongst listeners of BBC Radio 2, ahead of National Album Day this weekend.

It beat Dire Straits' 'Brothers in Arms' to the top spot, while The Stone Roses' eponymous debut, Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' and Guns N' Roses' 'Appetite for Destruction' rounded out the Top 5.

'The Joshua Tree' was released in 1987 and has sold a massive 25 million copies globally. It spawned some of U2's best-known songs, including 'With or Without You' and 'Where the Streets Have No Name'.

See the Top 20 below:

  1. U2 – The Joshua Tree
  2. Dire Straits – Brothers In Arms
  3. The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses
  4. Michael Jackson – Thriller
  5. Guns N’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction
  6. The Human League – Dare
  7. The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead
  8. Paul Simon – Graceland
  9. ABC – The Lexicon Of Love
  10. Prince – Purple Rain
  11. Kate Bush – Hounds Of Love
  12. Duran Duran – Rio
  13. Tears for Fears – Songs From The Big Chair
  14. Bruce Springsteen – Born In The USA
  15. AC/DC – Back In Black
  16. Deacon Blue – Raintown
  17. Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Welcome To The Pleasuredome
  18. INXS – Kick
  19. George Michael – Faith
  20. Pet Shop Boys – Actually