Research into the generally named 'Greatest' album covers shows examples of wide rangers of different artists including The Beatles, David Bowie, The Sex Pistols and Nirvana.
Main examples that were typically near the top of almost all lists were;
Nirvana - Nevermind (1991)
'Nevermind' was the bands second studio album, Kurt Cobain explained in an interview that he had seen a T.V. program on water births and thought it would be a new image to use for an album cover. The now-infamous image of a naked baby underwater, floating across the cover is arguably among the most eye-catching album covers ever produced. An aquatic photographer and certified rescue diver, Kirk was contacted by art directors at Geffen Records when they couldn't find a workable stock shot of their original concept, an underwater birth.
The Beatles - Abbey Road (1969)
'Abbey Road' is the eleventh studio album released by the English rock band The Beatles. The cover was designed by 'Apple Records' creative director Kosh. It is the only original UK Beatles album sleeve to show neither the artist name nor the album title on its front cover, they later explained that "we didn't need to write the band's name on the cover ... They were the most famous band in the world". The front cover design was based on ideas sketched by McCartney, the photographer Iain Macmillan was given only ten minutes to take the photo whilst he stood on a step-ladder and a policeman held up traffic. The image of the Beatles on the crossing has now become one of the most famous and imitated in recording history.
Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
The Dark Side of the Moon is the eighth studio album by the English progressive rockband Pink Floyd.The idea for the Dark Side sleeve – or at least the direction it would go in – was actually suggested by Pink Floyd's Richard Wright, According to John Harris' book on the album, the keyboardist issued a challenge to Thorgerson that for the album that he create something "smarter, neater – more classy".
Design and photography: Hipgnosis.
Illustrator: George Hardie
Van Halen - 1984 (1984)
1984 is the sixth studio album by American hard rock band Van Halen. The iconic cover was created by graphic artist Margo Nahas. It was not specifically commissioned; Nahas had been asked to create a cover that featured four chrome women dancing, but declined. Her husband brought her portfolio to the band anyway, and from that material they chose the painting of a cherub stealing cigarettes that was ultimately used. The model was Carter Helm, who was the child of one of Nahas' best friends, who she photographed holding a candy cigarette. The cover, featuring as it did the smoking cherub, was 'censored' in the UK by the addition of a sticker that obscured the cigarette in the cherub's hand, and the packet of cigarettes.
Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols
“Never Mind the Bollocks Here’s the Sex Pistols” is the first and only album recorded by the Sex Pistols, a highly influential and controversial English punk band. Fans and critics alike generally regard the album as an extremely important record in the history of rock music, citing the lasting influence it has had on subsequent punk musicians and other musical genres that were influenced by such punk rock artists. The album was released on 28 October 1977 on the Virgin Records label, amid controversy arising from the use of the obscenity (in British English) “bollocks” in its title.
In conclusion, it is evident that most of the famous/'greatest' album covers are often images that are controversial and/or banned at time. This may be an example of 'shock advertising', a type of advertising generally regarded as one that “deliberately, rather than inadvertently, startles and offends its audience by violating norms for social values and personal ideals.”
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