Jump to content

List of best-selling albums worldwide

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of the world's best-selling albums. The criteria are that the figure must have been published by a reliable source and the album must have sold at least 20 million copies worldwide. Most albums have different estimates of sales. In this list, the highest sales reported for an album is added to the list. Groupings are based on different sales benchmarks. The highest benchmark is for claims of at least 100 million copies, and the lowest are for claims of 20–29 million copies. Albums are listed in order of number of copies sold and by the artist's first name. This list contains all types of albums, including studio, greatest hits, compilation, various artists, soundtrack and remix.

A number of issues make exact figures difficult to calculate, as historical data before the 1980s and from developing countries is incomplete. Also, fans, record companies and the media are prone to making the sales figures higher than they actually are to boost the image of the act. The list also does not take into account the resale of used albums or as the emergence of illegal downloading of digital music.

Michael Jackson's Thriller is the best selling album of all time. The album is cited as selling as many as 110 million copies worldwide.[1]

Legend

[change | change source]
Colors

 Studio Albums

 Greatest Hits & Compilations

 Soundtracks

Over 50 million copies

[change | change source]
ArtistAlbumReleasedGenreSales (millions)Source
Michael Jackson Thriller 1982 Pop / R&B / Rock 130 [1]|[2]
Himesh Reshammiya Aap Kaa Surroor 2006 Indipop 55

40–49 million copies

[change | change source]
ArtistAlbumReleasedGenreSales (millions)Source
Pink FloydThe Dark Side of the Moon1973Progressive rock50[3]
AC/DCBack in Black1980Hard rock / Heavy metal49[4]
Whitney Houston / Various artistsThe Bodyguard1992Soundtrack44[5]
Meat LoafBat Out of Hell1977Rock43[6]
EaglesTheir Greatest Hits (1971–1975)1976Rock42[1]
Various artistsDirty Dancing1987Dance / Pop42[7]
Backstreet BoysMillennium1999Pop40[8]
Bee Gees / Various artistsSaturday Night Fever1977Disco40[9]
Fleetwood MacRumours1977Rock40[10]

30–39 million copies

[change | change source]
ArtistAlbumReleasedGenreSales (millions)Source
Michael JacksonBad1987Pop / R&B39[11]
Shania TwainCome On Over1997Country / Pop40[12]
Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin IV1971Hard rock / Heavy metal37[13]
Alanis MorissetteJagged Little Pill1995Rock33[14]
Michael JacksonDangerous1991Pop / R&B / New jack swing32[11]
The BeatlesSgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band1967Rock32[15]
Celine DionFalling into You1996Pop32[16]
EminemThe Marshall Mathers LP 2000Hip Hop32[17]
Mariah CareyMusic Box1993Pop / R&B32[18]
The Beatles12000Rock31[19]
Celine DionLet's Talk About Love1997Pop31[20]
Adele212011Pop/Soul31[21]
Britney Spears...Baby One More Time1999Pop30[22]
Bee GeesSpirits Having Flown1979Disco / Pop30[23]
Bruce SpringsteenBorn in the U.S.A.1984Rock30[24]
Dire StraitsBrothers in Arms1985Rock30[25]
James HornerTitanic1997Soundtrack30[26]
MadonnaThe Immaculate Collection1990Pop / Dance30[27]
Pink FloydThe Wall1979Progressive rock30[28]

20–29 million copies

[change | change source]
ArtistAlbumReleasedGenreSales (millions)Source
ABBAABBA Gold: Greatest Hits1992Pop28[29]
Backstreet BoysBackstreet's Back1997Rock28[30]
Bon JoviSlippery When Wet1986Hard rock28[31]
Guns N' RosesAppetite for Destruction1987Hard rock / Heavy metal28[32]
Various artistsGrease1978Pop28[26]
EminemThe Eminem Show 2002Hip Hop27[17]
SantanaSupernatural1999Rock27[33]
NirvanaNevermind1991Grunge / Alternative rock26[34]
Carole KingTapestry1971Pop25[35][36]
Iron ButterflyIn-A-Gadda-Da-Vida1968Rock25[37]
Mariah CareyDaydream1995Pop / R&B25[38]
QueenGreatest Hits1981Rock25[39]
Simon & GarfunkelBridge over Troubled Water1970Folk Rock25[40]
U2The Joshua Tree1987Rock25[41]
Whitney HoustonWhitney Houston1985Pop / R&B25[42]
Backstreet BoysBlack & Blue2000Pop24[30]
Linkin ParkHybrid Theory2000Nu metal / Rap metal / Alternative rock24[43]
MadonnaTrue Blue1986Pop24[44]
Britney SpearsOops!...I Did It Again2000Pop24 [45]
Ace of BaseHappy Nation/The Sign1994Pop23[46]
Spice GirlsSpice1996Pop23[47]
Oasis(What's the Story) Morning Glory? 1995Britpop / Rock22[48][49]
DidoNo Angel1999Pop21[50]
MadonnaLike A Virgin1984Pop / Dance21[51]
Andrea BocelliRomanza1997Pop / Operatic Pop20[52]
Billy Ray CyrusSome Gave All1992Country20[53]
Bob Marley & The WailersLegend: The Best of Bob Marley & The Wailers1984Reggae20[54]
BlondieParallel Lines1978Rock20[55]
Bon JoviCross Road1994Rock20[56]
CherBelieve1999 Pop20[57]
Def LeppardHysteria1987Rock20[58]
George MichaelFaith1987Pop / R&B20[59]
Janet Jacksonjanet.1993Pop / R&B20[60]
MadonnaRay of Light1998Pop / Electronic20[61]
Mariah Carey#1's1998Pop / R&B20[62]
Michael JacksonHIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I1995Pop/Rock/R&B20[63]
Michael JacksonOff the Wall1979Pop/Disco/R&B20[63]
Norah JonesCome Away with Me2002Jazz20[64]
Prince & the RevolutionPurple Rain1984Rock20[26]
Spice GirlsSpiceworld1997Pop20[65]
Tina TurnerPrivate Dancer1984Rock20[66]
UsherConfessions2004R&B20[67]
[change | change source]

References

[change | change source]
  1. 1 2 3 Anderson, Kyle (July 20, 2009). "Michael Jackson's Thriller Set To Become Top-Selling Album Of All Time". MTV. MTV Network. Archived from the original on June 27, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Michael Jackson Photo Gallery 迈克•杰克逊影集". BBC China. Retrieved July 16, 2009.
  3. ↑ Beech, Mark (27 September 2011). "Pink Floyd Money Machine Leads Elvis, Nirvana, U2 in CD Battle". London: www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2011-12-31.
  4. ↑ Levine, Robert (2008-10-12). "Ageless and Defiant, AC/DC Stays on Top Without Going Digital". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  5. ↑ Harris, Lew (31 August 2009). "Is It Too Late for Whitney's Comeback?".
  6. ↑ "DAS Communications' Artists Dominate Global Music Charts". Reuters. 2009-06-16. Archived from the original on 2012-07-28. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
  7. ↑ Lee, Veronica (2006-09-22). "'There's a secret dancer inside us all'". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  8. ↑ "The boys are back". The Korea Times. 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  9. ↑ Reporter, Staff (2003-12-01). "Bee Gees' Maurice Gibb dies". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
  10. ↑ "Stars Salute 'Rumours'". Billboard Bulletin, page 7. 6 February 1998. Archived from the original on 2009-05-22. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  11. 1 2 Montgomery, James (2009-07-06). "Jackson earns nickname "Wacko Jacko" while still releasing #1 albums". MTV. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on 2012-06-25. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  12. ↑ Harris, Bill (2005-11-07). "Biopic looks at Twain's early years". Jam!. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
  13. ↑ "Led Zeppelin: A complete guide to the band's studio albums". The Independent. London. 2007-12-07. Archived from the original on 2009-05-22. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
  14. ↑ Montgomery, James (2010-02-01). "'You Oughta Know': The Story Behind Beyonce's Grammy Cover". MTV. MTV Network. Archived from the original on 2012-02-14. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  15. ↑ Parker, Al (2009-08-09). "10 Things You Probably Don't Know About Best-Selling Albums". Jam!. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
  16. ↑ Reporter, Metro (2010-03-08). "Oscars 2010 special: Avatar v The Hurt Locker v Inglourious Basterds v Up In The Air". Metro.co.uk. Associated Newspapers. Archived from the original on 2010-02-14. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
  17. 1 2 "Eminem music to hit stock exchange in deal offered by his producers". 25 September 2017.
  18. ↑ https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800019644/bio%7C
  19. ↑ Lewis, Randy (8 April 2009). "Beatles' catalog will be reissued September 9 in remastered versions". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  20. ↑ Anderson, Jason (2009-06-15). "Learning to Love Celine Dion". The Globe and Mail. CTVglobemedia Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-09-21. Retrieved 2009-12-27.
  21. ↑ "Adele says she battled depression, before and after son's birth". FOX News. 31 October 2016. Retrieved 14 Feb 2017.
  22. ↑ "Britney Spears' Biography". FOX News Network, LLC. 4 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  23. ↑ "The Bee Gees on MSN Music". Microsoft. Archived from the original on 2012-04-04. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  24. ↑ "Born In The USA". Virgin. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  25. ↑ "Mark Knopfler hurt in crash". BBC. 18 March 2003. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  26. 1 2 3 "Those chart busters". The Hindustan Times. 2008-12-09. Retrieved 2009-04-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  27. ↑ Kawaguchi, Judith (2007-10-23). "Words to Live by: Goh Hotoda". The Japan Times. Toshiaki Ogasawara. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
  28. ↑ "On this day in entertainment, November 30, 2006". Metro.co.uk. Associated Newspapers. Archived from the original on 2012-07-28. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  29. ↑ Ulvaeus, Bjrn (2009-09-12). "Filesharing is defended by gigging performers, but who pays the songwriter?". London: TimesOnline. Archived from the original on 2011-05-10. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  30. 1 2 "Taking It Back". Daily Record. 26 Oct 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-05-01. Retrieved 4 Dec 2009.
  31. ↑ Thompson, Bronwyn (2008-01-29). "On a steel horse Bon Jovi rides to top of the charts". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-06-04.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  32. ↑ "Guns N' Roses New Album Looms". Sky News. 23 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  33. ↑ "Pete Ganbarg Named Atlantic Executive VP of A&R". Warner Music Group. 2008-11-24. Archived from the original on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
  34. ↑ Thomas, Lou (23 April 2007). "Nirvana, Nevermind". BBC. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  35. ↑ "Carole King – Tapestry". Uncut. Archived from the original on 2008-09-08. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  36. ↑ "James Taylor and Carole King announce "troubadour reunion" world tour 2010". CaroleKing.com. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  37. ↑ Stetz, Michael (2006-04-02). "Iron Butterfly's in an IRA ad? Bummer". Sign on Sandiego. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
  38. ↑ "Mariah Carey's News". The London Paper. 31 March 2008. Archived from the original on 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  39. ↑ "Photo Gallary - 50 years of pop". BBC. 2002. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  40. ↑ "Simon and Garfunkel heading to NZ". The New Zealand Herald. 2009-04-02. Archived from the original on 2019-06-30. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  41. ↑ "The Joshua Tree". Virgin. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  42. ↑ "Whitney Houston". Music Fix, MSN. Archived from the original on 2014-10-15. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
  43. ↑ "Linkin Park headlines Live Earth Tokyo". Live Earth, LLC. 25 May 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  44. ↑ Sandall, Robert (2009-04-05). "Why Madonna's still a material girl". The Times. London: News Corporation. Archived from the original on 2009-05-08. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
  45. ↑ "Britney Spears - Oops!... I Did It Again - MP3 Download". Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  46. ↑ "Ace Of Base announce reunion tour". DigitalSpy. 26 October 2007. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
  47. ↑ "Spice Girls Timeline". BBC. 2007-02-19. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  48. ↑ Hattenstone, Simon (6 December 2008). "'Who wants to be a drug addict at 41?'". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  49. ↑ Pisa, Nick (2010-02-14). "Brit Pope: Oasis named in Vatican's top ten albums". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
  50. ↑ Paphides, Peter (25 March 2005). "Music to watch girls by". London: Times Newspapers, Ltd. Archived from the original on 2011-06-17. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  51. ↑ "Contrasting fortunes as Madonna, Jacko turn 50". ABC. 15 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
  52. ↑ Joy, Kevin (2011-11-27). "Crossover superstar Andrea Bocelli finds beauty in wide range of music". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2011-11-27.
  53. ↑ "Billy Ray Cyrus appeals to a whole new crowd". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 2009-04-10. Archived from the original on 2012-10-15. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  54. ↑ "Top Earners for 2004". Forbes. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
  55. ↑ "Blondie celebrating 30th birthday of 'Parallel Lines'". AzCentral. 20 June 2008. Archived from the original on 2011-09-19. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
  56. ↑ Neil Daniels (2008). Bon Jovi Bon Jovi Encyclopaedia. Chrome Dreams, UK. ISBN 9-7818-424-0464-5.
  57. ↑ "Don't Call it a Comeback". Rolling Stone. 23 January 2007. Archived from the original on 2009-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  58. ↑ "One Giant Leppard". NZ Herald. Archived from the original on 2019-04-01. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
  59. ↑ "George Micahel at HP Pavilion at San Jose". Yahoo Inc. 24 March 2008. Archived from the original on 2010-02-01. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  60. ↑ "Janet Jackson set for return to form". ABC News. 2008-01-22. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  61. ↑ Reporter, BBC (2008-08-15). "Madonna: mad for fame at 40". BBC. BBC Online. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  62. ↑ Shapiro, Marc. Mariah Carey (2001). pg. 117. UK: ECW Press, Canada. ISBN 1-55022-444-1.
  63. 1 2 "Michael Jackson: list of his records". The Daily Telegraph. London. 2009-06-26. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  64. ↑ "EMI Music Publishing extends its publishing partnership with Norah Jones". EMI Music. 7 January 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-01-11. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
  65. ↑ Sinclair, David (2007-06-28). "The Prefab Five are back. Are you ready?". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 2008-08-30. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  66. ↑ Gannon, Louise (2008-10-19). "Free CD of Tina Turner's Private Dancer in today's Mail on Sunday". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  67. ↑ "Usher". EMI Music Publishing. Archived from the original on 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
Retrieved from "https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_best-selling_albums_worldwide&oldid=10915644"