List of best-selling albums

This is a list of the world's best-selling albums of recorded music. To appear on the list, the figure must have been published by a reliable source and the album must have sold at least 20 million copies. This list can contain any types of album, including studio albums, extended plays, greatest hits, compilations, various artists, soundtracks and remixes. The figures given do not take into account the resale of used albums.[lower-alpha 1]

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

Platinum record for Michael Jackson's Thriller (1982), the best-selling album of all time

All albums included on this list have their available claimed figures supported by at least 30% in certified copies. The percentage amount of certified sales needed increases the newer the album is, so albums released before 1975 are only expected to have their claimed figures supported by at least 30% in certified copies. However, newer albums, such as 21 and Come Away with Me, are expected to have their claimed figures supported by at least 70% in certified copies. Certified copies are sourced from available online databases of local music industry associations. This is the reason why albums that would otherwise make the list, such as The Sound of Music, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Parallel Lines, Spirits Having Flown, Private Dancer, Janet, Believe, Bolo Ta Ra Ra.., Human Clay, Laundry Service and Back to Black, have not been included.

As a result of the methodology that the American and Canadian certification-awarding bodies (the RIAA and Music Canada respectively) use, each disc in a multi-disc set is counted as one unit toward certification, leading to many double albums on the list—such as Pink Floyd's The Wall and the Beatles' The Beatles—being certified with a number double the number of copies sold there. Such albums have the certifications for the number of copies (not discs) shipped indicated. Conversely, the American certification level for double albums that fit onto one compact disc, such as the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack reflect the actual number of copies sold. In 2016, RIAA included streaming in addition to track sales and album sales based on the concept of album-equivalent unit for certification purposes, and certification therefore no longer reflects shipment alone.[1][2] For example, in the update of the certification for Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) by the Eagles in August 2018, the album was certified 38× Platinum (increasing from the previous 29× Platinum certification in 2006) based on the new criteria, making it then the album with the highest certification in the United States.[3]

Michael Jackson's Thriller, estimated to have sold 66 million copies worldwide, is the best-selling album.[4] Although sales estimates for Thriller have been as high as 120 million copies, these sales figures are unreliable.[5] Jackson also currently has the highest number of albums on the list with five, Celine Dion has four, while Whitney Houston, The Beatles and Madonna each have three.

Groupings are based on different sales benchmarks, the highest being for claims of at least 40 million copies, and the lowest being for claims of 20–29 million copies. Albums are listed in order of number of copies sold and thereafter by the artist's first name. Markets' order within the table is based on the number of compact discs sold in each market, largest market at the top and smallest at the bottom.[6]

Legend

Colors
	Studio albums
	Greatest hits and compilations
	Soundtracks
	Live albums

40 million copies or more

*All sales figures are shown in millions

Artist	Album	Released	Genre	Total certified copies (from available markets)*	Claimed sales*	Ref(s)
Michael Jackson	Thriller	1982	Pop, post-disco, funk, rock	47.3 US: 33 million[7] JPN: 100,000[8] UK: 4.2 million[9] GER: 1.5 million[10] FRA: 1 million[11] CAN: 2 million[12] AUS: 1.12 million[13] MEX: 1.6 million[14] NLD: 800,000[15] ITA: 100,000[16] SWE: 400,000[17] ARG: 500,000[18] SWI: 300,000[19] AUT: 400,000[20] FIN: 119,061[21] NZ: 180,000[22][23] HKG: 15,000[24]	66	[4]
AC/DC	Back in Black	1980	Hard rock	29.4 US: 25 million[7] UK: 600,000[9] GER: 1 million[10] FRA: 600,000[11] CAN: 1 million[12] AUS: 840,000[13] ITA: 50,000[16] ARG: 160,000[25] SWI: 100,000[19] AUT: 50,000[20]	50	[26]
Meat Loaf	Bat Out of Hell	1977	Hard rock, glam rock, progressive rock	21.7 US: 14 million[7] UK: 3.3 million[9] GER: 500,000[10] CAN: 2 million[12] AUS: 1.68 million[13] NZ: 255,000[27]	50	[28]
Pink Floyd	The Dark Side of the Moon	1973	Progressive rock	24.4 US: 15 million[7] UK: 4.2 million[9] GER: 1 million[10] FRA: 400,000[11] CAN: 2 million[12] AUS: 980,000[13] ITA: 250,000[16] ARG: 120,000[25] POL: 70,000[29] AUT: 100,000[20] NZ: 240,000[27]	45	[30]
Whitney Houston / Various artists	The Bodyguard	1992	R&B, soul, pop, soundtrack	28.4 US: 18 million[7] JPN: 2 million[31] UK: 2.1 million[9] GER: 1.5 million[10] FRA: 1 million[11] CAN: 1 million[12] AUS: 350,000[13] BRA: 750,000[32] NLD: 100,000[15] SWE 100,000[17] SPA: 500,000[33] ARG: 240,000[25] SWI: 250,000[19] AUT: 200,000[20] NOR: 200,000[34] FIN: 92,500[21]	45	[35]
Eagles	Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)	1976	Country rock, soft rock, folk rock	41.2 US: 38 million[7] UK: 600,000[9] CAN: 2 million[12] AUS: 560,000[13] IFPI HKG: 15,000[24]	42	[36][37]
Bee Gees / Various artists	Saturday Night Fever	1977	Disco	21.6 US: 16 million[7] UK: 2.1 million[9] GER: 1.5 million[10] FRA: 200,000[11] CAN: 1 million[12] AUS: 770,000[38] HKG: 15,000[24]	40	[39][40]
Fleetwood Mac	Rumours	1977	Soft rock	27.9 US: 20 million[7] UK: 3.3 million[9] GER: 1.25 million[10] FRA: 300,000[41] CAN: 2 million[12] AUS: 910,000[13] NZ: 150,000[42] HKG: 15,000[24]	40	[43][44]
Shania Twain	Come On Over	1997	Country, pop	29.6 US: 20 million[7] JPN: 100,000 [8] UK: 3.3 million[9] GER: 750,000[10] FRA: 300,000[41] CAN: 2 million[12] AUS: 1.05 million[13] BRA: 100,000[32] MEX: 100,000[14] NLD: 400,000[15] ITA: 50,000[16] SWE 180,000[17] SPA: 100,000[33] BEL: 100,000[45][46] ARG: 120,000[25] SWI: 150,000[19] AUT: 25,000[20] NOR: 300,000[34] DEN: 100,000[47] FIN: 38,958[21] NZ: 315,000[23]	40	[48]

30–39 million copies

*All sales figures are shown in millions

Artist	Album	Released	Genre	Total certified copies (from available markets)*	Claimed sales*	Ref(s)
Various artists	Grease: The Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture	1978	Rock and roll	14.4 US: 8 million[7] UK: 2.4 million[9] GER: 1.25 million[10] FRA: 400,000[11] CAN: 1 million[12] AUS: 980,000[13] SPA: 300,000[33] SWI: 25,000[19] NZ: 15,000[22] HKG: 15,000[24]	38	[49]
Led Zeppelin	Led Zeppelin IV	1971	Hard rock, heavy metal, folk rock	29.0 US: 23 million[7] UK: 1.8 million[9] GER: 750,000[10] FRA: 600,000[41] CAN: 2 million[12] AUS: 630,000[13] BRA: 100,000[32] NLD: 100,000[15] ARG: 60,000[25] SWI: 50,000[19]	35
Michael Jackson	Bad	1987	Pop, rhythm and blues, funk and rock	22.2 US: 10 million[7] UK: 4.1 million[9] GER: 2 million[10] FRA: 1 million[11] CAN: 700,000[12] AUS: 420,000[13] MEX: 350,000[14] SPA: 300,000[33] SWE: 200,000[17] AUT: 200,000[20] NZ: 135,000[50] FIN: 51,287[21] IFPI HKG: 15,000[24]	35	[51][52][53]
Alanis Morissette	Jagged Little Pill	1995	Alternative rock	24.4 US: 16 million[7] UK: 3 million[9] GER: 1 million[10] FRA: 300,000[41] CAN: 2 million[12] AUS: 980,000[13] NLD: 400,000[15] SWE 200,000[17] BRA: 100,000[32] ARG: 60,000[25] POL: 50,000[29] SWI: 50,000[19] NOR: 50,000[34] AUT: 100,000[20] FIN: 65,860[21]	33	[54][55]
Michael Jackson	Dangerous	1991	New jack swing, R&B and pop	17.3 US: 8 million[7] JPN: 400,000[8] UK: 1.8 million[9] GER: 2 million[10] FRA: 1 million[41] CAN: 600,000[12] AUS: 700,000[13] BRA: 100,000[32] MEX: 600,000[14] NLD: 300,000[15] SWE 300,000[17] SPA: 600,000[33] SWI: 250,000[19] AUT: 200,000[20] FIN: 61,896[21] NZ: 90,000[23] CHI: 125,000[56] MAL: 175,000[57]	32	[58]
Celine Dion	Falling into You	1996	Pop, soft rock	20.2 US: 11 million[7] JPN: 800,000[8] UK: 2.1 million[9] GER: 1.25 million[10] FRA: 1 million[41] CAN: 1 million[12] AUS: 910,000[13] BRA: 100,000[32] NLD: 600,000[15] SWE: 200,000[17] SPA: 200,000[33] BEL: 200,000[45] ARG: 60,000[25] POL: 100,000[29] SWI: 150,000[19] NOR: 150,000[34] AUT: 100,000[20] FIN: 51,952[21] NZ: 180,000[22] HUN: 25,000[59]	32	[60]
Eagles	Hotel California	1976	Soft rock	31.5 US: 26 million[7] UK: 1.8 million[9] GER: 500,000[10] FRA: 1 million[11] CAN: 1 million[12] AUS: 560,000[13] SPA: 400,000[33] SWI: 100,000[19] AUT: 25,000[20] FIN: 30,933[21] NZ: 135,000[22] HKG: 15,000[24]	32	[61]
The Beatles	Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band	1967	Rock	18.2 US: 11 million[7] UK: 5.1 million[9] GER: 500,000[10] CAN: 800,000[12] AUS: 280,000[13] BRA: 100,000[32] ARG: 300,000[25] NZ: 90,000[23]	32	[62]
Various artists	Dirty Dancing	1987	Pop, rock, R&B	17.9 US: 11 million[7] UK: 1.5 million[9] GER: 2 million[10] FRA: 1 million[11] CAN: 1 million[12] AUS: 770,000[13] BRA: 100,000[32] NLD: 100,000[15] SWE 100,000[17] POL: 50,000[29] SWI: 250,000[19] HKG: 7,500[24]	32	[63]
Adele	21	2011	Pop, soul	25.3 US: 14 million[7] JPN: 100,000[64] UK: 4.8 million[9] GER: 1.6 million[10] CAN: 800,000[12] AUS: 980,000[13] MEX: 300,000[14] NLD: 450,000[65] ITA: 480,000[16] SWE: 120,000[66] SPA: 300,000[33] ARG: 80,000[67] BEL: 180,000[46] POL: 200,000[29] SWI: 40,000[19] NOR: 30,000[68] AUT: 20,000[20] RUS: 10,000[69] DEN: 150,000[70] POR: 40,000[71] FIN: 83,234[21] IRE: 270,000[72] GRE: 6,000[73] HUN: 12,000[74] NZ: 180,000[75] CHI: 20,000[76] VEN: 10,000[77]	31	[78]
Madonna	The Immaculate Collection	1990	Pop, dance	19.4 US: 10 million[7] JPN: 800,000[8] UK: 3.6 million[9] GER: 750,000[10] FRA: 1 million[11] CAN: 700,000[12] AUS: 840,000[79] BRA: 500,000[32] NLD: 300,000[15] SWE 50,000[17] SPA: 300,000[33] ARG: 180,000[25] SWI: 50,000[19] AUT: 50,000[20] DEN: 50,000[80] FIN: 92,500[21] NZ: 105,000[22]	31	[81]
Celine Dion	Let's Talk About Love	1997	Pop, soft rock	19.3 US: 10 million[7] JPN: 1 million[8] UK: 1.8 million[9] GER: 1.5 million[10] FRA: 1 million[41] CAN: 1 million[12] AUS: 420,000[13] NLD: 500,000[15] SWE: 240,000[17] SPA: 400,000[33] BEL: 200,000[45] ARG: 120,000[25] POL: 200,000[29] SWI: 300,000[19] NOR: 200,000[34] AUT: 100,000[20] FIN: 97,744[21] NZ: 135,000[82] HKG: 40,000[24] URY: 3,000[83]	31	[84]
The Beatles	1	2000	Rock	23.4 US: 12 million[7] JPN: 2 million[8] UK: 3.3 million[9] GER: 1.65 million[10] FRA: 600,000[41] CAN: 1 million[12] AUS: 700,000[13] BRA: 250,000[32] ITA: 50,000[16] SWE 160,000[17] SPA: 500,000[33] ARG: 120,000[25] POL: 100,000[29] SWI: 150,000[19] NOR: 150,000[34] AUT: 150,000[20] DEN: 200,000[85] POR: 120,000[86] FIN: 77,466[21] NZ: 225,000[22]	31	[87]
ABBA	Gold: Greatest Hits	1992	Pop, disco	23.0 US: 6 million[7] JPN: 600,000[88] UK: 5.4 million[9] GER: 2.5 million[10] FRA: 1 million[41] RUS: 10,000[89] MEX: 250,000[14] CAN: 1 million[12] BRA: 100,000[32] AUS: 1.19 million[13] IND: 20,000[90] ITA: 270,000[16][90] SPA: 500,000[33] NLD: 300,000[90] SAF: 50,000[90] SWE 500,000[17] SWI: 500,000[19] ARG: 240,000[25] BEL: 350,000[45] THL: 20,000[90] NOR: 150,000[90] AUT: 150,000[20] DEN: 300,000[90] KOR: 100,000[90] TWN: 210,000[90] POL: 100,000[29] IRE: 90,000[90] FIN: 145,962[21] POR: 100,000[86][90] NZ: 240,000[22] HKG: 120,000[90] SGP: 165,000[90] HUN: 100,000[90] CHI: 60,000[90] ISR: 40,000[90] CZE: 30,000[90] MAL: 100,000[90] VEN: 5,000[90] ICL: 5,000[90]	30	[91]
The Beatles	Abbey Road	1969	Rock	14.4 US: 12 million[7] GER: 500,000[10] FRA: 150,000[11] CAN: 1 million[12] AUS: 210,000[13] ARG: 500,000[18] NZ: 75,000[23]	30	[92]
Bruce Springsteen	Born in the U.S.A.	1984	Heartland rock	19.6 US: 15 million[7] UK: 900,000[9] GER: 1 million[10] FRA: 400,000[41] CAN: 1 million[12] AUS: 910,000[13] FIN: 108,913[21] NZ: 240,000[22]	30	[93]
Dire Straits	Brothers in Arms	1985	Roots rock, blues rock, soft rock	17.7 US: 9 million[7] UK: 4.1 million[9] GER: 500,000[10] FRA: 1 million[41] CAN: 1 million[12] AUS: 1.19 million[13] ARG: 30,000[25] SWI: 350,000[19] FIN: 116,784[21] NZ: 360,000[27] HKG: 15,000[24]	30	[94][95]
James Horner	Titanic: Music from the Motion Picture	1997	Film score	18.1 US: 11 million[7] JPN: 1 million[96] UK: 900,000[9] GER: 1.25 million[10] FRA: 1 million[11] CAN: 1 million[12] AUS: 350,000[13] NLD: 175,000[15] SWE 160,000[17] SPA: 400,000[33] BEL: 150,000[45] POL: 140,000[29] ARG: 60,000[25] SWI: 200,000[19] AUT: 100,000[20] NOR: 100,000[34] FIN: 73,509[21] NZ: 60,000[97] HKG: 20,000[24]	30	[98]
Metallica	Metallica	1991	Heavy metal	25.2 US: 16.83 million[7] UK: 900,000[9] GER: 1,500,000[10] FRA: 487,500[11] CAN: 2 million[12] AUS: 840,000[13] MEX: 600,000[14] NLD: 200,000[15] ITA: 100,000[16] SWE 200,000[17] ARG: 300,000[25] POL: 2 00,000[29] SWI: 150,000[19] NOR: 100,000[34] AUT: 100,000[20] FIN: 118,856[21] NZ: 150,000[23]	31	[99]
Nirvana	Nevermind	1991	Grunge, alternative rock	16.7 US: 10 million[7] JPN: 600,000[88] UK: 1.2 million[9] GER: 1 million[10] FRA: 1 million[11] CAN: 1 million[12] AUS: 350,000[13] BRA: 250,000[32] MEX: 200,000[14] ITA: 100,000[16] SWE 200,000[17] ARG: 300,000[25] BEL: 150,000[46] POL: 100,000[29] SWI: 50,000[19] AUT: 50,000[20] FIN: 46,830[21] NZ: 105,000[22]	30	[100]
Pink Floyd	The Wall	1979	Progressive rock	18.7 US: 11.5 million[7] UK: 600,000[9] GER: 2 million[10] FRA: 1 million[11] CAN: 2 million[12] AUS: 770,000[13] ITA: 200,000[16] ARG: 200,000[101] POL: 70,000[29] SWI: 100,000[19] NZ: 210,000[22] HKG: 15,000[24]	30	[102]
Santana	Supernatural	1999	Latin rock	20.5 US: 15 million[7] JPN: 200,000 [8] UK: 600,000[9] GER: 1 million[10] FRA: 600,000[41] CAN: 1 million[12] AUS: 280,000[13] BRA: 250,000[32] MEX: 300,000[14] NLD: 200,000[15] SWE 80,000[17] SPA: 300,000[33] BEL: 100,000[45] ARG: 120,000[25] POL: 100,000[29] SWI: 200,000[19] AUT: 100,000[20] FIN: 50,291[21] NZ: 60,000[22]	30	[103]
Guns N' Roses	Appetite for Destruction	1987	Hard rock	21.9 US: 18 million[7] JPN: 200,000[8] UK: 1,200,000[9] GER: 500,000[10] FRA: 200,000[41] CAN: 1 million[12] BRA: 250,000[32] MEX: 100,000[14] ITA: 50,000[16] SWE 50,000[17] ARG: 180,000[25] SWI: 50,000[19] AUT: 50,000[20] FIN: 25,000[21]	30	[104][105]

20–29 million copies

*All sales figures are shown in millions

Artist	Album	Released	Genre	Claimed sales*	Ref(s)
Bon Jovi	Slippery When Wet	1986	Hard rock, glam metal	28	[106]
Mariah Carey	Music Box	1993	Pop, R&B	28	[107]
Linkin Park	Hybrid Theory	2000	Nu metal, rap metal, alternative metal	27	[108]
Eminem	The Eminem Show	2002	Hip hop	27	[109][110]
Norah Jones	Come Away with Me	2002	Jazz	27	[111]
Eric Clapton	Unplugged	1992	Acoustic rock, acoustic blues	26	[112]
Bob Marley & The Wailers	Legend: The Best of Bob Marley & The Wailers	1984	Reggae	25	[113]
Carole King	Tapestry	1971	Pop	25	[114]
Phil Collins	No Jacket Required	1985	Pop rock	25	[115]
Queen	Greatest Hits	1981	Rock	25	[116]
Madonna	True Blue	1986	Pop, dance	25	[117]
Simon & Garfunkel	Bridge over Troubled Water	1970	Folk rock	25	[118]
U2	The Joshua Tree	1987	Rock	25	[119]
Prince and The Revolution	Purple Rain	1984	Pop rock, new wave, R&B	25	[120]
Britney Spears	...Baby One More Time	1999	Pop	25	[121]
George Michael	Faith	1987	Pop, R&B, funk, soul	25	[122]
Elton John	Greatest Hits	1974	Pop	24	[123]
Backstreet Boys	Backstreet's Back / Backstreet Boys	1997	Pop	24	[124]
Backstreet Boys	Millennium	1999	Pop	24	[124]
Spice Girls	Spice	1996	Pop	23	[125][126]
Ace of Base	Happy Nation/The Sign	1993	Pop	23	[127]
Celine Dion	All the Way... A Decade of Song	1999	Pop	22	[128]
Madonna	Like a Virgin	1984	Pop, dance	21	[129]
Whitney Houston	Whitney Houston	1985	Pop, R&B	22	[130]
Oasis	(What's the Story) Morning Glory?	1995	Britpop, rock	22	[131]
Adele	25	2015	Soul, pop, R&B	22	[132]
Michael Jackson	HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I	1995	R&B, pop and hip hop	22	[133]
Eminem	The Marshall Mathers LP	2000	Hip hop	21	[134]
Bon Jovi	Cross Road	1994	Hard rock, glam metal	21	[135]
Michael Jackson	Off the Wall	1979	Disco, pop, funk and R&B	20	[136]
Boston	Boston	1976	Arena rock, hard rock	20	[137]
Britney Spears	Oops!... I Did It Again	2000	Pop	20	[138]
Celine Dion	The Colour of My Love	1993	Pop	20	[139]
Def Leppard	Hysteria	1987	Hard rock, glam metal	20	[140]
Elvis Presley	Elvis' Christmas Album	1957	Christmas, pop, gospel, rock and roll	25 20	[141][142][143]
Green Day	Dookie	1994	Pop punk, punk rock, alternative rock	20	[144]
Lionel Richie	Can't Slow Down	1983	Pop, R&B, soul	20	[145]
Mariah Carey	Daydream	1995	Pop, R&B	20	[146]
Shania Twain	The Woman in Me	1995	Country, pop	20	[147]
Supertramp	Breakfast in America	1979	Progressive rock, art rock	20	[148]
Tracy Chapman	Tracy Chapman	1988	Folk rock	20	[149]
Various artists	Flashdance: Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture	1983	Electro, synthpop	20	[150]
Whitney Houston	Whitney	1987	Pop, R&B	20	[151]

Timeline of the best-selling albums

Timeline of the highest-selling album record

Year record set	Artist	Album	Record setting sales (millions)	Total sales (millions)	Ref(s)
1945	Various Artists	Oklahoma! (78 rpm album)	0.5	1.0	[152][153]
1956	Various Artists	Oklahoma! (LP album)	1.75	2.5	[154]
1956/1957	Various Artists	My Fair Lady	2	5	[155][156][157]
1960	Various Artists	South Pacific	2.25	3	[158]
1963	Vaughn Meader	The First Family	4	7.5	[159][160]
1968	Various Artists	The Sound of Music	8^WW		[161]
1973	Carole King	Tapestry	10+		[162]
1975/1976	Various Artists	The Sound of Music	10–15^SM-T		[163][164]
1976	Carole King	Tapestry	13.5^SM-T	25	[165]
1979	Bee Gees/Various Artists	Saturday Night Fever	25–27	40	[166][167]
1984	Michael Jackson	Thriller	35	66	[4][168]

Notes

• ^WWIt is unclear whether this sales figure refers to worldwide sales or US sales.
• ^SM-TThe exact year in which Tapestry regained the title of "best-selling album of all-time", if it ever regained it at all, is unclear. The album's 1976 sales claim is therefore only listed to be inclusive, as it is plausible that Tapestry had overtaken The Sound of Music in sales during this time period.

Best-selling album by year worldwide

The charts of the best-selling albums by year in the world are compiled by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry annually since 2001. These charts are published in their two annual reports, the Digital Music Report and the Recording Industry in Numbers. Both the Digital Music Report and the Recording Industry in Numbers were replaced in 2016 by the Global Music Report.[169]

Units sold include physical copies and digital downloads.

Year	Album	Artist(s)	Sales (millions)	Ref(s)
2001	Hybrid Theory	Linkin Park	8.5	[170]
2002	The Eminem Show	Eminem	13.9	[171]
2003	Come Away with Me	Norah Jones	18.0	[172][173]
2004	Confessions	Usher	12.0	[174]
2005	X&Y	Coldplay	8.3	[175]
2006	High School Musical	Various Artists	7.0	[176]
2007	High School Musical 2		6.0	[177]
2008	Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends	Coldplay	6.8	[178]
2009	I Dreamed a Dream	Susan Boyle	8.3	[179]
2010	Recovery	Eminem	5.7	[180]
2011	21	Adele	18.1	[171]
2012			8.3	[181]
2013	Midnight Memories	One Direction	4.0	[182]
2014	Frozen	Various Artists	9.0	[183]
2015	25	Adele	17.4	[184]
2016	Lemonade	Beyoncé	2.5	[185]
2017	÷	Ed Sheeran	6.1	[186]
2018	The Greatest Showman	Various Artists	3.5	[187]
2019	5x20 All the Best!! 1999–2019	Arashi	3.3	[188]

See also

• List of best-selling albums by country
• List of best-selling music artists
• List of best-selling remix albums
• List of best-selling singles
• Lists of albums
• List of best-selling albums of the 21st century

Notes

1. To be on this list, albums released:
   • before 1975 are required to have their claimed sales figures supported by 30% in certified units.
   • between 1975 and 1990 are required to have their claimed figures supported by 30–50% in certified units. (That is 1.33% for each additional year after 1975.)
   • between 1990 and 2000 are required to have their claimed figures supported by 50–60% in certified units. (That is 1% for each additional year after 1990.)
   • in 2000 and onwards are required to have their claimed figures supported by 60–80% in certified units. (That is 1.33% for each additional year after 2000.)

References

1. "RIAA Debuts Album Award with Streams". RIAA. February 1, 2016. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
2. "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
3. Associated Press (August 20, 2018). "RIAA: Eagles' Greatest Hits Certified 38x Platinum, Passing 'Thriller'". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
4. "Best-selling album". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
5. Wyman, Bill (January 4, 2013). "Did Michael Jackson's Thriller Really Sell a Hundred Million Copies?". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
6. "31. Global Sales of Recorded Music by Country in 2010 (page 24)" (PDF). RIAJ. 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
7. "RIAA: Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
8. "Publications > The Record". Recording Industry Association of Japan (in Japanese). Archived (PDF) from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
9. "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
10. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('Gold-/Platin-Datenbank')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
11. "InfoDisc: Les Certifications depuis 1973" [InfoDisc: Certifications from 1973]. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (in French). InfoDisc.fr. Archived from the original on June 21, 2010. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
12. "Music Canada: Gold & Platinum search". Music Canada. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
13. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
14. "AMPROFON: Certificaciones". AMPROFON. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
15. "Dutch Certifications" (in Dutch). NVPI. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
16. "F.I.M.I: Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana". Federation of the Italian Music Industry (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Archived from the original on November 30, 2011. Retrieved November 24, 2011.
17. "Guld & Platina IFPI" [Gold & Platinum IFPI] (in Swedish). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry – Sweden. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
18. "Premio Diamante: Los premiados" (in Spanish). CAPIF. Archived from the original on March 18, 2005. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
19. "Hitparade.ch: Edelmetall". Schweizer Hitparade. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
20. "IFPI Austria : Gold & Platin" (in German). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
21. "Tilastot: Kulta- ja platinalevyt". Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Archived from the original on October 10, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
22. "RIANZ: The Official New Zealand Music Chart". RIANZ. Archived from the original on November 27, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2011.
23. "Gold / Platinum Albums". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
24. "IFPIHKG Awards". IFPI. Archived from the original on December 26, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
25. "Discos de oro y platino" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
26. Partridge, Kenneth (July 25, 2015). "AC/DC's 'Back In Black' at 35: Classic Track-by-Track Album Review". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 19, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
27. Scapolo, Dean (2007). The Complete New Zealand Music Charts 1966–2006. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. ISBN 978-1-877443-00-8. Archived from the original on April 18, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
28. Bat Out Of Hell worldwide sales:
    • Olmsted, Larry (May 4, 2018). "Hit Record Becomes Hit Play: Music Lovers Will Love Bat Out Of Hell". Forbes. Archived from the original on October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
    • Hall, James (June 20, 2017). "The best-selling album nobody wanted to release: how Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf made Bat Out of Hell". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on June 24, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
    • Petkovic, John (August 12, 2019). "'BAT OUT OF HELL' HITS THE STAGE: AN ALBUM BORN IN CLEVELAND IS NOW A MUSICAL (PHOTOS)". Cleveland International Records. Archived from the original on October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
29. "Polish certification awards 1995–present" (in Polish). ZPAV. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
30. Smirke, Richard (March 16, 2013). "Pink Floyd, 'The Dark Side of the Moon' At 40: Classic Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
31. "Recording Industry Association of Japan - The History of music recordings industry during the 1990s" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Archived from the original on March 19, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
32. "ABPD: Certificados" (in Portuguese). Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos. Archived from the original on September 6, 2010. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
33. "Spanish Certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
34. "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
35. The Bodyguard Soundtrack worldwide sales:
    • Kimberly, Nordyke (October 30, 2017). "American Music Awards: Christina Aguilera to Honor Whitney Houston With 'Bodyguard' Tribute". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
    • Patrick, Ryan (November 9, 2017). "Exclusive: Whitney Houston's 'Bodyguard' turns 25 with never-before-seen performance". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
    • Chuck, Crisafulli (May 15, 2017). "Deep 10: Whitney Houston's The Bodyguard — Original Soundtrack Album". Grammy. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
    • Zach, Johnson (October 30, 2017). "Christina Aguilera Will Honor Whitney Houston and The Bodyguard's 25th Anniversary at the 2017 AMAs". E! News. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
    • Bianca, Garwood (October 13, 2017). "Whitney Houston Estate to Reissue 'The Bodyguard' Soundtrack for 25th Anniversary". Ebony. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
36. Morrison, Pat (May 7, 2012). "Eagles founder Glenn Frey releases an album of classic, jazzy songs". Southern California Public Radio. Archived from the original on August 1, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
37. HoustonsEagle.com (February 16, 2012). "Houston's Eagle Celebrates Eagles: Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)". Cox Media Group. Archived from the original on August 1, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
38. BigKev (December 14, 2012). "Top 200 Highest Selling Albums in Australia". Australian Recording Industry Association. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
39. Byrne, Katie (May 20, 2012). "Bee Gees' Robin Gibb Dead At 62". MTV. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
40. The Associated, Press (January 12, 2013). "Maurice Gibb, 53, of disco's Bee Gees: 'Saturday Night Fever' album defined era". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
41. "Les disques d'or". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (in French). Disque en France. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
42. "New Zealand album certifications – Fleetwood Mac – Rumours". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
43. McLaughlin, Katie (June 27, 2012). "Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' at 35: Still the 'perfect album'". CNN. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
44. Arnold, Don (December 12, 2012). "Fleetwood Mac Expanding 'Rumours' for 35th Anniversary". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
45. "Awards 1997–2003". Ultratop. Archived from the original on August 29, 2012. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
46. "Ultratop: Goud En Platina". Ultratop. Archived from the original on May 22, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
47. "Danish album certifications – Shania Twain – Come On Over". IFPI Denmark.
48. Hattenstone, Simon (April 22, 2018). "Shania Twain on abuse, betrayal and finding her voice: 'I wanted a break – but not for 15 years'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 30, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
49. Fiallo, Josh (April 10, 2019). "'Grease' prequel will reveal details of Sandy and Danny's 'Summer Nights'". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
50. "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart - The Official New Zealand Music Chart". THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART. Archived from the original on August 1, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
51. https://www.thisdayinmusic.com/liner-notes/50-best-selling-studio-albums/
52. Stevens, Tom (August 14, 2017). "Michael Jackson's Bad at 30". The Guardian. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
53. Kaufman, Gil (November 5, 2010). "Michael Jackson's New Album Cover Decoded Painting is packed with iconic MJ images". MTV. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
54. Montgomery, James (February 1, 2010). "'You Oughta Know': The Story Behind Beyonce's Grammy Cover". MTV News. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
55. "Biography Glen Ballard". Retrieved August 5, 2020.
56. "Récord de Ana Gabriel". El Tiempo (in Spanish). Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
57. "Michael Jackson award". Sony Music Entertainment. LiveAuctioneers. Archived from the original on April 8, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
58. Weiss, Jeff (August 7, 2016). "Dangerous Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 27, 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2018. The lone #1 single from the 32-million selling Dangerous, “Black or White” spent seven weeks atop the Billboard charts.
59. "Arany- és platinalemezek › Adatbázis 2000" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
60. Falling into You worldwide sales:
    • "Global All-Time Top 20 Albums". everyHit.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
    • "The 10 Biggest Grammy Blunders". Yahoo!. January 24, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
    • "The 50 best-selling albums ever". NME. October 21, 2010. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
    • "Total Eclipse of the Charts: Songs by Jim Steinman" (PDF). jimsteinman.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 14, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
    • "Musique : les 10 albums les plus vendus au monde" (in French). MSN. May 6, 2014. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
    • "'Falling Into You' One of the 100 Greatest Canadian Albums Ever". Five Star Feeling Inc. August 11, 2013. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
61. Sauro, Tony (September 29, 2011). "'Back to basics' with Don Henley". Recordnet.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
62. "Back in the Day: Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play". Euronews. June 1, 2011. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
63. Lee, Chris (May 10, 2009). "'Dirty Dancing,' the mega-hit musical". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
64. "RIAJ reveals hard copy sales certifications for February 2012" (in Japanese). RIAJ. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
65. "Audiomarkt 2011" (PDF) (in Dutch). NVPI. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 12, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
66. "Veckolista Album - Vecka 5, 1 februari 2013" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on June 21, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
67. "Prensario musica & video No. 463 – Sony Music: Serrat-Sabina, Michel Teló, Adele y Bersuit" (PDF) (in Spanish). Prensario musica & video. March 2012. Search "doble platino and 21". Retrieved October 30, 2012.
68. "Trofe Oversikt" (in Norwegian). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Search "Adele". Archived from the original on September 24, 2014. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
69. "Lenta.ru: Адель в платине". lenta.ru (in Russian). Лента.Ру. Archived from the original on December 27, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
70. "Danish album certifications – Adele – 21". IFPI Denmark. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
71. "Top AFP - Semana 22 de 2011" (in Portuguese). Artistas-espectaculos.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
72. "Adele sells over 250,000 albums in Ireland". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. August 3, 2012. Archived from the original on August 3, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
73. "Top-75 Albums Sales Chart" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
74. "Arany- és platinalemezek 2013" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Archived from the original on June 12, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
75. "Latest Gold / Platinum Albums". Radioscope. July 17, 2011. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011.
76. "Adele alcanzó coble platino en Chile por su disco '21'" (in Spanish). los40.cl. April 13, 2012. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
77. "Adele alcanza "Disco de Oro" en Venezuela" (in Spanish). November 2011. p. 1. Archived from the original on December 24, 2012. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
78. Serjeant, Jill (October 31, 2016). Osterman, Cynthia (ed.). "Adele says she battled depression, before and after son's birth". Vanity Fair. Reuters. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
79. "ARIA Catalogue Albums Chart – 06/08/2012". Australian Recording Industry Association. August 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
80. "Danish album certifications – Madonna – The Immaculate Collection". IFPI Denmark.
81. "The 25 Best-Selling Albums of All Time". Paste. August 22, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
82. Scapolo, Dean (2007). The Complete New Zealand Music Charts 1966–2006. Maurienne House. ISBN 978-1-877443-00-8.
83. "Priemos – 1999" (in Spanish). Cámara Uruguaya del Disco.
84. Let's Talk About Love worldwide sales:
    • Jason Anderson (January 19, 2008). "Learning to Love Celine Dion". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on September 21, 2009. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
    • "The 50 best-selling albums ever". NME. October 21, 2010. Archived from the original on August 16, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
    • "Global All-Time Top 20 Albums". everyHit.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
85. "Danish album certifications – Beatles – One". IFPI Denmark.
86. "Artistas & Espectáculos: Top Oficial AFP" (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
87. Lewis, Randy (April 8, 2009). "Beatles' catalog will be reissued September 9 in remastered versions". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 11, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
88. "RIAJ: ゴールド等認定作品" [Certified Gold Pieces] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Archived from the original on November 1, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
89. "Золотой и платиновый альбом в России – International 2008" (in Russian). National Federation of Phonograph Producers. 2008. Archived from the original on February 16, 2009. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
90. Bronson, Fred (April 3, 1999). "Abba's Björn Ulvaeus – The Billboard Interview". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 111 (14): 21–33. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on June 26, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
91. Needham, Alex (April 27, 2018). "Abba announce first new songs for 35 years". The Guardian. Archived from the original on May 1, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
92. "Back in the Day: Abbey Road hits the shelves". Euronews. September 26, 2011. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
93. Forde, Ian (July 13, 2012). "Bruce Springsteen still shows who's boss". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
94. "Mark Knopfler hurt in crash". BBC News. March 18, 2003. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
95. "Mark Knopfler | Europe in Concert". Deutsche Welle. 2012. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
96. "List of the albums certified "Million" by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (1989–2011)". September 12, 2011. Archived from the original on August 5, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
97. Scapolo, Dean (2007). The Complete New Zealand Music Charts 1966–2006. Maurienne House. ISBN 978-1-877443-00-8.
98. Ellwood, Gregory (November 16, 2009). "Leona Lewis follows in Celine Dion's 'Titanic' shadow for 'Avatar'". HitFix. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
99. Vaziri, Aidin (October 10, 2012). "Kirk Hammett: Some kind of monster fan". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on November 17, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
100. Mapes, Jillian; Bojalad, Alec; Maloy, Sarah (June 22, 2011). "Billboard Bits: Nirvana's 'Nevermind' To Be Re-Released, No More Guest Stars on 'Glee'". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 17, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
101. Gold & Platin, capif, archived from the original on May 31, 2011, retrieved July 5, 2009
102. Borrelli, Christopher (September 22, 2010). "How The Wall gets built in the first place". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
103. Premkumar, Joel (November 18, 2012). "Viva Santana!". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
104. Smith, Sara (November 18, 2012). "'American Masters' highlights David Geffen's influence but only hints at a dark side". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
105. Havelock, Laurie (August 9, 2012). "Column - Still hungry? 25 years of Guns'N'Roses' Appetite For Destruction". Q magazine. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
106. Greenburg, Zack O'Malley (May 24, 2011). "Jon Bon Jovi's Star Wars Secret". Forbes. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
107. "BET.com Exclusive: Mariah Celebrates 20 Years; Thanks Fans". Black Entertainment Television. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
108. "Linkin Park Announced As Saturday Headliner + Fall Out Boy As Main Support". Download Festival. November 5, 2013. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
109. "Eminem Total Albums Sold". Statisticbrain. July 11, 2017. Archived from the original on December 24, 2017. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
110. "Eminem music to hit stock exchange in deal offered by his producers". themusicnetwork. September 26, 2017. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
111. McCormick, Neil (October 2, 2016). "'Fame happened too fast': Norah Jones on life after Come Away With Me". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
112. Steffen, Chris (January 23, 2015). "Bassist Nathan East on Eric Clapton and "Change the World," Plus, Watch His Documentary". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
113. Holden, Stephen (April 19, 2012). "Reggae's Mellow King, Defined by a Legacy He Couldn't Outrun". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 16, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
114. Rosen, James (April 19, 2012). "'A Natural Woman' by Carole King". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
115. "40 Albums Baby Boomers Loved That Millennials Don't Know". Rolling Stone. May 14, 2014. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
116. "Queen retain UK album sales crown". BBC News. April 9, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2012. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
117. Kaufman, Gil (March 29, 2012). "Madonna And Lionel Richie To Reunite On Billboard Charts?". MTV (MTV Networks). Retrieved April 7, 2012.
118. Pilgrim, Michael (November 8, 2011). "Imagine... Simon & Garfunkel: the Harmony Game, BBC One, My Transsexual Summer, Channel 4, review". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on January 12, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
119. Cunningham, Simon (March 9, 2012). "25th birthday of U2's Joshua Tree album". The Irish News. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
120. "Prince's 'Purple Rain' reissue re-enters Top 200 Albums in the top 5". AXS. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
121. "The Curious Case Of Britney Spears: 5 Reasons Why The Princess of Pop Rules". February 14, 2011. Archived from the original on December 27, 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
122. Tannenbaum, Rob (January 6, 2017). "George Michael: Why He Turned His Back on Fame, and the 'Faith'-like Songs He Recorded Before His Death". billboard.com. Prometheus Global Media, LLC. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
123. "Elton John's Greatest Hits hits #1". History. Archived from the original on May 20, 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
124. "Backstreet Boys – Biography". Sony BMG. 2006. Archived from the original on September 11, 2007. Retrieved September 17, 2013. The next two BSB albums ("Backstreet's Back" and "Millennium") enjoyed worldwide sales of 24 million copies each.
125. "Spice Girls Bio". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
126. Sarah Anderson (November 12, 2010). "The 50 best-selling albums ever". NME. Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
127. Fletcher, Alex (October 26, 2007). "Ace Of Base announce reunion tour". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
128. "Ewan MacColl - Music Publishing". Concord Music. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
129. Reporter, Daily (August 15, 2008). "Contrasting fortunes as Madonna and Jacko turn 50". The Age. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
130. Hyman, Dan (October 3, 2017). "Clive Davis Talks New Career-Spanning Doc, Whitney Houston's Brilliance". =Rolling . Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
131. Hattenstone, Simon (December 6, 2008). "'Who wants to be a drug addict at 41?'". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2008.
132. McIntyre, Hugh (June 24, 2016). "Adele's '25' Is Now Available In Full On Streaming Platforms For The First Time". Forbes. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
133. "HIStory: Past, Present And Future, Book I (1995)*". Forbes. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
134. "Eminem To Release Sequel To The Marshall Mathers LP". August 26, 2013. Archived from the original on December 9, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
135. Reporter, Nine O'Clock (June 14, 2011). "Bon Jovi, the most eagerly anticipated concert of the year". Nine O'Clock. Archived from the original on June 17, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
136. Fisher, Luchina (November 30, 2011). "10 Things About Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' 30 Years After Its Release". ABC News. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
137. Kaufman, Gil (March 27, 2007). "Brad Delp, Singer For '70s Rock Icons Boston, Died Virtually Anonymous". MTV. Archived from the original on June 21, 2012. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
138. Roberts, Emma (May 12, 2011). "The Evolution of Britney Spears". MSN. Archived from the original on September 25, 2014. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
139. Ball, David (December 2011). "This Week in History: December 12 to 18". Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
140. Mansfield, Brian (November 12, 2012). "Def Leppard setting off 'Hysteria' with Las Vegas run". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 22, 2012. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
141. While sales of the original album released in 1957 are only 3.85 million, if this is added to the sales of the eponymous 1970 reissue (11.05 million), 1985 It's Christmas Time reissue (3.71 million), and all other Elvis Presley christmas albums with a tracklist matching the original album by 90% or more (6.62 million), the sum of 25.2 million is reached.Dolan, Jon (December 19, 2012). "The 25 Greatest Christmas Albums of All Time: 2. Elvis Presley, 'Elvis' Christmas Album' (1957)". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 16, 2015. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
142. Neutze, Ben (November 17, 2015). "Christmas Albums Are All Awful (and 'Kylie Christmas' Is a Worthy Addition)". Melbourne, Australia: Daily Review. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
143. Boeder, Jennifer (December 10, 2015). "Cool Christmas Music That Doesn't Suck". Medium. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
144. Adam, Chandler (February 1, 2014). "Green Day's Album 'Dookie' Is 20 Years Old Today". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on July 4, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
145. Perkins, Matthew (November 18, 2008). "Lionel Richie and You Are". ABC News (Australia). Archived from the original on June 10, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
146. Wright, Matthew (October 1, 2015). "How well do you know the lyrics to Mariah Carey's 'Daydream'?". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
147. How the Left Lost Teen Spirit-- (and how They're Getting it Back). Akashic Books. May 1, 2005. p. 228. ISBN 978-0-9719206-8-2. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
148. Doran, John (October 29, 2010). "Supertramp: Breakfast in America review". BBC. Archived from the original on March 4, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
149. Wernick, Adam (November 20, 2015). "Tracy Chapman's new greatest hits album celebrates a quietly powerful legacy". Public Radio International. Archived from the original on November 21, 2015. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
150. "Top 25 Movie Soundtracks". Time. February 21, 2011. Archived from the original on January 18, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
151. Hicks, Jonathan P. (June 27, 2013). "This Day in Black History: June 27, 1987". BET. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
152. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs. Barrie & Jenkins. ISBN 9780214204807. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2013. first time that a complete score of a Broadway musical was put on wax, by 1945 sales were at half a million
153. Heck, Peter. ""Oklahoma!" may not be the only Broadway musical with an exclamation mark in its title – but if any musical deserves it, this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic does". Church Hill, USA: Church Hill Theatre. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
154. Robertson, Patrick (November 11, 2011). Robertson's Book of Firsts: Who Did What for the First Time. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. ISBN 9781608197385. Archived from the original on January 1, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
155. McHugh, Dominic (August 30, 2012). "Loverly: The Life and Times of My Fair Lady". Barnes & Noble. Archived from the original on March 22, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
156. Marks, Peter (June 12, 2009). "The Broadway cast album: province of a devoted few". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
157. Gross, Mike (January 15, 1966). "Billboard Vol. 78, No. 3: Show Albums Win Longevity Sweepsatakes". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
158. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs. Barrie & Jenkins. ISBN 9780214204807. 1 million copies were sold by 1958, 2.25 million by 1960, almost 3 million by 1963
159. Rolontz, Bob (February 2, 1963). "Billboard Vol. 75, No. 5: The 'First Family' Story–WOW!". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
160. Fox, Margalit (October 30, 2004). "Vaughn Meader, Star as Kennedy Mimicker, Dies at 68". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 1, 2014. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
161. "Beatles Record-Busting LP May Be All-Time Biggest". Rolling Stone. December 21, 1968. Archived from the original on January 13, 2009. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
162. Taylor, Paula and John Keely (1976). Carole King. Creative Education. p. 26. ISBN 978-0-87191-465-1. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
163. Solid Gold: The Popular Record Industry. Transaction Publishers. 1975. p. 468. ISBN 978-1-4128-3479-7. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
164. Ruhlmann, William. "Julie Andrews". Allmusic. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
165. Weller, Sheila (April 2008). "The Rebel Angels". Los Angeles Times. Vanity Fair. p. 6. Archived from the original on January 14, 2014. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
166. McWhirter, Norris (1980). Guinness Book of World Records 1981. Sterling Publishing Company. p. 248. ISBN 978-0-8069-0196-1. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2013. ...25 million copies sold worldwide by May 1, 1979
167. Jerome, Jim (May 14, 1979). "Al Coury Is the Frankenstein of the Record Business: at R.s.o., He Makes Monsters". People. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
168. "Jet Vol. 67, No. 17: Michael Jackson Dominated Headlines with His Music". Jet. 1984–1985. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
169. "Digital Music Report / Recording Industry in Numbers". ifpi.org. IFPI. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
170. "2000-2005 Top 50 Albums". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on November 5, 2006. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
171. "Adele heads IFPI 2011 global countdown". Music Week. March 26, 2012. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
172. "Debunking Norah Jones' word-of-mouth success". Slate. February 10, 2004. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
173. "Top 50 Albums of 2003" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 20, 2006. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
174. "Bertelsmann Annual Report 2004" (PDF). Bertelsmann Music Group. 2005. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 6, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2005.
175. "Coldplay top 2005's global charts". BBC News. March 31, 2006. Archived from the original on October 1, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
176. "Walt Disney Records' High School Musical Audio Franchise Makes Global Chart History for Second Consecutive Year". Business Wire. June 16, 2008. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
177. "'High School Musical' Takes Global Top Spot In 07". Billboard. June 17, 2008. Archived from the original on November 13, 2015. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
178. "Viva La Vida top selling global album of 2008". IFPI. February 16, 2009. Archived from the original on June 24, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
179. "IFPI publishes Recording Industry in Numbers 2010". IFPI. April 28, 2010. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
180. "Ten million and counting for the unstoppable Adele". Music Week. September 7, 2011. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
181. "Digital Music Report 2013" (PDF). IFPI. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 29, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
182. "Digital Music Report 2014" (PDF). IFPI. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 26, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
183. "Digital Music Report 2015" (PDF). IFPI. April 14, 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
184. "Global Music Report 2016" (PDF). IFPI. April 12, 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 30, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
185. "Global Music Report 2017" (PDF). IFPI. April 25, 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 26, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
186. "Global Top 10 Albums of 2017", IFPI Global Music Report 2018 (PDF), IFPI, p. 9, archived (PDF) from the original on April 24, 2018, retrieved April 24, 2018
187. "Global Music Report 2019" (PDF). IFPI. April 2, 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
188. "ARASHI Awarded Global Album of 2019 for Their 20th Anniversary Compilation 5x20 All the BEST ..." IFPI. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.