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The music industry has been around for over a century and these are the 10 best-selling albums in history!
Andy Warhol, an important visual artist known for the iconic “Shot Marilyns,” once said, “Being good at business is the most fascinating kind of art. Making money is art and working on art and good business is the best art.”
Any cultural product is subject to industry, sales and consumption. The music industry is one of the most important in the world and generates something like 28 billion dollars (data from 2023, according to Statista). With more than a century of existence, the music industry is constantly changing – from vinyl records and CDs to the current era of streaming.
However, with the arrival of streaming, the physical sale of albums slowed down and revenue comes through other means. Yet these are the best-selling albums in history (and still continue to make money).
NOTE: The list is authored by Yahoo.
10. CELINE DION – “FALLING INTO YOU”
In descending order we find Céline Dion’s fourth studio album in English. “Falling Into You” established (even more) the status of the Canadian singer and became her best-selling album of all time and one of the best-selling in history.
The album includes the hits “Because You Loved Me” and “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.” It is estimated that it sold approximately 42 million copies.
9. EAGLES – “HOTEL CALIFORNIA”
Formed by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner in 1971, the Eagles are one of the most popular and profitable bands in music history. Still active but with several breaks in between, the Eagles’ albums continue to be sold.
The title of the album gives its name to the iconic song with the famous guitar solo and enigmatic lyrics, an important landmark of 70s rock. This album showcases the Eagles’ musical composition ability. “Hotel California” is in the same vein as the previous album, around 42 million copies sold.
8. BEE GEES – “SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER”
When disco fever swept through the 70s, the Bee Gees were pioneers thanks to the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack.
The 1977 film with John Travolta is quite popular but the soundtrack manages to be even more so. With the iconic song “Stayin’ Alive”, the album sold approximately 45 million copies.
7. PINK FLOYD – “THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON”
Pink Floyd don’t need any introductions, just like their great album “The Dark Side of The Moon”. With (probably) the most recognizable cover ever, the album explores themes such as time, madness and consumerism with a mix of rock, synthesizers and otherworldly sound effects. At this point it contains very unusual sounds – the sound of someone running around a microphone and the recording of multiple clocks ringing at the same time.
One of the talents behind “Dark Side of the Moon” was Roger Waters, the true “worker” of the album. This legendary album also sold approx. 45 million copies.
6. MICHAEL JACKSON – “BAD”
The greatest solo artist in the history of music continues to be remembered by millions and his albums continue to be sold in all the usual places. The King of Pop as he is commonly known strengthened his status with this album, which contains songs such as “Man in the Mirror,” “The Way You Make Me Feel” and “Smooth Criminal.”
Released in 1987, the album is a powerful mix of pop, rock and funk, and to date has sold around 45 million copies.
5. AC/DC – “BACK IN BLACK”
A rock anthem and a great tribute to the late singer Bon Scott. “Back in Black” was created out of the tragedy following the death of original singer Bon Scott. The band was almost breaking up, but the arrival of Brian Johnson as lead singer changed everything.
The album is a powerful tribute and a testament to the band’s resilience. Thus, he introduced the world to Brian Johnson and the iconic songs “You Shook Me All Night Long” and “Back in Black”. The Australian band’s album sold around 50 million copies.
4. LED ZEPPELIN – LED ZEPPELIN IV
Rock continues on this list and clearly dominates. Founded by Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham, the British band is one of the most successful bands of all time, estimated to have sold close to 200 million copies. However, there is one album that contributed more than the others to this number.
Released in 1971, the album contains a mix of hard rock and folk. Featured on the album is one of the most iconic rock songs ever written, “Stairway to Heaven”. It is estimated that it sold around 51 million copies.
3. THE BEATLES – “THE WHITE ALBUM”
Still in the lands of his majesty we find another iconic band – the Beatles. In third place is the unforgettable “The White Album”, named due to the white cover. Released in 1968, it shows John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul MacCartney in their most diverse form, encompassing rock, pop, folk and avant-garde.
With the themes “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Blackbird” it is a monumental piece of music history and sold around 60 million copies.
2. MICHAEL JACKSON – “THRILLER”
Until recently, the King of Pop was in first place. But in 2018, the Eagles’ greatest hits album, released in 1976, surpassed Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, according to the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The album sold around 66 million copies But it’s not just the themes that marked the history of music. The iconic music video for the song “Thriller” opened doors to the visual aspect of music.
1. EAGLES – “THEIR GREATEST HITS (1971-1975)”
And last but not least, the best-selling album in music history – “Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)”, by the Eagles.
A compilation of unmissable songs that justify the 72 million copies sold all over the world.
Do you have any of these albums? Do you prefer digital or physical format?
