Where U2 stands among the best selling albums of all-time worldwide

[phanan]

After talking about worldwide album sales in another thread, I thought it would be interesting to post the best selling albums of all-time worldwide. I looked through the forum, and did not see another thread on this (we do have one on best selling albums since 2000, however).

It's cool to think that U2 has not one, but two albums within these rankings, and I think that says something...


ALL TIME BEST SELLING ALBUM WORLDWIDE CHART
(15 million album sold and more)
Last update: January 20, 2005

(Title - Artist - Source)

59 million
THRILLER - JACKSON, MICHAEL - MJJ source + IFPI

42 million
EAGLES/THEIR GREATEST HITS 1971 - 1975 - EAGLES - CNN + IFPI
BACK IN BLACK - AC/DC - Official site + IFPI

40 million
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (BEE GEES) (2LP) - SOUNDTRACK - Polydor site + IFPI

37 million
BAT OUT OF HELL - MEAT LOAF - Jim Steinman source + IFPI
THE BODYGUARD (HOUSTON, WHITNEY) - SOUNDTRACK - Official Site + IFPI

35 million
DARK SIDE OF THE MOON - PINK FLOYD - Official site + IFPI
COME ON OVER - TWAIN, SHANIA - Official Site + IFPI

32 million
SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND - BEATLES, THE - MSAW + IFPI
LED ZEPPELIN IV - LED ZEPPELIN Official Site + IFPI
DIRTY DANCING - SOUNDTRACK Official Site + IFPI

30 million
RUMOURS - FLEETWOOD MAC - Official Site + IFPI
LET'S TALK ABOUT LOVE - DION, CELINE - Sony + IFPI
MILLENNIUM - BACKSTREET BOYS - Official Site + IFPI

29 million
ABBEY ROAD - THE BEATLES - MSAW + IFPI
BAD - JACKSON, MICHAEL - MJJ Source + IFPI
JAGGED LITTLE PILL - MORISSETTE, ALANIS - MSAW + IFPI
FALLING INTO YOU - DION, CELINE - Sony + IFPI
TITANIC - SOUNDTRACK - Official Site + IFPI

28 million
GREASE (2LP) - SOUNDTRACK - Polygram + IFPI
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - SPRINGSTEEN, BRUCE - Official Site + IFPI
DANGEROUS - JACKSON, MICHAEL - MJJ Source + IFPI
1 (ONE) - BEATLES, THE - EMI site + IFPI

27 million
HOTEL CALIFORNIA - EAGLES Official Site + IFPI
MUSIC BOX - CAREY, MARIAH - Official site + IFPI
THE JOSHUA TREE - U2 - Official Site

26 million
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER - SIMON & GARFUNKEL Official Site + IFPI
BROTHERS IN ARMS - DIRE STRAITS Official Site + IFPI
APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION - GUNS 'N ROSES Official Site + IFPI
SUPERNATURAL - SANTANA - Official Site + IFPI

25 million
SLIPPERY WHEN WET - BON JOVI - Official Site + IFPI
ABBA GOLD - ABBA - Official Site + IFPI
BACKSTREET BOYS (aka BACKSTREET 's BACK) - BACKSTREET BOYS - Official Site + IFPI
...BABY ONE MORE TIME - SPEARS, BRITNEY - Official Site + IFPI

24 million
THE WALL (2CD) - PINK FLOYD - Official site + IFPI
SPICE - SPICE GIRLS - Official Site + IFPI
WHITNEY HOUSTON - HOUSTON, WHITNEY - Official Site + IFPI
THE IMMACULATE COLLECTION - MADONNA - W.B. + IFPI

23 million
TAPESTRY - KING, CAROLE Official Site + IFPI
CAN'T SLOW DOWN - RICHIE, LIONEL Official Site + IFPI
TRUE BLUE - MADONNA Official Site + IFPI
METALLICA - METALLICA Official Site + IFPI

22 million
SOUND OF MUSIC - SOUNDTRACK Official Site + IFPI
GREATEST HITS - SIMON & GARFUNKEL Official Site + IFPI
DAYDREAM - CAREY, MARIAH Official Site + IFPI

21 million
THE BEATLES 1967 - 1970 (2CD) - BEATLES, THE - MSAW + IFPI
BOSTON - BOSTON - Official Site +IFPI
GREATEST HITS - JOHN, ELTON - Official Site +IFPI
SPIRITS HAVING FLOWN - BEE GEES - Polydor + IFPI
LIKE A VIRGIN - MADONNA - W.B. + IFPI
THE SIGN/HAPPY NATION - ACE OF BASE - Official Site + IFPI

20 million
THE BEATLES 1962 - 1966 (2CD) - BEATLES, THE - MSAW + IFPI
PURPLE RAIN (SOUNDTRACK) - PRINCE & THE REVOLUTIONS - Official Site + IFPI
PLEASE HAMMER DON'T HURT 'EM - HAMMER - Official Site +IFPI
RICKY MARTIN - MARTIN, RICKY - Official Site +IFPI
COME AWAY WITH ME - JONES, NORAH - Official Site

19 million
THE BEATLES (WHITE ALBUM) (2CD) - BEATLES, THE - MSAW + IFPI
OFF THE WALL - JACKSON, MICHAEL - MJJ Source + IFPI
WHITNEY - HOUSTON, WHITNEY - Official Site - IFPI
OOPS!... I DID IT AGAIN - SPEARS, BRITNEY - Official Site + IFPI

18 million
BREAKFAST IN AMERICA - SUPERTRAMPS - Official Site + IFPI
HYSTERIA - DEF LEPPARD - Official Site + IFPI
THE WOMAN IN ME - TWAIN, SHANIA - Mercury - IFPI
(WHAT'S THE STORY) MORNING GLORY - OASIS - Official Site + IFPI
THE SCORE - FUGEES - IFPI
ALL THE WAY... - DION, CELINE - Sony + IFPI
HISTORY: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE BOOK I (2CD) - JACKSON, MICHAEL - MJJ Source + IFPI
NEVERMIND - NIRVANA - Amazon.com

17 million
GREATEST HITS VOLUME I & VOLUME II (2CD) - JOEL, BILLY - Official Site + IFPI
PHYSICAL GRAFFITI (2LP) - LED ZEPPELIN - Official Site + IFPI
FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE (2LP) - FRAMPTON, PETER - Pop Matters + IFPI
NO FENCES - BROOKS, GARTH - IFPI
ACHTUNG BABY - U2 - Official Site
MARIAH CAREY - CAREY, MARIAH - Official Site + IFPI
CRACKED REAR VIEW - HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH - Official Site + IFPI
UNPLUGGED - CLAPTON, ERIC - Official Site +IFPI
SPICE WORLD - SPICE GIRLS - Official Site + IFPI
ROMANZA - BOCELLI, ANDREA - Official Site +IFPI
THE MARSHALL MATHERS LP - EMINEM - Official Site +IFPI
FALLEN - EVANESCENCE - Official Site

16 million
TUBULAR BELLS - OLDFIELD, MIKE - Official Site +IFPI
LEGEND - MARLEY, BOB & THE WAILERS - Official Site +IFPI
FAITH - MICHAEL, GEORGE - Official Site +IFPI
USE YOUR ILLUSION I - GUNS'N'ROSES - Official Site +IFPI
JANET. - JACKSON, JANET - Official Site +IFPI
MERRY CHRISTMAS - CAREY, MARIAH - Official Site +IFPI
ROPIN' THE WIND - BROOKS, GARTH - Official Site
BUTTERFLY - CAREY, MARIAH - Official Site +IFPI
BEST OF 1980-1990 - U2 - Official Site
NO STRINGS ATTACHED - 'N SYNC - Official Site +IFPI

15 million
II - LED ZEPPELIN - Official Site +IFPI
GREATEST HITS - ROGERS, KENNY - Official Site +IFPI
GREATEST HITS VOL.2 - THE EAGLES - Official Site +IFPI
GUILTY - STREISAND, BARBRA - Polydor
GREATEST HITS - QUEEN - Official Site + IFPI
NO JACKET REQUIRED - COLLINS, PHIL Official Site + IFPI
NEW JERSEY - BON JOVI - Official Site
LIKE A PRAYER - MADONNA - W.B.
TO THE EXTREME - VANILLA ICE - Official Site + IFPI
CROSS ROADS - BON JOVI - Official Site
COLOUR OF MY LOVE - DION, CELINE - Official Site - Official Site + IFPI
USE YOUR ILLUSION II - GUNS'N'ROSES - Official Site + IFPI
THE LION KING - SOUNDTRACK - Official Site + IFPI
TRAGIC KINGDOM - NO DOUBT - Official Site + IFPI
BAT OUT OF HELL 2: BACK INTO HELL - MEAT LOAF - Official Site + IFPI
YOURSELF OR SOMEONE LIKE YOU - MATCHBOX 20 - Official Site + IFPI
BLACK & BLUE - BACKSTREET BOYS - Official Site
RAY OF LIGHT - MADONNA - W.B. - Official Site + IFPI
DOUBLE LIVE (2CD) - BROOKS, GARTH - Official Site
THE MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL - HILL, LAURYN - Official Site + IFPI
MUSIC - MADONNA - W.B.
THE EMINEM SHOW - EMINEM - Official Site + IFPI
BUSINESS AS USUAL - MEN AT WORK - Official Site

 

[-macphisto-]

michael jackson really is the king

 

[Teski]

Very cool! Thanks for pulling this together. It does show how many Michael Jackson has sold around the world.

The two up top that surprised me were:

37 million
BAT OUT OF HELL - MEAT LOAF - Jim Steinman source + IFPI
THE BODYGUARD (HOUSTON, WHITNEY) - SOUNDTRACK - Official Site + IFPI

I know these were big, but I didn't realize they were this huge!

 

[STING2]

I'm not sure how comprehensive and accurate this list is. Certainly a lot of its correct, but its missing:

THE POLICE: SYNCHRONICITY 20 million

The 20 million figure for this album is an estimate. What is factually known about this albums sales is that it was released in 1983 and by October of 1984 had sold 11 million copies worldwide. The album went onto sell an additional 4 million copies in the United States by 2001. So that is a minimum of 15 million copies at that point. Then one has to add all the albums sold outside the United States since 1984 which would certainly push the album towards a total of 20 million by now.

There are a lot of classic albums that have sold very well over the years, and I am sure there are more that need to be added to this list.

 

[Teski]

I'm not sure how comprehensive and accurate this list is. Certainly a lot of its correct, but its missing:

THE POLICE: SYNCHRONICITY 20 million

The 20 million figure for this album is an estimate. What is factually known about this albums sales is that it was released in 1983 and by October of 1984 had sold 11 million copies worldwide. The album went onto sell an additional 4 million copies in the United States by 2001. So that is a minimum of 15 million copies at that point. Then one has to add all the albums sold outside the United States since 1984 which would certainly push the album towards a total of 20 million by now.

There are a lot of classic albums that have sold very well over the years, and I am sure there are more that need to be added to this list.

Ya...I'm sure the list isn't all inclusive. There's The Police, The Doors, The Stones, etc....All I'm sure have an album up there, but the list that was given here is very interesting!

 

[edge3]

Great list - seems to be very up to date & comprehensive.

It's cool to think that U2 has not one, but two albums within these rankings...

I hate to be pedantic but U2 have actually got 3 albums within these rankings - JT, AB & Best of 1980-90. Amazing that these have sold a combined 60M - that's almost half of their worldwide total of about 130-140M.

Interesting that Spice Girls 'Spice' has sold 24M & I'm still a bit surprised that Morning Glory has sold as much as 18M - I s'pose it might have shipped that many. I'm also not so sure Madonna's 'Music' has sold 15M - it's only sold 2M in US (+ 5M in Europe).

Anyway thanx a lot for posting this list - it's filled in a lot of holes.

 

[phanan]

I'm not sure how comprehensive and accurate this list is. Certainly a lot of its correct, but its missing:

THE POLICE: SYNCHRONICITY 20 million

The 20 million figure for this album is an estimate. What is factually known about this albums sales is that it was released in 1983 and by October of 1984 had sold 11 million copies worldwide. The album went onto sell an additional 4 million copies in the United States by 2001. So that is a minimum of 15 million copies at that point. Then one has to add all the albums sold outside the United States since 1984 which would certainly push the album towards a total of 20 million by now.

There are a lot of classic albums that have sold very well over the years, and I am sure there are more that need to be added to this list.

Hmmm, I'd have to check. I think 20 million might be a bit high, but you're right, I think I missed this one.

 

[edge3]

These sales figures for JT, AB & Best of 80-90 means that U2's overall worldwide sales should now look something like this :

Boy - 3M
October - 3M
War - 8M
UABRS - 8M
UF - 8M
WAIA - 2M
JT - 27M
R&H - 14M
AB - 17M
Zooropa - 8M
Pop - 6M
Best of 80-90 - 16M
ATYCLB - 12M
Best of 90-00 - 4M
HTDAAB - 8M
Total = 144M

I believe that's now more than AC/DC's overall total. I am now fairly certain that The Beatles are probably the only band/group to have sold more albums than U2 since 1980.

 

[phanan]

Great list - seems to be very up to date & comprehensive.



I hate to be pedantic but U2 have actually got 3 albums within these rankings - JT, AB & Best of 1980-90. Amazing that these have sold a combined 60M - that's almost half of their worldwide total of about 130-140M.

Interesting that Spice Girls 'Spice' has sold 24M & I'm still a bit surprised that Morning Glory has sold as much as 18M - I s'pose it might have shipped that many. I'm also not so sure Madonna's 'Music' has sold 15M - it's only sold 2M in US (+ 5M in Europe).

Anyway thanx a lot for posting this list - it's filled in a lot of holes.

Yeah, I meant to say three instead of two for U2. It was very late when I posted that.

 

[Teski]

These sales figures for JT, AB & Best of 80-90 means that U2's overall worldwide sales should now look something like this :

Boy - 3M
October - 3M
War - 8M
UABRS - 8M
UF - 8M
WAIA - 2M
JT - 27M
R&H - 14M
AB - 17M
Zooropa - 8M
Pop - 6M
Best of 80-90 - 16M
ATYCLB - 12M
Best of 90-00 - 4M
HTDAAB - 8M
Total = 144M

I believe that's now more than AC/DC's overall total. I am now fairly certain that The Beatles are probably the only band/group to have sold more albums than U2 since 1980.

Ya...Not too bad huh?

 

[mikeuk]

After talking about worldwide album sales in another thread, I thought it would be interesting to post the best selling albums of all-time worldwide. I looked through the forum, and did not see another thread on this (we do have one on best selling albums since 2000, however).

It's cool to think that U2 has not one, but two albums within these rankings, and I think that says something...


ALL TIME BEST SELLING ALBUM WORLDWIDE CHART
(15 million album sold and more)
Last update: January 20, 2005

(Title - Artist - Source)

59 million
THRILLER - JACKSON, MICHAEL - MJJ source + IFPI

42 million
EAGLES/THEIR GREATEST HITS 1971 - 1975 - EAGLES - CNN + IFPI
BACK IN BLACK - AC/DC - Official site + IFPI

40 million
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (BEE GEES) (2LP) - SOUNDTRACK - Polydor site + IFPI

37 million
BAT OUT OF HELL - MEAT LOAF - Jim Steinman source + IFPI
THE BODYGUARD (HOUSTON, WHITNEY) - SOUNDTRACK - Official Site + IFPI

35 million
DARK SIDE OF THE MOON - PINK FLOYD - Official site + IFPI
COME ON OVER - TWAIN, SHANIA - Official Site + IFPI

32 million
SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND - BEATLES, THE - MSAW + IFPI
LED ZEPPELIN IV - LED ZEPPELIN Official Site + IFPI
DIRTY DANCING - SOUNDTRACK Official Site + IFPI

30 million
RUMOURS - FLEETWOOD MAC - Official Site + IFPI
LET'S TALK ABOUT LOVE - DION, CELINE - Sony + IFPI
MILLENNIUM - BACKSTREET BOYS - Official Site + IFPI

29 million
ABBEY ROAD - THE BEATLES - MSAW + IFPI
BAD - JACKSON, MICHAEL - MJJ Source + IFPI
JAGGED LITTLE PILL - MORISSETTE, ALANIS - MSAW + IFPI
FALLING INTO YOU - DION, CELINE - Sony + IFPI
TITANIC - SOUNDTRACK - Official Site + IFPI

28 million
GREASE (2LP) - SOUNDTRACK - Polygram + IFPI
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - SPRINGSTEEN, BRUCE - Official Site + IFPI
DANGEROUS - JACKSON, MICHAEL - MJJ Source + IFPI
1 (ONE) - BEATLES, THE - EMI site + IFPI

27 million
HOTEL CALIFORNIA - EAGLES Official Site + IFPI
MUSIC BOX - CAREY, MARIAH - Official site + IFPI
THE JOSHUA TREE - U2 - Official Site

26 million
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER - SIMON & GARFUNKEL Official Site + IFPI
BROTHERS IN ARMS - DIRE STRAITS Official Site + IFPI
APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION - GUNS 'N ROSES Official Site + IFPI
SUPERNATURAL - SANTANA - Official Site + IFPI

25 million
SLIPPERY WHEN WET - BON JOVI - Official Site + IFPI
ABBA GOLD - ABBA - Official Site + IFPI
BACKSTREET BOYS (aka BACKSTREET 's BACK) - BACKSTREET BOYS - Official Site + IFPI
...BABY ONE MORE TIME - SPEARS, BRITNEY - Official Site + IFPI

24 million
THE WALL (2CD) - PINK FLOYD - Official site + IFPI
SPICE - SPICE GIRLS - Official Site + IFPI
WHITNEY HOUSTON - HOUSTON, WHITNEY - Official Site + IFPI
THE IMMACULATE COLLECTION - MADONNA - W.B. + IFPI

23 million
TAPESTRY - KING, CAROLE Official Site + IFPI
CAN'T SLOW DOWN - RICHIE, LIONEL Official Site + IFPI
TRUE BLUE - MADONNA Official Site + IFPI
METALLICA - METALLICA Official Site + IFPI

22 million
SOUND OF MUSIC - SOUNDTRACK Official Site + IFPI
GREATEST HITS - SIMON & GARFUNKEL Official Site + IFPI
DAYDREAM - CAREY, MARIAH Official Site + IFPI

21 million
THE BEATLES 1967 - 1970 (2CD) - BEATLES, THE - MSAW + IFPI
BOSTON - BOSTON - Official Site +IFPI
GREATEST HITS - JOHN, ELTON - Official Site +IFPI
SPIRITS HAVING FLOWN - BEE GEES - Polydor + IFPI
LIKE A VIRGIN - MADONNA - W.B. + IFPI
THE SIGN/HAPPY NATION - ACE OF BASE - Official Site + IFPI

20 million
THE BEATLES 1962 - 1966 (2CD) - BEATLES, THE - MSAW + IFPI
PURPLE RAIN (SOUNDTRACK) - PRINCE & THE REVOLUTIONS - Official Site + IFPI
PLEASE HAMMER DON'T HURT 'EM - HAMMER - Official Site +IFPI
RICKY MARTIN - MARTIN, RICKY - Official Site +IFPI
COME AWAY WITH ME - JONES, NORAH - Official Site

19 million
THE BEATLES (WHITE ALBUM) (2CD) - BEATLES, THE - MSAW + IFPI
OFF THE WALL - JACKSON, MICHAEL - MJJ Source + IFPI
WHITNEY - HOUSTON, WHITNEY - Official Site - IFPI
OOPS!... I DID IT AGAIN - SPEARS, BRITNEY - Official Site + IFPI

18 million
BREAKFAST IN AMERICA - SUPERTRAMPS - Official Site + IFPI
HYSTERIA - DEF LEPPARD - Official Site + IFPI
THE WOMAN IN ME - TWAIN, SHANIA - Mercury - IFPI
(WHAT'S THE STORY) MORNING GLORY - OASIS - Official Site + IFPI
THE SCORE - FUGEES - IFPI
ALL THE WAY... - DION, CELINE - Sony + IFPI
HISTORY: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE BOOK I (2CD) - JACKSON, MICHAEL - MJJ Source + IFPI
NEVERMIND - NIRVANA - Amazon.com

17 million
GREATEST HITS VOLUME I & VOLUME II (2CD) - JOEL, BILLY - Official Site + IFPI
PHYSICAL GRAFFITI (2LP) - LED ZEPPELIN - Official Site + IFPI
FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE (2LP) - FRAMPTON, PETER - Pop Matters + IFPI
NO FENCES - BROOKS, GARTH - IFPI
ACHTUNG BABY - U2 - Official Site
MARIAH CAREY - CAREY, MARIAH - Official Site + IFPI
CRACKED REAR VIEW - HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH - Official Site + IFPI
UNPLUGGED - CLAPTON, ERIC - Official Site +IFPI
SPICE WORLD - SPICE GIRLS - Official Site + IFPI
ROMANZA - BOCELLI, ANDREA - Official Site +IFPI
THE MARSHALL MATHERS LP - EMINEM - Official Site +IFPI
FALLEN - EVANESCENCE - Official Site

16 million
TUBULAR BELLS - OLDFIELD, MIKE - Official Site +IFPI
LEGEND - MARLEY, BOB & THE WAILERS - Official Site +IFPI
FAITH - MICHAEL, GEORGE - Official Site +IFPI
USE YOUR ILLUSION I - GUNS'N'ROSES - Official Site +IFPI
JANET. - JACKSON, JANET - Official Site +IFPI
MERRY CHRISTMAS - CAREY, MARIAH - Official Site +IFPI
ROPIN' THE WIND - BROOKS, GARTH - Official Site
BUTTERFLY - CAREY, MARIAH - Official Site +IFPI
BEST OF 1980-1990 - U2 - Official Site
NO STRINGS ATTACHED - 'N SYNC - Official Site +IFPI

15 million
II - LED ZEPPELIN - Official Site +IFPI
GREATEST HITS - ROGERS, KENNY - Official Site +IFPI
GREATEST HITS VOL.2 - THE EAGLES - Official Site +IFPI
GUILTY - STREISAND, BARBRA - Polydor
GREATEST HITS - QUEEN - Official Site + IFPI
NO JACKET REQUIRED - COLLINS, PHIL Official Site + IFPI
NEW JERSEY - BON JOVI - Official Site
LIKE A PRAYER - MADONNA - W.B.
TO THE EXTREME - VANILLA ICE - Official Site + IFPI
CROSS ROADS - BON JOVI - Official Site
COLOUR OF MY LOVE - DION, CELINE - Official Site - Official Site + IFPI
USE YOUR ILLUSION II - GUNS'N'ROSES - Official Site + IFPI
THE LION KING - SOUNDTRACK - Official Site + IFPI
TRAGIC KINGDOM - NO DOUBT - Official Site + IFPI
BAT OUT OF HELL 2: BACK INTO HELL - MEAT LOAF - Official Site + IFPI
YOURSELF OR SOMEONE LIKE YOU - MATCHBOX 20 - Official Site + IFPI
BLACK & BLUE - BACKSTREET BOYS - Official Site
RAY OF LIGHT - MADONNA - W.B. - Official Site + IFPI
DOUBLE LIVE (2CD) - BROOKS, GARTH - Official Site
THE MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL - HILL, LAURYN - Official Site + IFPI
MUSIC - MADONNA - W.B.
THE EMINEM SHOW - EMINEM - Official Site + IFPI
BUSINESS AS USUAL - MEN AT WORK - Official Site

When you state `official site', which site(s) are you referring to ? I have never seen anything on the universal/island site 9or u2com) that puts sales of JT that high.

Indeed at the launch of Bomb BBC radio 1 quoted sales - as given to them by the record company- at 21m. I know STING disagrees with that figure but until now we have all been guesstimating- that was until your post.

Mike

 

[04072511]

Despite all the rubbish music that sells well, this list shows quite clearly that the cream comes to the top. Look at most of these albums. Pure quality.

 

[phanan]

Re: Re: Where U2 stands among the best selling albums of all-time worldwide

When you state `official site', which site(s) are you referring to ? I have never seen anything on the universal/island site 9or u2com) that puts sales of JT that high.

Indeed at the launch of Bomb BBC radio 1 quoted sales - as given to them by the record company- at 21m. I know STING disagrees with that figure but until now we have all been guesstimating- that was until your post.

Mike

To be honest, I got this list from another web site, and I can't even remember the name of it now. Obviously, different numbers appear all over the place, but for the most part, these are the biggest selling albums of all time.

I'm going to try to get something more concrete though. Something that is as official as it gets.

 

[phanan]

OK, so I did some more research on this (hey, I have time on my hands this week, so what the hell). If you do a search, you come up with all different kinds of things, and it is really hard to discern what is right from wrong.

I decided the best thing to do was to start at the top. Certainly, Michael Jackson isn't shy about reminding people how much his albums have sold. Sure enough, I found a news item on one of the many sites devoted to him, and it comes straight from the RIAA. Yes, I know the RIAA generally classifies American sales, but they do keep track of worldwide sales as well, and I can't say I would doubt what they state.

Of course, they have The Joshua Tree at only 18 million. A huge difference. It is dated earlier, in 2003, but still...

So here is another list. As you can see, it is very similar, but there are some noticeable differences, such as the aforementioned JT.

Keep in mind, however, that when figuring in Soundscan sales, they make a note of saying "if known" - this to me is huge because it goes back to 1991.


Begin article:


King of Pop has five of the top 100 best selling albums of all time
Wednesday, October 22, 2003

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Michael Jackson's Thriller - with worldwide sales exceeding 54 million copies - is the biggest selling album ever.

Even more incredible, is the the fact that four other King of Pop albums have made it to the 100 worldwide best seller list. They are: Bad and Dangerous at No. 21 and 23, both with 27 million copies sold; HIStory at No. 70 with 17 million double albums sold and Off The Wall at No. 77 with 16 million copies sold.

(rank, estimated world sales in millions, RIAA Certified Platinum level,
Soundscan sales 1991-now (if known), TITLE, Artist (year).


001 54 26 00.0 THRILLER Michael Jackson (1983)
002 42 19 00.0 BACK IN BLACK AC/DC (1980)
003 41 27 00.0 GREATEST HITS 1971-75 The Eagles (1976)
004 40 15 00.0 SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER Soundtrack (1978)
005 37 17 11.7 THE BODYGUARD Soundtrack (1992)
006 37 14 00.0 BAT OUT OF HELL Meat Loaf (1978)
007 35 15 06.3 THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON Pink Floyd (1973)
008 35 19 14.5 COME ON OVER Shania Twain (1997)
009 32 11 02.8 SGT.PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND The Beatles (1967)
010 32 11 00.0 DIRTY DANCING Soundtrack (1987)
011 30 22 00.0 LED ZEPPELIN IV Led Zeppelin (1971)
012 30 19 00.0 RUMOURS Fleetwood Mac (1977)
013 30 13 12.0 MILLENNIUM Backstreet Boys (1999)
014 30 10 09.2 LET'S TALK ABOUT LOVE Celine Dion (1997)
015 29 12 02.6 ABBEY ROAD The Beatles (1969)
016 29 11 10.5 FALLING INTO YOU Celine Dion (1996)
017 29 11 10.0 TITANIC Soundtrack (1998)
018 28 16 14.1 JAGGED LITTLE PILL Alanis Morissette (1995)
019 27 10 07.1 MUSIC BOX Mariah Carey (1993)
020 27 08 08.9 1 The Beatles (2000)
021 27 08 06.2 BAD Michael Jackson (1987)
022 27 08 04.6 GREASE Soundtrack (1978)
023 27 07 05.8 DANGEROUS Michael Jackson (1991)
024 26 16 00.0 HOTEL CALIFORNIA The Eagles (1976)
025 25 15 02.1 APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION Guns & Roses (1988)
026 25 14 11.2 SUPERNATURAL Santana (1999)
027 25 14 10.0 BACKSTREET BOYS Backstreet Boys (1998)
028 25 09 00.0 BROTHERS IN ARMS Dire Straits (1985)
029 25 08 00.0 BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER Simon & Garfunkel (1970)
030 24 15 00.0 BORN IN THE USA Bruce Springsteen (1984)
031 24 13 10.4 ... BABY ONE MORE TIME Britney Spears (1999)
032 24 12 00.0 SLIPPERY WHEN WET Bon Jovi (1986)
033 23 12 00.0 WHITNEY HOUSTON Whitney Houston (1985)
034 23 10 04.8 THE IMMACULATE COLLECTION Madonna (1990)
035 23 07 07.3 SPICE Spice Girls (1996)
036 23 06 05.0 GOLD - GREATEST HITS Abba (1992)
037 22 13 13.3 METALLICA Metallica (1991)
038 22 12 00.0 TAPESTRY Carole King (1971)
039 22 10 07.5 DAYDREAM Mariah Carey (1995)
040 22 10 00.0 CAN'T SLOW DOWN Lionel Richie (1983)
041 22 07 00.0 TRUE BLUE Madonna (1986)
042 21 13 00.0 GREATEST HITS Simon & Garfunkel (1972)
043 21 09 04.9 THE SIGN/HAPPY NATION Ace Of Base (1994)
044 21 08 00.0 SOUND OF MUSIC Soundtrack (1965)
045 20 11 00.0 THE WALL Pink Floyd (1979)
046 20 10 00.0 PLEASE HAMMER DON'T HURT 'EM MC Hammer (1990)
047 20 10 00.0 LIKE A VIRGIN Madonna (1984)
048 20 08 01.8 1967-1970 The Beatles (1973)
049 20 07 06.9 RICKY MARTIN Ricky Martin (1999)
050 20 00 00.0 SPIRITS HAVING FLOWN The Bee Gees (1979)
051 20 16 00.0 GREATEST HITS Elton John (1974) *
052 19 09 08.9 OOPS! ...I DID IT AGAIN Britney Spears (2000)
053 19 09 00.0 WHITNEY Whitney Houston (1987)
054 19 07 01.6 1962-1966 The Beatles (1973)
055 18 16 00.0 BOSTON Boston (1976)
056 18 13 00.0 PURPLE RAIN Prince (1984)
057 18 12 07.5 THE WOMAN IN ME Shania Twain (1995)
058 18 10 02.2 THE BEATLES (WHITE ALBUM) The Beatles (1968)
059 18 10 01.0 THE JOSHUA TREE U2 (1987)
060 18 06 06.1 ALL THE WAY...A DECADE OF SONG Celine Dion (1999)
061 18 06 05.4 THE SCORE Fugees (1996)
062 18 04 03.5 (WHAT'S THE STORY) MORNING GLORY Oasis (1995)
063 18 04 00.0 BREAKFAST IN AMERICA Supertramp (1979)
064 17 16 10.0 CRACKED REAR VIEW Hootie & The Blowfish (1995)
065 17 12 01.9 HYSTERIA Def Leppard (1987)
066 17 09 04.8 MARIAH CAREY Mariah Carey (1990)
067 17 08 08.9 THE MARSHALL MATHERS LP Eminem (2000)
068 17 06 00.0 COMES ALIVE Peter Frampton (1976)
069 17 04 04.3 SPICE WORLD Spice Girls (1997)
070 17 04 02.5 HISTORY Michael Jackson (1995)
071 17 02 03.4 ROMANZA Andrea Bocelli (1997)
072 16 16 08.8 NO FENCES Garth Brooks (1991)
073 16 11 11.0 NO STRINGS ATTACHED 'N Sync (2000)
074 16 10 07.3 UNPLUGGED Eric Clapton (1992)
075 16 10 00.0 FAITH George Michael (1987)
076 16 07 05.2 USE YOUR ILLUSION I Guns & Roses (1991)
077 16 07 00.0 OFF THE WALL Michael Jackson (1979)
078 16 06 06.7 JANET. Janet Jackson (1993)
079 16 05 03.6 BUTTERFLY Mariah Carey (1997)
080 16 00 00.0 TUBULAR BELLS Mike Oldfield (1973)
081 16 00 00.0 MERRY CHRISTMAS Mariah Carey (1994)
082 15 08 08.4 THE EMINEM SHOW Eminem (2002) *
083 15 01 03.5 GREATEST HITS Queen (1981)
084 15 12 07.7 YOURSELF OR SOMEONE LIKE YOU Matchbox 20 (1997)
085 15 12 00.0 NO JACKET REQUIRED Phil Collins (1985)
086 15 12 00.0 II Led Zeppelin (1969)
087 15 12 00.0 GREATEST HITS Kenny Rogers (1980)
088 15 10 07.2 LEGEND Bob Marley & The Wailers (1984)
089 15 10 00.0 GREATEST HITS VOL.2 The Eagles (1982)
090 15 10 00.0 GREATEST HITS VOL.1& 2 Billy Joel (1985)
091 15 08 07.8 TRAGIC KINGDOM No Doubt (1996)
092 15 08 07.5 THE LION KING Soundtrack (1994)
093 15 08 05.0 ACHTUNG BABY U2 (1991)
094 15 08 00.0 PHYSICAL GRAFITTI Led Zeppelin (1975)
095 15 07 06.1 THE MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL Lauryn Hill (1998)
096 15 07 05.3 USE YOUR ILLUSION II Guns & Roses (1991)
097 15 07 00.0 TO THE EXTREME Vanilla Ice (1990)
098 15 06 04.2 THE COLOUR OF MY LOVE Celine Dion (1994)
099 15 05 03.9 BAT OUT OF HELL II - BACK INTO HELL Meat Loaf (1993)
100 15 04 03.7 RAY OF LIGHT Madonna (1998)

 

[Teski]

Despite all the rubbish music that sells well, this list shows quite clearly that the cream comes to the top. Look at most of these albums. Pure quality.

There are some that are a stretch. I'm surprised by so many Backstreet Boys, Brittney Spears, Ace of Base, etc. I will say that most are good quality though.

 

[edge3]

OK, so I did some more research on this (hey, I have time on my hands this week, so what the hell). If you do a search, you come up with all different kinds of things, and it is really hard to discern what is right from wrong.

I decided the best thing to do was to start at the top. Certainly, Michael Jackson isn't shy about reminding people how much his albums have sold. Sure enough, I found a news item on one of the many sites devoted to him, and it comes straight from the RIAA. Yes, I know the RIAA generally classifies American sales, but they do keep track of worldwide sales as well, and I can't say I would doubt what they state.

Of course, they have The Joshua Tree at only 18 million. A huge difference. It is dated earlier, in 2003, but still...

So here is another list. As you can see, it is very similar, but there are some noticeable differences, such as the aforementioned JT.

Keep in mind, however, that when figuring in Soundscan sales, they make a note of saying "if known" - this to me is huge because it goes back to 1991.


Begin article:


King of Pop has five of the top 100 best selling albums of all time
Wednesday, October 22, 2003

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Michael Jackson's Thriller - with worldwide sales exceeding 54 million copies - is the biggest selling album ever.

Even more incredible, is the the fact that four other King of Pop albums have made it to the 100 worldwide best seller list. They are: Bad and Dangerous at No. 21 and 23, both with 27 million copies sold; HIStory at No. 70 with 17 million double albums sold and Off The Wall at No. 77 with 16 million copies sold.

(rank, estimated world sales in millions, RIAA Certified Platinum level,
Soundscan sales 1991-now (if known), TITLE, Artist (year).


001 54 26 00.0 THRILLER Michael Jackson (1983)
002 42 19 00.0 BACK IN BLACK AC/DC (1980)
003 41 27 00.0 GREATEST HITS 1971-75 The Eagles (1976)
004 40 15 00.0 SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER Soundtrack (1978)
005 37 17 11.7 THE BODYGUARD Soundtrack (1992)
006 37 14 00.0 BAT OUT OF HELL Meat Loaf (1978)
007 35 15 06.3 THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON Pink Floyd (1973)
008 35 19 14.5 COME ON OVER Shania Twain (1997)
009 32 11 02.8 SGT.PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND The Beatles (1967)
010 32 11 00.0 DIRTY DANCING Soundtrack (1987)
011 30 22 00.0 LED ZEPPELIN IV Led Zeppelin (1971)
012 30 19 00.0 RUMOURS Fleetwood Mac (1977)
013 30 13 12.0 MILLENNIUM Backstreet Boys (1999)
014 30 10 09.2 LET'S TALK ABOUT LOVE Celine Dion (1997)
015 29 12 02.6 ABBEY ROAD The Beatles (1969)
016 29 11 10.5 FALLING INTO YOU Celine Dion (1996)
017 29 11 10.0 TITANIC Soundtrack (1998)
018 28 16 14.1 JAGGED LITTLE PILL Alanis Morissette (1995)
019 27 10 07.1 MUSIC BOX Mariah Carey (1993)
020 27 08 08.9 1 The Beatles (2000)
021 27 08 06.2 BAD Michael Jackson (1987)
022 27 08 04.6 GREASE Soundtrack (1978)
023 27 07 05.8 DANGEROUS Michael Jackson (1991)
024 26 16 00.0 HOTEL CALIFORNIA The Eagles (1976)
025 25 15 02.1 APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION Guns & Roses (1988)
026 25 14 11.2 SUPERNATURAL Santana (1999)
027 25 14 10.0 BACKSTREET BOYS Backstreet Boys (1998)
028 25 09 00.0 BROTHERS IN ARMS Dire Straits (1985)
029 25 08 00.0 BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER Simon & Garfunkel (1970)
030 24 15 00.0 BORN IN THE USA Bruce Springsteen (1984)
031 24 13 10.4 ... BABY ONE MORE TIME Britney Spears (1999)
032 24 12 00.0 SLIPPERY WHEN WET Bon Jovi (1986)
033 23 12 00.0 WHITNEY HOUSTON Whitney Houston (1985)
034 23 10 04.8 THE IMMACULATE COLLECTION Madonna (1990)
035 23 07 07.3 SPICE Spice Girls (1996)
036 23 06 05.0 GOLD - GREATEST HITS Abba (1992)
037 22 13 13.3 METALLICA Metallica (1991)
038 22 12 00.0 TAPESTRY Carole King (1971)
039 22 10 07.5 DAYDREAM Mariah Carey (1995)
040 22 10 00.0 CAN'T SLOW DOWN Lionel Richie (1983)
041 22 07 00.0 TRUE BLUE Madonna (1986)
042 21 13 00.0 GREATEST HITS Simon & Garfunkel (1972)
043 21 09 04.9 THE SIGN/HAPPY NATION Ace Of Base (1994)
044 21 08 00.0 SOUND OF MUSIC Soundtrack (1965)
045 20 11 00.0 THE WALL Pink Floyd (1979)
046 20 10 00.0 PLEASE HAMMER DON'T HURT 'EM MC Hammer (1990)
047 20 10 00.0 LIKE A VIRGIN Madonna (1984)
048 20 08 01.8 1967-1970 The Beatles (1973)
049 20 07 06.9 RICKY MARTIN Ricky Martin (1999)
050 20 00 00.0 SPIRITS HAVING FLOWN The Bee Gees (1979)
051 20 16 00.0 GREATEST HITS Elton John (1974) *
052 19 09 08.9 OOPS! ...I DID IT AGAIN Britney Spears (2000)
053 19 09 00.0 WHITNEY Whitney Houston (1987)
054 19 07 01.6 1962-1966 The Beatles (1973)
055 18 16 00.0 BOSTON Boston (1976)
056 18 13 00.0 PURPLE RAIN Prince (1984)
057 18 12 07.5 THE WOMAN IN ME Shania Twain (1995)
058 18 10 02.2 THE BEATLES (WHITE ALBUM) The Beatles (1968)
059 18 10 01.0 THE JOSHUA TREE U2 (1987)
060 18 06 06.1 ALL THE WAY...A DECADE OF SONG Celine Dion (1999)
061 18 06 05.4 THE SCORE Fugees (1996)
062 18 04 03.5 (WHAT'S THE STORY) MORNING GLORY Oasis (1995)
063 18 04 00.0 BREAKFAST IN AMERICA Supertramp (1979)
064 17 16 10.0 CRACKED REAR VIEW Hootie & The Blowfish (1995)
065 17 12 01.9 HYSTERIA Def Leppard (1987)
066 17 09 04.8 MARIAH CAREY Mariah Carey (1990)
067 17 08 08.9 THE MARSHALL MATHERS LP Eminem (2000)
068 17 06 00.0 COMES ALIVE Peter Frampton (1976)
069 17 04 04.3 SPICE WORLD Spice Girls (1997)
070 17 04 02.5 HISTORY Michael Jackson (1995)
071 17 02 03.4 ROMANZA Andrea Bocelli (1997)
072 16 16 08.8 NO FENCES Garth Brooks (1991)
073 16 11 11.0 NO STRINGS ATTACHED 'N Sync (2000)
074 16 10 07.3 UNPLUGGED Eric Clapton (1992)
075 16 10 00.0 FAITH George Michael (1987)
076 16 07 05.2 USE YOUR ILLUSION I Guns & Roses (1991)
077 16 07 00.0 OFF THE WALL Michael Jackson (1979)
078 16 06 06.7 JANET. Janet Jackson (1993)
079 16 05 03.6 BUTTERFLY Mariah Carey (1997)
080 16 00 00.0 TUBULAR BELLS Mike Oldfield (1973)
081 16 00 00.0 MERRY CHRISTMAS Mariah Carey (1994)
082 15 08 08.4 THE EMINEM SHOW Eminem (2002) *
083 15 01 03.5 GREATEST HITS Queen (1981)
084 15 12 07.7 YOURSELF OR SOMEONE LIKE YOU Matchbox 20 (1997)
085 15 12 00.0 NO JACKET REQUIRED Phil Collins (1985)
086 15 12 00.0 II Led Zeppelin (1969)
087 15 12 00.0 GREATEST HITS Kenny Rogers (1980)
088 15 10 07.2 LEGEND Bob Marley & The Wailers (1984)
089 15 10 00.0 GREATEST HITS VOL.2 The Eagles (1982)
090 15 10 00.0 GREATEST HITS VOL.1& 2 Billy Joel (1985)
091 15 08 07.8 TRAGIC KINGDOM No Doubt (1996)
092 15 08 07.5 THE LION KING Soundtrack (1994)
093 15 08 05.0 ACHTUNG BABY U2 (1991)
094 15 08 00.0 PHYSICAL GRAFITTI Led Zeppelin (1975)
095 15 07 06.1 THE MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL Lauryn Hill (1998)
096 15 07 05.3 USE YOUR ILLUSION II Guns & Roses (1991)
097 15 07 00.0 TO THE EXTREME Vanilla Ice (1990)
098 15 06 04.2 THE COLOUR OF MY LOVE Celine Dion (1994)
099 15 05 03.9 BAT OUT OF HELL II - BACK INTO HELL Meat Loaf (1993)
100 15 04 03.7 RAY OF LIGHT Madonna (1998)

Another interesting list. But I'm sure Joshua Tree has now sold at least 20M worldwide. I've often heard 20M quoted in magazines/articles (cf. last months Blender magazine). Also, to date it's sold :

10M in US + 2.2M in UK + 2M in France + 1.2M in Germany + 1M in Canada + 350K in Australia = 16.750M in these 5 countries alone

And these certifications/estimates are pretty old (except for UK figure). So 17M for these 5 countries is a more accurate estimate.

I would say JT has easily sold another 3M around the rest of the world although 27M does seem a bit high - but not impossible.

BTW - That previous list came from 'talk.livedaily.com'.

 

[04072511]

27 Million seems correct.
Probably about 12 Million in the US by now, as it hasnt been recertified in years. Add to that nearly approx 1.8 Million in Canada. It was certified diamond back in 1987 and the next certification level there is Double diamond, so its probably near that by now. Add to that 2.2 Million in the UK, 2 Million in France, 1.2 Million in Germany. It hasnt been re-certified in Australia for awhile so its probably at 400,000 there. Another 100,000 from Japan. Its safe to say it has sold another 3.5 Million in the rest of Europe. All that adds up to 23.2 Million. And another 4 Million or so from the rest of the world would make this 27 Million.

 

[Vox02]

The Joshua Tree sold 340,000 copies in Spain by 1990 so, 500,000 seems a correct number

Vox

 

[edge3]

Re: Re: Where U2 stands among the best selling albums of all-time worldwide

When you state `official site', which site(s) are you referring to ? I have never seen anything on the universal/island site 9or u2com) that puts sales of JT that high.

Indeed at the launch of Bomb BBC radio 1 quoted sales - as given to them by the record company- at 21m. I know STING disagrees with that figure but until now we have all been guesstimating- that was until your post. Mike

Here's the info on that first best selling album list - it can be found in the Chart Analysis Forum at the following link http://www.ukmix.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=23375.. I've included the whole list again 'cos I think it's slightly different to the one phanan posted. Interesting to note how he/she compiled the chart at the beginning of the post :


TigerTiger
Roadie


Joined: 18 Jan 2005
Posts: 26

Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:00 am
NEW IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Below you will find the first (tentatively) official ALL TIME BEST SELLING ALBUM WORLDWIDE CHART, who collect all the albums who have climbed the 15 millions copies sold level. This chart is NOT DEFINITIVE (obviously future album will come in, but even past albums have to be added or corrected yet). Now i want to extend this chart to the albums who reached at least the 10 millions copies sold level and YOU could help me fill the holes with suggestions, additions and corrections. All you have to do is follow TWO simple rules

1) Any addition or correction must come DIRECTLY from official site of an ARTIST, a LABEL or an ORGANIZATION (like RIAA or IFPI associates) IN THIS ORDER. In case of challenging figures, in fact, i will first consider ARTIST FIGURES (that i have to recognize as the most reliable figures), then LABEL and at last ORGANIZATIONS.
P.s. If you wants to know WHY i've made this choice read this topic made by EDU.

2)Post a reply to this post with your addition/correction ALONGSIDE a linkable URL of the site with the official infos, and then i will add your suggestion in the official chart. (As you can notice latest addiction and updated figures reported a linkable URL where you can find the infos supplied)

That's all folks!

If you are interested, here's
THE STORY SO FAR...Quote:
In the past months i've searched the web (official site of majors, artists, fans and organizations) trying to put together a nearly impossible ALL TIME BEST SELLING ALBUM WORLDWIDE CHART

This is the first result but, as you can easily imagine, is all but DEFINITIVE (and barely OFFICIAL).

Everywone can add any suggestions/corrections/additions (as OFFICIAL as possible ...)

One year ago i've received a list posted by RIAA and (supposed) compiled by IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry)... This list have confirmed most of the figures sales i'd found by myself in the past. So now i've updated these figures as today. (IFPI figures are indicated when available)
BTW it's now confirmed that the figures inside this list are only estimated and not directly compiled by IFPI (as hanboo has explained)

Legenda:
1) (2CD) = double cd but counted as one (and not x2 as RIAA figures)
2) (2LP) = double vinyl album remastered inside one single cd

ALL TIME BEST SELLING ALBUM WORLDWIDE CHART
(15 millions album sold and more)
Last update: January 20, 2005

(Title - Artist - Source)

59 millions
THRILLER - JACKSON, MICHAEL - Official MJJ Source - updated

42 millions
EAGLES/THEIR GREATEST HITS 1971 - 1975 - EAGLES - CNN + IFPI
BACK IN BLACK - AC/DC - Official site + IFPI

40 millions
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (BEE GEES) (2LP) - SOUNDTRACK - Polydor site + IFPI

37 millions
BAT OUT OF HELL - MEAT LOAF - Jim Steinman source + IFPI
THE BODYGUARD (HOUSTON, WHITNEY) - SOUNDTRACK - Official Site - updated

35 millions
DARK SIDE OF THE MOON - PINK FLOYD - Official site - updated
COME ON OVER - TWAIN, SHANIA - Official Site + IFPI

32 millions
SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND - BEATLES, THE - MSAW + IFPI
LED ZEPPELIN IV - LED ZEPPELIN Official Site + IFPI
DIRTY DANCING - SOUNDTRACK Official Site + IFPI

30 millions
RUMOURS - FLEETWOOD MAC - Official Site + IFPI
FALLING INTO YOU - DION, CELINE - Sony/Billboard Source - updated
LET'S TALK ABOUT LOVE - DION, CELINE - Sony/Billboard Source - updated
MILLENNIUM - BACKSTREET BOYS - Official Site + IFPI

29 millions
ABBEY ROAD - THE BEATLES - MSAW + IFPI
BAD - JACKSON, MICHAEL - Official MJJ Source - updated
JAGGED LITTLE PILL - MORISSETTE, ALANIS - MSAW + IFPI
TITANIC - SOUNDTRACK - Billboard Source - updated

28 millions
GREASE (2LP) - SOUNDTRACK - Polygram + IFPI
BORN IN THE U.S.A. - SPRINGSTEEN, BRUCE - Official Site + IFPI
DANGEROUS - JACKSON, MICHAEL - Official MJJ Source - updated
1 (ONE) - BEATLES, THE - - Official EMI Press Release - update

27 millions
HOTEL CALIFORNIA - EAGLES Official Site + IFPI
THE JOSHUA TREE - U2 - Official Site

26 millions
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER - SIMON & GARFUNKEL Official Site + IFPI
BROTHERS IN ARMS - DIRE STRAITS Official Site + IFPI
APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION - GUNS 'N ROSES - Official Site + IFPI

25 millions
SLIPPERY WHEN WET - BON JOVI - Official Site + IFPI
ABBA GOLD - ABBA - Official Site + IFPI
BACKSTREET BOYS (aka BACKSTREET 's BACK) - BACKSTREET BOYS - Official Site + IFPI
MUSIC BOX - CAREY, MARIAH - Official site - updated
METALLICA - METALLICA - Official Elektra Press Release - updated
...BABY ONE MORE TIME - SPEARS, BRITNEY - Official Site + IFPI

24 millions
THE WALL (2CD) - PINK FLOYD - Official site + IFPI
SPICE - SPICE GIRLS - Official Site + IFPI
SUPERNATURAL - SANTANA - Official Site + updated

23 millions
CAN'T SLOW DOWN - RICHIE, LIONEL - Official Site + IFPI
WHITNEY HOUSTON - HOUSTON, WHITNEY - Official Site - updated

22 millions
SOUND OF MUSIC - SOUNDTRACK Official Site + IFPI
GREATEST HITS - SIMON & GARFUNKEL Official Site + IFPI
TAPESTRY - KING, CAROLE - Official Site - updated
THE IMMACULATE COLLECTION - MADONNA - Official Site - updated

21 millions
THE BEATLES 1967 - 1970 (2CD) - BEATLES, THE - MSAW + IFPI
BOSTON - BOSTON - Official Site +IFPI
GREATEST HITS - JOHN, ELTON - Official Site +IFPI
SPIRITS HAVING FLOWN - BEE GEES - Polydor + IFPI
THE SIGN/HAPPY NATION - ACE OF BASE - Official Site + IFPI

20 millions
THE BEATLES 1962 - 1966 (2CD) - BEATLES, THE - MSAW + IFPI
PURPLE RAIN (SOUNDTRACK) - PRINCE & THE REVOLUTIONS - Official Site + IFPI
PLEASE HAMMER DON'T HURT 'EM - HAMMER - Official Site +IFPI
DAYDREAM - CAREY, MARIAH Official Site - updated
RICKY MARTIN - MARTIN, RICKY - Official Site +IFPI
COME AWAY WITH ME - JONES, NORAH - Official Site

19 millions
THE BEATLES (WHITE ALBUM) (2CD) - BEATLES, THE - MSAW + IFPI
OFF THE WALL - JACKSON, MICHAEL - Official MJJ Source - updated
TRUE BLUE - MADONNA - Official Site - updated
WHITNEY - HOUSTON, WHITNEY - Official Site - updated
OOPS!... I DID IT AGAIN - SPEARS, BRITNEY - Official Site + IFPI

18 millions
BREAKFAST IN AMERICA - SUPERTRAMPS - Official Site + IFPI
LIKE A VIRGIN - MADONNA - W.B. - updated
HYSTERIA - DEF LEPPARD - Official Site + IFPI
THE WOMAN IN ME - TWAIN, SHANIA - Mercury - IFPI
(WHAT'S THE STORY) MORNING GLORY - OASIS - Official Site + IFPI
THE SCORE - FUGEES - IFPI
HISTORY: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE BOOK I (2CD) - JACKSON, MICHAEL - Official MJJ Source - updated
NEVERMIND - NIRVANA - Amazon.com

17 millions
GREATEST HITS VOLUME I & VOLUME II (2CD) - JOEL, BILLY - Official Site + IFPI
PHYSICAL GRAFFITI (2LP) - LED ZEPPELIN - Official Site + IFPI
FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE (2LP) - FRAMPTON, PETER - Pop Matters + IFPI
NO FENCES - BROOKS, GARTH - IFPI
ACHTUNG BABY - U2 - Official Site
CRACKED REAR VIEW - HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH - Official Site + IFPI
SPICE WORLD - SPICE GIRLS - Official Site + IFPI
ALL THE WAY... - DION, CELINE - Sony/Billboard Source - update
ROMANZA - BOCELLI, ANDREA - Official Site +IFPI
THE MARSHALL MATHERS LP - EMINEM - Official Site +IFPI
FALLEN - EVANESCENCE - Official Site

16 millions
TUBULAR BELLS - OLDFIELD, MIKE - Official Site +IFPI
LEGEND - MARLEY, BOB & THE WAILERS - Official Site +IFPI
FAITH - MICHAEL, GEORGE - Official Site +IFPI
USE YOUR ILLUSION I - GUNS'N'ROSES - Official Site +IFPI
JANET. - JACKSON, JANET - Official Site +IFPI
ROPIN' THE WIND - BROOKS, GARTH - Official Site
CRISTINA AGUILERA - AGUILERA, CRISTINA - Official site - NEW
BEST OF 1980-1990 - U2 - Official Site
NO STRINGS ATTACHED - 'N SYNC - Official Site +IFPI

15 millions
II - LED ZEPPELIN - Official Site +IFPI
GREATEST HITS - ROGERS, KENNY - Official Site +IFPI
GREATEST HITS VOL.2 - THE EAGLES - Official Site +IFPI
GUILTY - STREISAND, BARBRA - Polydor
GREATEST HITS - QUEEN - Official Site + IFPI
NO JACKET REQUIRED - COLLINS, PHIL Official Site + IFPI
NEW JERSEY - BON JOVI - Official Site
TO THE EXTREME - VANILLA ICE - Official Site + IFPI
CROSS ROADS - BON JOVI - Official Site
COLOUR OF MY LOVE - DION, CELINE - Official Site - Official Site + IFPI
USE YOUR ILLUSION II - GUNS'N'ROSES - Official Site + IFPI
UNPLUGGED - CLAPTON, ERIC - Official Site - updated
WE CAN'T DANCE - GENESIS - Official Site - NEW
THE LION KING - SOUNDTRACK - Official Site + IFPI
MARIAH CAREY - CAREY, MARIAH - Official Site - updated
TRAGIC KINGDOM - NO DOUBT - Official Site + IFPI
BAT OUT OF HELL 2: BACK INTO HELL - MEAT LOAF - Official Site + IFPI
YOURSELF OR SOMEONE LIKE YOU - MATCHBOX 20 - Official Site + IFPI
BLACK & BLUE - BACKSTREET BOYS - Official Site
DOUBLE LIVE (2CD) - BROOKS, GARTH - Official Site
THE MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL - HILL, LAURYN - Official Site + IFPI
THE EMINEM SHOW - EMINEM - Official Site + IFPI
BUSINESS AS USUAL - MEN AT WORK - Official Site
ONES - CAREY, MARIAH - Official site - NEW
CALIFORNICATION - RED HOT CHILI PEPPER - BBC site - NEW
RAY OF LIGHT - MADONNA - Official Site - updated

14 millions
MERRY CHRISTMAS - CAREY, MARIAH - Official Site - updated
LET GO - AVRIL LAVIGNE - Official Site - NEW

13 millions
BUTTERFLY - CAREY, MARIAH - Official Site - updated
MUSIC - MADONNA - Official Site - updated
FALLEN - EVANESCENCE - Official Site - NEW
CONFESSIONS - USHER - Official Site - NEW
NO ANGEL - DIDO - Official Site - NEW

12 millions
I'M YOUR BABY TONIGHT - HOUSTON, WHITNEY - Official Site - NEW

11 millions
LIKE A PRAYER - MADONNA - Official Site - updated
STRIPPED - AGUILERA, CRISTINA - Official site - NEW

10 millions
WAKING UP THE NEIGHBOURS - ADAMS, BRYAN - Official site - NEW
KICK - INXS - Official site
WAITING TO EXHALE - HOUSTON, WHITNEY - Official Site - NEW
MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE - HOUSTON, WHITNEY - Official Site - NEW
RAINBOW - CAREY, MARIAH - Official Site - NEW
EMOTIONS - CAREY, MARIAH - Official Site - NEW
A RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD - COLDPLAY - Official EMI Press Release - NEW
LAUNDRY SERVICE - SHAKIRA - Official Site - NEW
FEELS LIKE HOME - JONES, NORAH - Official Site - NEW
MISSUNDAZTOOD - PINK - Official Site - NEW
LIFE FOR RENT - DIDO - Official Site - NEW

Below you can find a list of album that could have insert in the chart above but i've never find RELIABLE worldwide sales figures
(in bold updated official sale figures that not reached the 10 millions level)

DIRTY DEEDS DONE DIRT CHEAP - AC/DC
HIGHWAY TO HELL - AC/DC
RECKLESS - ADAMS, BRYAN - 8 millions - official site
SO FAR SO GOOD - ADAMS, BRYAN
TOYS IN THE ATTIC - AEROSMITH
AEROSMITH'S GREATEST HITS - AEROSMITH
GET A GRIP - AEROSMITH
PUMP - AEROSMITH
LICENSED TO ILL - BEASTIE BOYS
REVOLVER - BEATLES, THE
RUBBER SOUL - BEATLES, THE
MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR - BEATLES, THE
LET IT BE - BEATLES, THE
THE BEATLES ANTHOLOGY, VOLUME 1 - BEATLES, THE
TIME, LOVE & TENDERNESS - BOLTON, MICHAEL
II - BOYZ II MEN
TONI BRAXTON - BRAXTON, TONI
TIME PIECES/BEST OF ERIC CLAPTON - CLAPTON, ERIC
UNFORGETTABLE WITH LOVE NATALIE COLE - COLE, NATALIE
NO NEED TO ARGUE - CRANBERRIES, THE
TUESDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB - CROW, SHERYL
COLOURS BY NUMBERS - CULTURE CLUB
PYROMANIA - DEF LEPPARD
GREATEST HITS - DENVER, JOHN
BEST OF THE DOOBIES - DOOBIE BROTHERS
HIGHWAY 61 REVISED - DYLAN, BOB
BLONDE ON BLONDE - DYLAN, BOB
BLOOD ON THE TRACKS - DYLAN, BOB
BOB DYLAN'S GREATEST HITS - DYLAN, BOB
HELL FREEZES OVER - EAGLES
SHEPHERD MOONS - ENYA
GREATEST HITS - FLEETWOOD MAC
DOUBLE VISION - FOREIGNER
INVISIBLE TOUCH - GENESIS
DOOKIE - GREEN DAY
ALL THINGS MUST PASS - HARRISON, GEORGE
RHYTHM NATION 1814 - JACKSON, JANET
GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD - JOHN, ELTON
JANIS JOPLIN'S GREATEST HITS - JOPLIN, JANIS
GREATEST HITS - JOURNEY
BREATHLESS - KENNY G
SHE'S SO UNUSUAL - LAUPER, CYNDI
LED ZEPPELIN I - LED ZEPPELIN
HOUSES OF THE HOLY - LED ZEPPELIN
IMAGINE - LENNON, JOHN
MASTER OF PUPPETS - METALLICA
AND JUSTICE FOR ALL - METALLICA
HANGIN' TOUGH - NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
IN UTERO - NIRVANA
LIFE AFTER DEATH (2cd) - NOTORIOUS B.I.G.
'N SYNC - 'N SYNC
TEN - PEARL JAM
VS. - PEARL JAM
VITALOGY - PEARL JAM
WISH YOU WERE HERE - PINK FLOYD
SYNCHRONICITY - POLICE, THE
ELVIS' GOLDEN RECORDS, VOLUME 1 - PRESLEY, ELVIS
ELVIS' CHRISTMAS - PRESLEY, ELVIS
BLOOD SUGAR SEX MAGIK - RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS
HOT ROCKS - ROLLING STONES, THE
SOME GIRLS - ROLLING STONES
SANTANA'S GREATEST HITS - SANTANA
HOTSHOT - S.H.A.G.G.Y
GRACELAND - SIMON, PAUL
MELLON COLLIE AND THE INFINITE SADNESS - SMASHING PUMPKINS
SUPERUNKNOWN - SOUNDGARDEN
FLASHDANCE - SOUNDTRACK
FOOTLOOSE - SOUNDTRACK
FORREST GUMP (2cd) - SOUNDTRACK
TOP GUN - SOUNDTRACK
POCKET FULL OF KRYPTONITE - SPIN DOCTORS
BORN TO RUN - SPRINGSTEEN, BRUCE
PURPLE - STONE TEMPLE PILOTS
CORE - STONE TEMPLE PILOTS
MEMORIES - STREISAND, BARBRA
JAMES TAYLOR'S GREATEST HITS - TAYLOR, JAMES
CRAZYSEXYCOOL - TLC
PRIVATE DANCER - TURNER, TINA
1984 (MCMLXXXIV) - VAN HALEN
VAN HALEN - VAN HALEN
MAKE IT BIG - WHAM!
WHITESNAKE - WHITESNAKE
Last edited by TigerTiger on Fri Jan 21, 2005 6:57 pm, edited 38 times in total

 

[phanan]

I must have gotten it from somewhere else, because it didn't include how the person developed the list. Thanks for that.

 

[Vox02]

Mmmm

Official site?

TJT 27 million and AB 17?

Official site = Interference forums?

Vox

 

[edge3]

I must have gotten it from somewhere else, because it didn't include how the person developed the list. Thanks for that.

I think you originally got the list from 'talk.livedaily.com' (as I posted previously - see above).

BTW - Vox02, thanx for the info on JT sales in Spain - now looks even more like 27M could be possible

 

[STING2]

OK, so I did some more research on this (hey, I have time on my hands this week, so what the hell). If you do a search, you come up with all different kinds of things, and it is really hard to discern what is right from wrong.

I decided the best thing to do was to start at the top. Certainly, Michael Jackson isn't shy about reminding people how much his albums have sold. Sure enough, I found a news item on one of the many sites devoted to him, and it comes straight from the RIAA. Yes, I know the RIAA generally classifies American sales, but they do keep track of worldwide sales as well, and I can't say I would doubt what they state.

Of course, they have The Joshua Tree at only 18 million. A huge difference. It is dated earlier, in 2003, but still...

So here is another list. As you can see, it is very similar, but there are some noticeable differences, such as the aforementioned JT.

Keep in mind, however, that when figuring in Soundscan sales, they make a note of saying "if known" - this to me is huge because it goes back to 1991.


Begin article:


King of Pop has five of the top 100 best selling albums of all time
Wednesday, October 22, 2003

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Michael Jackson's Thriller - with worldwide sales exceeding 54 million copies - is the biggest selling album ever.

Even more incredible, is the the fact that four other King of Pop albums have made it to the 100 worldwide best seller list. They are: Bad and Dangerous at No. 21 and 23, both with 27 million copies sold; HIStory at No. 70 with 17 million double albums sold and Off The Wall at No. 77 with 16 million copies sold.

(rank, estimated world sales in millions, RIAA Certified Platinum level,
Soundscan sales 1991-now (if known), TITLE, Artist (year).


001 54 26 00.0 THRILLER Michael Jackson (1983)
002 42 19 00.0 BACK IN BLACK AC/DC (1980)
003 41 27 00.0 GREATEST HITS 1971-75 The Eagles (1976)
004 40 15 00.0 SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER Soundtrack (1978)
005 37 17 11.7 THE BODYGUARD Soundtrack (1992)
006 37 14 00.0 BAT OUT OF HELL Meat Loaf (1978)
007 35 15 06.3 THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON Pink Floyd (1973)
008 35 19 14.5 COME ON OVER Shania Twain (1997)
009 32 11 02.8 SGT.PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND The Beatles (1967)
010 32 11 00.0 DIRTY DANCING Soundtrack (1987)
011 30 22 00.0 LED ZEPPELIN IV Led Zeppelin (1971)
012 30 19 00.0 RUMOURS Fleetwood Mac (1977)
013 30 13 12.0 MILLENNIUM Backstreet Boys (1999)
014 30 10 09.2 LET'S TALK ABOUT LOVE Celine Dion (1997)
015 29 12 02.6 ABBEY ROAD The Beatles (1969)
016 29 11 10.5 FALLING INTO YOU Celine Dion (1996)
017 29 11 10.0 TITANIC Soundtrack (1998)
018 28 16 14.1 JAGGED LITTLE PILL Alanis Morissette (1995)
019 27 10 07.1 MUSIC BOX Mariah Carey (1993)
020 27 08 08.9 1 The Beatles (2000)
021 27 08 06.2 BAD Michael Jackson (1987)
022 27 08 04.6 GREASE Soundtrack (1978)
023 27 07 05.8 DANGEROUS Michael Jackson (1991)
024 26 16 00.0 HOTEL CALIFORNIA The Eagles (1976)
025 25 15 02.1 APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION Guns & Roses (1988)
026 25 14 11.2 SUPERNATURAL Santana (1999)
027 25 14 10.0 BACKSTREET BOYS Backstreet Boys (1998)
028 25 09 00.0 BROTHERS IN ARMS Dire Straits (1985)
029 25 08 00.0 BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER Simon & Garfunkel (1970)
030 24 15 00.0 BORN IN THE USA Bruce Springsteen (1984)
031 24 13 10.4 ... BABY ONE MORE TIME Britney Spears (1999)
032 24 12 00.0 SLIPPERY WHEN WET Bon Jovi (1986)
033 23 12 00.0 WHITNEY HOUSTON Whitney Houston (1985)
034 23 10 04.8 THE IMMACULATE COLLECTION Madonna (1990)
035 23 07 07.3 SPICE Spice Girls (1996)
036 23 06 05.0 GOLD - GREATEST HITS Abba (1992)
037 22 13 13.3 METALLICA Metallica (1991)
038 22 12 00.0 TAPESTRY Carole King (1971)
039 22 10 07.5 DAYDREAM Mariah Carey (1995)
040 22 10 00.0 CAN'T SLOW DOWN Lionel Richie (1983)
041 22 07 00.0 TRUE BLUE Madonna (1986)
042 21 13 00.0 GREATEST HITS Simon & Garfunkel (1972)
043 21 09 04.9 THE SIGN/HAPPY NATION Ace Of Base (1994)
044 21 08 00.0 SOUND OF MUSIC Soundtrack (1965)
045 20 11 00.0 THE WALL Pink Floyd (1979)
046 20 10 00.0 PLEASE HAMMER DON'T HURT 'EM MC Hammer (1990)
047 20 10 00.0 LIKE A VIRGIN Madonna (1984)
048 20 08 01.8 1967-1970 The Beatles (1973)
049 20 07 06.9 RICKY MARTIN Ricky Martin (1999)
050 20 00 00.0 SPIRITS HAVING FLOWN The Bee Gees (1979)
051 20 16 00.0 GREATEST HITS Elton John (1974) *
052 19 09 08.9 OOPS! ...I DID IT AGAIN Britney Spears (2000)
053 19 09 00.0 WHITNEY Whitney Houston (1987)
054 19 07 01.6 1962-1966 The Beatles (1973)
055 18 16 00.0 BOSTON Boston (1976)
056 18 13 00.0 PURPLE RAIN Prince (1984)
057 18 12 07.5 THE WOMAN IN ME Shania Twain (1995)
058 18 10 02.2 THE BEATLES (WHITE ALBUM) The Beatles (1968)
059 18 10 01.0 THE JOSHUA TREE U2 (1987)
060 18 06 06.1 ALL THE WAY...A DECADE OF SONG Celine Dion (1999)
061 18 06 05.4 THE SCORE Fugees (1996)
062 18 04 03.5 (WHAT'S THE STORY) MORNING GLORY Oasis (1995)
063 18 04 00.0 BREAKFAST IN AMERICA Supertramp (1979)
064 17 16 10.0 CRACKED REAR VIEW Hootie & The Blowfish (1995)
065 17 12 01.9 HYSTERIA Def Leppard (1987)
066 17 09 04.8 MARIAH CAREY Mariah Carey (1990)
067 17 08 08.9 THE MARSHALL MATHERS LP Eminem (2000)
068 17 06 00.0 COMES ALIVE Peter Frampton (1976)
069 17 04 04.3 SPICE WORLD Spice Girls (1997)
070 17 04 02.5 HISTORY Michael Jackson (1995)
071 17 02 03.4 ROMANZA Andrea Bocelli (1997)
072 16 16 08.8 NO FENCES Garth Brooks (1991)
073 16 11 11.0 NO STRINGS ATTACHED 'N Sync (2000)
074 16 10 07.3 UNPLUGGED Eric Clapton (1992)
075 16 10 00.0 FAITH George Michael (1987)
076 16 07 05.2 USE YOUR ILLUSION I Guns & Roses (1991)
077 16 07 00.0 OFF THE WALL Michael Jackson (1979)
078 16 06 06.7 JANET. Janet Jackson (1993)
079 16 05 03.6 BUTTERFLY Mariah Carey (1997)
080 16 00 00.0 TUBULAR BELLS Mike Oldfield (1973)
081 16 00 00.0 MERRY CHRISTMAS Mariah Carey (1994)
082 15 08 08.4 THE EMINEM SHOW Eminem (2002) *
083 15 01 03.5 GREATEST HITS Queen (1981)
084 15 12 07.7 YOURSELF OR SOMEONE LIKE YOU Matchbox 20 (1997)
085 15 12 00.0 NO JACKET REQUIRED Phil Collins (1985)
086 15 12 00.0 II Led Zeppelin (1969)
087 15 12 00.0 GREATEST HITS Kenny Rogers (1980)
088 15 10 07.2 LEGEND Bob Marley & The Wailers (1984)
089 15 10 00.0 GREATEST HITS VOL.2 The Eagles (1982)
090 15 10 00.0 GREATEST HITS VOL.1& 2 Billy Joel (1985)
091 15 08 07.8 TRAGIC KINGDOM No Doubt (1996)
092 15 08 07.5 THE LION KING Soundtrack (1994)
093 15 08 05.0 ACHTUNG BABY U2 (1991)
094 15 08 00.0 PHYSICAL GRAFITTI Led Zeppelin (1975)
095 15 07 06.1 THE MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL Lauryn Hill (1998)
096 15 07 05.3 USE YOUR ILLUSION II Guns & Roses (1991)
097 15 07 00.0 TO THE EXTREME Vanilla Ice (1990)
098 15 06 04.2 THE COLOUR OF MY LOVE Celine Dion (1994)
099 15 05 03.9 BAT OUT OF HELL II - BACK INTO HELL Meat Loaf (1993)
100 15 04 03.7 RAY OF LIGHT Madonna (1998)

The RIAA does NOT keep track of worldwide sales. In fact this list even states saying that World Sales are "estimates". RIAA only does audits for sales in the USA. The IFPI does audits of sales for albums in Europe, but only albums released after January 1994. Its very easy to estimate global sales from albums released after 1994 because RIAA and IFPI cover 70% of the global music market.

Like the other lists, this list has its problems as well.

BACKSTREET BOYS MILLENNIUM

Its true this album sold 13 million copies in the United States. But in Europe this album only sold 2 million copies according to IFPI audits! Given these facts, the max I could see this album selling worldwide is 18 million, NOT 30 million.

Once again, where is Synchronicity by THE POLICE? The album sold over 11 million copies by 1984! In the United States, it has sold another 4 million copies since 1984 giving it a minimum of 15 million sold worldwide without counting sales outside the USA for the past 20 years. Sales outside the USA would push the album towards the 20 million mark.

The JOSHUA TREE

We know for a fact that it has sold a minimum of 15 million copies in just 4 countries. The United States 10 million(1995) , Canada 1 million(October 1987), United Kingdom 1.8 million(1992) , France 2 million. The figure is likely 18 million for these four counties as of 2005 given that many of these certifications are from so long ago. The Joshua Tree was certified for 1 million sales 6 months after its release in Canada. The album remained number 1 for months after hitting the 1 million mark and has since then been a strong catalog seller in Canada. The Joshua Tree has also had good catalog sales in both the USA and UK since the mid 1990s.


Where is the Cranberries "NO NEED TO ARGUE"? Confirmed sales of 7 million in the USA and 5 million in Europe! This album has easily sold over 15 million copies worldwide.


Every single one of these lists so far has mistakes and are missing lots of albums.

 

[fitz]

Don't forget at least 1m of JT in Germany (double platinum at the old 500k-platinum-level). The figure is likely 1.5m up to date!

 

[VALE69]

JT has sold 350.000 copies in Italy in 1987 only.

 

[phanan]

Every single one of these lists so far has mistakes and are missing lots of albums.

The lists are merely to provide to readers what other albums have sold astronomical amounts as compared to U2's biggest albums, nothing more.

Let's face it, there will never be a definitive, absolute 100% correct list, because we will never know. We will never have exact numbers. Sure, we can theorize all we want about what we THINK sold WHAT, but in the end, I will never know, you will never know, and the rest of the world will never know. There are simply too many areas in the world where the proper tracking of sales was never done.

It is meant to act as a guide. I've provided two lists with different scenarios, and MOST of the albums are the same, so one gets a pretty good idea which ones are known to be the best selling of all time. Sure, there will be some albums that should be included, but as was stated, there is less information available on some albums, such as The Police's Synchronicity, and that is why they aren't listed.

 

[beLIEve]

What about all-time album sales?

U2 is the best live act in the world and has maybe two of the Top 50 to 75 top selling albums. However, what sets them apart even more, IMO, is the consistency of each album in sales and the consistency (since the '85-87 period) of their ability to sellout major worldwide tours. Popmart being an exception, but it still sold A LOT OF TICKETS, and as someone pointed out, less dates in small markets in the U.S. with more dates in R.O.W. would have made POPMART a much better perceived tour. As for the album...Hold me, Thrill me...The Ground Beneat her feet...and Mission Impossible belonged on the album. I digress.

So, is there any list, estimation or fact, that ranks bands or singers by their overall top selling catalog...with U2 easily coming in at 135M as of right now. I'm sure this list exists and has been posted...just curious if anyone has something more "official".

 

[Teski]

Every single one of these lists so far has mistakes and are missing lots of albums.

Well then fill in the gaps. No one has said this is the absolute and final list.

 

[edge3]

Re: What about all-time album sales?

So, is there any list, estimation or fact, that ranks bands or singers by their overall top selling catalog...with U2 easily coming in at 135M as of right now. I'm sure this list exists and has been posted...just curious if anyone has something more "official".

Here's my list of the Top 10 biggest selling bands of all time - according to their most frequently quoted/estimated overall album sales :

1. The Beatles 600M
2. Abba 350M (apparantly, but I don't know how - they're currently only certified for 15M album sales in US)
3. Led Zep 200M
4. Pink Floyd 180M
5. The Stones 150M
6 = U2 140M
6 = AC/DC 140M
7. Queen 135M
8. The Eagles 130M
9. Bee Gees 115M
10. Dire Straits 110M

PS - It's as 'official' as you want it to be.

 

[Squire]

Re: Re: What about all-time album sales?

Here's my list of the Top 10 biggest selling bands of all time - according to their most frequently quoted/estimated overall album sales :

1. The Beatles 600M
2. Abba 350M (apparantly, but I don't know how - they're currently only certified for 15M album sales in US)
3. Led Zep 200M
4. Pink Floyd 180M
5. The Stones 150M
6 = U2 140M
6 = AC/DC 140M
7. Queen 135M
8. The Eagles 130M
9. Bee Gees 115M
10. Dire Straits 110M

PS - It's as 'official' as you want it to be.

Beatles has sold 600 millions?? How?

I think you miss in that list Michael Jackson.