Best Selling Albums Chart - About Music

Here are the top selling albums of all-time and their rankings. The list has the best selling albums, and is being updated everyday. The album sales include streaming units, physical sales, digital sales, and also units from the songs off the album. You can check the full formula in the about page.

Album sales saw a huge boom in sales in the 1900’s, and since then, several albums have sold over 30 MILLION sales. Some albums have even benefited from physical sales, digital sales and streaming all together, for example: 1989, 21, The Fame Monster and more.

The 1960’s weren't just about the British Invasion and the rise of rock; it was a decade where albums became the canvas for artists to paint their sonic masterpieces defining an era in musical history. Artists used the album format to experiment with sounds, themes, and storytelling, shaping the very essence of the '60s musical landscape. From the psychedelic vibes of "Sgt. Pepper's" to the folk-inspired tales of "Highway 61 Revisited," each album was a unique brushstroke on the canvas of the decade.

Physical sales ruled the charts during this period, with vinyl records and LPs being the primary medium for music consumption. The tactile experience of flipping through album covers, reading liner notes, and savoring the vinyl crackles added to the enchantment of the album-listening experience. The '60s were a golden age for album artistry, where covers became iconic symbols of the music they held within.

In 2000's, the music industry underwent a metamorphosis marked by the rise of digital technologies, redefining how we consumed and perceived albums. The emergence of the internet and digital platforms paved the way for artists to reach global audiences in unprecedented ways. Icons like Eminem, Britney Spears, and Linkin Park not only dominated the charts but also navigated the uncharted waters of digital album sales, setting the stage for a transformative era.

Albums in the 2000s became more than just collections of songs; they were multimedia experiences. Eminem's "The Marshall Mathers LP" not only showcased his lyrical prowess but also embraced the digital era with its provocative themes resonating across the internet. Britney Spears' "Oops!... I Did It Again" became a cultural touchstone, not just for its infectious pop hooks but also for its impact on the digital realm, as fans swarmed online platforms to discuss and share their favorite tracks. Linkin Park's "Hybrid Theory" exemplified the era's genre fusion, blending rock and rap seamlessly, and its digital success mirrored the increasing diversification of musical tastes.

As we entered the 2010s, the music industry faced a seismic shift with the dawn of streaming. Albums like Adele's "21," Taylor Swift's "1989," and Lady Gaga's "The Fame Monster" not only embraced digital sales but also rode the wave of streaming platforms, showcasing a new era in music consumption. The concept of albums transformed; they became not just bodies of work but immersive experiences accessible at the tap of a screen. Streaming numbers played a pivotal role in shaping the charts, demonstrating the evolving preferences of a global audience.

Moving into the 2020s, album sales continued to morph, with artists adapting to the ever-changing digital landscape. The likes of Billie Eilish, Drake, and BTS emerged as chart-toppers, navigating a world where physical sales, digital downloads, and streaming collided. Albums like "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?," "Scorpion," and "Map of the Soul: 7" showcased the versatility of contemporary music consumption. The 2020s became an era where artists not only released albums but curated multimedia experiences, integrating visuals, narratives, and collaborations, pushing the boundaries of what an album could be in the digital age.

Undoubtedly, the best selling album of all-time is Michael Jackson’s Thriller, which has reportedly sold over 70M copies. And a few albums that dominated the streaming scene are Midnights, Sour, Future Nostalgia, thank u, next.