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The Best Albums of All Time

The Best Albums of All Time

What makes an album great? An album is a collection of an artist’s songs, sure, but the best ones are so much more than that. A select few albums have firmly established themselves as cultural touchstones, and we couldn’t imagine our lives without them. 24/7 Tempo has assembled a ranking of the 100 best examples ever released.

For many artists, an album is the highest expression of their art. It’s a glimpse into their state of mind and the stage of their musical development. Playing an album from start to finish takes listeners on a sonic journey. (You might be surprised at some of the artists with the most hit albums.)

The first record albums were book-like folders containing numerous 78 rpm discs in individual sleeves. The first 12-inch long-playing vinyl disc was released in 1948 — a recording of Mendelssohn’s Concerto in E Minor — but the LP really caught on in the latter 1950s and early ‘60s. Since that time, albums in various formats have filled the world with unforgettable music — from the Beatles’ “Rubber Soul” (1965) to Taylor Swift’s “Folklore,” last year’s best-seller. (.)

The era of the album might be coming to an end, however. In this singles-heavy, streaming world, album sales are in decline. According to Billboard, the most recent year that they posted an increase in sales was 2011. In 2020, overall album sales across all formats were down by 9.2%. 

But there’s still a place for albums. Listening to a favorite song is one thing, but taking the time to take in a complete album from start to finish with no interruption offers a totally different experience. Read on to learn about the 100 best albums of all time. If you haven’t sat down and listened to at least some of them in their entirety, you’re missing a real musical treat. 

To determine the 100 best albums of all time, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the rankings in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, published in September 2020. Considering only those albums, we developed an index based on Billboard chart performance and certified U.S. unit sales. An inverted ranking of an album’s performance on the Billboard 200 album charts — wherein a week at position No. 200 is worth one point, a week at position No. 199 two points, and so on, up to a week at position No. 1 worth 200 points — was included in the index and given full weight. Certified U.S. unit sales in the United States came from the Recording Industry Association of America and were also given full weight.  

Source: jfeinbergphotography / Flickr

100. The Smashing Pumpkins, “Siamese Dream”
> Release date: July 27, 1993
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #10 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 91
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4 million

Source: zerok / Flickr

99. Nine Inch Nails, “The Downward Spiral”
> Release date: March 4, 1994
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 115
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4 million

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

98. The Beatles, “Rubber Soul”
> Release date: December 6, 1965
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 70
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

Source: hmk / Flickr

97. Tracy Chapman, “Tracy Chapman”
> Release date: March 28, 1988
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 61
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

Source: Jamie Squire / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

96. Bruce Springsteen, “Born To Run”
> Release date: September 1, 1975
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 110
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

Source: Bryan Bedder / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

95. John Mayer, “Continuum”
> Release date: September 12, 2006
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 128
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4 million

Source: badgreeb_records / Flickr

94. Tom Petty, “Full Moon Fever”
> Release date: April 24, 1989
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 77
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

Source: Mikelj at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

93. Juvenile, “400 Degreez”
> Release date: November 3, 1998
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #9 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 100
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4 million

Source: Gary Gershoff / Getty Images

92. James Taylor, “Sweet Baby James”
> Release date: February 1, 1970
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 102
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3 million

Source: Skoll World Forum / Wikimedia Commons

91. Peter Gabriel, “So”
> Release date: May 19, 1986
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 93
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

90. Weezer, “Weezer (The Blue Album)”
> Release date: May 10, 1994
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #4 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 137
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3 million

Source: oddsock / Flickr

89. The Rolling Stones, “Some Girls”
> Release date: June 9, 1978
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 88
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

Source: Carlos Alvarez / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

88. Alicia Keys, “The Diary Of Alicia Keys”
> Release date: December 2, 2003
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 87
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

Source: Hulton Archive / Getty Images

87. Johnny Cash, “At Folsom Prison”
> Release date: March 1, 1968
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #13 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 124
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3 million

Source: Roger Kisby / Getty Images

86. Amy Winehouse, “Back To Black”
> Release date: March 13, 2007
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 173
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 2 million

Source: Courtesy of Amazon

85. Fugees, “The Score”
> Release date: January 31, 1996
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 64
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 7 million

Source: Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com

84. Mariah Carey, “The Emancipation Of Mimi”
> Release date: April 12, 2005
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 74
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

Source: hansthijs / Flickr

83. Santana, “Abraxas”
> Release date: December 1, 1970
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 88
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images

82. Coldplay, “A Rush Of Blood To The Head”
> Release date: August 27, 2002
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #5 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 108
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4 million

Source: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

81. Beyoncé, “Beyoncé”
> Release date: December 13, 2013
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 186
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 2 million

Source: badgreeb_records / Flickr

80. Paul Simon, “Graceland”
> Release date: August 25, 1986
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 105
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

79. The Doors, “The Doors”
> Release date: January 1, 1967
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 122
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4 million

Source: Photo by Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic / Getty Images

78. Nirvana, “MTV Unplugged In New York”
> Release date: November 1, 1994
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 100
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million

Source: hansthijs / Flickr

77. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, “Deja  Vu”
> Release date: March 11, 1970
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 99
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 7 million

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

76. Eric Church, “Chief”
> Release date: July 26, 2011
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 154
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3 million

Source: evarinaldiphotography / Flickr

75. Cyndi Lauper, “She’s So Unusual”
> Release date: January 25, 1984
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #4 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 97
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

Source: exquisitur / Flickr

74. Jimi Hendrix, “Are You Experienced?”
> Release date: August 26, 1967
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #5 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 106
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images

73. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Blood Sugar Sеx Magik”
> Release date: September 24, 1991
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 97
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 7 million

Source: hansthijs / Flickr

72. Janet Jackson, “Control”
> Release date: January 27, 1986
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 106
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

Source: oddsock / Flickr

71. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Californication”
> Release date: June 8, 1999
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 101
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

Source: exquisitur / Flickr

70. The Police, “Synchronicity”
> Release date: June 7, 1983
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 17 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 75
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million

Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

69. The Cars, “The Cars”
> Release date: January 1, 1978
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #18 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 139
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

Source: Nicholas Hunt / Getty Images

68. Lil Wayne, “Tha Carter III”
> Release date: June 10, 2008
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 168
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

67. Drake, “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late”
> Release date: February 13, 2015
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 197
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 2 million

Source: badgreeb_records / Flickr

66. Simon & Garfunkel, “Bridge Over Troubled Water”
> Release date: March 1, 1970
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 10 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 87
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million

Source: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

65. Billie Eilish, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”
> Release date: March 29, 2019
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 121
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3 million

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

64. Elton John, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”
> Release date: October 1, 1973
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 111
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million

Source: Francois Nel / Getty Images

63. Janet Jackson, “Rhythm Nation 1814”
> Release date: September 8, 1989
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 108
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

Source: anirudhkoul / Flickr

62. Green Day, “American Idiot”
> Release date: September 21, 2004
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 143
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

Source: hansthijs / Flickr

61. Prince, “1999”
> Release date: October 27, 1982
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #7 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 163
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4 million

Source: Christina Radish / Redferns via Getty Images

60. 50 Cent, “Get Rich Or Die Tryin'”
> Release date: February 6, 2003
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 112
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 9 million

Source: Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images

59. U2, “Achtung Baby”
> Release date: November 19, 1991
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 101
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million

Source: x1brett / Flickr

58. Bonnie Raitt, “Nick Of Time”
> Release date: March 15, 1989
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 185
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images

57. SZA, “Ctrl”
> Release date: June 9, 2017
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 214
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 2 million

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

56. OutKast, “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below”
> Release date: September 23, 2003
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 56
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 11 million

Source: Andrew H. Walker / Getty Images

55. Lauryn Hill, “The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill”
> Release date: August 18, 1998
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 91
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

Source: MC2 Erica R. Gardner, USN / Wikimedia Commons

54. Anita Baker, “Rapture”
> Release date: March 10, 1986
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #11 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 157
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

Source: jazills / Flickr

53. Taylor Swift, “Red”
> Release date: October 22, 2012
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 170
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 7 million

Source: x1brett / Flickr

52. Dire Straits, “Brothers In Arms”
> Release date: May 13, 1985
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 97
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 9 million

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

51. Stevie Wonder, “Songs In The Key Of Life”
> Release date: September 28, 1976
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 14 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 82
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

Source: cdrummbks / Flickr

50. Destiny’s Child, “The Writing’s On The Wall”
> Release date: July 23, 1999
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #5 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 99
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million

Source: skinnylawyer / Flickr

49. The Notorious B.I.G., “Life After Death”
> Release date: March 25, 1997
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 87
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 11 million

Source: Archive Photos / Moviepix via Getty Images

48. 2Pac, “All Eyez On Me”
> Release date: February 13, 1996
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 122
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

Source: celebrityabc / Flickr

47. Usher, “Confessions”
> Release date: March 23, 2004
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 127
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

Source: tony morelli / Wikimedia Commons

46. Led Zeppelin, “Led Zeppelin”
> Release date: October 8, 1990
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #7 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 115
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

Source: Evan Agostini / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

45. Beastie Boys, “Licensed To Ill”
> Release date: October 31, 1986
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 152
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images

44. Rihanna, “ANTI”
> Release date: January 28, 2016
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 277
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3 million

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

43. Eminem, “The Marshall Mathers LP”
> Release date: May 23, 2000
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 171
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

Source: clender / Flickr

42. Van Halen, “Van Halen”
> Release date: February 10, 1978
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #19 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 173
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

Source: mseeley1 / Flickr

41. U2, “The Joshua Tree”
> Release date: March 9, 1987
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 121
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

Source: oddsock / Flickr

40. Led Zeppelin, “Houses Of The Holy”
> Release date: March 28, 1973
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 106
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 11 million

Source: MJ Kim / Getty Images

39. George Michael, “Faith”
> Release date: October 30, 1987
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 12 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 96
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

38. Led Zeppelin, “Physical Graffiti”
> Release date: March 3, 1975
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 48
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 16 million

Source: badgreeb_records / Flickr

37. Madonna, “The Immaculate Collection”
> Release date: November 13, 1990
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 148
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

36. Green Day, “Dookie”
> Release date: February 1, 1994
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 116
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

35. Led Zeppelin, “Led Zeppelin II”
> Release date: October 22, 1969
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 117
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 12 million

Source: markmorgantrinidad / Flickr

34. Billy Joel, “The Stranger”
> Release date: September 22, 1977
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 137
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

Source: djactive / Flickr

33. Michael Jackson, “Bad”
> Release date: August 28, 1987
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 171
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

Source: hansthijs / Flickr

32. Michael Jackson, “Off The Wall”
> Release date: August 1, 1979
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 193
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 9 million

Source: kennyysun / Flickr

31. Kendrick Lamar, “DAMN.”
> Release date: April 14, 2017
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 222
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3 million

Source: bem69 / Flickr

30. Boyz II Men, “II”
> Release date: August 23, 1994
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 99
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 12 million

Source: Michael Buckner/AMA / Getty Images

29. The Chicks, “Fly”
> Release date: August 31, 1999
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 131
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 11 million

Source: Scott Gries / Getty Images

28. TLC, “CrazySexyCool”
> Release date: November 15, 1994
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 119
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 12 million

Source: hansthijs / Flickr

27. Prince and The Revolution, “Purple Rain”
> Release date: June 25, 1984
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 24 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 152
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 13 million

Source: Mike Coppola / Getty Images

26. The Weeknd, “Beauty Behind The Madness”
> Release date: August 28, 2015
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 282
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4 million

Source: blakespot / Flickr

25. The Beatles, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”
> Release date: June 2, 1967
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 15 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 232
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 11 million

Source: vesilvio / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

24. Bee Gees, “Saturday Night Fever”
> Release date: January 7, 1977
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 24 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 137
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 16 million

Source: Photo by George Rose / Getty Images

23. Whitney Houston, “Whitney Houston”
> Release date: February 21, 1985
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 14 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 176
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 13 million

Source: cdrummbks / Flickr

22. Bruce Springsteen, “Born In The U.S.A.”
> Release date: June 1, 1984
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 143
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 15 million

Source: hansthijs / Flickr

21. Carole King, “Tapestry”
> Release date: January 30, 1971
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 15 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 318
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 13 million

Source: Sonia Recchia / Getty Images

20. Alanis Morissette, “Jagged Little Pill”
> Release date: June 13, 1995
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 12 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 127
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 16 million

Source: Maia Valenzuela / Flickr

19. Nirvana, “Nevermind”
> Release date: September 24, 1991
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 533
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

Source: yonolatengo / Flickr

18. Pearl Jam, “Ten”
> Release date: August 20, 1991
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 264
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 13 million

Source: tonyshek / Flickr

17. Taylor Swift, “1989”
> Release date: October 27, 2014
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 11 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 344
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 9 million

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

16. Pink Floyd, “The Wall”
> Release date: November 28, 1979
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 15 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 158
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 23 million

Source: Central Press / Getty Images

15. The Beatles, “Abbey Road”
> Release date: November 1, 1969
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 11 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 419
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 12 million

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

14. Kendrick Lamar, “good kid, m.A.A.d city”
> Release date: October 22, 2012
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 455
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3 million

Source: hansthijs / Flickr

13. The Eagles, “Hotel California”
> Release date: December 8, 1976
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 137
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 26 million

Source: bodellia / Flickr

12. Guns N’ Roses, “Appetite For Destruction”
> Release date: July 21, 1987
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 250
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 18 million

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

11. Drake, “Take Care”
> Release date: November 15, 2011
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 437
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

Source: badgreeb_records / Flickr

10. The Beatles, “The Beatles [White Album]”
> Release date: November 25, 1968
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 215
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 24 million

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

9. Shania Twain, “Come On Over”
> Release date: November 4, 1997
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 151
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 20 million

Source: exquisitur / Flickr

8. Led Zeppelin, “Led Zeppelin IV”
> Release date: November 8, 1971
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 283
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 23 million

Source: alexlovesmiley / Flickr

7. Adele, “21”
> Release date: February 22, 2011
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 24 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 507
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 14 million

Source: cdrummbks / Flickr

6. AC/DC, “Back In Black”
> Release date: July 21, 1980
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #4 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 472
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 25 million

Source: RB / Getty Images

5. Pink Floyd, “The Dark Side Of The Moon”
> Release date: April 17, 1973
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 957
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 15 million

Source: badgreeb_records / Flickr

4. Fleetwood Mac, “Rumours”
> Release date: February 4, 1977
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 31 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 433
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 20 million

Source: 0x656b694d / Flickr

3. Metallica, “Metallica”
> Release date: August 2, 1991
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 616
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 16 million

Source: cdrummbks / Flickr

2. Bob Marley And The Wailers, “Legend”
> Release date: July 24, 1984
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #5 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 687
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 15 million

Source: nyllows / Flickr

1. Michael Jackson, “Thriller”
> Release date: December 30, 1982
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 37 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 479
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 33 million

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