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Most Popular Album Every Year Since 1963

Most Popular Album Every Year Since 1963

While the popularity of listening to entire albums straight through has waned in recent years, musicians continue to release music in this format. Certain artists’ albums are exceptionally popular among listeners, selling millions of copies in an age when many fans prefer to stream their music one single at a time.

24/7 Tempo reviewed historical data from the Billboard 200 top album chart going back to 1963, the first year for which Billboard top 200 albums data is available. These rankings are primarily based on physical album sales but include streaming and downloads starting in 2014.

Listeners’ favorite albums have changed dramatically since the LP (long-playing) format gained popularity in the 1950s. The 1960s ushered in the era of rock and roll, which eventually gave way to pop music by artists such as Michael Jackson. Today’s top albums come from musicians such as Taylor Swift, Adele, Drake, Ed Sheeran, and Post Malone.

Some groups that have not produced new music for decades are enjoying a resurgence. One example is Queen, which was boosted by the Oscar-winning film “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Other bands on a rebound are Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, and the Beatles, all of whom recorded some of the most popular albums ever. Here are the 100 best albums of all time.

To determine the most popular album the year you were born, 24/7 Tempo reviewed historical data from the Billboard 200 top album chart going back to 1963. Billboard’s album rankings are based on Nielsen SoundScan sales data.

We ranked the albums based on an aggregate score composed of the number of weeks they spent on the Billboard 200 chart in the year of their release weighted by the position they occupied each week. A week at No. 1, for example, would be worth 200 times more than a week spent at No. 200 in the aggregate score.

An album’s score is based on its performance in the 365 days following its first appearance on the Billboard 200 chart. To be considered, an album must have also reached the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200 for at least one week. Soundtrack albums were excluded from consideration.

Certified U.S. sales refers to certified units as reported by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). These figures reflect albums distributed to retail stores and consumers in the United States, minus returns, as well as digital downloads and streaming.

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

1964
> Most popular album: In The Wind
> Artist: Peter, Paul & Mary
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: N/A

Source: Harry Benson / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

1965
> Most popular album: People
> Artist: Barbra Streisand
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 1 million

Source: Keystone / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

1966
> Most popular album: !!Going Places!!
> Artist: Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
> Weeks spent on chart: 53
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: N/A

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

1967
> Most popular album: More Of The Monkees
> Artist: The Monkees
> Weeks spent on chart: 48
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 5 million

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

1968
> Most popular album: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
> Artist: The Beatles
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 11 million

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

1969
> Most popular album: Blood, Sweat & Tears
> Artist: Blood, Sweat & Tears
> Weeks spent on chart: 48
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 4 million

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

1970
> Most popular album: Deja Vu
> Artist: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
> Weeks spent on chart: 39
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 7 million

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

1971
> Most popular album: Abraxas
> Artist: Santana
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 5 million

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

1972
> Most popular album: Tapestry
> Artist: Carole King
> Weeks spent on chart: 53
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 10 million

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

1973
> Most popular album: The Dark Side Of The Moon
> Artist: Pink Floyd
> Weeks spent on chart: 42
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 15 million

Source: David Cairns / Getty Images

1974
> Most popular album: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
> Artist: Elton John
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 8 million

Source: RB / Redferns via Getty Images

1975
> Most popular album: One Of These Nights
> Artist: Eagles
> Weeks spent on chart: 27
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 4 million

Source: Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images

1976
> Most popular album: Frampton Comes Alive
> Artist: Peter Frampton
> Weeks spent on chart: 48
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 8 million

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

1977
> Most popular album: Rumours
> Artist: Fleetwood Mac
> Weeks spent on chart: 45
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 20 million

Source: David Cairns / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

1978
> Most popular album: Some Girls
> Artist: The Rolling Stones
> Weeks spent on chart: 28
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 6 million

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

1979
> Most popular album: Breakfast In America
> Artist: Supertramp
> Weeks spent on chart: 40
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 4 million

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

1980
> Most popular album: Against The Wind
> Artist: Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
> Weeks spent on chart: 42
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 5 million

Source: David Redfern / Getty Images

1981
> Most popular album: Hi Infidelity
> Artist: REO Speedwagon
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 10 million

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

1982
> Most popular album: Escape
> Artist: Journey
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 9 million

Source: Vinnie Zuffante / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

1983
> Most popular album: Thriller
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Weeks spent on chart: 53
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 33 million

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

1984
> Most popular album: Can’t Slow Down
> Artist: Lionel Richie
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 10 million

Source: Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images

1985
> Most popular album: Born In The U.S.A.
> Artist: Bruce Springsteen
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 15 million

Source: Heinrich Klaffs / Wikimedia Commons

1986
> Most popular album: Brothers In Arms
> Artist: Dire Straits
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 9 million

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

1987
> Most popular album: Slippery When Wet
> Artist: Bon Jovi
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 12 million

Source: Sean Gallup / Getty Images

1988
> Most popular album: Faith
> Artist: George Michael
> Weeks spent on chart: 53
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 10 million

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

1989
> Most popular album: Girl You Know It’s True
> Artist: Milli Vanilli
> Weeks spent on chart: 41
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 6 million

Source: Terry Wyatt / Getty Images for IEBA

1990
> Most popular album: Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em
> Artist: M.C. Hammer
> Weeks spent on chart: 43
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 10 million

Source: Scott Barbour / Getty Images

1991
> Most popular album: Mariah Carey
> Artist: Mariah Carey
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 9 million

Source: Cooper Neill / Getty Images

1992
> Most popular album: Ropin’ The Wind
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 14 million

Source: Tim Mosenfelder / Getty Images

1993
> Most popular album: Some Gave All
> Artist: Billy Ray Cyrus
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 9 million

Source: Francois Nel / Getty Images

1994
> Most popular album: janet.
> Artist: Janet Jackson
> Weeks spent on chart: 53
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 6 million

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

1995
> Most popular album: II
> Artist: Boyz II Men
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 12 million

Source: livepict.com / Wikimedia Commons

1996
> Most popular album: Jagged Little Pill
> Artist: Alanis Morissette
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 16 million

Source: Mike Hewitt / Getty Images

1997
> Most popular album: Falling Into You
> Artist: Celine Dion
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 11 million

Source: Dan Callister / Getty Images

1998
> Most popular album: Let’s Talk About Love
> Artist: Celine Dion
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 10 million

Source: Brenda Chase / Online USA, Inc. / Getty Images

1999
> Most popular album: …Baby One More Time
> Artist: Britney Spears
> Weeks spent on chart: 48
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 14 million

Source: Scott Gries / Getty Images

2000
> Most popular album: Supernatural
> Artist: Santana
> Weeks spent on chart: 53
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 15 million

Source: Robert Mora / Getty Images

2001
> Most popular album: Country Grammar
> Artist: Nelly
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 10 million

Source: Carlos Alvarez / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2002
> Most popular album: Songs In A Minor
> Artist: Alicia Keys
> Weeks spent on chart: 43
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 7 million

Source: Frank Micelotta / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2003
> Most popular album: The Eminem Show
> Artist: Eminem
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 10 million

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2004
> Most popular album: Confessions
> Artist: Usher
> Weeks spent on chart: 38
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 10 million

Source: Jo Hale / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2005
> Most popular album: American Idiot
> Artist: Green Day
> Weeks spent on chart: 53
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 6 million

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2006
> Most popular album: All The Right Reasons
> Artist: Nickelback
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 10 million

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2007
> Most popular album: Me And My Gang
> Artist: Rascal Flatts
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 4 million

Source: Vince Bucci / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2008
> Most popular album: Hannah Montana 2 (Soundtrack)/Meet Miley Cyrus
> Artist: Miley Cyrus
> Weeks spent on chart: 39
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 3 million

Source: Bryan Bedder / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2009
> Most popular album: Fearless
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 10 million

Source: Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2010
> Most popular album: The E.N.D.
> Artist: The Black Eyed Peas
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 2 million

Source: Ian Gavan / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2011
> Most popular album: My World 2.0
> Artist: Justin Bieber
> Weeks spent on chart: 53
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 4 million

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2012
> Most popular album: 21
> Artist: Adele
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 14 million

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2013
> Most popular album: Unorthodox Jukebox
> Artist: Bruno Mars
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 4 million

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2014
> Most popular album: Crash My Party
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 4 million

Source: Jason Merritt/TERM / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2015
> Most popular album: 1989
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 9 million

Source: Luca V. Teuchmann / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2016
> Most popular album: 25
> Artist: Adele
> Weeks spent on chart: 53
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 11 million

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2017
> Most popular album: Views
> Artist: Drake
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 6 million

Source: Noam Galai / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2018
> Most popular album: ÷ (Divide)
> Artist: Ed Sheeran
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 4 million

Source: Emma McIntyre / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2019
> Most popular album: beerbongs & bentleys
> Artist: Post Malone
> Weeks spent on chart: 52
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: 3 million

Source: Noam Galai / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2020
> Most popular album: Hollywood’s Bleeding
> Artist: Post Malone
> Weeks spent on chart: 42
> Life-time certified U.S. sales: N/A

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