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Most Popular Debut Albums of All Time

Most Popular Debut Albums of All Time

Some musicians were seemingly born to be stars. While many bands and solo artists release a few albums before they hit their stride, others – like the Cars, whose 1978 multi-platinum self-titled album is considered a rock masterpiece – nail it on their first try with a chart-topping debut that exemplifies their unique sound and solidifies their position in the music world. (wee where it falls on this list of the 50 greatest pop albums of all time.)

To determine the most popular debut albums of all time, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on Billboard 200 chart performance. Debut studio albums released before 2010 were ranked based on an inverse point system wherein a week at No. 1 is worth 200 points, a week at No. 2 is worth 199 points, and so on, up to a week at No. 200 worth one point. Debut albums by solo artists who had previously released popular albums as a member of a band were not considered. Billboard 200 chart data is current through April 22, 2023.

The albums range from the mid ‘60s, with artists including Jimi Hendrix and The Doors, to the 2000s, when pop stars like Taylor Swift and Adele came on the scene with a bang. Nearly half are from the ‘90s, which was an explosive decade for music in terms of the variety of genres that went mainstream. It was also the beginning of the end of the importance of albums, as music sales dropped dramatically with the advent of streaming.

Many of the popular debut albums that spent the longest at No. 1 are from ‘90s divas including Whitney Houston, whose self-titled album spent 14 weeks in the top slot; Mariah Carey, who spent 11 weeks at the summit with her self-titled album; and Paula Abdul, whose first album, “Forever Your Girl,” topped the charts for 10 weeks. In terms of total time on the Billboard charts, Lady Gaga’s debut “The Fame” takes the cake with 310 weeks. (These are the 50 greatest albums by women.)

Source: David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images

50. Cyndi Lauper, “She’s So Unusual”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 97 weeks
> Chart debut date: Dec. 24, 1983

Source: Randy Shropshire / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

49. Christina Aguilera, “Christina Aguilera”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 97 weeks
> Chart debut date: Sept. 11, 1999

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

48. The Mamas & the Papas, “If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 105 weeks
> Chart debut date: March 12, 1966

Source: David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images

47. Santana, “Santana”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 108 weeks
> Chart debut date: Sept. 13, 1969

Source: Evan Agostini / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

46. Beastie Boys, “Licensed to Ill”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 152 weeks
> Chart debut date: Nov. 29, 1986

Source: Michael Caulfield Archive / WireImage via Getty Images

45. Gretchen Wilson, “Here for the Party”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 102 weeks
> Chart debut date: May 29, 2004

Source: Kieran Frost / Redferns via Getty Images

44. Florence + The Machine, “Lungs”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 14 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 131 weeks
> Chart debut date: Nov. 7, 2009

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

43. Third Eye Blind, “Third Eye Blind”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 25 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 106 weeks
> Chart debut date: April 26, 1997

Source: Patrick Riviere / Getty Images

42. Savage Garden, “Savage Garden”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 104 weeks
> Chart debut date: May 3, 1997

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

41. Ace Of Base, “The Sign”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 102 weeks
> Chart debut date: Dec. 11, 1993

Source: Isaac Brekken / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

40. Nelly, “Country Grammar”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 104 weeks
> Chart debut date: July 15, 2000

Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images

39. The Cars, “The Cars”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 18 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 139 weeks
> Chart debut date: July 1, 1978

Source: Jeck M. / Wikimedia Commons

38. Stone Temple Pilots, “Core”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 117 weeks
> Chart debut date: Jan. 9, 1993

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

37. Van Halen, “Van Halen”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 19 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 173 weeks
> Chart debut date: March 11, 1978

Source: Paul Natkin / Getty Images

36. Brooks & Dunn, “Brand New Man”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 10 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 153 weeks
> Chart debut date: Sept. 7, 1991

Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

35. Jimi Hendrix, “Are You Experienced?”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 5 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 106 weeks
> Chart debut date: Aug. 26, 1967

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

34. Boston, “Boston”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 138 weeks
> Chart debut date: Sept. 25, 1976

Source: David Klein / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

33. Creed, “My Own Prison”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 22 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 112 weeks
> Chart debut date: Oct. 18, 1997

Source: Central Press / Getty Images

32. The Doors, “The Doors”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 122 weeks
> Chart debut date: March 25, 1967

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

31. Britney Spears, “…Baby One More Time”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 103 weeks
> Chart debut date: Jan. 30, 1999

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

30. Wilson Phillips, “Wilson Phillips”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 10 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 125 weeks
> Chart debut date: April 14, 1990

Source: Brian Rasic / Getty Images

29. Spice Girls, “Spice”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 105 weeks
> Chart debut date: Feb. 22, 1997

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

28. Mariah Carey, “Mariah Carey”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 11 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 113 weeks
> Chart debut date: June 30, 1990

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

27. Bush, “Sixteen Stone”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 109 weeks
> Chart debut date: Jan. 28, 1995

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

26. Madonna, “Madonna”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 8 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 168 weeks
> Chart debut date: Sept. 3, 1983

Source: Getty Images / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

25. ‘N Sync, “‘N Sync”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 109 weeks
> Chart debut date: April 11, 1998

Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

24. Maroon 5, “Songs About Jane”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 6 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 158 weeks
> Chart debut date: May 31, 2003

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

23. Evanescence, “Fallen”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 114 weeks
> Chart debut date: March 22, 2003

Source: Duane Prokop / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

22. Jewel, “Pieces Of You”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 114 weeks
> Chart debut date: Feb. 17, 1996

Source: Courtesy of Lady A via Facebook

21. Lady Antebellum (now Lady A), “Lady Antebellum”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 148 weeks
> Chart debut date: May 3, 2008

Source: Raymond Boyd / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

20. Boyz II Men, “Cooleyhighharmony”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 133 weeks
> Chart debut date: June 1, 1991

Source: Janette Pellegrini / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

19. matchbox 20, “Yourself or Someone Like You”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 5 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 121 weeks
> Chart debut date: March 22, 1997

Source: Paul Hawthorne / Getty Images

18. Hootie & The Blowfish, “Cracked Rear View”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 129 weeks
> Chart debut date: July 23, 1994

Source: evarinaldiphotography / Flickr

17. Seal, “Seal”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 15 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 181 weeks
> Chart debut date: July 20, 1991

Source: Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

16. The Black Crowes, “Shake Your Money Maker”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 167 weeks
> Chart debut date: March 24, 1990

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

15. Chicago, “Chicago Transit Authority”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 17 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 171 weeks
> Chart debut date: May 17, 1969

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

14. Paula Abdul, “Forever Your Girl”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 10 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 175 weeks
> Chart debut date: July 23, 1988

Source: Evan Agostini / Getty Images

13. Daughtry, “Daughtry”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 176 weeks
> Chart debut date: Dec. 9, 2006

Source: Brenda Chase / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

12. Backstreet Boys, “Backstreet Boys”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 133 weeks
> Chart debut date: Aug. 30, 1997

Source: Ray Mickshaw / WireImage via Getty Images

11. Carrie Underwood, “Some Hearts”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 157 weeks
> Chart debut date: Dec. 3, 2005

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

10. Whitney Houston, “Whitney Houston”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 14 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 176 weeks
> Chart debut date: March 30, 1985

Source: Beth Gwinn / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

9. Garth Brooks, “Garth Brooks”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 13 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 224 weeks
> Chart debut date: May 12, 1990

Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

8. Norah Jones, “Come Away With Me”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 165 weeks
> Chart debut date: March 16, 2002

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

7. Linkin Park, “[Hybrid Theory]”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 295 weeks
> Chart debut date: Nov. 11, 2000

Source: Sascha Steinbach / Getty Images

6. Adele, “19”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 222 weeks
> Chart debut date: June 28, 2008

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

5. Guns N’ Roses, “Appetite for Destruction”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 258 weeks
> Chart debut date: Aug. 29, 1987

Source: Rob Loud / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

4. Pearl Jam, “Ten”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 264 weeks
> Chart debut date: Jan. 4, 1992

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

3. Lady Gaga, “The Fame”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 310 weeks
> Chart debut date: Nov. 15, 2008

Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2. Zac Brown Band, “The Foundation”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 9 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 294 weeks
> Chart debut date: Dec. 6, 2008

Source: Bryan Bedder / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

1. Taylor Swift, “Taylor Swift”
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 5 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 275 weeks
> Chart debut date: Nov. 11, 2006

 

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