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100 of the Biggest Albums by Women in Billboard History

100 of the Biggest Albums by Women in Billboard History

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100 of the Biggest Albums by Women in Billboard History

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100. Natalie Cole, “Unforgettable: With Love” (1991)

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99. Barbra Streisand, “Funny Girl (Soundtrack)” (1968)

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98. Beyoncé, “Dangerously in Love” (2003)

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97. Nicki Minaj, “The Pinkprint” (2014)

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96. P!nk, “M!ssundaztood” (2001)

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95. H.E.R., “H.E.R.” (Compilation, 2017)

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94. Ariana Grande, “Dangerous Woman” (2016)

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93. P!nk, “The Truth About Love” (2012)

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92. Madonna, “Like a Virgin” (1984)

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91. The Pussycat Dolls, “PCD” (2005)

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90. Toni Braxton, “Toni Braxton” (1993)

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89. Cyndi Lauper, “She’s So Unusual” (1983)

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88. Christina Aguilera, “Christina Aguilera” (1999)

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87. Gretchen Wilson, “Here For The Party” (2004)

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86. Mariah Carey, “Music Box” (1993)

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85. Lauren Daigle, “Look Up Child” (2018)

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84. SZA, “SOS” (2022)

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83. Meghan Trainor, “Title” (2015)

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82. Janet Jackson, “janet.” (1993)

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81. Céline Dion, “The Colour of My Love” (1993)

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80. Mary Chapin Carpenter, “Come On Come On” (1992)

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79. Faith Hill, “Breathe” (1999)

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78. LeAnn Rimes, “Blue” (1996)

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77. Carrie Underwood, “Carnival Ride” (2007)

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76. Amy Grant, “Heart In Motion” (1991)

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75. Enya, “A Day Without Rain” (2000)

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74. Tina Turner, “Private Dancer” (1984)

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73. Beyoncé, “I Am... Sasha Fierce” (2008)

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72. P!nk, “Funhouse” (2008)

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71. Miranda Lambert, “Revolution” (2009)

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70. Destiny’s Child, “The Writing’s on the Wall” (1999)

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69. Jane Fonda, “Jane Fonda’s Workout Record” (1982)

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68. Bonnie Raitt, “Luck of the Draw” (1991)

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67. Taylor Swift, “Midnights” (2022)

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66. Fergie, “The Dutchess” (2006)

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65. The Pointer Sisters, “Break Out” (1983)

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64. Taylor Swift, “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” (2021)

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63. Stevie Nicks, “Bella Donna” (1981)

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62. Melissa Etheridge, “Yes I Am” (1993)

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61. Billie Eilish, “Happier Than Ever” (2021)

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60. Janet Jackson, “Control” (1986)

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59. Halsey, “Badlands” (2015)

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58. Lizzo, “Cuz I Love You” (2019)

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57. Janet Jackson, “Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814” (1989)

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56. Britney Spears, “…Baby One More Time” (1999)

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55. Wilson Phillips, “Wilson Phillips” (1990)

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54. Melanie Martinez, “Cry Baby” (2015)

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53. Kelly Clarkson, “Breakaway” (2004)

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52. TLC, “CrazySexyCool” (1994)

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51. Spice Girls, “Spice” (1997)

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50. Mariah Carey, “Merry Christmas” (1994)

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49. Sarah McLachlan, “Surfacing” (1997)

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48. Mariah Carey, “Mariah Carey” (1990)

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47. Rihanna, “Good Girl Gone Bad” (2007)

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46. Madonna, “Madonna” (1983)

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45. Shania Twain, “The Woman In Me” (1995)

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44. Taylor Swift, “Red” (2012)

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43. The Chicks, “Fly” (1999)

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42. Amy Winehouse, “Back to Black” (2007 U.S. release)

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41. Jewel, “Pieces of You” (1995)

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40. Lady A, “Need You Now” (2010)

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39. Lady A, “Lady Antebellum” (2008)

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38. Céline Dion, “Falling into You” (1996)

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37. Ariana Grande, “Thank U, Next” (2019)

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36. Beyoncé, “Beyoncé” (2013)

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35. Doja Cat, “Hot Pink” (2019)

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34. Bonnie Raitt, “Nick Of Time” (1989)

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33. The Chicks, “Wide Open Spaces” (1998)

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32. Enya, “Shepherd Moons” (1991)

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31. Anita Baker, “Rapture” (1986)

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30. Alanis Morissette, “Jagged Little Pill” (1995)

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29. Whitney Houston / Various Artists, “The Bodyguard” (Soundtrack, 1992)

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28. Paula Abdul, “Forever Your Girl” (1988)

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27. Doja Cat, “Planet Her” (2021)

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26. Taylor Swift, “Speak Now” (2010)

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25. Taylor Swift, “Red (Taylor’s Version)” (2021)

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24. Adele, “25” (2015)

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23. Whitney Houston, “Whitney Houston” (1985)

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22. Cardi B, “Invasion Of Privacy” (2018)

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21. Norah Jones, “Come Away With Me” (2002)

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20. Taylor Swift, “Evermore” (2020)

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19. Carole King, “Tapestry” (1971)

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18. Shania Twain, “Come On Over” (1997)

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17. Taylor Swift, “Fearless” (2008)

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16. Olivia Rodrigo, “Sour” (2021)

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15. Adele, “19” (2008)

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14. Billie Eilish, “dont smile at me” (EP, 2017)

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13. Dua Lipa, “Future Nostalgia” (2020)

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12. Taylor Swift, “reputation” (2017)

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11. Katy Perry, “Teenage Dream” (2010)

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10. Taylor Swift, “Folklore” (2020)

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9. Taylor Swift, “Taylor Swift” (2006)

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8. Lady Gaga, “The Fame” (2008)

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7. Billie Eilish, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” (2019)

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6. Rihanna, “ANTI” (2016)

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5. Taylor Swift, “Lover” (2019)

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4. SZA, “Ctrl” (2017)

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3. Lana Del Rey, “Born to Die” (2012)

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2. Adele, “21” (2011)

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1. Taylor Swift, “1989” (2014)

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100 of the Biggest Albums by Women in Billboard History
100. Natalie Cole, “Unforgettable: With Love” (1991)
99. Barbra Streisand, “Funny Girl (Soundtrack)” (1968)
98. Beyoncé, “Dangerously in Love” (2003)
97. Nicki Minaj, “The Pinkprint” (2014)
96. P!nk, “M!ssundaztood” (2001)
95. H.E.R., “H.E.R.” (Compilation, 2017)
94. Ariana Grande, “Dangerous Woman” (2016)
93. P!nk, “The Truth About Love” (2012)
92. Madonna, “Like a Virgin” (1984)
91. The Pussycat Dolls, “PCD” (2005)
90. Toni Braxton, “Toni Braxton” (1993)
89. Cyndi Lauper, “She’s So Unusual” (1983)
88. Christina Aguilera, “Christina Aguilera” (1999)
87. Gretchen Wilson, “Here For The Party” (2004)
86. Mariah Carey, “Music Box” (1993)
85. Lauren Daigle, “Look Up Child” (2018)
84. SZA, “SOS” (2022)
83. Meghan Trainor, “Title” (2015)
82. Janet Jackson, “janet.” (1993)
81. Céline Dion, “The Colour of My Love” (1993)
80. Mary Chapin Carpenter, “Come On Come On” (1992)
79. Faith Hill, “Breathe” (1999)
78. LeAnn Rimes, “Blue” (1996)
77. Carrie Underwood, “Carnival Ride” (2007)
76. Amy Grant, “Heart In Motion” (1991)
75. Enya, “A Day Without Rain” (2000)
74. Tina Turner, “Private Dancer” (1984)
73. Beyoncé, “I Am... Sasha Fierce” (2008)
72. P!nk, “Funhouse” (2008)
71. Miranda Lambert, “Revolution” (2009)
70. Destiny’s Child, “The Writing’s on the Wall” (1999)
69. Jane Fonda, “Jane Fonda’s Workout Record” (1982)
68. Bonnie Raitt, “Luck of the Draw” (1991)
67. Taylor Swift, “Midnights” (2022)
66. Fergie, “The Dutchess” (2006)
65. The Pointer Sisters, “Break Out” (1983)
64. Taylor Swift, “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” (2021)
63. Stevie Nicks, “Bella Donna” (1981)
62. Melissa Etheridge, “Yes I Am” (1993)
61. Billie Eilish, “Happier Than Ever” (2021)
60. Janet Jackson, “Control” (1986)
59. Halsey, “Badlands” (2015)
58. Lizzo, “Cuz I Love You” (2019)
57. Janet Jackson, “Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814” (1989)
56. Britney Spears, “…Baby One More Time” (1999)
55. Wilson Phillips, “Wilson Phillips” (1990)
54. Melanie Martinez, “Cry Baby” (2015)
53. Kelly Clarkson, “Breakaway” (2004)
52. TLC, “CrazySexyCool” (1994)
51. Spice Girls, “Spice” (1997)
50. Mariah Carey, “Merry Christmas” (1994)
49. Sarah McLachlan, “Surfacing” (1997)
48. Mariah Carey, “Mariah Carey” (1990)
47. Rihanna, “Good Girl Gone Bad” (2007)
46. Madonna, “Madonna” (1983)
45. Shania Twain, “The Woman In Me” (1995)
44. Taylor Swift, “Red” (2012)
43. The Chicks, “Fly” (1999)
42. Amy Winehouse, “Back to Black” (2007 U.S. release)
41. Jewel, “Pieces of You” (1995)
40. Lady A, “Need You Now” (2010)
39. Lady A, “Lady Antebellum” (2008)
38. Céline Dion, “Falling into You” (1996)
37. Ariana Grande, “Thank U, Next” (2019)
36. Beyoncé, “Beyoncé” (2013)
35. Doja Cat, “Hot Pink” (2019)
34. Bonnie Raitt, “Nick Of Time” (1989)
33. The Chicks, “Wide Open Spaces” (1998)
32. Enya, “Shepherd Moons” (1991)
31. Anita Baker, “Rapture” (1986)
30. Alanis Morissette, “Jagged Little Pill” (1995)
29. Whitney Houston / Various Artists, “The Bodyguard” (Soundtrack, 1992)
28. Paula Abdul, “Forever Your Girl” (1988)
27. Doja Cat, “Planet Her” (2021)
26. Taylor Swift, “Speak Now” (2010)
25. Taylor Swift, “Red (Taylor’s Version)” (2021)
24. Adele, “25” (2015)
23. Whitney Houston, “Whitney Houston” (1985)
22. Cardi B, “Invasion Of Privacy” (2018)
21. Norah Jones, “Come Away With Me” (2002)
20. Taylor Swift, “Evermore” (2020)
19. Carole King, “Tapestry” (1971)
18. Shania Twain, “Come On Over” (1997)
17. Taylor Swift, “Fearless” (2008)
16. Olivia Rodrigo, “Sour” (2021)
15. Adele, “19” (2008)
14. Billie Eilish, “dont smile at me” (EP, 2017)
13. Dua Lipa, “Future Nostalgia” (2020)
12. Taylor Swift, “reputation” (2017)
11. Katy Perry, “Teenage Dream” (2010)
10. Taylor Swift, “Folklore” (2020)
9. Taylor Swift, “Taylor Swift” (2006)
8. Lady Gaga, “The Fame” (2008)
7. Billie Eilish, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” (2019)
6. Rihanna, “ANTI” (2016)
5. Taylor Swift, “Lover” (2019)
4. SZA, “Ctrl” (2017)
3. Lana Del Rey, “Born to Die” (2012)
2. Adele, “21” (2011)
1. Taylor Swift, “1989” (2014)

100 of the Biggest Albums by Women in Billboard History

Women have helped shape popular music for generations, producing some of the most successful and enduring albums in Billboard history. From groundbreaking releases that defined entire decades to modern hits that dominated the streaming era, these records have left a lasting mark on the music industry. Billboard's weekly album chart offers a way to measure that success, tracking which releases captured listeners' attention and how long they remained popular.

Of course, the way Billboard measures album success has evolved over the years. What was once primarily a ranking based on record sales now incorporates streaming activity and other measures of consumption. Eligibility requirements have also changed, meaning albums released decades apart weren't necessarily competing under identical conditions.

To compile this ranking, 24/7 Tempo analyzed historical Billboard album chart performance through June 2024. Albums earned points based on their weekly chart positions, with higher placements receiving greater weight. This approach rewards both commercial impact and longevity, highlighting albums that reached impressive heights as well as those that demonstrated remarkable staying power. It is a ranking of historical chart performance rather than an assessment of artistic quality or total record sales.

The collection includes solo performers, groups featuring women, and select soundtracks, compilations, and other releases that earned a place in Billboard history. Because the rankings reflect chart performance through a specific point in time, more recent activity is not factored into the results. Together, these albums offer a fascinating look at the women and recordings that have made some of the biggest impressions on American music audiences.

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