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The Best-Selling Pop Albums of All Time

The Best-Selling Pop Albums of All Time

From the 1950s through the late ‘60s, pop music was synonymous with rock ‘n’ roll. After Billboard began listing the 200 top-selling albums in 1967, rock bands like The Beatles and Led Zeppelin had some of the earliest record-breakers. (Here’s a list of the most popular album every year since 1960.)

In the ‘70s and ‘80s, soul, disco, R&B, and funk began to influence the charts, with multiple hit albums from Michael Jackson, as well as chart-toppers from Prince, the Bee Gees, and Lionel Richie. The ‘90s brought both rap and country into the mainstream, including four top albums from pop country star Garth Brooks — well-represented among the 40 most popular country music albums of all time.

24/7 Tempo has compiled the 100 best-selling pop albums since Billboard started keeping track. Of the top 100, a quarter are by female musicians (counting bands with a female lead singer). Country crossover stars Shania Twain and Taylor Swift each boast three on the list. The sub-genres of pop represented in the list span the spectrum from country to rock to rap to R&B. An outlier on the list is the 1994 soundtrack to Disney’s “The Lion King,” featuring multiple songs written and performed by Elton John.

To determine the 100 best pop albums of all time, 24/7 Tempo developed an index based on three metrics: the number of weeks an album spent on the Billboard 200; its positions on the chart (one week at No. 1, for instance, being worth 200 times more than a week spent at No. 200); and total certified U.S. album sales according to the Recording Industry Association of America. All metrics were evenly weighted.

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

100. Let’s Talk About Love (1997)
> Artist: Celine Dion
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 84

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

99. Whitney (1987)
> Artist: Whitney Houston
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 88

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

98. Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness (1995)
> Artist: The Smashing Pumpkins
> Certification: 8X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 93

Source: Scott Barbour / Getty Images

97. Mariah Carey (1990)
> Artist: Mariah Carey
> Certification: 9X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 113

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

96. The Lion King (1994)
> Artist: Soundtrack
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 89

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

95. Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003)
> Artist: OutKast
> Certification: 11X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 56

Source: David Redfern / Getty Images

94. Hi Infidelity (1980)
> Artist: REO Speedwagon
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 101

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

93. Escape (1981)
> Artist: Journey
> Certification: 9X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 152

Source: Archive Photos / Moviepix via Getty Images

92. All Eyez On Me (1996)
> Artist: 2Pac
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 122

Source: Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

91. Confessions (2004)
> Artist: Usher
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 126

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

90. Like A Virgin (1984)
> Artist: Madonna
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 109

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

89. Cooleyhighharmony (1991)
> Artist: Boyz II Men
> Certification: 9X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 133

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

88. x (2014)
> Artist: Ed Sheeran
> Certification: 4X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 312

Source: skinnylawyer / Flickr

87. Life After Death (1997)
> Artist: The Notorious B.I.G.
> Certification: 11X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 87

Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

86. Pyromania (1983)
> Artist: Def Leppard
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 123

Source: Evan Agostini / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

85. Licensed To Ill (1986)
> Artist: Beastie Boys
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 152

Source: Tommaso Boddi / Getty Images

84. Music Box (1993)
> Artist: Mariah Carey
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 128

Source: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

83. The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
> Artist: Eminem
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 171

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

82. Some Hearts (2005)
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Certification: 8X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 157

Source: Paul Warner / Getty Images

81. Country Grammar (2000)
> Artist: Nelly
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 104

Source: Phil Walter / Getty Images

80. Off The Wall (1979)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Certification: 9X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 193

Source: Larry Busacca / Getty Images

79. Unplugged (1992)
> Artist: Eric Clapton
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 139

Source: Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images

78. The Joshua Tree (1987)
> Artist: U2
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 121

Source: jelizen / Wikimedia Commons

77. Tragic Kingdom (1996)
> Artist: No Doubt
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 91

Source: MJ Kim / Getty Images

76. Faith (1987)
> Artist: George Michael
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 96

Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images

75. The Immaculate Collection (1990)
> Artist: Madonna
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 148

Source: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

74. No Strings Attached (2000)
> Artist: ‘N Sync
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 82

Source: Jo Hale / Getty Images

73. Dookie (1994)
> Artist: Green Day
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 116

Source: Rich Polk / Getty Images

72. Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em (1990)
> Artist: M.C. Hammer
> Certification: 7X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 108

Source: Brad Barket / Getty Images

71. The Stranger (1977)
> Artist: Billy Joel
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 137

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images

70. Up! (2002)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Certification: 11X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 93

Source: Tabatha Fireman / Getty Images

69. Stoney (2016)
> Artist: Post Malone
> Certification: 5X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 230

Source: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

68. ‘N Sync (1998)
> Artist: ‘N Sync
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 109

Source: Rick Stewart / Getty Images

67. Bad (1987)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 171

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

66. Houses Of The Holy (1973)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Certification: 11X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 106

Source: Rich Fury / Getty Images

65. Teenage Dream (2010)
> Artist: Katy Perry
> Certification: 8X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 241

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images

64. Views (2016)
> Artist: Drake
> Certification: 6X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 260

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

63. Devil Without A Cause (1999)
> Artist: Kid Rock
> Certification: 11X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 111

Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

62. Eliminator (1983)
> Artist: ZZ Top
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 185

Source: Steve Jennings / Getty Images

61. Can’t Slow Down (1983)
> Artist: Lionel Richie
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 160

Source: Gustavo Caballero / Getty Images

60. good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012)
> Artist: Kendrick Lamar
> Certification: 3X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 445

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images

59. Traveller (2015)
> Artist: Chris Stapleton
> Certification: 4X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 295

Source: Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock.com

58. Garth Brooks (1990)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 224

Source: Evening Standard / Getty Images

57. Led Zeppelin II (1969)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 117

Source: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

56. Taylor Swift (2006)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Certification: 7X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 275

Source: PA3 Barry Lane / Wikimedia Commons

55. Human Clay (1999)
> Artist: Creed
> Certification: 11X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 104

Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

54. Bat Out Of Hell (1977)
> Artist: Meat Loaf
> Certification: 14X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 82

Source: ShowBizIreland / Getty Images

53. Fly (1999)
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 131

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

52. II (1994)
> Artist: Boyz II Men
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 99

Source: Robert Cianflone / Getty Images

51. Slippery When Wet (1986)
> Artist: Bon Jovi
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 118

Source: Scott Gries / Getty Images

50. CrazySexyCool (1994)
> Artist: TLC
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 119

Source: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

49. 25 (2015)
> Artist: Adele
> Certification: 11X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 183

Source: Al Bello / Getty Images

48. The Woman In Me (1995)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 107

Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

47. Come Away With Me (2002)
> Artist: Norah Jones
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 164

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

46. Pieces Of You (1996)
> Artist: Jewel
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 114

Source: Elsa / Getty Images

45. No Jacket Required (1985)
> Artist: Phil Collins
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 123

Source: mil8 / Flickr

44. Yourself Or Someone Like You (1997)
> Artist: matchbox 20
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 121

Source: Nicholas Hunt / Getty Images

43. Millennium (1999)
> Artist: Backstreet Boys
> Certification: 13X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 93

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

42. Falling Into You (1996)
> Artist: Celine Dion
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 113

Source: Courtesy of Amazon

41. Purple Rain (Soundtrack) (1984)
> Artist: Prince and the Revolution
> Certification: 13X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 143

Source: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

40. Fearless (2008)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 261

Source: Buda Mendes / Getty Images

39. All The Right Reasons (2005)
> Artist: Nickelback
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 206

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

38. Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010)
> Artist: Bruno Mars
> Certification: 6X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 519

Source: Central Press / Getty Images

37. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Certification: 11X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 232

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

36. Hysteria (1987)
> Artist: Def Leppard
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 136

Source: Evening Standard / Getty Images

35. Physical Graffiti (1975)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Certification: 16X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 48

Source: Frank Micelotta / Getty Images

34. Wide Open Spaces (1998)
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Certification: 4X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 134

Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images

33. Breathless (1992)
> Artist: Kenny G
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 214

Source: Dooley Productions / Shutterstock.com

32. …Baby One More Time (1999)
> Artist: Britney Spears
> Certification: 14X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 103

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

31. Take Care (2011)
> Artist: Drake
> Certification: 6X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 427

Source: Rich Fury / Getty Images

30. 1989 (2014)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Certification: 9X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 334

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

29. [Hybrid Theory] (2000)
> Artist: Linkin Park
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 256

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

28. Ropin’ The Wind (1991)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Certification: 14X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 132

Source: P.B. Rage / Wikimedia Commons

27. Nevermind (1991)
> Artist: Nirvana
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 523

Source: Tucker Ranson / Getty Images

26. Supernatural (1999)
> Artist: Santana
> Certification: 15X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 103

Source: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

25. Whitney Houston (1985)
> Artist: Whitney Houston
> Certification: 13X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 176

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

24. Backstreet Boys (1997)
> Artist: Backstreet Boys
> Certification: 14X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 133

Source: Matt King / Getty Images

23. Tapestry (1971)
> Artist: Carole King
> Certification: 13X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 318

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

22. The Eminem Show (2002)
> Artist: Eminem
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 396

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

21. Saturday Night Fever (1976)
> Artist: Bee Gees
> Certification: 16X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 137

Source: John Pratt / Getty Images

20. Abbey Road (1969)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 409

Source: Rob Loud / Getty Images

19. Ten (1992)
> Artist: Pearl Jam
> Certification: 13X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 264

Source: Jamie Squire / Getty Images

18. Born In The U.S.A. (1984)
> Artist: Bruce Springsteen
> Certification: 15X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 143

Source: Courtesy of Boston

17. Boston (1976)
> Artist: Boston
> Certification: 17X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 138

Source: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

16. Jagged Little Pill (1995)
> Artist: Alanis Morissette
> Certification: 16X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 127

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

15. Double Live (1998)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Certification: 21X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 56

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

14. Appetite For Destruction (1987)
> Artist: Guns N’ Roses
> Certification: 18X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 249

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

13. No Fences (1990)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Certification: 18X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 224

Source: Paul Hawthorne / Getty Images

12. Cracked Rear View (1994)
> Artist: Hootie & The Blowfish
> Certification: 21X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 129

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

11. The Wall (1979)
> Artist: Pink Floyd
> Certification: 23X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 157

Source: Clive Brunskill / Getty Images

10. Come On Over (1997)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Certification: 20X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 151

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

9. 21 (2011)
> Artist: Adele
> Certification: 14X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 507

Source: Hulton Archive / Getty Images

8. The Beatles [White Album] (1968)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Certification: 24X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 215

Source: MJ Kim / Getty Images

7. The Dark Side Of The Moon (1973)
> Artist: Pink Floyd
> Certification: 15X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 957

Source: Larry Busacca / Getty Images

6. Hotel California (1976)
> Artist: Eagles
> Certification: 26X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 132

Source: Evening Standard / Getty Images

5. Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Certification: 23X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 283

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

4. Metallica (1991)
> Artist: Metallica
> Certification: 16X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 606

Source: Noam Galai / Getty Images

3. Rumours (1977)
> Artist: Fleetwood Mac
> Certification: 20X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 423

Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images

2. Back In Black (1980)
> Artist: AC/DC
> Certification: 25X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 462

Source: Phil Walter / Getty Images

1. Thriller (1982)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Certification: 33X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 469

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