The Biggest Debut Albums in Music History

Singing is often thought of as a natural talent we possess, or don’t, and when combined with skill, can hone our craft. Some believe this natural talent is a genetic gift, an ability that is inherited from our parents as well as impacted by our environments. This may be why some musicians appear to seemingly have been born to be stars. While many bands and solo artists release a few albums before they hit their stride, others nail it on their first try with a chart-topping debut that exemplifies their unique sound and solidifies their position in the music world. 

24/7 Tempo reviewed data on Billboard 200 chart performance to determine the biggest debut albums in history. 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 is worth one point. Debut albums by solo artists who had previously released popular albums as a members of a band were not considered. Billboard 200 chart data is current through April 22, 2023.

There is a wide variety of genres and timeframes represented. These albums range from the mid-60s, with rock 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.

Divas from the ’90s reign supreme as many of the popular debut albums that spent the longest at No. 1 are from this group of talented women, 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. (Here is a list of the 50 greatest pop albums of all time.)

Here are the biggest debut albums of all time

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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