Home

 › 

Entertainment

 › 

This Artist’s First Album Dominated No. 1 for 14 Weeks Straight

This Artist’s First Album Dominated No. 1 for 14 Weeks Straight

There may appear to be no magic formula for why some musicians are extremely successful almost immediately while others struggle for years before they receive recognition. To become a success, while natural talent is a significant factor, a lot more goes into it than merely having an outstanding voice. Musicians, just like any industry, must rely on networking and marketing, as well as promoting themselves and their work, to make any headway.

For those who do rise to the top, securing a position on the Billboard charts, which is a weekly ranking of how popular a song or album is in the United States and other countries, is a great indication of the impact a song and artist is having. While many bands and solo artists release a few albums before they hit their stride, others nail it almost immediately with their first album, 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 debut albums that dominated the charts. 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 members of a band were not considered. Billboard 200 chart data is current through April 22, 2023. (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”

David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images

  • 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”

Randy Shropshire / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

  • 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”

David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images

  • 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”

Evan Agostini / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Michael Caulfield Archive / WireImage via Getty Images

  • 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”

Kieran Frost / Redferns via Getty Images

  • 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”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

  • 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”

Patrick Riviere / Getty Images

  • 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”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

  • 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”

Isaac Brekken / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Theo Wargo / Getty Images

  • 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”

Jeck M. / Wikimedia Commons

  • 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”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

  • 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”

Paul Natkin / Getty Images

  • 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?”

Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

  • 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”

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

  • 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”

David Klein / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Central Press / Getty Images

  • 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”

Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Brian Rasic / Getty Images

  • 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”

Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Ethan Miller / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

  • 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”

Getty Images / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

  • 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”

Jason Kempin / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

  • 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”

Duane Prokop / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Brett Carlsen / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Raymond Boyd / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

  • 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”

Janette Pellegrini / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Paul Hawthorne / Getty Images

  • 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”

Seal by Eva Rinaldi

  • 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”

Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

  • 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”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

  • 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”

Evan Agostini / Getty Images

  • 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”

Brenda Chase / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

  • 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”

Ray Mickshaw / WireImage via Getty Images

  • 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”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

  • 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”

Beth Gwinn / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

  • 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”

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

  • 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]”

Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Sascha Steinbach / Getty Images

  • 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”

Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Rob Loud / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Christopher Polk / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Theo Wargo / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • 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”

Bryan Bedder / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 5 (for 2 weeks)
  • Total time on Billboard 200: 275 weeks
  • Chart debut date: Nov. 11, 2006
To top