50 Best Selling Albums Ever

37. “Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band Live 1975-’85” by Bruce Springsteen

Album year: 1986

“Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band Live 1975-’85” is a live album in 1986. The album features a compilation of Springsteen's live performances from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. These include songs like “Born to Run” and “Badlands.”

While listening to the album, it’s very easy to hear the audience’s enthusiasm for his music and the artist’s joy in presenting his songs.

36. “Millennium” by Backstreet Boys

Album year: 1999

The Backstreet Boys’ “Millenium” ranks at number 36 on our list of the best selling albums ever. It features signature songs like “I Want It That Way” and “Larger Than Life.” The former became the group’s best-known song and was performed multiple times worldwide.

The band sold many copies within the first week it was released due to the wide appeal of the band’s sound. This is a great album to listen to if you love 90s pop music.

35. “Greatest Hits 1974-1978” by Steve Miller Band

Album year: 1978

The Steve Miller Band’s “Greatest Hits 1974-1978” is the 35th best selling album ever. It features standout tracks like “Jet Airliner,” “The Joker,” and “Fly Like an Eagle.”

The album was released in 1978 and includes the band’s most popular songs between 1974 to 1978. These songs are well-loved for their combination of pop, rock, and blues.

34. “Simon & Garfunkel's Greatest Hits” by Simon & Garfunkel

Album year: 1972

This compilation album features the best songs by the American folk group Simon & Garfunkel. Some of these include “Mrs. Robinson,” “Bridge over Troubled Water,” and “The Sound of Silence.”

Each song is regarded as one of the band’s biggest hits, with many of the pieces winning multiple Grammy Awards. Today, this album is still regarded as one of the best releases of the 1970s and can be found in many music lovers’ collections.

33. “Bat Out of Hell” by Meat Loaf

Album year: 1977

“Bat Out of Hell” by Meat Loaf is a popular album released in 1977. It features some of the band’s best known songs and is generally regarded as an important concept album. Some songs are more rock, while others feel more pop. Some of the best include the title song, “Paradise by the Dashboard Light,” and “Two Out of Three Aint’ Bad.”

The album sold an incredible number of copies and topped charts around the world. It’s still regarded as the band’s most successful album.

32. “Ropin' The Wind” by Garth Brooks

Album year: 1991

This 1991 Garth Brooks album is regarded as the singer’s most popular release. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and received great critical acclaim for its songwriting and production quality.

The album features some of the singer’s best hits, including “The River” and “Papa Loved Mama.” It is also regarded as one of the most successful country music albums ever.

31. “…Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears

Album year: 1999

Britney Spears’ “….Baby One More Time” is a well-loved pop album that was released in 1999. The album included tracks like “Sometimes” and “From the Bottom of My Broken Heart.” It’s known for its catchy melodies and its incorporation of pop and dance vibes. This album helped rocket Britney Spears into the public limelight and ensure her superstardom in the 2000s.

The …Baby One More Time album is regarded as a landmark pop release, showcasing a new kind of upbeat pop sound that became popular over the following years.

30. “21” by Adele

Album year: 2010

Adele’s incredibly famous “21” is regarded as one of the best albums of the 2010s and is the collection of songs that made Adele a household name. The album features some of the musician’s best known pieces, including “Rolling in the Deep,” “Someone Like You” which is my personal favorite, and “Set Fire to the Rain.”

This album was massively successful and earned Adele multiple Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year. It stayed at the top of the Billboard charts for weeks due to its addictive songwriting and melodies. The album engaged with themes that were, and still are, highly popular, including love, self-reflection, and heartbreak.

29. “Backstreet Boys” by Backstreet Boys

Album year: 1996

This self-titled album was released in 1996 to great critical acclaim and popularity. The album brought the band into the public spotlight due to its mixture of pop, R&B, and dance numbers. Some of the best songs from the album included “As Long as You Love Me” and “I’ll Never Break Your Heart.”

This album was an immense commercial success, charting on the Billboard charts and staying there for weeks. It was eventually certified diamond in the United States. Today, many music lovers still cite this album as one of their favorites from the period.

28. “The Beatles 1962-1966” by The Beatles

Album year: 1973

“The Beatles 1962-1966” by The Beatles is a well-known album that features a collection of the best Beatles songs from 1962 to 1966. This incredibly famous period in the band’s history included numbers like “Love Me Do,” “She Loves You,” and “Help!” The album was an immense success, making millions and being certified multi-platinum in the United States.

It is generally regarded as a landmark achievement in music, featuring some of the most popular songs of the century and finding a home in the record collections of many people who are music lover.

27. “Supernatural” by Santana

Album year: 1999

“Supernatural” by Santana was released in 1999 and is regarded as the band’s most popular record. It featured a fusion of musical elements that listeners loved, including Latin, Pop, rock, and more. This album included songs like “Corazón Espinado” and “Maria Maria.”

The album received widespread acclaim for its sound, songs, and lyrics, winning several Grammy Awards and becoming the band’s most celebrated work. It’s also credited with leading a new group of fans to the band’s music later in their career.

26. “Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd

Album year: 1973

The very well-known “Dark Side of the Moon” was released in 1973 and is regarded as one of the band’s most successful collections of songs. It includes very famous pieces of music like “Us and Them,” “Money,” and “Time.” The album’s artwork and sound have become closely associated with the band.

Dark Side of the Moon album sold an impressive 45 million copies worldwide, making it the 26th best selling album ever. Many of the album’s songs are regarded as cultural landmarks, well-loved by people worldwide.

25. “Greatest Hits” by Journey

Album year: 1988

Journey’s “Greatest Hits” album was released in 1988 and featured songs like “Evolution,” “Departure,” and “Raised on Radio.” Other even better-known songs included “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Wheel in the Sky,” among others.

The album was immensely successful, selling 10’s millions of copies around the world due to its successful showcase of the band’s best music. Well-known and easy-to-enjoy melodies and guitar solos characterize the album’s signature songs.