1965 - Beatles 6 albums, 5 to 13 million copies, each. World population less than half of today, and you hoped you had a good enough record player. That scale of success can't be imagined by modern standards.
Nope. Chart music is mainly pointless nowadays as it's NOT BASED ON ACTUAL SALES. There is good music but you will need to look for it outside the charts
For people saying that this shows how bad music today is, that's not what this shows. This reflects exactly when Napster exploded and young people almost entirely stopped spending money on music. Suddenly music is just being copied over and over digitally and only older people with money were still buying albums.
@@ericstan8696 For sure. That's my point. Many of the old people are saying, "See, this shows that music since then has been bad." Album sales just don't mean the same thing. We don't sell a lot of phonographs either.
@skyblazeeterno True in many cases, but not where the top selling albums of all time are concerned. That's why they're the top sellers and why they're still desirable.
@@skyblazeeterno I’ve been listening to old albums from before my time on Spotify and I disagree. There are bands that put out quality albums. From the big names like The Beatles, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Scorpions, to other bands just below like Nazareth, Rainbow, Blue Öyster Cult, Mountain, UFO and even a one album wonder like Ursa Major. As someone who is going through the old groups, I am discovering some serious hidden gems. The ‘70s was truly the greatest musical decade.
Rumours has sold over 40 million now. It has been in the UK album chart for over 20 years and is still in the top 20 albums this week, nearly 50 years after its release!
Interesting that after 1985 or so, there was very little movement on that Top 12 list. Today, nobody buys albums... they download individual tracks by themselves.
technology was all that that was, the technology of recorded music, the tech of its making marketing and sales and the oligopolies and cartels established by law to run those businesses - see how complex copyright law is, see how the music industry has ever controled the engineers who build the devices (from player pianos through to smart phones, not forgetting sheet music too, cannot make reproduction too easy they commanded) that people use to play back music now thats all gone, boo hoo hoo
@@misterschubert3242 For any ten year period (as opposed to decades), 1965-1974 is phenomenal. The Beatles released their best half dozen albums in that time, Abbey Road, Sgt Pepper's, the white album, Rubber Soul and Revolver among them. Bob Dylan released the albums Highway 61 and Blonde on Blonde in that time. Led Zeppelin released their first five albums (considered their best) in that time, the Doors, Hendrix, Cream and CCR came and went within that period of time and their classics still resonate today. Classic albums like Tubular Bells (Mike Oldfield) , Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, Carole King's Tapestry, ex-Beatles McCartney, Harrison and Lennon albums Band on the Run, All Things Must Pass and Imagine. David Bowie, Santana, Harry Nilsson and Elton John announced themselves and had massive success early in their careers though Bowie took some time. The Rolling Stones peaked late 60s/early 70s. The Carpenters had their biggest success in that time. Stevie Wonder released some of his best work in that time and the Motown sound continued to power on with the likes of Diana Ross and the Supremes. Even old Elvis managed several hits in that time even if his very best days were behind him. The quality of music never took a dive,..just go back and check the album and singles charts from that time and it will all make sense. So many great artists I have left out but I havent got all day sadly,..the Kinks,....Procol Harum,....Fifth Dimension,....Joe Cocker,...Small Faces,.....Deep.... Purple,...Black Sabbath,.....Dusty Springfield,......Jethro Tull,...T Rex,..Slade,.......Cat Stevens,......good night!
I can't tell if CDs are included in the numbers or not. But in the past 10 years streaming leads to people buying/playing individual songs rather than buying entire albums. So no surprise that the chart doesn't change much over the most recent 10 years. Fascinating that Dark Side of the Moon (hardly a pop album) stayed number one and two for soooo long. I remember reading how it had stayed in the top 20 for more than any other album for years and years.
One factor in overall album sales was the changes in music media format. Many people bought the same album on vinyl, 8-track, cassette, and CD (or some combination thereof). Trivia: Born in the USA ('85) was the first CD put into wide release that had not been previously been sold on vinyl.
@@regfries8279 In recent years, those things have been included. I think the two highest-selling albums this century were both by Adele. Her "21" would have gone close to making this list, but just missed out.
The thing with this is bands like pink floyd and zeppelin sold the majority of their records in America. whereas michael jacksons sales were all over the world. I bet if American sales were taken out this list would be very different.
only one change in the top ten in the last 25yrs (Bad over taking Jagged little pill) and Jacko beating Floyd despite a 10yr head start is amazing. The biggest surprise for me was the Bodyguard S/T
Head start doesn't mean much - the way the record industry worked before streaming took over resulted in the vast majority of records being sold when the album is released, before it kind of flattens out... I'm surprised Bad didn't do as well though, that was massive!
@komodosp it does, Dark side and Thriller did most of their business long before streaming had any affect, Thriller caught and passed Dark side's 10yr total in less than 1yr
It was fun to watch until people stopped actually purchasing music. The quality of today's music is worse as well, but if they are just tracking sales...
Sorry, this video is inaccurate. The official industry source for album and single sales is the Recording Industry Association of America, or RIAA. For all official records regarding album and single sales, please consult the RIAA. This is why dumbed-down, awfully-researched and stupid social media sites and other websites need constant, daily fact-checking.
I don't know what the numbers are supposed to be telling us. It's impossible that each of these albums became one of the all-time biggest sellers the first year of its release. If Dark Side of the Moon has sold 40 something million, certainly wasn't in the first twelve months. So I find this a little too annoying to watch.
So various artists for the Bodyguard soundtrack are counted and greatest hits (Eagles Greatest Hits 71-75 and also biggest selling album of all time) isn't? WTF!!
I learned 3 things: #1. I was right that Elvis was only popular because there were not many artists like him at the time. The Beatles made his record sales look puny. 😂 Never liked Elvis. Now I know I wasn’t alone. #2. Michael Jackson’s Thriller album has obviously had some “cooking of the books” by the music industry executives. The sales popping up like they did and the distance that it pulled away (20 million sales beyond any record in history?) are very suspicious. Somebody’s been scratching somebody else’s back. #3. I was shocked that several albums didn’t at least pop up on the list once. Especially disappointing was the first Boston album. It was all over the radio for 2-3 years and everyone I knew had a copy.
Jackson's Thriller hit bc it hit all the demo's. I mean what was Micheal Jackson? really? did he himself even know? Great entertainer, dancer, singer?, songwriter not really. But he could be everything to everyone it seems or at least he tried to be until his "problems" surfaced.
It’s great not to see any ”Greatest hits” in the list. I would very much like to see one without any OST’s too. Just to have a pure studio albums list 1-100. That would be something to collect and have on the shelf.
And to think, "Thriller" sold 32 million copies worldwide by the end of 1983 alone! Imagine selling 32 million copies of your album in less than a year... that's insane!
@nonsuch It is truly remarkable that the very decade when music piracy really took off somehow coincides with record high sales. Hardly anybody bought music at that time. Most people knew a guy who could make them a copy of any music they wanted. I find it unbelievable that Thriller sold so many copies in such a short space of time.
@@danielburger1775the hype was massive, I was a teenager then and everyone was racing home to watch the event on tv. It's amazing the effect of mass advertising and everyone wanting to breakdance and body pop. Money talks.
Notice how NONE of these albums were released after the 2000's! I lived the years when music 🎵🎶 was the best! Like many others of my generation...I think the music of today is CRAP! Keep the executives out of music and maybe we will have a Renaissance ‼️
I know musical taste is subjective but most of these are genuinely great albums (bodyguard aside) with fantastic songwriting, musicianship and production. Doesn't mean you have to like them but just because you don't that doesn't make them lame or you better than people that do appreciate them. In most cases these albums were written by the artists themselves and/or were musically groundbreaking.
@hertor8803 What makes them genuinely great other than they are popular? Thriller is popular because of a couple of music videos, not because of superb musical skill, although MJ is a fine performer. Led Zeppelin were satanists, the Bodyguard, Saturday Night Fever and Grease are Movie soundtracks, rather than artistic statements. AC/DC is just loud noise and Rumors was an album taking the name but not the music of a much better band. Even Pink Floyd which is one of the best here are the reincarnation of a fine band. I am trying to make people see through the hype machine and value the albums they love personally. Shania Twain never has been musically groundbreaking. Aside from Alanis Morrisette, no artist on this list could be considered groundbreaking in any way. Following what is simply popular is what is destroying culture.
Jacko only sold through hype. On its initial release no one took much notice of Thriller or him and then as soon as all the overhyped stories of sleeping in oxygen tents and then the flashy videos came out, it gave him maximum publicity which everyone bought into. Add his death to all this and there are still people who are unhealthily obsessed with him. The most overrated 'musician' ever and if you want to know where to go to get a cheap copy of Thriller, just come to Britain where the charity shops can't give them away quick enough.
Stupidest thing I’ve ever heard! If your gonna pick a moment where the album took off it was his performance at the Motown anniversary show where he did that moon walk. I never owned the album myself but 7 singles released and 7 top 10 in the USA. Btw 5 of the singles went top 10 in UK so your reasoning behind your post is stupid.
1965 - Beatles 6 albums, 5 to 13 million copies, each. World population less than half of today, and you hoped you had a good enough record player. That scale of success can't be imagined by modern standards.
Just shows how stagnant music has been since the 1980s
Nope. Chart music is mainly pointless nowadays as it's NOT BASED ON ACTUAL SALES. There is good music but you will need to look for it outside the charts
@ even so, there’s damned little of it. The older guys/gals have spent all their creative juices, the younger guys/gals are repetitious.
Yeah it's almost as bad as the music in this video..
@@skyblazeeternoWell back in the day there was good music on the charts...
No one buys albums anymore. Streaming killed in-store album sales.
For people saying that this shows how bad music today is, that's not what this shows. This reflects exactly when Napster exploded and young people almost entirely stopped spending money on music. Suddenly music is just being copied over and over digitally and only older people with money were still buying albums.
Napster was over 20 years ago. Those young people that you're referring to are probably grandparents by now.
@@ericstan8696 For sure. That's my point. Many of the old people are saying, "See, this shows that music since then has been bad." Album sales just don't mean the same thing. We don't sell a lot of phonographs either.
Erm, they're not spending money on music because said music is crap.
beatles had a top album on the charts thorugh 1987 17 years after they broke up. that is insane
Nope, that’s talent!😊
@@guitarcomet5 of course it is talent, but when i say insane, i mean it is beyond mesaure
Shows much legacy they have
It's interesting how stable the list becomes from the early 1990s.
Partly because music became so bad and the introduction of digital downloads and streaming etc.
@@Lily_The_Pink972 why buy albums? The vast majority of albums I've heard usually have only 1 or 2 decent tracks anyway
@skyblazeeterno True in many cases, but not where the top selling albums of all time are concerned. That's why they're the top sellers and why they're still desirable.
@@Lily_The_Pink972 I'm talking currently. Apart from some weird audio snobbery there's no need to buy albums
@@skyblazeeterno
I’ve been listening to old albums from before my time on Spotify and I disagree. There are bands that put out quality albums. From the big names like The Beatles, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Scorpions, to other bands just below like Nazareth, Rainbow, Blue Öyster Cult, Mountain, UFO and even a one album wonder like Ursa Major. As someone who is going through the old groups, I am discovering some serious hidden gems. The ‘70s was truly the greatest musical decade.
Rumours has sold over 40 million now. It has been in the UK album chart for over 20 years and is still in the top 20 albums this week, nearly 50 years after its release!
For good reason . Also , only separated by a year is ," Bat out of Hell " , another great biggie .
Interesting that after 1985 or so, there was very little movement on that Top 12 list. Today, nobody buys albums... they download individual tracks by themselves.
Yeah, but they didn't download 1985-2005.
1975-1980 Probably the most incredible time in recorded music ever.
1965 -1985
technology was all that that was, the technology of recorded music, the tech of its making marketing and sales and the oligopolies and cartels established by law to run those businesses - see how complex copyright law is, see how the music industry has ever controled the engineers who build the devices (from player pianos through to smart phones, not forgetting sheet music too, cannot make reproduction too easy they commanded) that people use to play back music
now thats all gone, boo hoo hoo
You got that right!
@@misterschubert3242 For any ten year period (as opposed to decades), 1965-1974 is phenomenal. The Beatles released their best half dozen albums in that time, Abbey Road, Sgt Pepper's, the white album, Rubber Soul and Revolver among them. Bob Dylan released the albums Highway 61 and Blonde on Blonde in that time. Led Zeppelin released their first five albums (considered their best) in that time, the Doors, Hendrix, Cream and CCR came and went within that period of time and their classics still resonate today. Classic albums like Tubular Bells (Mike Oldfield) , Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, Carole King's Tapestry, ex-Beatles McCartney, Harrison and Lennon albums Band on the Run, All Things Must Pass and Imagine. David Bowie, Santana, Harry Nilsson and Elton John announced themselves and had massive success early in their careers though Bowie took some time. The Rolling Stones peaked late 60s/early 70s. The Carpenters had their biggest success in that time. Stevie Wonder released some of his best work in that time and the Motown sound continued to power on with the likes of Diana Ross and the Supremes. Even old Elvis managed several hits in that time even if his very best days were behind him. The quality of music never took a dive,..just go back and check the album and singles charts from that time and it will all make sense. So many great artists I have left out but I havent got all day sadly,..the Kinks,....Procol Harum,....Fifth Dimension,....Joe Cocker,...Small Faces,.....Deep.... Purple,...Black Sabbath,.....Dusty Springfield,......Jethro Tull,...T Rex,..Slade,.......Cat Stevens,......good night!
@@terrythekittieful wonderfully and accurately put. Enjoy your weekend!
The Beatles did very well 👍
Not bad .
I can't tell if CDs are included in the numbers or not. But in the past 10 years streaming leads to people buying/playing individual songs rather than buying entire albums. So no surprise that the chart doesn't change much over the most recent 10 years. Fascinating that Dark Side of the Moon (hardly a pop album) stayed number one and two for soooo long. I remember reading how it had stayed in the top 20 for more than any other album for years and years.
One factor in overall album sales was the changes in music media format. Many people bought the same album on vinyl, 8-track, cassette, and CD (or some combination thereof).
Trivia: Born in the USA ('85) was the first CD put into wide release that had not been previously been sold on vinyl.
I had always thought Hotel California was right up there with Rumours.
Surprised me a bit.
Eagles Greatest Hits is the #1 sold album in the USA. This list isn't including compilations.
Eagles hotel California is No1 worldwide, and greatest hits should be third
The Beatles ruled the 1960s.
Beatle did rule the 1960s. They ruled the 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, and still do as of 2025 in my opinion.
Darn good opinion.
shine on you crazy diamonds
Kinda surprised not to see ABBA here unless I missed something lol
No compilations allowed, otherwise Eagles Greatest Hits would be about 4th.
Nothing from this century. Not surprised.
i wonder if that's because downloads/streaming doesn't count?
@@regfries8279 In recent years, those things have been included. I think the two highest-selling albums this century were both by Adele. Her "21" would have gone close to making this list, but just missed out.
It’s interesting though, Eminem album The Eminem Show has sold over 40 million and not included on the list. Marshal Mathers EP is around 36 million.
No new entry from 2000. Music download became the main stream and people started to purchase only one song and not the whole album.
As a band, Beatles even beat Michael in sales.
It would be interesting to see a breakdown of the top selling albums year to year.
Among the top sellers there is only one American band. All the brits are bands, two Canadian solo singers and no white American soloists.
ANYONE STRUGGLING, WATCH AT HALF SPEED :o)
lol, smoked as well you have....
The thing with this is bands like pink floyd and zeppelin sold the majority of their records in America.
whereas michael jacksons sales were all over the world.
I bet if American sales were taken out this list would be very different.
Pink floyd sold the majority worldwide. Zep sold the majority in the states. So you are wrong.
Interesting how almost every list has Back in Black as #2.
only one change in the top ten in the last 25yrs (Bad over taking Jagged little pill) and Jacko beating Floyd despite a 10yr head start is amazing.
The biggest surprise for me was the Bodyguard S/T
Head start doesn't mean much - the way the record industry worked before streaming took over resulted in the vast majority of records being sold when the album is released, before it kind of flattens out... I'm surprised Bad didn't do as well though, that was massive!
@komodosp it does, Dark side and Thriller did most of their business long before streaming had any affect, Thriller caught and passed Dark side's 10yr total in less than 1yr
It was fun to watch until people stopped actually purchasing music. The quality of today's music is worse as well, but if they are just tracking sales...
These numbers aren't according to Billboard Magazine. Where the Eagles Greatest Hits 71-75?
What was the point of the last two and a half minutes?
What is the point of the last 20 years in music?
Which all goes to show that the music died around 40 years ago.
The king hasn't recorded a song in almost 50 years. When he was alive there's was one billion and half people here now 8 billion
According to records Bat out of hell has sold 43 million records and Dark side of the moon 45 million and Sgt Pepper 32m (wiki)
Sorry, this video is inaccurate. The official industry source for album and single sales is the Recording Industry Association of America, or RIAA. For all official records regarding album and single sales, please consult the RIAA. This is why dumbed-down, awfully-researched and stupid social media sites and other websites need constant, daily fact-checking.
I tend to agree, where is Bat Out Of Hell and Eagles Greatest Hits in 2024?
@@zodiac6968or queen???? Or abba???
@@JazzyJabbz Yes, good point.
RIAA is not official industry source for the whole world.
I don't know what the numbers are supposed to be telling us. It's impossible that each of these albums became one of the all-time biggest sellers the first year of its release. If Dark Side of the Moon has sold 40 something million, certainly wasn't in the first twelve months. So I find this a little too annoying to watch.
Agreed. Dark side was on the charts for like 18 years straight.
what is an OST
Original Soundtrack Recording
@@paulsuchy6210 Thank You
So albums became relics of the past in 2004.
The music album (and music more generally) died in the 2000s.
So various artists for the Bodyguard soundtrack are counted and greatest hits (Eagles Greatest Hits 71-75 and also biggest selling album of all time) isn't? WTF!!
I think the albums sold number was a little exaggerated.
Probably worldwide figures.
Definitely.
I learned 3 things:
#1. I was right that Elvis was only popular because there were not many artists like him at the time. The Beatles made his record sales look puny. 😂 Never liked Elvis. Now I know I wasn’t alone.
#2. Michael Jackson’s Thriller album has obviously had some “cooking of the books” by the music industry executives. The sales popping up like they did and the distance that it pulled away (20 million sales beyond any record in history?) are very suspicious. Somebody’s been scratching somebody else’s back.
#3. I was shocked that several albums didn’t at least pop up on the list once. Especially disappointing was the first Boston album. It was all over the radio for 2-3 years and everyone I knew had a copy.
Jackson's Thriller hit bc it hit all the demo's. I mean what was Micheal Jackson? really? did he himself even know? Great entertainer, dancer, singer?, songwriter not really. But he could be everything to everyone it seems or at least he tried to be until his "problems" surfaced.
Lack of "artists" from last 20 years speaks volumes.
Not a lack of artists. Online streaming services basically killed in-store album sales. Nobody buys albums anymore.
No Princess Bubblegum. That's a good thing.
It’s great not to see any ”Greatest hits” in the list. I would very much like to see one without any OST’s too. Just to have a pure studio albums list 1-100. That would be something to collect and have on the shelf.
Inaccurate in so many ways.
Yea im thinking this too
What’s the difference between Neil Armstrong and Michael Jackson?
They could both use some meat on their bones.
One did the moonwalk on the moon. The other is a P-Dough-File.
things changed in 1982, after Reagan got elected
😎👍
Always heard the Eagles greatest hits was a top 3 album
And to think, "Thriller" sold 32 million copies worldwide by the end of 1983 alone! Imagine selling 32 million copies of your album in less than a year... that's insane!
It may also just be music industry hype.
@@danielburger1775 Hype or not. The numbers are there.
@@nonsuchwhat numbers? Is the source ever mentioned?
@nonsuch It is truly remarkable that the very decade when music piracy really took off somehow coincides with record high sales.
Hardly anybody bought music at that time.
Most people knew a guy who could make them a copy of any music they wanted.
I find it unbelievable that Thriller sold so many copies in such a short space of time.
@@danielburger1775the hype was massive, I was a teenager then and everyone was racing home to watch the event on tv. It's amazing the effect of mass advertising and everyone wanting to breakdance and body pop.
Money talks.
No Alice Cooper??! My what the public is missing out on!!
so albums were dead by 1990
Where do the data come from? Don’t believe the figures
Interesting video but the pace is too fast. An eight or ten minute long video with a more readable pace would be better next time.
Watch it at half speed :o)
Shania Twain??
Rednecks buy records too😂
Hell ya!
Come on Over is a great album
Little movement in the latter few years. Perhaps the quality has fallen.
People stopped buying records when Napster arrived
@@jj9749this. What idiots are paying £20 for an album they'd only like 1 or 2 tracks on when you can simply download it cheaper
This must be accumulated not year on year sales = hence gives a false impression
They definitely are. That's why big-sellers didn't get overtaken.
Not surprised. Kids i know can't stand most of the crap now. It's all just samples of old music.
Best selling albums... where? In the world, in any country or in some god-forgotten hamlet?
No Carole King - Tapestry. Credibility in question.
This list isn't even remotely accurate
I think the background music is better than most of these musicians could muster.
What a pill!
@@johnculhane2278 I'm sure ur not that bad. Try and up your self esteam.
No K Pop??
An incredible achievement for Michael Jackson!
Dire Straits??? Seriously?? How are they even in this CONVERSATION??
And Alanis Morrisette??
Weird data. Don’t trust it
Brothers in Arms was huge!!
This is completely inaccurate
Man this list is so inaccurate what a joke
Notice how NONE of these albums were released after the 2000's! I lived the years when music 🎵🎶 was the best! Like many others of my generation...I think the music of today is CRAP! Keep the executives out of music and maybe we will have a Renaissance ‼️
How to obtains multiples views with lies!
Not true. 🤣
Nothing special about Thriller album. Average pop music of the 80's.
David Bowie was and still better that Jacko 10 mil miles
Amazing how lame most of them are. I am proud to say I don't own any of the albums on the final list.
I know musical taste is subjective but most of these are genuinely great albums (bodyguard aside) with fantastic songwriting, musicianship and production. Doesn't mean you have to like them but just because you don't that doesn't make them lame or you better than people that do appreciate them. In most cases these albums were written by the artists themselves and/or were musically groundbreaking.
@hertor8803 What makes them genuinely great other than they are popular? Thriller is popular because of a couple of music videos, not because of superb musical skill, although MJ is a fine performer. Led Zeppelin were satanists, the Bodyguard, Saturday Night Fever and Grease are Movie soundtracks, rather than artistic statements. AC/DC is just loud noise and Rumors was an album taking the name but not the music of a much better band. Even Pink Floyd which is one of the best here are the reincarnation of a fine band. I am trying to make people see through the hype machine and value the albums they love personally. Shania Twain never has been musically groundbreaking. Aside from Alanis Morrisette, no artist on this list could be considered groundbreaking in any way. Following what is simply popular is what is destroying culture.
I am proud to say I own 4 of them, don't let your ego get in the way.
@@raymondpierotti8414 Are you kidding?
@@JackPullen-Paradox See my response above. Most of them especially the soundtracks are bad albums.
Jacko only sold through hype. On its initial release no one took much notice of Thriller or him and then as soon as all the overhyped stories of sleeping in oxygen tents and then the flashy videos came out, it gave him maximum publicity which everyone bought into. Add his death to all this and there are still people who are unhealthily obsessed with him. The most overrated 'musician' ever and if you want to know where to go to get a cheap copy of Thriller, just come to Britain where the charity shops can't give them away quick enough.
All publicity, his music was average. Not great vocals either
Change Jacko for Cobain and I'll agree.
Stupidest thing I’ve ever heard! If your gonna pick a moment where the album took off it was his performance at the Motown anniversary show where he did that moon walk. I never owned the album myself but 7 singles released and 7 top 10 in the USA. Btw 5 of the singles went top 10 in UK so your reasoning behind your post is stupid.
It's Jackson JACKass
Hype and timing, remember breakdance and body popping was huge at the time.
Meatloaf is the one I can't get my head around.
This video is seizure inducing.