Think about your most treasured album. Maybe it’s that vinyl you discovered in your parents’ collection, or the first CD you bought with your own money. While we often connect with music on an emotional level, there’s something fascinating about looking at the numbers behind the music that moved millions.
I’m about to take you on a chart-topping journey through the 100 albums that didn’t just define genres – they defined generations. These aren’t just records that sold well; they’re the soundtracks that accompanied first kisses, road trips, heartbreaks, and celebrations across the globe.
Thanks to the number crunchers at Chart Masters, we can now peek behind the curtain to see exactly how these musical titans stack up against each other. From rock gods who made stadiums shake to pop phenoms who turned teenage bedrooms into dance floors, these are the albums that didn’t just make history – they made cash registers sing.
100. Pet Sounds – The Beach Boys (Equivalent Album Sales: 27,931,000)
Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys is widely regarded as one of the most innovative albums in music history. Released in 1966, it introduced groundbreaking production techniques and orchestral arrangements that challenged the conventions of pop music. The album’s lush harmonies and emotional depth influenced countless artists and helped solidify the album format as a serious artistic medium.
99. Teenage Dream – Katy Perry (Equivalent Album Sales: 28,187,000)
Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream, released in 2010, achieved a historic feat by producing five Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles, tying a record previously held only by Michael Jackson’s Bad. The album became a pop culture phenomenon, blending catchy hooks with vibrant production, cementing Perry as one of the defining pop artists of her era.
98. Toys In The Attic – Aerosmith (Equivalent Album Sales: 28,221,000)
Released in 1975, Aerosmith’s Toys In The Attic catapulted the band to mainstream success. With tracks like “Sweet Emotion” and “Walk This Way,” the album bridged rock and roll with blues influences, becoming a cornerstone of the hard rock genre and earning multi-platinum status.
97. The Works – Queen (Equivalent Album Sales: 28,359,000)
Queen’s The Works, released in 1984, saw the band return to their rock roots after experimenting with disco and funk influences. Featuring iconic tracks like “Radio Ga Ga” and “I Want to Break Free,” the album was pivotal in maintaining Queen’s global popularity during the mid-1980s.
96. Whitney – Whitney Houston (Equivalent Album Sales: 28,393,000)
Whitney Houston’s self-titled second album, Whitney (1987), solidified her as a global superstar. It became the first album by a female artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 and produced four chart-topping singles, including “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).”
95. Come Away With Me – Norah Jones (Equivalent Album Sales: 28,396,000)
Norah Jones’ debut album, Come Away With Me (2002), blended jazz, pop, and soul into a commercially successful and critically acclaimed work. It won eight Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and introduced a new generation to jazz-influenced music.
94. Dookie – Green Day (Equivalent Album Sales: 28,489,000)
Released in 1994, Dookie marked Green Day’s mainstream breakthrough and brought punk rock to a global audience. Tracks like “Basket Case” and “When I Come Around” resonated with youthful angst and propelled the album to multi-platinum status.
93. Face Value – Phil Collins (Equivalent Album Sales: 28,490,000)
Phil Collins’ debut solo album, Face Value (1981), established him as a prominent artist outside Genesis. Featuring the hit single “In the Air Tonight,” the album showcased Collins’ blend of pop and progressive rock with emotionally charged lyrics and innovative production.
92. Use Your Illusion I – Guns N’ Roses (Equivalent Album Sales: 28,645,000)
Use Your Illusion I, released in 1991 alongside its counterpart Use Your Illusion II, demonstrated Guns N’ Roses’ ability to mix hard rock with balladry and complex arrangements. Tracks like “November Rain” and “Don’t Cry” became iconic within their catalog, ensuring the album’s commercial success.
91. Tracy Chapman – Tracy Chapman (Equivalent Album Sales: 28,654,000)
Tracy Chapman’s self-titled debut album (1988) brought socially conscious folk music back to the forefront of popular culture. With its raw instrumentation and poignant lyrics, the album, led by the hit single “Fast Car,” earned Chapman multiple Grammy Awards and enduring recognition.
90. Californication – Red Hot Chili Peppers (Equivalent Album Sales: 29,239,000)
Californication (1999) marked a creative resurgence for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, blending their signature funk rock with introspective lyrics and melodic compositions. Featuring hits like “Scar Tissue” and “Otherside,” the album rejuvenated their career and became one of their most commercially successful works.
89. Multiply (x) – Ed Sheeran (Equivalent Album Sales: 29,244,000)
Ed Sheeran’s Multiply (x) (2014) propelled him to global fame, blending pop, acoustic, and R&B influences. Songs like “Thinking Out Loud” and “Photograph” became massive hits, while the album’s success solidified Sheeran as one of the leading singer-songwriters of the 2010s.
88. Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston (Equivalent Album Sales: 29,574,000)
Whitney Houston’s debut album (1985) introduced her as a powerhouse vocalist and global pop icon. Featuring hits like “Saving All My Love for You” and “How Will I Know,” the album set records and remains one of the best-selling debuts in history.
87. Make It Big – Wham! (Equivalent Album Sales: 29,583,000)
Released in 1984, Wham!’s Make It Big became an international sensation, driven by tracks like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Careless Whisper.” The album established George Michael as a pop star and achieved massive commercial success worldwide.
86. Backstreet’s Back – Backstreet Boys (Equivalent Album Sales: 29,742,000)
Backstreet’s Back (1997) cemented the Backstreet Boys’ status as global pop icons. Featuring hits like “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” and “As Long As You Love Me,” the album played a crucial role in the boy band wave of the late 1990s.
85. Boston – Boston (Equivalent Album Sales: 30,064,000)
Boston’s self-titled debut album (1976) is one of the best-selling debut albums in history. Featuring rock staples like “More Than a Feeling” and “Peace of Mind,” it set new standards for production quality in rock music and became an enduring classic.
84. Doo-Wops & Hooligans – Bruno Mars (Equivalent Album Sales: 30,078,000)
Bruno Mars’ debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010), launched his career with massive hits like “Just the Way You Are” and “Grenade.” Its blend of pop, reggae, and R&B made it a commercial success and introduced Mars as a versatile and charismatic artist.
83. (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? – Oasis (Equivalent Album Sales: 30,574,000)
Oasis’ (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995) became one of the defining albums of the Britpop era. Featuring anthems like “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” the album’s massive success cemented Oasis’ legacy as one of the biggest bands of the 1990s.
82. Every Picture Tells A Story – Rod Stewart (Equivalent Album Sales: 30,675,000)
Released in 1971, Every Picture Tells a Story catapulted Rod Stewart to stardom. Combining rock, folk, and blues, the album featured hits like “Maggie May” and established Stewart as one of the premier voices in rock music.
81. Blue Hawaii – Elvis Presley (Equivalent Album Sales: 30,747,000)
Blue Hawaii (1961) was a commercial triumph for Elvis Presley, serving as both a soundtrack to his film of the same name and a standalone hit. It reinforced Presley’s dominance in both music and film during the early 1960s.
80. …But Seriously – Phil Collins (Equivalent Album Sales: 30,861,000)
Phil Collins’ …But Seriously (1989) showcased his ability to combine pop appeal with socially conscious themes. Featuring the hit single “Another Day in Paradise,” the album dominated charts worldwide and became one of the best-selling releases of the late 1980s.
79. A Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles (Equivalent Album Sales: 30,966,000)
Released in 1964, A Hard Day’s Night was both a soundtrack to The Beatles’ film and a standalone album of original material. It featured iconic tracks like the title song and “Can’t Buy Me Love,” cementing their status as the premier pop group of the decade.
78. Magical Mystery Tour – The Beatles (Equivalent Album Sales: 31,009,000)
The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour (1967) combined their psychedelic sound with experimental production techniques. Featuring hits like “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “Penny Lane,” the album became a critical and commercial success during the late 1960s.
77. Breakfast in America – Supertramp (Equivalent Album Sales: 31,019,000)
Supertramp’s Breakfast in America (1979) became their most commercially successful album, featuring hits like “The Logical Song” and “Take the Long Way Home.” Its blend of art rock and pop sensibilities resonated with global audiences and earned multiple Grammy Awards.
76. Spice – Spice Girls (Equivalent Album Sales: 31,489,000)
The Spice Girls’ debut album, Spice (1996), launched the global phenomenon of “Girl Power.” Featuring massive hits like “Wannabe” and “Say You’ll Be There,” the album became a cultural milestone and one of the best-selling girl group albums of all time.
75. No Jacket Required – Phil Collins (Equivalent Album Sales: 31,638,000)
Released in 1985, Phil Collins’ No Jacket Required delivered a series of chart-topping singles like “Sussudio” and “One More Night.” The album dominated international charts and earned Collins several Grammy Awards, further cementing his status as a pop icon.
74. Millennium – Backstreet Boys (Equivalent Album Sales: 31,773,000)
Millennium (1999) propelled the Backstreet Boys to even greater global success, featuring chart-topping singles like “I Want It That Way.” The album became a defining release of the late 1990s pop boom and one of the highest-selling boy band albums in history.
73. Slowhand – Eric Clapton (Equivalent Album Sales: 31,990,000)
Eric Clapton’s Slowhand (1977) featured enduring classics like “Wonderful Tonight” and “Lay Down Sally.” The album’s smooth blend of rock and blues earned critical acclaim and became one of Clapton’s most commercially successful records.
72. Please Please Me – The Beatles (Equivalent Album Sales: 32,043,000)
The Beatles’ debut album, Please Please Me (1963), was recorded in just one day and introduced the world to their infectious energy and songwriting talent. It included early hits like “I Saw Her Standing There” and the title track, setting the stage for their meteoric rise.
71. Supernatural – Santana (Equivalent Album Sales: 32,124,000)
Santana’s Supernatural (1999) revitalized the band’s career, blending Latin rock with contemporary pop influences. Featuring chart-topping hits like “Smooth” with Rob Thomas, the album earned multiple Grammy Awards and became a massive commercial success worldwide.
70. The Beatles (White Album) – The Beatles (Equivalent Album Sales: 32,428,000)
The Beatles’ self-titled double album, commonly known as the White Album (1968), showcased their versatility across various genres, from rock to folk to avant-garde. Featuring classics like “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Blackbird,” it became one of their most celebrated and commercially successful works.
69. News of the World – Queen (Equivalent Album Sales: 32,586,000)
News of the World (1977) by Queen featured iconic anthems like “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions,” which became stadium staples and cultural touchstones. The album’s success solidified Queen’s reputation as one of the greatest rock bands of the 1970s.
68. Off the Wall – Michael Jackson (Equivalent Album Sales: 32,846,000)
Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall (1979) marked his transition from child star to solo pop icon. With hits like “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough” and “Rock with You,” the album blended disco and funk influences, setting the stage for his future dominance in the music industry.
67. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John (Equivalent Album Sales: 32,918,000)
Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) became a defining moment in his career, featuring classics like “Candle in the Wind” and “Bennie and the Jets.” Its ambitious double-album format and critical acclaim solidified John’s position as one of the top artists of the 1970s.
66. HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I – Michael Jackson (Equivalent Album Sales: 33,059,000)
Released in 1995, Michael Jackson’s HIStory combined a greatest hits collection with new material, including the hit single “You Are Not Alone.” The album reflected Jackson’s enduring appeal and became one of the best-selling multi-disc albums of all time.
