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’re making up Part 3 of our list!
32. The Doors – The Doors (Equivalent Album Sales: 40,173,000)
The Doors’ self-titled debut album (1967) became an instant classic, featuring hits like “Light My Fire” and “Break on Through.” Its blend of rock, blues, and psychedelia made it a defining release of the 1960s and launched the band to stardom.
31. Like a Virgin – Madonna (Equivalent Album Sales: 40,412,000)
Madonna’s Like a Virgin (1984) propelled her to global fame, with iconic tracks like the title song and “Material Girl.” The album’s bold themes and massive commercial success cemented her status as a defining figure in pop music.
30. Abraxas – Santana (Equivalent Album Sales: 41,093,000)
Santana’s Abraxas (1970) blended Latin rock, jazz, and blues influences, with standout tracks like “Black Magic Woman” and “Oye Como Va.” The album’s innovative sound and commercial success established Santana as a major force in rock music.
29. The Fame / The Fame Monster – Lady Gaga (Equivalent Album Sales: 41,686,000)
Lady Gaga’s The Fame / The Fame Monster (2008/2009) redefined pop music with hits like “Poker Face” and “Bad Romance.” The album’s infectious melodies, bold visuals, and critical acclaim positioned Gaga as one of the most influential artists of the late 2000s.
28. Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morissette (Equivalent Album Sales: 42,885,000)
Released in 1995, Jagged Little Pill became a cultural phenomenon with its raw lyrics and alternative rock sound. Hits like “You Oughta Know” and “Ironic” resonated globally, making it one of the best-selling albums of the 1990s and cementing Alanis Morissette’s place in music history.
27. Falling Into You – Celine Dion (Equivalent Album Sales: 43,149,000)
Céline Dion’s Falling Into You (1996) showcased her vocal range and emotional depth with hits like “Because You Loved Me” and “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.” The album achieved global commercial success and earned multiple Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.
26. Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs – Derek and the Dominos (Equivalent Album Sales: 43,197,000)
Released in 1970, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominos became a landmark in rock history. Featuring the iconic title track “Layla,” the album showcased Eric Clapton’s guitar mastery and remains a classic of the genre.
25. A Night at the Opera – Queen (Equivalent Album Sales: 43,645,000)
Queen’s A Night at the Opera (1975) pushed the boundaries of rock music with its eclectic style and ambitious production. Featuring the monumental hit “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the album is regarded as one of the most groundbreaking releases in rock history.
24. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel (Equivalent Album Sales: 46,443,000)
Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970) became their best-selling and most critically acclaimed album. With hits like the title track and “The Boxer,” it showcased their melodic harmonies and emotional songwriting, earning widespread acclaim and multiple Grammy Awards.
23. Come On Over – Shania Twain (Equivalent Album Sales: 47,147,000)
Shania Twain’s Come On Over (1997) became the best-selling studio album by a female artist, blending country and pop with hits like “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and “You’re Still the One.” The album’s massive success helped bring country music to a global audience.
22. Let’s Talk About Love – Celine Dion (Equivalent Album Sales: 47,248,000)
Céline Dion’s Let’s Talk About Love (1997) achieved immense success with the inclusion of the global hit “My Heart Will Go On.” The album’s powerful ballads and commercial appeal made it a cornerstone of Dion’s career and one of her best-selling works.
21. Dangerous – Michael Jackson (Equivalent Album Sales: 47,318,000)
Michael Jackson’s Dangerous (1991) blended pop, R&B, and new jack swing, featuring hits like “Black or White” and “Remember the Time.” The album’s innovative production and massive success reinforced Jackson’s status as one of the greatest artists of all time.
20. Brothers in Arms – Dire Straits (Equivalent Album Sales: 47,747,000)
Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms (1985) became a milestone in rock history, blending sophisticated guitar work and storytelling. Featuring iconic tracks like “Money for Nothing” and “Walk of Life,” it was among the first albums to be fully digitally recorded and became a global best-seller.
19. Abbey Road – The Beatles (Equivalent Album Sales: 49,654,000)
The Beatles’ Abbey Road (1969) is often regarded as one of their finest works. Featuring legendary songs like “Come Together” and “Here Comes the Sun,” the album marked a high point in their career with its innovative production and timeless appeal.
18. Born in the U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen (Equivalent Album Sales: 49,922,000)
Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A. (1984) became an iconic album of the 1980s, blending rock and pop sensibilities. Featuring seven top-10 singles, including “Dancing in the Dark” and the title track, it resonated with both American and international audiences.
17. The Joshua Tree – U2 (Equivalent Album Sales: 50,210,000)
U2’s The Joshua Tree (1987) elevated the band to global superstardom with hits like “With or Without You” and “Where the Streets Have No Name.” The album’s exploration of American themes and its atmospheric sound became a defining moment in rock history.
16. Metallica (Black Album) – Metallica (Equivalent Album Sales: 50,559,000)
Metallica’s self-titled album, known as The Black Album (1991), brought heavy metal to the mainstream. Featuring hits like “Enter Sandman” and “Nothing Else Matters,” its massive success made Metallica one of the most influential bands in rock history.
15. Appetite for Destruction – Guns N’ Roses (Equivalent Album Sales: 52,115,000)
Appetite for Destruction (1987) by Guns N’ Roses became one of the most iconic debuts in rock history. Featuring legendary tracks like “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and “Welcome to the Jungle,” it defined the hard rock genre and remains a landmark release.
14. Slippery When Wet – Bon Jovi (Equivalent Album Sales: 53,690,000)
Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet (1986) propelled the band to global fame, with hits like “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name.” The album’s mix of rock anthems and power ballads made it a defining release of the 1980s.
13. 21 – Adele (Equivalent Album Sales: 53,855,000)
Adele’s 21 (2011) became a cultural and commercial phenomenon, driven by emotionally powerful hits like “Someone Like You” and “Rolling in the Deep.” The album earned multiple Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and became one of the best-selling albums of all time.
12. The Wall – Pink Floyd (Equivalent Album Sales: 54,212,000)
Pink Floyd’s The Wall (1979) is a conceptual rock opera exploring themes of isolation and despair. Featuring hits like “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2,” the album’s ambitious storytelling and production secured its place as one of the greatest albums in rock history.
11. Grease – Various Artists (Equivalent Album Sales: 54,225,000)
The Grease soundtrack (1978) became one of the most successful movie soundtracks ever, featuring iconic tracks like “You’re the One That I Want” and “Summer Nights.” Its widespread appeal and enduring legacy made it a cultural touchstone for multiple generations.
10. The Bodyguard – Whitney Houston & Various Artists (Equivalent Album Sales: 55,808,000)
The Bodyguard soundtrack (1992), led by Whitney Houston, became a global sensation with the massive hit “I Will Always Love You.” The album broke sales records and remains the best-selling movie soundtrack of all time, cementing Houston’s status as one of the greatest vocalists in music history.
9. The Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd (Equivalent Album Sales: 58,761,000)
Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) is one of the most influential and best-selling albums in history. Its seamless blending of progressive rock, philosophical themes, and innovative production techniques has made it a perennial classic, remaining on the charts for decades.
8. Led Zeppelin IV – Led Zeppelin (Equivalent Album Sales: 59,243,000)
Led Zeppelin’s IV (1971) features some of the band’s most iconic songs, including “Stairway to Heaven” and “Black Dog.” The album’s combination of hard rock, folk, and blues solidified Led Zeppelin’s legacy as one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
7. Nevermind – Nirvana (Equivalent Album Sales: 60,442,000)
Nirvana’s Nevermind (1991) transformed alternative rock and grunge into mainstream phenomena. Featuring hits like “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” the album reshaped the musical landscape of the 1990s and made Kurt Cobain a cultural icon.
6. Back in Black – AC/DC (Equivalent Album Sales: 63,094,000)
AC/DC’s Back in Black (1980) became a hard rock masterpiece, dedicated to late vocalist Bon Scott. With anthems like “You Shook Me All Night Long” and the title track, it became one of the highest-selling albums in music history and a defining release in rock.
5. Bad – Michael Jackson (Equivalent Album Sales: 66,344,000)
Michael Jackson’s Bad (1987) solidified his position as the King of Pop with five consecutive Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. Tracks like “Smooth Criminal” and “Man in the Mirror” showcased his artistic versatility and helped the album achieve monumental commercial success.
4. Rumours – Fleetwood Mac (Equivalent Album Sales: 66,829,000)
Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours (1977) captured personal turmoil within the band and transformed it into a timeless classic. Featuring hits like “Go Your Own Way” and “Dreams,” the album remains one of the most critically acclaimed and best-selling albums of all time.
3. Saturday Night Fever – Bee Gees & Various Artists (Equivalent Album Sales: 71,158,000)
The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack (1977) became a disco-era defining album with hits like “Stayin’ Alive” and “How Deep Is Your Love.” The album’s massive popularity helped bring disco music to the forefront of popular culture and remains one of the top-selling soundtracks ever.
2. Hotel California – Eagles (Equivalent Album Sales: 73,151,000)
The Eagles’ Hotel California (1976) is a classic rock landmark featuring timeless tracks like the title song and “Life in the Fast Lane.” The album’s intricate arrangements and evocative lyrics made it one of the best-selling and most celebrated albums in rock history.
1. Thriller – Michael Jackson (Equivalent Album Sales: 122,726,000)
Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1982) is the best-selling album of all time, featuring iconic tracks like “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and the title track. Its groundbreaking music videos, innovative production, and crossover appeal transformed pop music and cemented Jackson’s legacy as a global superstar.
