This list of all-time best-selling albums is more comprehensive than you might believe. Record labels and artists frequently claim far larger sales than can be verified by companies like Nielsen SoundScan and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). They weren’t included if the reported sales aren’t even close to those collected by the certification-awarding businesses. In some cases, double-length albums are counted as two sales. Older albums that have been re-released or have had a rebirth in popularity have apparent advantages as well. The largest benefit goes to compilations and greatest hits albums, which are jam-packed with hit singles. Only certified sales numbers will be listed.
1. Thriller- Michael Jackson
CERTIFIED SALES: 47.3 MILLION
If we only consider certified sales, Michael Jackson’s Thriller is still the undisputed champion. It was a strange transitional period for music in 1982 when Disco and Funk were on their way out and Rock and Pop were on their way in. Michael made the best-selling album of all time by combining all four genres.
2. Eagles – Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)
CERTIFIED SALES: 41.2 MILLION
The Eagles’ Greatest Hits include all of their Country Rock, Folk Rock, and Soft Rock singles from 1971 to 1975. It was released in 1976 and has since grown in popularity as a collection of oldies music. The label claimed to have discovered ancient sales records, bringing their total sales to millions of dollars.
3. Shania Twain – Come On Over
CERTIFIED SALES: 29.6 MILLION
Shania Twain is a huge Country crossover performer who has branched out into Pop. She was so popular at the time that her album Come On Over, released in 1997, is now towards the top of our list. There was a time when you couldn’t turn on the radio without hearing a Shania song. This was the best-selling country album of all time.
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