Special Report

100 Most Popular Country Music Albums of All Time

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The roots of country music run deep in the soil of America. And, while the genre has changed dramatically since the days of the Carter Family, it is in many ways more popular today than ever.

During the 1980s, the country music industry began to abandon the more raw “outlaw country” sound that was made popular in the 1970s by artists such as Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson. Instead, artists such as Garth Brooks and George Strait embraced a more pop-friendly sound that resonated with traditional country fans as well as new audiences.

The demand for country music remains high, with the genre accounting for 11.5% of total album sales in 2017, according to Nielsen. This is due in large part to pop country artists’ crossover successes.

By creating an index of album sales and Billboard performance, 24/7 Wall St. has determined the 100 most popular country albums of all time.

Click here to see the most popular country albums of all time.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

100. Greatest Hits (1986)
> Artist: Alabama
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 38

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John Athayde / Wikimedia Commons

99. I Hope You Dance (2000)
> Artist: Lee Ann Womack
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 83

Ga Fullner / Shutterstock.com

98. The Band Perry (2010)
> Artist: The Band Perry
> Copies sold: 1 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 130

Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

97. Night Train (2012)
> Artist: Jason Aldean
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 106

Craig ONeal / Wikimedia Commons

96. Love On The Inside (2008)
> Artist: Sugarland
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 109

Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

95. A Place In The Sun (1999)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 86

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

94. John Michael Montgomery (1995)
> Artist: John Michael Montgomery
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 65

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pasphotography / Shutterstock.com

93. The Road And The Radio (2005)
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 98

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

92. Lonely Grill (1999)
> Artist: Lonestar
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 96

Danny E Hooks / Shutterstock.com

91. Who I Am (1994)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 69

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

90. The Closer You Get (1983)
> Artist: Alabama
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 70

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Chuck Redden / Wikimedia Commons

89. It’s All About To Change (1991)
> Artist: Travis Tritt
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 94

Rick Diamond / Getty Images

88. Twice The Speed Of Life (2004)
> Artist: Sugarland
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 92

Katherine Brock / Wikimedia Commons

87. Greatest Hits (2004)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 77

sisterphotography / Wikimedia Commons

86. It Matters To Me (1995)
> Artist: Faith Hill
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 80

Mat Hayward / Shutterstock.com

85. Blown Away (2012)
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 92

Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

84. Kill The Lights (2015)
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 119

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Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

83. Hunter Hayes (2013)
> Artist: Hunter Hayes
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 121

Tom Frisch from Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA / Wikimedia Commons

82. Horse Of A Different Color (2004)
> Artist: Big & Rich
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 99

Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

81. Loaded: The Best Of Blake Shelton (2010)
> Artist: Blake Shelton
> Copies sold: 1 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 174

Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

80. Melt (2002)
> Artist: Rascal Flatts
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104

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Bruce Comer Jr / Wikimedia Commons

79. Greatest Hits (2001)
> Artist: Martina McBride
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104

Terry Wyatt / Getty Images

78. Drive (2002)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 77

s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

77. Greatest Hits 2 (2004)
> Artist: Toby Keith
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 105

Rick Diamond / Getty Images

76. Kickin’ It Up (1994)
> Artist: John Michael Montgomery
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 82

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

75. Live Like You Were Dying (2004)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 86

Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

74. Golden Road (2002)
> Artist: Keith Urban
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 111

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DoD News / Wikimedia Commons

73. Based On A True Story … (2013)
> Artist: Blake Shelton
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 130

Ethan Miller / Getty Images

72. Ten Years Of Gold (1978)
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104

Rick Diamond / Getty Images

71. Enjoy The Ride (2006)
> Artist: Sugarland
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 102

Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

70. You Get What You Give (2010)
> Artist: Zac Brown Band
> Copies sold: 1 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 171

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Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

69. Behind Closed Doors (1973)
> Artist: Charlie Rich
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 105

Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com

68. Always On My Mind (1982)
> Artist: Willie Nelson
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 99

Nightshooter. Attribution: Photo Credit: Larry Philpot of www.soundstagephotography.com . / Wikimedia Commons

67. Greatest Hits (2000)
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 105

Craig ONeal / Wikimedia Commons

66. When The Sun Goes Down (2004)
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 94

Rick Diamond / Getty Images

65. When Love Finds You (1994)
> Artist: Vince Gill
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 112

Bob James / Wikimedia Commons

64. Me And My Gang (2006)
> Artist: Rascal Flatts
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 91

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Melissa from Quakertown, USA / Wikimedia Commons

63. Red River Blue (2011)
> Artist: Blake Shelton
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 166

Heinrich Klaffs / Wikimedia Commons

62. Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison (1968)
> Artist: Johnny Cash
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 124

s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

61. Lady Antebellum (2008)
> Artist: Lady Antebellum
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 148

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

60. Everywhere (1997)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104

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David Brown / Wikimedia Commons

59. Home (2002)
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 56

Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock.com

58. Traveller (2015)
> Artist: Chris Stapleton
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 133

Jack Newton / Wikimedia Commons

57. Killin’ Time (1989)
> Artist: Clint Black
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 143

Christopher Polk / Getty Images

56. Carnival Ride (2007)
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 101

LawrenceFung / Wikimedia Commons

55. No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems (2002)
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104

Keith Hinkle / Wikimedia Commons

54. Unleashed (2002)
> Artist: Toby Keith
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104

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Bruce Comer Jr / Wikimedia Commons

53. Did I Shave My Legs For This? (1996)
> Artist: Deana Carter
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 86

Terry Wyatt / Getty Images

52. Don’t Rock The Jukebox (1991)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 118

Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

51. Be Here (2004)
> Artist: Keith Urban
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104

Craig ONeal / Wikimedia Commons

50. Always & Forever (1987)
> Artist: Randy Travis
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 103

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Aberdeen Proving Ground / Wikimedia Commons

49. Hard Workin’ Man (1993)
> Artist: Brooks & Dunn
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 99

Gustavo Caballero / Getty Images

48. I Still Believe In You (1992)
> Artist: Vince Gill
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 100

Anthony Quintano / Wikimedia Commons

47. Stardust (1978)
> Artist: Willie Nelson
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 117

Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

46. Strait Out Of The Box (1995)
> Artist: George Strait
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 39

RCA Records / Wikimedia Commons

45. Greatest Hits (1979)
> Artist: Waylon Jennings
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 115

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

44. The Gambler (1978)
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 112

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Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

43. Chief (2011)
> Artist: Eric Church
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 154

Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock.com

42. Fresh Horses (1995)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 66

Rick Diamond / Getty Images

41. Mountain Music (1982)
> Artist: Alabama
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 114

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

40. Faith (1998)
> Artist: Faith Hill
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 99

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Angela George / Wikimedia Commons

39. Feels Like Today (2004)
> Artist: Rascal Flatts
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 105

sisterphotography / Wikimedia Commons

38. Greatest Hits (2000)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 105

Ethan Miller / Getty Images

37. Feels So Right (1981)
> Artist: Alabama
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 161

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

36. Blue (1996)
> Artist: LeAnn Rimes
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 97

By Office of the Governor of Maryland [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

35. Not A Moment Too Soon (1994)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 115

Rick Diamond / Getty Images

34. In Pieces (1993)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 76

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Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

33. A Lot About Livin’ (And A Little ‘Bout Love) (1992)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 122

Rick Diamond / Getty Images

32. Pure Country (Soundtrack) (1992)
> Artist: George Strait
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 129

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

31. Montevallo (2014)
> Artist: Sam Hunt
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 179

Dlindner0 / Wikimedia Commons

30. My Kinda Party (2010)
> Artist: Jason Aldean
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 171

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Steve Jurvetson - edited by CPacker / Wikimedia Commons

29. The Chase (1992)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 9 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 64

Keith Hinkle / Wikimedia Commons

28. Need You Now (2010)
> Artist: Lady Antebellum
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 129

Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

27. Speak Now (2010)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 137

Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images

26. Red (2012)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 148

Burningkarma / Wikimedia Commons

25. Brand New Man (1991)
> Artist: Brooks & Dunn
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 153

Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

24. Here’s To The Good Times (2012)
> Artist: Florida Georgia Line
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 241

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Peter Kramer / Getty Images

23. Sevens (1997)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 58

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

22. The Legend Of Johnny Cash (2005)
> Artist: Johnny Cash
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 269

sisterphotography / Wikimedia Commons

21. Breathe (1999)
> Artist: Faith Hill
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 103

Keith Hinkle / Wikimedia Commons

20. Crash My Party (2013)
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 216

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Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

19. Tailgates & Tanlines (2011)
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 214

Courtesy of Mercury

18. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
> Artist: Soundtrack
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 112

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

17. Some Gave All (1992)
> Artist: Billy Ray Cyrus
> Copies sold: 9 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 97

Rick Diamond / Getty Images

16. The Hits (1994)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 110

Sara Collaton / Wikimedia Commons

15. Up! (2002)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Copies sold: 11 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 93

the_diet_starts_mond ay from Colorado / Wikimedia Commons

14. Some Hearts (2005)
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 157

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Rick Diamond / Getty Images

13. The Ultimate Hits (2007)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 138

Wasted Time R / Wikimedia Commons

12. Fly (1999)
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 131

Clive Brunskill / Getty Images

11. The Woman In Me (1995)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Copies sold: 12 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 107

Rick Diamond / Getty Images

10. The Foundation (2008)
> Artist: Zac Brown Band
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 294

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ViVr / Wikimedia Commons

9. Wide Open Spaces (1998)
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Copies sold: 12 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 134

Ethan Miller / Getty Images

8. Kenny Rogers’ Greatest Hits (1980)
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Copies sold: 12 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 161

Jana Zills / Wikimedia Commons

7. Taylor Swift (2006)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 275

Rick Diamond / Getty Images

6. Garth Brooks (1989)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 224

Adam Bettcher / Getty Images

5. Ropin’ The Wind (1991)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 14 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 132

Eva Rinaldi / Wikimedia Commons

4. Fearless (2008)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 254

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Theo Wargo / Getty Images

3. Double Live (1998)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 21 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 56

Cooper Neill / Getty Images

2. No Fences (1990)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 17 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 224

Al Bello / Getty Images

1. Come On Over (1997)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Copies sold: 20 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 151

Several of the most popular country albums are by older, more traditional country artists. These include Waylon Jennings’ “Greatest Hits,” Willie Nelson’s “Stardust,” and Johnny Cash’s “At Folsom Prison,” which is the oldest album on the list. However, the artists who bridge the gap between country and pop make up the majority of the most popular albums.

Taylor Swift – who began playing country music in Nashville as a teenager and is now one of the world’s biggest pop stars – illustrates the commercial power of a country musician making efforts to appeal to a wider audience. Other pop country artists with albums on this list include Sam Hunt with his album “Montevallo” and Lady Antebellum with their self-titled LP.

The popularity of pop country is also reflected in the high sales of more recent releases, which skew toward the “pop” side of the genre. Over half of the most popular country albums of all time were released in 2000 or later. Not all these newer albums skew pop, however, and several are more traditional country sounding releases, such as Chris Stapleton’s “Traveller.”

The top-selling albums on the list are releases by Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and the Dixie Chicks – all of whom found crossover appeal in the 1990s. Brooks also has the most albums on the list, with 10. He’s followed by Tim McGraw, who has five albums on the list.

Only 18 artists with albums on the list do not have more than one release among the 100 most popular country albums. This implies that once a musician makes it to the top of the charts, country fans continue to show their support.

To determine the most popular country albums of all time, 24/7 Wall St. generated an index based on rankings on the Billboard 200 chart and lifetime album sales. Both components of the index were given equal weight.

A band’s total certified U.S. album sales came from the Recording Industry Association of America. The RIAA tracks album sales released in the American market with a threshold of 500,000 units sold. To be considered, an album must have at least 1,000,000 certified sales. How well an album performed on the Billboard 200 was determined by awarding points based on the number of weeks it was on the list and its rank for each week.

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