From the 1950s through the late ‘60s, pop music was synonymous with rock ‘n’ roll. After Billboard began listing the 200 top-selling albums in 1967, rock bands like The Beatles and Led Zeppelin had some of the earliest record-breakers. (Here’s a list of the most popular album every year since 1960.)
In the ‘70s and ‘80s, soul, disco, R&B, and funk began to influence the charts, with multiple hit albums from Michael Jackson, as well as chart-toppers from Prince, the Bee Gees, and Lionel Richie. The ‘90s brought both rap and country into the mainstream, including four top albums from pop country star Garth Brooks — well-represented among the 40 most popular country music albums of all time.
24/7 Tempo has compiled the 100 best-selling pop albums since Billboard started keeping track. Of the top 100, a quarter are by female musicians (counting bands with a female lead singer). Country crossover stars Shania Twain and Taylor Swift each boast three on the list. The sub-genres of pop represented in the list span the spectrum from country to rock to rap to R&B. An outlier on the list is the 1994 soundtrack to Disney’s “The Lion King,” featuring multiple songs written and performed by Elton John.
Click here to see the best-selling pop albums of all time
To determine the 100 best pop albums of all time, 24/7 Tempo developed an index based on three metrics: the number of weeks an album spent on the Billboard 200; its positions on the chart (one week at No. 1, for instance, being worth 200 times more than a week spent at No. 200); and total certified U.S. album sales according to the Recording Industry Association of America. All metrics were evenly weighted.
100. Let’s Talk About Love (1997)
> Artist: Celine Dion
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 84
[in-text-ad]
99. Whitney (1987)
> Artist: Whitney Houston
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 88
98. Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness (1995)
> Artist: The Smashing Pumpkins
> Certification: 8X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 93
97. Mariah Carey (1990)
> Artist: Mariah Carey
> Certification: 9X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 113
24/7 Wall St.
96. The Lion King (1994)
> Artist: Soundtrack
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 89
95. Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003)
> Artist: OutKast
> Certification: 11X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 56
94. Hi Infidelity (1980)
> Artist: REO Speedwagon
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 101
[in-text-ad-2]
93. Escape (1981)
> Artist: Journey
> Certification: 9X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 152
92. All Eyez On Me (1996)
> Artist: 2Pac
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 122
91. Confessions (2004)
> Artist: Usher
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 126
90. Like A Virgin (1984)
> Artist: Madonna
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 109
[in-text-ad]
89. Cooleyhighharmony (1991)
> Artist: Boyz II Men
> Certification: 9X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 133
88. x (2014)
> Artist: Ed Sheeran
> Certification: 4X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 312
87. Life After Death (1997)
> Artist: The Notorious B.I.G.
> Certification: 11X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 87
24/7 Wall St.
86. Pyromania (1983)
> Artist: Def Leppard
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 123
85. Licensed To Ill (1986)
> Artist: Beastie Boys
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 152
84. Music Box (1993)
> Artist: Mariah Carey
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 128
[in-text-ad-2]
83. The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
> Artist: Eminem
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 171
82. Some Hearts (2005)
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Certification: 8X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 157
81. Country Grammar (2000)
> Artist: Nelly
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 104
80. Off The Wall (1979)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Certification: 9X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 193
[in-text-ad]
79. Unplugged (1992)
> Artist: Eric Clapton
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 139
78. The Joshua Tree (1987)
> Artist: U2
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 121
77. Tragic Kingdom (1996)
> Artist: No Doubt
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 91
76. Faith (1987)
> Artist: George Michael
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 96
75. The Immaculate Collection (1990)
> Artist: Madonna
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 148
74. No Strings Attached (2000)
> Artist: ‘N Sync
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 82
[in-text-ad-2]
73. Dookie (1994)
> Artist: Green Day
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 116
72. Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em (1990)
> Artist: M.C. Hammer
> Certification: 7X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 108
71. The Stranger (1977)
> Artist: Billy Joel
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 137
70. Up! (2002)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Certification: 11X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 93
[in-text-ad]
69. Stoney (2016)
> Artist: Post Malone
> Certification: 5X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 230
68. ‘N Sync (1998)
> Artist: ‘N Sync
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 109
67. Bad (1987)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 171
66. Houses Of The Holy (1973)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Certification: 11X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 106
65. Teenage Dream (2010)
> Artist: Katy Perry
> Certification: 8X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 241
64. Views (2016)
> Artist: Drake
> Certification: 6X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 260
[in-text-ad-2]
63. Devil Without A Cause (1999)
> Artist: Kid Rock
> Certification: 11X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 111
62. Eliminator (1983)
> Artist: ZZ Top
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 185
61. Can’t Slow Down (1983)
> Artist: Lionel Richie
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 160
60. good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012)
> Artist: Kendrick Lamar
> Certification: 3X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 445
[in-text-ad]
59. Traveller (2015)
> Artist: Chris Stapleton
> Certification: 4X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 295
58. Garth Brooks (1990)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 224
57. Led Zeppelin II (1969)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 117
24/7 Wall St.
56. Taylor Swift (2006)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Certification: 7X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 275
55. Human Clay (1999)
> Artist: Creed
> Certification: 11X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 104
54. Bat Out Of Hell (1977)
> Artist: Meat Loaf
> Certification: 14X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 82
[in-text-ad-2]
53. Fly (1999)
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 131
52. II (1994)
> Artist: Boyz II Men
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 99
51. Slippery When Wet (1986)
> Artist: Bon Jovi
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 118
50. CrazySexyCool (1994)
> Artist: TLC
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 119
[in-text-ad]
49. 25 (2015)
> Artist: Adele
> Certification: 11X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 183
48. The Woman In Me (1995)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 107
47. Come Away With Me (2002)
> Artist: Norah Jones
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 164
46. Pieces Of You (1996)
> Artist: Jewel
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 114
45. No Jacket Required (1985)
> Artist: Phil Collins
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 123
44. Yourself Or Someone Like You (1997)
> Artist: matchbox 20
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 121
[in-text-ad-2]
43. Millennium (1999)
> Artist: Backstreet Boys
> Certification: 13X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 93
42. Falling Into You (1996)
> Artist: Celine Dion
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 113
41. Purple Rain (Soundtrack) (1984)
> Artist: Prince and the Revolution
> Certification: 13X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 143
40. Fearless (2008)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 261
[in-text-ad]
39. All The Right Reasons (2005)
> Artist: Nickelback
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 206
38. Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010)
> Artist: Bruno Mars
> Certification: 6X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 519
37. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Certification: 11X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 232
36. Hysteria (1987)
> Artist: Def Leppard
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 136
35. Physical Graffiti (1975)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Certification: 16X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 48
34. Wide Open Spaces (1998)
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Certification: 4X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 134
[in-text-ad-2]
33. Breathless (1992)
> Artist: Kenny G
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 214
32. …Baby One More Time (1999)
> Artist: Britney Spears
> Certification: 14X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 103
31. Take Care (2011)
> Artist: Drake
> Certification: 6X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 427
30. 1989 (2014)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Certification: 9X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 334
[in-text-ad]
29. [Hybrid Theory] (2000)
> Artist: Linkin Park
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 256
28. Ropin’ The Wind (1991)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Certification: 14X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 132
27. Nevermind (1991)
> Artist: Nirvana
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 523
24/7 Wall St.
26. Supernatural (1999)
> Artist: Santana
> Certification: 15X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 103
25. Whitney Houston (1985)
> Artist: Whitney Houston
> Certification: 13X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 176
24. Backstreet Boys (1997)
> Artist: Backstreet Boys
> Certification: 14X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 133
[in-text-ad-2]
23. Tapestry (1971)
> Artist: Carole King
> Certification: 13X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 318
22. The Eminem Show (2002)
> Artist: Eminem
> Certification: 10X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 396
21. Saturday Night Fever (1976)
> Artist: Bee Gees
> Certification: 16X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 137
20. Abbey Road (1969)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Certification: 12X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 409
[in-text-ad]
19. Ten (1992)
> Artist: Pearl Jam
> Certification: 13X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 264
18. Born In The U.S.A. (1984)
> Artist: Bruce Springsteen
> Certification: 15X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 143
17. Boston (1976)
> Artist: Boston
> Certification: 17X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 138
24/7 Wall St.
16. Jagged Little Pill (1995)
> Artist: Alanis Morissette
> Certification: 16X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 127
15. Double Live (1998)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Certification: 21X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 56
14. Appetite For Destruction (1987)
> Artist: Guns N’ Roses
> Certification: 18X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 249
[in-text-ad-2]
13. No Fences (1990)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Certification: 18X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 224
12. Cracked Rear View (1994)
> Artist: Hootie & The Blowfish
> Certification: 21X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 129
11. The Wall (1979)
> Artist: Pink Floyd
> Certification: 23X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 157
10. Come On Over (1997)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Certification: 20X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 151
[in-text-ad]
9. 21 (2011)
> Artist: Adele
> Certification: 14X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 507
8. The Beatles [White Album] (1968)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Certification: 24X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 215
7. The Dark Side Of The Moon (1973)
> Artist: Pink Floyd
> Certification: 15X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 957
6. Hotel California (1976)
> Artist: Eagles
> Certification: 26X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 132
5. Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Certification: 23X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 283
4. Metallica (1991)
> Artist: Metallica
> Certification: 16X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 606
[in-text-ad-2]
3. Rumours (1977)
> Artist: Fleetwood Mac
> Certification: 20X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 423
2. Back In Black (1980)
> Artist: AC/DC
> Certification: 25X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 462
1. Thriller (1982)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Certification: 33X multi-platinum
> Weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 469
The Average American Is Losing Their Savings Every Day (Sponsor)
If you’re like many Americans and keep your money ‘safe’ in a checking or savings account, think again. The average yield on a savings account is a paltry .4% today, and inflation is much higher. Checking accounts are even worse.
Every day you don’t move to a high-yield savings account that beats inflation, you lose more and more value.
But there is good news. To win qualified customers, some accounts are paying 9-10x this national average. That’s an incredible way to keep your money safe, and get paid at the same time. Our top pick for high yield savings accounts includes other one time cash bonuses, and is FDIC insured.
Click here to see how much more you could be earning on your savings today. It takes just a few minutes and your money could be working for you.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
