Special Report

The Best Albums of All Time

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What makes an album great? An album is a collection of an artist’s songs, sure, but the best ones are so much more than that. A select few albums have firmly established themselves as cultural touchstones, and we couldn’t imagine our lives without them. 24/7 Tempo has assembled a ranking of the 100 best examples ever released.

For many artists, an album is the highest expression of their art. It’s a glimpse into their state of mind and the stage of their musical development. Playing an album from start to finish takes listeners on a sonic journey. (You might be surprised at some of the artists with the most hit albums.)

The first record albums were book-like folders containing numerous 78 rpm discs in individual sleeves. The first 12-inch long-playing vinyl disc was released in 1948 — a recording of Mendelssohn’s Concerto in E Minor — but the LP really caught on in the latter 1950s and early ‘60s. Since that time, albums in various formats have filled the world with unforgettable music — from the Beatles’ “Rubber Soul” (1965) to Taylor Swift’s “Folklore,” last year’s best-seller. (Click here to see the most popular album every year since 1960.)

Click here to see the 100 best albums of all time

The era of the album might be coming to an end, however. In this singles-heavy, streaming world, album sales are in decline. According to Billboard, the most recent year that they posted an increase in sales was 2011. In 2020, overall album sales across all formats were down by 9.2%. 

But there’s still a place for albums. Listening to a favorite song is one thing, but taking the time to take in a complete album from start to finish with no interruption offers a totally different experience. Read on to learn about the 100 best albums of all time. If you haven’t sat down and listened to at least some of them in their entirety, you’re missing a real musical treat. 

To determine the 100 best albums of all time, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the rankings in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, published in September 2020. Considering only those albums, we developed an index based on Billboard chart performance and certified U.S. unit sales. An inverted ranking of an album’s performance on the Billboard 200 album charts — wherein a week at position No. 200 is worth one point, a week at position No. 199 two points, and so on, up to a week at position No. 1 worth 200 points — was included in the index and given full weight. Certified U.S. unit sales in the United States came from the Recording Industry Association of America and were also given full weight.  

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100. The Smashing Pumpkins, “Siamese Dream”
> Release date: July 27, 1993
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #10 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 91
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4 million

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99. Nine Inch Nails, “The Downward Spiral”
> Release date: March 4, 1994
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 115
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4 million

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98. The Beatles, “Rubber Soul”
> Release date: December 6, 1965
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 70
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

97. Tracy Chapman, “Tracy Chapman”
> Release date: March 28, 1988
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 61
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

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96. Bruce Springsteen, “Born To Run”
> Release date: September 1, 1975
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 110
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

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95. John Mayer, “Continuum”
> Release date: September 12, 2006
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 128
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4 million

94. Tom Petty, “Full Moon Fever”
> Release date: April 24, 1989
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 77
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

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93. Juvenile, “400 Degreez”
> Release date: November 3, 1998
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #9 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 100
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4 million

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92. James Taylor, “Sweet Baby James”
> Release date: February 1, 1970
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 102
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3 million

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91. Peter Gabriel, “So”
> Release date: May 19, 1986
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 93
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

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90. Weezer, “Weezer (The Blue Album)”
> Release date: May 10, 1994
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #4 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 137
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3 million

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89. The Rolling Stones, “Some Girls”
> Release date: June 9, 1978
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 88
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

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88. Alicia Keys, “The Diary Of Alicia Keys”
> Release date: December 2, 2003
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 87
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

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87. Johnny Cash, “At Folsom Prison”
> Release date: March 1, 1968
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #13 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 124
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3 million

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86. Amy Winehouse, “Back To Black”
> Release date: March 13, 2007
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 173
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 2 million

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85. Fugees, “The Score”
> Release date: January 31, 1996
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 64
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 7 million

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84. Mariah Carey, “The Emancipation Of Mimi”
> Release date: April 12, 2005
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 74
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

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83. Santana, “Abraxas”
> Release date: December 1, 1970
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 88
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

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82. Coldplay, “A Rush Of Blood To The Head”
> Release date: August 27, 2002
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #5 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 108
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4 million

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81. Beyoncé, “Beyoncé”
> Release date: December 13, 2013
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 186
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 2 million

80. Paul Simon, “Graceland”
> Release date: August 25, 1986
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 105
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

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79. The Doors, “The Doors”
> Release date: January 1, 1967
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 122
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4 million

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78. Nirvana, “MTV Unplugged In New York”
> Release date: November 1, 1994
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 100
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million

77. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, “Deja  Vu”
> Release date: March 11, 1970
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 99
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 7 million

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76. Eric Church, “Chief”
> Release date: July 26, 2011
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 154
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3 million

75. Cyndi Lauper, “She’s So Unusual”
> Release date: January 25, 1984
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #4 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 97
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

74. Jimi Hendrix, “Are You Experienced?”
> Release date: August 26, 1967
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #5 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 106
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

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73. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Blood Sugar Sеx Magik”
> Release date: September 24, 1991
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 97
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 7 million

72. Janet Jackson, “Control”
> Release date: January 27, 1986
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 106
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

71. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Californication”
> Release date: June 8, 1999
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 101
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

70. The Police, “Synchronicity”
> Release date: June 7, 1983
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 17 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 75
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million

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69. The Cars, “The Cars”
> Release date: January 1, 1978
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #18 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 139
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

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68. Lil Wayne, “Tha Carter III”
> Release date: June 10, 2008
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 168
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

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67. Drake, “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late”
> Release date: February 13, 2015
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 197
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 2 million

66. Simon & Garfunkel, “Bridge Over Troubled Water”
> Release date: March 1, 1970
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 10 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 87
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million

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65. Billie Eilish, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”
> Release date: March 29, 2019
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 121
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3 million

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64. Elton John, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”
> Release date: October 1, 1973
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 111
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million

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63. Janet Jackson, “Rhythm Nation 1814”
> Release date: September 8, 1989
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 108
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

62. Green Day, “American Idiot”
> Release date: September 21, 2004
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 143
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

61. Prince, “1999”
> Release date: October 27, 1982
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #7 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 163
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4 million

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60. 50 Cent, “Get Rich Or Die Tryin'”
> Release date: February 6, 2003
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 112
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 9 million

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59. U2, “Achtung Baby”
> Release date: November 19, 1991
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 101
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million

58. Bonnie Raitt, “Nick Of Time”
> Release date: March 15, 1989
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 185
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

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57. SZA, “Ctrl”
> Release date: June 9, 2017
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 214
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 2 million

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56. OutKast, “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below”
> Release date: September 23, 2003
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 56
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 11 million

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55. Lauryn Hill, “The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill”
> Release date: August 18, 1998
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 91
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

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54. Anita Baker, “Rapture”
> Release date: March 10, 1986
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #11 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 157
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million

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53. Taylor Swift, “Red”
> Release date: October 22, 2012
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 170
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 7 million

52. Dire Straits, “Brothers In Arms”
> Release date: May 13, 1985
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 97
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 9 million

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51. Stevie Wonder, “Songs In The Key Of Life”
> Release date: September 28, 1976
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 14 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 82
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

50. Destiny’s Child, “The Writing’s On The Wall”
> Release date: July 23, 1999
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #5 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 99
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million

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49. The Notorious B.I.G., “Life After Death”
> Release date: March 25, 1997
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 87
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 11 million

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48. 2Pac, “All Eyez On Me”
> Release date: February 13, 1996
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 122
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

47. Usher, “Confessions”
> Release date: March 23, 2004
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 127
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

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46. Led Zeppelin, “Led Zeppelin”
> Release date: October 8, 1990
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #7 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 115
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

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45. Beastie Boys, “Licensed To Ill”
> Release date: October 31, 1986
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 152
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

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44. Rihanna, “ANTI”
> Release date: January 28, 2016
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 277
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3 million

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43. Eminem, “The Marshall Mathers LP”
> Release date: May 23, 2000
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 171
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

42. Van Halen, “Van Halen”
> Release date: February 10, 1978
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #19 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 173
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

41. U2, “The Joshua Tree”
> Release date: March 9, 1987
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 121
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

40. Led Zeppelin, “Houses Of The Holy”
> Release date: March 28, 1973
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 106
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 11 million

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39. George Michael, “Faith”
> Release date: October 30, 1987
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 12 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 96
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

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38. Led Zeppelin, “Physical Graffiti”
> Release date: March 3, 1975
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 48
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 16 million

37. Madonna, “The Immaculate Collection”
> Release date: November 13, 1990
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 148
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

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36. Green Day, “Dookie”
> Release date: February 1, 1994
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 116
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

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35. Led Zeppelin, “Led Zeppelin II”
> Release date: October 22, 1969
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 117
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 12 million

34. Billy Joel, “The Stranger”
> Release date: September 22, 1977
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 137
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

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33. Michael Jackson, “Bad”
> Release date: August 28, 1987
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 171
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

32. Michael Jackson, “Off The Wall”
> Release date: August 1, 1979
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 193
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 9 million

31. Kendrick Lamar, “DAMN.”
> Release date: April 14, 2017
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 222
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3 million

30. Boyz II Men, “II”
> Release date: August 23, 1994
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 99
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 12 million

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29. The Chicks, “Fly”
> Release date: August 31, 1999
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 131
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 11 million

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28. TLC, “CrazySexyCool”
> Release date: November 15, 1994
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 119
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 12 million

27. Prince and The Revolution, “Purple Rain”
> Release date: June 25, 1984
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 24 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 152
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 13 million

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26. The Weeknd, “Beauty Behind The Madness”
> Release date: August 28, 2015
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 282
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 4 million

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25. The Beatles, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”
> Release date: June 2, 1967
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 15 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 232
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 11 million

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24. Bee Gees, “Saturday Night Fever”
> Release date: January 7, 1977
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 24 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 137
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 16 million

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23. Whitney Houston, “Whitney Houston”
> Release date: February 21, 1985
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 14 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 176
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 13 million

22. Bruce Springsteen, “Born In The U.S.A.”
> Release date: June 1, 1984
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 143
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 15 million

21. Carole King, “Tapestry”
> Release date: January 30, 1971
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 15 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 318
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 13 million

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20. Alanis Morissette, “Jagged Little Pill”
> Release date: June 13, 1995
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 12 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 127
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 16 million

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19. Nirvana, “Nevermind”
> Release date: September 24, 1991
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 533
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million

18. Pearl Jam, “Ten”
> Release date: August 20, 1991
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 264
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 13 million

17. Taylor Swift, “1989”
> Release date: October 27, 2014
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 11 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 344
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 9 million

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16. Pink Floyd, “The Wall”
> Release date: November 28, 1979
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 15 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 158
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 23 million

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15. The Beatles, “Abbey Road”
> Release date: November 1, 1969
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 11 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 419
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 12 million

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14. Kendrick Lamar, “good kid, m.A.A.d city”
> Release date: October 22, 2012
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 455
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 3 million

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13. The Eagles, “Hotel California”
> Release date: December 8, 1976
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 137
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 26 million

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12. Guns N’ Roses, “Appetite For Destruction”
> Release date: July 21, 1987
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 250
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 18 million

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11. Drake, “Take Care”
> Release date: November 15, 2011
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 437
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million

10. The Beatles, “The Beatles [White Album]”
> Release date: November 25, 1968
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 215
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 24 million

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9. Shania Twain, “Come On Over”
> Release date: November 4, 1997
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 151
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 20 million

8. Led Zeppelin, “Led Zeppelin IV”
> Release date: November 8, 1971
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 283
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 23 million

7. Adele, “21”
> Release date: February 22, 2011
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 24 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 507
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 14 million

6. AC/DC, “Back In Black”
> Release date: July 21, 1980
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #4 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 472
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 25 million

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5. Pink Floyd, “The Dark Side Of The Moon”
> Release date: April 17, 1973
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 957
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 15 million

4. Fleetwood Mac, “Rumours”
> Release date: February 4, 1977
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 31 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 433
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 20 million

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3. Metallica, “Metallica”
> Release date: August 2, 1991
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 616
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 16 million

2. Bob Marley And The Wailers, “Legend”
> Release date: July 24, 1984
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #5 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 687
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 15 million

1. Michael Jackson, “Thriller”
> Release date: December 30, 1982
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 37 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 479
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 33 million

 

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