Special Report

The Most Popular Country Music Albums of All Time

Paul Natkin / Archive Photos via Getty Images

Country music is rooted in a variety of musical traditions, including American and British folk, jazz, blues and rhythm and blues, cowboy song, Appalachian string bands, and Southern church music. It began to coalesce out of these influences and become its own thing early in the 20th century, and by the 1920s it had become a viable commercial genre of its own.

That genre has changed significantly over the past century, becoming more popular than ever as it expanded to include such variations as Western swing and later “outlaw country” and “party country,” embraced elaborate studio production values, and opened itself to collaborations with pop, folk rock, and even hip-hop.   

To determine the 100 most popular country music albums of all time, 24/7 Tempo developed an index based on the number of weeks an album spent on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and its certified U.S. sales according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Only albums with at least a Platinum certification from the RIAA or unit sales of at least one million were considered. (For a different kind if ranking, see every country music album of the year since 1967.)

Click here to see the 100 most popular country music albums of all time

The results span more than half a century, reaching from 1968 up to the present day. Among the artists represented are such cultural icons as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson; numerous “hat acts” (so named for their on-stage headgear) including Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, and Toby Keith; and such country queens as Shania Twain, The Chicks, and Taylor Swift (the last of whose music is now far more pop than country) — among many others. (These are the 50 greatest country music stars of all time.)

Whatever the particulars, these albums represent one of America’s greatest musical traditions.

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100. Carrying Your Love with Me
> Artist: George Strait
> Release date: April 22, 1997
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 6
> Copies sold: 3 million

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Mark Junge / Archive Photos via Getty Images

99. Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
> Artist: Ronnie Milsap
> Release date: April 1, 1985
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 1 million

Tony Russell / Getty Images

98. Galveston
> Artist: Glen Campbell
> Release date: March 17, 1969
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 1 million

Aaron Rapoport / Corbis Historical via Getty Images

97. Tailgates & Tanlines
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Release date: August 9, 2011
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 4
> Copies sold: 4 million

Rick Diamond / Getty Images

96. Greatest Hits (& Some That Will Be)
> Artist: Willie Nelson
> Release date: August 21, 1981
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 4
> Copies sold: 4 million

Michael Buckner/AMA / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

95. Taking the Long Way
> Artist: The Chicks
> Release date: May 23, 2006
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 9
> Copies sold: 2 million

Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

94. Hope Floats
> Artist: Various Artists
> Release date: May 19, 1998
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 9
> Copies sold: 2 million

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93. Greatest Hits
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Release date: September 26, 2000
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 2
> Copies sold: 5 million

Graham Denholm / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

92. Blown Away
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Release date: May 1, 2012
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 7
> Copies sold: 3 million

Paul Natkin / Archive Photos via Getty Images

91. Put Yourself in My Shoes
> Artist: Clint Black
> Release date: November 6, 1990
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 7
> Copies sold: 3 million

David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images

90. City of New Orleans
> Artist: Willie Nelson
> Release date: July 2, 1994
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 12
> Copies sold: 1 million

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Rick Diamond / Getty Images

89. Here’s to the Good Times
> Artist: Florida Georgia Line
> Release date: December 4, 2012
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 10
> Copies sold: 2 million

Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

88. Unchained Melody: The Early Years
> Artist: LeAnn Rimes
> Release date: January 31, 1997
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 10
> Copies sold: 2 million

Michael Putland / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

87. Waylon & Willie
> Artist: Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson
> Release date: January 21, 1978
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 10
> Copies sold: 2 million

Keystone / Getty Images

86. Moody Blue
> Artist: Elvis Presley
> Release date: July 1, 1977
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 10
> Copies sold: 2 million

Tim Mosenfelder / Archive Photos via Getty Images

85. Wynonna
> Artist: Wynonna
> Release date: March 31, 1992
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 3
> Copies sold: 5 million

Paul Natkin / Archive Photos via Getty Images

84. Storms of Life
> Artist: Randy Travis
> Release date: June 2, 1986
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 8
> Copies sold: 3 million

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83. Urban Cowboy
> Artist: Various Artists
> Release date: June 6, 1980
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 8
> Copies sold: 3 million

Beth Gwinn / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

82. Pure Country
> Artist: George Strait
> Release date: September 15, 1992
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 1
> Copies sold: 6 million

Ethan Miller / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

81. Own the Night
> Artist: Lady A
> Release date: September 13, 2011
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 1 million

Paul Natkin / Getty Images

80. Sweet Sixteen
> Artist: Reba McEntire
> Release date: May 1, 1989
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 1 million

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Paul Natkin / Archive Photos via Getty Images

79. Ol’ Waylon
> Artist: Waylon Jennings
> Release date: April 1, 1977
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 1 million

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78. Drive
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Release date: January 15, 2002
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 6
> Copies sold: 4 million

Paul Natkin / Getty Images

77. Kickin’ It Up
> Artist: John Michael Montgomery
> Release date: January 10, 1994
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 6
> Copies sold: 4 million

Rusty Russell / Getty Images

76. Feels Like Today
> Artist: Rascal Flatts
> Release date: September 28, 2004
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 4
> Copies sold: 5 million

Christopher Polk / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

75. Montevallo
> Artist: Sam Hunt
> Release date: October 27, 2014
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 9
> Copies sold: 3 million

Jack Kay / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

74. Rose Garden
> Artist: Lynn Anderson
> Release date: March 1, 1971
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 14
> Copies sold: 1 million

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73. Unleashed
> Artist: Toby Keith
> Release date: July 23, 2002
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 7
> Copies sold: 4 million

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72. Kane Brown
> Artist: Kane Brown
> Release date: December 2, 2016
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 12
> Copies sold: 2 million

Beth Gwinn / Redferns via Getty Images

71. No Holdin’ Back
> Artist: Randy Travis
> Release date: September 26, 1989
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 12
> Copies sold: 2 million

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70. Greatest Hits
> Artist: Alabama
> Release date: January 27, 1986
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 5
> Copies sold: 5 million

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Keystone / Getty Images

69. ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits
> Artist: Elvis Presley
> Release date: September 24, 2002
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 3
> Copies sold: 6 million

Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

68. Coyote Ugly
> Artist: Various Artists
> Release date: July 21, 2000
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 8
> Copies sold: 4 million

Beth Gwinn / Redferns via Getty Images

67. The Greatest Hits Collection
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Release date: October 24, 1995
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 4
> Copies sold: 6 million

Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

66. You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs
> Artist: LeAnn Rimes
> Release date: August 29, 1997
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 9
> Copies sold: 4 million

Lester Cohen / Archive Photos via Getty Images

65. 40-Hour Week
> Artist: Alabama
> Release date: January 28, 1985
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 14
> Copies sold: 2 million

Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

64. Scarecrow
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Release date: November 13, 2001
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 7
> Copies sold: 5 million

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Tim Mosenfelder / Archive Photos via Getty Images

63. A Lot About Livin’ (And a Little ’bout Love)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Release date: September 30, 1992
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 5
> Copies sold: 6 million

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

62. Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles
> Artist: Various Artists
> Release date: October 12, 1993
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 3 million

David Warner Ellis / Redferns via Getty Images

61. Back Home Again
> Artist: John Denver
> Release date: June 15, 1974
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 3 million

John Sciulli / WireImage via Getty Images

60. Greatest Hits
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Release date: November 9, 2004
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 4 million

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59. No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Release date: April 23, 2002
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 4 million

Paul Natkin / Getty Images

58. Everywhere
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Release date: May 23, 1997
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 4 million

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

57. Eyes That See in the Dark
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Release date: August 1, 1983
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 16
> Copies sold: 2 million

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56. Here for the Party
> Artist: Gretchen Wilson
> Release date: May 11, 2004
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 9
> Copies sold: 5 million

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55. My Kinda Party
> Artist: Jason Aldean
> Release date: November 1, 2010
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 12
> Copies sold: 4 million

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54. 50 Number Ones
> Artist: George Strait
> Release date: October 5, 2004
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 5
> Copies sold: 7 million

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53. Crash My Party
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Release date: April 7, 2013
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 4 million

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52. Shock’n Y’all
> Artist: Toby Keith
> Release date: November 4, 2003
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 4 million

Scott Gries / Getty Images

51. John Michael Montgomery
> Artist: John Michael Montgomery
> Release date: August 1, 1995
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 4 million

Bob Riha Jr / Archive Photos via Getty Images

50. Roll On
> Artist: Alabama
> Release date: January 16, 1984
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 4 million

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49. Stardust
> Artist: Willie Nelson
> Release date: April 19, 1978
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 5 million

George De Sota / Getty Images

48. Greatest Hits
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Release date: November 21, 2000
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 9
> Copies sold: 6 million

Debra L Rothenberg / FilmMagic via Getty Images

47. When the Sun Goes Down
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Release date: February 3, 2004
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 14
> Copies sold: 4 million

Stuart C. Wilson / Getty Images

46. Long Road Out of Eden
> Artist: Eagles
> Release date: October 30, 2007
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 7
> Copies sold: 7 million

Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic via Getty Images

45. Me and My Gang
> Artist: Rascal Flatts
> Release date: April 4, 2006
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 15
> Copies sold: 4 million

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

44. Wichita Lineman
> Artist: Glen Campbell
> Release date: November 4, 1968
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 20
> Copies sold: 2 million

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Paul Natkin / Archive Photos via Getty Images

43. Breathe
> Artist: Faith Hill
> Release date: November 9, 1999
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 6
> Copies sold: 8 million

Ed Rode / WireImage via Getty Images

42. Greatest Hits Volume II (And Some Other Stuff)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Release date: August 12, 2003
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 6 million

Ron Wolfson / WireImage via Getty Images

41. The Ultimate Hits
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Release date: November 6, 2007
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 2
> Copies sold: 10 million

Lester Cohen / Archive Photos via Getty Images

40. Fresh Horses
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Release date: November 21, 1995
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 7
> Copies sold: 8 million

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39. At San Quentin
> Artist: Johnny Cash
> Release date: September 1, 1969
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 20
> Copies sold: 3 million

Ed Rode/Nashville Rising / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

38. Speak Now
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Release date: October 25, 2010
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 6 million

Tom Hill / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

37. Greatest Hits
> Artist: Waylon Jennings
> Release date: April 10, 1979
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 16
> Copies sold: 5 million

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

36. The Closer You Get
> Artist: Alabama
> Release date: March 1, 1983
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 21
> Copies sold: 4 million

Paul Natkin / Archive Photos via Getty Images

35. In Pieces
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Release date: August 31, 1993
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 7
> Copies sold: 10 million

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34. Always on My Mind
> Artist: Willie Nelson
> Release date: February 28, 1982
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 22
> Copies sold: 4 million

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Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

33. Behind Closed Doors
> Artist: Charlie Rich
> Release date: June 27, 1973
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 22
> Copies sold: 4 million

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

32. Kenny
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Release date: September 29, 1979
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 25
> Copies sold: 3 million

Katherine Brock / Wikimedia Commons

31. Up!
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Release date: November 19, 2002
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 6
> Copies sold: 11 million

Isaac Brekken / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

30. Red
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Release date: October 22, 2012
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 16
> Copies sold: 7 million

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29. Home
> Artist: The Chicks
> Release date: August 27, 2002
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 19
> Copies sold: 6 million

David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images

28. The Gambler
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Release date: September 30, 1978
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 23
> Copies sold: 5 million

Rick Diamond / Getty Images

27. Feels So Right
> Artist: Alabama
> Release date: February 1, 1981
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 27
> Copies sold: 4 million

Independent News and Media / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

26. Sevens
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Release date: November 1, 1997
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 10 million

Ron Davis / Archive Photos via Getty Images

25. Wide Open Spaces
> Artist: The Chicks
> Release date: January 23, 1998
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 7
> Copies sold: 13 million

Ebet Roberts / Redferns via Getty Images

24. Killin’ Time
> Artist: Clint Black
> Release date: May 2, 1989
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 31
> Copies sold: 3 million

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23. Dangerous: The Double Album
> Artist: Morgan Wallen
> Release date: January 8, 2021
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 36
> Copies sold: 1 million

Frederick Breedon / FilmMagic via Getty Images

22. Traveller
> Artist: Chris Stapleton
> Release date: May 5, 2015
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 29
> Copies sold: 4 million

Gary Gershoff / Archive Photos via Getty Images

21. Greatest Hits
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Release date: October 18, 1980
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 12 million

Jim Steinfeldt / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

20. The Hits
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Release date: December 1, 1994
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 16
> Copies sold: 10 million

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Paul Harris / Archive Photos via Getty Images

19. The Chase
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Release date: September 14, 1992
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 16
> Copies sold: 10 million

Rick Diamond / Getty Images

18. Mountain Music
> Artist: Alabama
> Release date: February 25, 1982
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 28
> Copies sold: 5 million

Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

17. Taylor Swift
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Release date: October 24, 2006
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 24
> Copies sold: 7 million

Jason Kempin / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

16. What You See Is What You Get
> Artist: Luke Combs
> Release date: November 8, 2019
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 37
> Copies sold: 2 million

Paul Natkin / Archive Photos via Getty Images

15. Blue
> Artist: LeAnn Rimes
> Release date: July 9, 1996
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 28
> Copies sold: 6 million

Paul Natkin / Archive Photos via Getty Images

14. Not a Moment Too Soon
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Release date: March 14, 1994
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 29
> Copies sold: 6 million

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13. Need You Now
> Artist: Lady A
> Release date: August 11, 2009
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 31
> Copies sold: 6 million

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

12. Some Hearts
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Release date: November 15, 2005
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 27
> Copies sold: 8 million

Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

11. O Brother, Where Art Thou?
> Artist: Various Artists
> Release date: December 5, 2000
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 35
> Copies sold: 8 million

Mark Junge / Archive Photos via Getty Images

10. Always & Forever
> Artist: Randy Travis
> Release date: May 5, 1987
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 43
> Copies sold: 5 million

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Laura Levine / Corbis Historical via Getty Images

9. Some Gave All
> Artist: Billy Ray Cyrus
> Release date: May 19, 1992
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 34
> Copies sold: 9 million

Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

8. This One’s for You
> Artist: Luke Combs
> Release date: June 2, 2017
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 50
> Copies sold: 3 million

Dave Hogan / Getty Images

7. The Woman in Me
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Release date: February 7, 1995
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 29
> Copies sold: 12 million

Lisa Lake / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

6. Double Live
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Release date: November 17, 1998
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 8
> Copies sold: 21 million

WEZL / Wikimedia Commons

5. Fearless
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Release date: November 11, 2008
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 35
> Copies sold: 10 million

Ron Wolfson / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

4. Fly
> Artist: The Chicks
> Release date: August 31, 1999
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 36
> Copies sold: 11 million

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Beth Gwinn / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

3. Ropin’ the Wind
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Release date: September 2, 1991
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 33
> Copies sold: 14 million

Martyn Goodacre / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

2. No Fences
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Release date: August 27, 1990
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 41
> Copies sold: 18 million

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis / Getty Images

1. Come On Over
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Release date: November 4, 1997
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 50
> Copies sold: 20 million

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