1965 - Beatles 6 albums, 5 to 13 million copies, each. World population less than half of today, and you hoped you had a good enough record player. That scale of success can't be imagined by modern standards.
Nope. Chart music is mainly pointless nowadays as it's NOT BASED ON ACTUAL SALES. There is good music but you will need to look for it outside the charts
@skyblazeeterno True in many cases, but not where the top selling albums of all time are concerned. That's why they're the top sellers and why they're still desirable.
@@skyblazeeterno I’ve been listening to old albums from before my time on Spotify and I disagree. There are bands that put out quality albums. From the big names like The Beatles, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Scorpions, to other bands just below like Nazareth, Rainbow, Blue Öyster Cult, Mountain, UFO and even a one album wonder like Ursa Major. As someone who is going through the old groups, I am discovering some serious hidden gems. The ‘70s was truly the greatest musical decade.
Interesting that after 1985 or so, there was very little movement on that Top 12 list. Today, nobody buys albums... they download individual tracks by themselves.
@@regfries8279 In recent years, those things have been included. I think the two highest-selling albums this century were both by Adele. Her "21" would have gone close to making this list, but just missed out.
For people saying that this shows how bad music today is, that's not what this shows. This reflects exactly when Napster exploded and young people almost entirely stopped spending money on music. Suddenly music is just being copied over and over digitally and only older people with money were still buying albums.
Sorry, this video is inaccurate. The official industry source for album and single sales is the Recording Industry Association of America, or RIAA. For all official records regarding album and single sales, please consult the RIAA. This is why dumbed-down, awfully-researched and stupid social media sites and other websites need constant, daily fact-checking.
Jackson's Thriller hit bc it hit all the demo's. I mean what was Micheal Jackson? really? did he himself even know? Great entertainer, dancer, singer?, songwriter not really. But he could be everything to everyone it seems or at least he tried to be until his "problems" surfaced.
only one change in the top ten in the last 25yrs (Bad over taking Jagged little pill) and Jacko beating Floyd despite a 10yr head start is amazing. The biggest surprise for me was the Bodyguard S/T
Head start doesn't mean much - the way the record industry worked before streaming took over resulted in the vast majority of records being sold when the album is released, before it kind of flattens out... I'm surprised Bad didn't do as well though, that was massive!
@komodosp it does, Dark side and Thriller did most of their business long before streaming had any affect, Thriller caught and passed Dark side's 10yr total in less than 1yr
I don't know what the numbers are supposed to be telling us. It's impossible that each of these albums became one of the all-time biggest sellers the first year of its release. If Dark Side of the Moon has sold 40 something million, certainly wasn't in the first twelve months. So I find this a little too annoying to watch.
It’s great not to see any ”Greatest hits” in the list. I would very much like to see one without any OST’s too. Just to have a pure studio albums list 1-100. That would be something to collect and have on the shelf.
And to think, "Thriller" sold 32 million copies worldwide by the end of 1983 alone! Imagine selling 32 million copies of your album in less than a year... that's insane!
@nonsuch It is truly remarkable that the very decade when music piracy really took off somehow coincides with record high sales. Hardly anybody bought music at that time. Most people knew a guy who could make them a copy of any music they wanted. I find it unbelievable that Thriller sold so many copies in such a short space of time.
@@danielburger1775the hype was massive, I was a teenager then and everyone was racing home to watch the event on tv. It's amazing the effect of mass advertising and everyone wanting to breakdance and body pop. Money talks.
Notice how NONE of these albums were released after the 2000's! I lived the years when music 🎵🎶 was the best! Like many others of my generation...I think the music of today is CRAP! Keep the executives out of music and maybe we will have a Renaissance ‼️
Jacko only sold through hype. On its initial release no one took much notice of Thriller or him and then as soon as all the overhyped stories of sleeping in oxygen tents and then the flashy videos came out, it gave him maximum publicity which everyone bought into. Add his death to all this and there are still people who are unhealthily obsessed with him. The most overrated 'musician' ever and if you want to know where to go to get a cheap copy of Thriller, just come to Britain where the charity shops can't give them away quick enough.
Stupidest thing I’ve ever heard! If your gonna pick a moment where the album took off it was his performance at the Motown anniversary show where he did that moon walk. I never owned the album myself but 7 singles released and 7 top 10 in the USA. Btw 5 of the singles went top 10 in UK so your reasoning behind your post is stupid.
I know musical taste is subjective but most of these are genuinely great albums (bodyguard aside) with fantastic songwriting, musicianship and production. Doesn't mean you have to like them but just because you don't that doesn't make them lame or you better than people that do appreciate them. In most cases these albums were written by the artists themselves and/or were musically groundbreaking.
@hertor8803 What makes them genuinely great other than they are popular? Thriller is popular because of a couple of music videos, not because of superb musical skill, although MJ is a fine performer. Led Zeppelin were satanists, the Bodyguard, Saturday Night Fever and Grease are Movie soundtracks, rather than artistic statements. AC/DC is just loud noise and Rumors was an album taking the name but not the music of a much better band. Even Pink Floyd which is one of the best here are the reincarnation of a fine band. I am trying to make people see through the hype machine and value the albums they love personally. Shania Twain never has been musically groundbreaking. Aside from Alanis Morrisette, no artist on this list could be considered groundbreaking in any way. Following what is simply popular is what is destroying culture.
1965 - Beatles 6 albums, 5 to 13 million copies, each. World population less than half of today, and you hoped you had a good enough record player. That scale of success can't be imagined by modern standards.
Just shows how stagnant music has been since the 1980s
Nope. Chart music is mainly pointless nowadays as it's NOT BASED ON ACTUAL SALES. There is good music but you will need to look for it outside the charts
@ even so, there’s damned little of it. The older guys/gals have spent all their creative juices, the younger guys/gals are repetitious.
Yeah it's almost as bad as the music in this video..
@@skyblazeeternoWell back in the day there was good music on the charts...
No one buys albums anymore. Streaming killed in-store album sales.
beatles had a top album on the charts thorugh 1987 17 years after they broke up. that is insane
The Beatles ruled the 1960s.
It's interesting how stable the list becomes from the early 1990s.
Partly because music became so bad and the introduction of digital downloads and streaming etc.
@@Lily_The_Pink972 why buy albums? The vast majority of albums I've heard usually have only 1 or 2 decent tracks anyway
@skyblazeeterno True in many cases, but not where the top selling albums of all time are concerned. That's why they're the top sellers and why they're still desirable.
@@Lily_The_Pink972 I'm talking currently. Apart from some weird audio snobbery there's no need to buy albums
@@skyblazeeterno
I’ve been listening to old albums from before my time on Spotify and I disagree. There are bands that put out quality albums. From the big names like The Beatles, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Scorpions, to other bands just below like Nazareth, Rainbow, Blue Öyster Cult, Mountain, UFO and even a one album wonder like Ursa Major. As someone who is going through the old groups, I am discovering some serious hidden gems. The ‘70s was truly the greatest musical decade.
1975-1980 Probably the most incredible time in recorded music ever.
1965 -1985
Interesting that after 1985 or so, there was very little movement on that Top 12 list. Today, nobody buys albums... they download individual tracks by themselves.
I had always thought Hotel California was right up there with Rumours.
Surprised me a bit.
Eagles Greatest Hits is the #1 sold album in the USA. This list isn't including compilations.
Eagles hotel California is No1 worldwide, and greatest hits should be third
Nothing from this century. Not surprised.
i wonder if that's because downloads/streaming doesn't count?
@@regfries8279 In recent years, those things have been included. I think the two highest-selling albums this century were both by Adele. Her "21" would have gone close to making this list, but just missed out.
It’s interesting though, Eminem album The Eminem Show has sold over 40 million and not included on the list. Marshal Mathers EP is around 36 million.
For people saying that this shows how bad music today is, that's not what this shows. This reflects exactly when Napster exploded and young people almost entirely stopped spending money on music. Suddenly music is just being copied over and over digitally and only older people with money were still buying albums.
The Beatles did very well 👍
No compilations allowed, otherwise Eagles Greatest Hits would be about 4th.
No new entry from 2000. Music download became the main stream and people started to purchase only one song and not the whole album.
It would be interesting to see a breakdown of the top selling albums year to year.
So albums became relics of the past in 2004.
As a band, Beatles even beat Michael in sales.
ANYONE STRUGGLING, WATCH AT HALF SPEED :o)
lol, smoked as well you have....
Sorry, this video is inaccurate. The official industry source for album and single sales is the Recording Industry Association of America, or RIAA. For all official records regarding album and single sales, please consult the RIAA. This is why dumbed-down, awfully-researched and stupid social media sites and other websites need constant, daily fact-checking.
I tend to agree, where is Bat Out Of Hell and Eagles Greatest Hits in 2024?
These numbers aren't according to Billboard Magazine. Where the Eagles Greatest Hits 71-75?
No Princess Bubblegum. That's a good thing.
Always heard the Eagles greatest hits was a top 3 album
Jackson's Thriller hit bc it hit all the demo's. I mean what was Micheal Jackson? really? did he himself even know? Great entertainer, dancer, singer?, songwriter not really. But he could be everything to everyone it seems or at least he tried to be until his "problems" surfaced.
only one change in the top ten in the last 25yrs (Bad over taking Jagged little pill) and Jacko beating Floyd despite a 10yr head start is amazing.
The biggest surprise for me was the Bodyguard S/T
Head start doesn't mean much - the way the record industry worked before streaming took over resulted in the vast majority of records being sold when the album is released, before it kind of flattens out... I'm surprised Bad didn't do as well though, that was massive!
@komodosp it does, Dark side and Thriller did most of their business long before streaming had any affect, Thriller caught and passed Dark side's 10yr total in less than 1yr
I don't know what the numbers are supposed to be telling us. It's impossible that each of these albums became one of the all-time biggest sellers the first year of its release. If Dark Side of the Moon has sold 40 something million, certainly wasn't in the first twelve months. So I find this a little too annoying to watch.
Agreed. Dark side was on the charts for like 18 years straight.
No Alice Cooper??! My what the public is missing out on!!
what is an OST
Original Soundtrack Recording
@@paulsuchy6210 Thank You
Nothing special about Thriller album. Average pop music of the 80's.
David Bowie was and still better that Jacko 10 mil miles
No Carole King - Tapestry. Credibility in question.
What’s the difference between Neil Armstrong and Michael Jackson?
They could both use some meat on their bones.
One did the moonwalk on the moon. The other is a P-Dough-File.
Shania Twain??
Rednecks buy records too😂
Hell ya!
Come on Over is a great album
Inaccurate in so many ways.
It’s great not to see any ”Greatest hits” in the list. I would very much like to see one without any OST’s too. Just to have a pure studio albums list 1-100. That would be something to collect and have on the shelf.
What was the point of the last two and a half minutes?
What is the point of the last 20 years in music?
I think the albums sold number was a little exaggerated.
Probably worldwide figures.
Definitely.
Lack of "artists" from last 20 years speaks volumes.
Not a lack of artists. Online streaming services basically killed in-store album sales. Nobody buys albums anymore.
An incredible achievement for Michael Jackson!
No K Pop??
I think the background music is better than most of these musicians could muster.
What a pill!
@@johnculhane2278 I'm sure ur not that bad. Try and up your self esteam.
This must be accumulated not year on year sales = hence gives a false impression
They definitely are. That's why big-sellers didn't get overtaken.
Little movement in the latter few years. Perhaps the quality has fallen.
People stopped buying records when Napster arrived
@@jj9749this. What idiots are paying £20 for an album they'd only like 1 or 2 tracks on when you can simply download it cheaper
Interesting video but the pace is too fast. An eight or ten minute long video with a more readable pace would be better next time.
Watch it at half speed :o)
Not true. 🤣
And to think, "Thriller" sold 32 million copies worldwide by the end of 1983 alone! Imagine selling 32 million copies of your album in less than a year... that's insane!
It may also just be music industry hype.
@@danielburger1775 Hype or not. The numbers are there.
@@nonsuchwhat numbers? Is the source ever mentioned?
@nonsuch It is truly remarkable that the very decade when music piracy really took off somehow coincides with record high sales.
Hardly anybody bought music at that time.
Most people knew a guy who could make them a copy of any music they wanted.
I find it unbelievable that Thriller sold so many copies in such a short space of time.
@@danielburger1775the hype was massive, I was a teenager then and everyone was racing home to watch the event on tv. It's amazing the effect of mass advertising and everyone wanting to breakdance and body pop.
Money talks.
How to obtains multiples views with lies!
Not surprised. Kids i know can't stand most of the crap now. It's all just samples of old music.
Notice how NONE of these albums were released after the 2000's! I lived the years when music 🎵🎶 was the best! Like many others of my generation...I think the music of today is CRAP! Keep the executives out of music and maybe we will have a Renaissance ‼️
This is completely inaccurate
Jacko only sold through hype. On its initial release no one took much notice of Thriller or him and then as soon as all the overhyped stories of sleeping in oxygen tents and then the flashy videos came out, it gave him maximum publicity which everyone bought into. Add his death to all this and there are still people who are unhealthily obsessed with him. The most overrated 'musician' ever and if you want to know where to go to get a cheap copy of Thriller, just come to Britain where the charity shops can't give them away quick enough.
All publicity, his music was average. Not great vocals either
Change Jacko for Cobain and I'll agree.
Stupidest thing I’ve ever heard! If your gonna pick a moment where the album took off it was his performance at the Motown anniversary show where he did that moon walk. I never owned the album myself but 7 singles released and 7 top 10 in the USA. Btw 5 of the singles went top 10 in UK so your reasoning behind your post is stupid.
It's Jackson JACKass
Hype and timing, remember breakdance and body popping was huge at the time.
Meatloaf is the one I can't get my head around.
Amazing how lame most of them are. I am proud to say I don't own any of the albums on the final list.
I know musical taste is subjective but most of these are genuinely great albums (bodyguard aside) with fantastic songwriting, musicianship and production. Doesn't mean you have to like them but just because you don't that doesn't make them lame or you better than people that do appreciate them. In most cases these albums were written by the artists themselves and/or were musically groundbreaking.
@hertor8803 What makes them genuinely great other than they are popular? Thriller is popular because of a couple of music videos, not because of superb musical skill, although MJ is a fine performer. Led Zeppelin were satanists, the Bodyguard, Saturday Night Fever and Grease are Movie soundtracks, rather than artistic statements. AC/DC is just loud noise and Rumors was an album taking the name but not the music of a much better band. Even Pink Floyd which is one of the best here are the reincarnation of a fine band. I am trying to make people see through the hype machine and value the albums they love personally. Shania Twain never has been musically groundbreaking. Aside from Alanis Morrisette, no artist on this list could be considered groundbreaking in any way. Following what is simply popular is what is destroying culture.
I am proud to say I own 4 of them, don't let your ego get in the way.
@@raymondpierotti8414 Are you kidding?
@@JackPullen-Paradox See my response above. Most of them especially the soundtracks are bad albums.
This video is seizure inducing.