Music has always been about more than sound – its culture, memory, and identity wrapped into melody and rhythm. The way we consume music, however, has changed dramatically. In the 1970s and 80s, albums were physical treasures: vinyl, cassettes, and CDs that you’d wear out from overplaying. Today, music lives in our pockets, streamed billions of times on demand.
So, which albums have stood the test of time and reached the greatest audiences? Below, we look at two definitive lists: the best-selling albums in history (a measure of physical and digital sales worldwide) and the most-streamed albums on Spotify (a reflection of today’s listening habits). Together, they tell the story of music’s past, present, and future…
Top 10 Best-Selling Albums of All Time (Worldwide)
Rank |
Album |
Artist(s) |
Est. Sales |
|
1 |
Thriller |
Michael Jackson |
~66 million |
|
2 |
Back in Black |
AC/DC |
~50 million |
|
3 |
Dark Side of the Moon |
Pink Floyd |
~50 million |
|
4 |
The Bodyguard (soundtrack) |
Whitney Houston & Various |
~45 million |
|
5 |
Bad |
Michael Jackson |
~45 million |
|
6 |
Bat Out of Hell |
Meat Loaf |
~43 million |
|
7 |
Hotel California |
Eagles |
~42 million |
|
8 |
Eagles – Greatest Hits (1971–1975) |
Eagles |
~44 million |
|
9 |
Rumours |
Fleetwood Mac |
~40 million |
|
10 |
Come On Over |
Shania Twain |
~40 million |
Highlights & Context
- Thriller: More than just an album, Thriller became a cultural phenomenon. Its groundbreaking music videos (“Thriller”, “Billie Jean”, “Beat It”) turned MTV into a global force, and the record sold in every corner of the globe. Jackson once said he wanted “every song to be a killer,” and with seven Top 10 singles from one album, he came remarkably close.
- Back in Black: This was a comeback story few could have predicted. Recorded as a tribute to Bon Scott after his death, AC/DC brought in Brian Johnson and delivered a hard-rock classic that resonated far beyond the genre. It’s especially huge in the US and Australia, where the band became icons.
- Dark Side of the Moon: Pink Floyd’s magnum opus is often described as a concept album that captured the anxieties of modern life. With themes of time, money, and mortality, it spent an astonishing 741 weeks on the Billboard 200. Even today, it continues to sell strongly and is beloved by audiophiles for its production quality.
- The Bodyguard soundtrack: While technically a compilation, Whitney Houston’s towering vocal on “I Will Always Love You” carried this album to record-breaking heights. The film boosted sales worldwide, but it was especially dominant in North America and Asia, where the single topped charts for weeks.
- Bad: Michael Jackson’s follow-up to Thriller had a lot to prove, and it didn’t disappoint. It became the first album in history to generate five consecutive Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. Songs like “Man in the Mirror” and “Smooth Criminal” cemented Jackson’s creative peak and global reach.
- Bat Out of Hell: Often considered a cult classic turned mainstream monster, Meat Loaf’s theatrical rock opera blended Broadway-style storytelling with rock anthems. It took time to build momentum but became a perennial seller across Europe, particularly in the UK, where it remains a best-seller decades later.
- Hotel California: With its iconic title track and lush harmonies, the Eagles captured the dark underbelly of the California dream. The album resonated with listeners globally, but particularly in the United States, where the single “Hotel California” became an enduring rock radio staple.
- Eagles – Greatest Hits (1971–1975): The Eagles’ compilation is often cited alongside Thriller as one of the biggest-selling albums in US history. It showcases the commercial power of greatest-hits collections and proves the staying power of songs like “Take It Easy” and “Desperado.”
- Rumours: Born out of band turmoil, Rumours turned personal heartbreak into universal anthems. Tracks like “Go Your Own Way” and “Dreams” still resonate across generations. The album has enjoyed a resurgence in the streaming era, thanks to viral moments on TikTok, showing its cross-generational appeal.
- Come On Over: Shania Twain fused country roots with pop accessibility, creating one of the biggest crossover successes in music history. With mega-hits like “You’re Still the One” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”, the album was especially popular in North America and Europe, redefining what country-pop could achieve.
Top 10 Most-Streamed Albums on Spotify (as of July 2025)
|
Rank |
Album |
Artist(s) |
Streams |
|
1 |
Un Verano Sin Ti |
Bad Bunny |
~20 billion |
|
2 |
Starboy |
The Weeknd |
~17.2 billion |
|
3 |
÷ (Divide) |
Ed Sheeran |
~16.7 billion |
|
4 |
SOUR |
Olivia Rodrigo |
~15.3 billion |
|
5 |
Avicii Forever |
Avicii |
~14.9 billion |
|
6 |
After Hours |
The Weeknd |
~14.6 billion |
|
7 |
Hollywood’s Bleeding |
Post Malone |
~14.4 billion |
|
8 |
Future Nostalgia |
Dua Lipa |
~14.0 billion |
|
9 |
Dua Lipa (self-titled) |
Dua Lipa |
~14.0 billion |
|
10 |
SOS (Deluxe) |
SZA |
~13.85 billion |
Noteworthy Highlights
- Un Verano Sin Ti: A landmark moment for Latin music, this album proved that language barriers mean little in the streaming age. Its dominance reflects Bad Bunny’s ability to connect globally with fans craving summer vibes and reggaeton rhythms.
- Starboy: The Weeknd’s genre-blending record features hits like “Starboy” and “I Feel It Coming” pairing moody R&B with pop appeal. Its success is fuelled by long-term listening—the album continues to rack up streams years after release.
- Divide (÷): Ed Sheeran’s third studio album is a streaming juggernaut, with “Shape of You” being one of the most-played songs in Spotify history. Sheeran’s mix of love ballads and radio-ready pop has made this album a favourite in both Western and Asian markets.
- SOUR: Olivia Rodrigo’s debut album resonated with Gen Z audiences, blending raw lyricism with pop-punk revival sounds. “Drivers License” and “Good 4 U” drove viral moments on TikTok, cementing her as one of streaming’s fastest-rising stars.
- Avicii Forever: Posthumously released, this collection pays tribute to the late DJ’s legacy. Tracks like “Wake Me Up” and “Levels” continue to define EDM culture worldwide, making this album not just popular but emotionally significant.
- After Hours: The Weeknd again shows his dominance. With “Blinding Lights” becoming Spotify’s most-streamed song ever, this album bridges retro synthpop with contemporary R&B, reaching both nostalgic and new listeners.
- Hollywood’s Bleeding: Post Malone’s crossover of hip-hop, rock, and pop makes him a streaming powerhouse. The album’s versatility and radio-friendly hits like “Circles” helped it maintain longevity on streaming platforms.
- Future Nostalgia: Dua Lipa leaned into disco and funk revival, creating a dance-floor soundtrack that flourished during lockdowns. It resonated strongly in Europe but became a worldwide favourite, reinforcing the disco revival in pop.
- Dua Lipa (self-titled): Her debut album introduced her smoky vocals and established her as a global star, with “New Rules” becoming a defining anthem of empowerment. Its consistent streaming success shows how debuts can have lasting appeal.
- SOS (Deluxe): SZA’s blend of R&B and alternative pop created an intimate yet universal record. With critical acclaim and massive fan engagement, this album underscores the growing global appetite for emotionally rich, genre-blending music.
Where Music Listening Trends Are Heading
Looking at these two lists side by side shows just how far we’ve come. The best-selling albums are dominated by rock, pop, and soundtrack giants of the 70s–90s – eras when buying an album was the only way to access the music. Today’s most-streamed albums reflect something very different: genre fluidity, globalisation, and the power of digital platforms to catapult artists across borders.
Three clear trends stand out:
- Globalisation of music – Bad Bunny’s rise signals a future where non-English albums can dominate globally, thanks to streaming.
- Longevity over launches – Albums like Starboy and Rumours prove that success is not just about first-week numbers; staying power is crucial.
- Streaming as culture-shaper – Viral moments on TikTok, playlist placements, and algorithm-driven discovery mean an album’s life is dynamic, constantly renewed by digital culture.
If sales figures once crowned the kings and queens of music, streams now measure cultural impact in real time. The future points toward more global crossover hits, genre-bending albums, and a music world where anyone, anywhere, can become the next record-breaker.