List of biggest-selling British music artists explained

This list documents Britain's best-selling music artists alphabetically[1] as well as by record sales. This page lists those artists who have had claims of over one million or more records in sales. The list is divided into numerous record-sales brackets within each of which, artists are listed in alphabetical order, rather than by number of records sold. The artists on the list are supported by third-party reliable sources, the sales-figures within which should represent a total number of sold albums, singles, compilation-albums, music videos as well as downloads of singles and full-length albums.This list holds no account of sales after the initial release dates, some artists keep on selling albums they originally released for instance in 1972. those albums sold over the years in their millions.

Constraints

Although the criteria for the following list are intended to be expansive (including comparisons for total-sales for all recording artists) there are certain limitations and constraints that may limit the conclusions that can be derived from these data.There is no certainty these figures are correct for not all sales are controllable.

Such constraints include:

300 million to 400 million records

ArtistBiggest selling albumPeriodGenreClaimed sales
Elton JohnGoodbye Yellow Brick Road1964–present Pop / Rock 300 million[4]
Led Zeppelin IV[5] 1968–1980 Hard rock / Heavy metal 200-300 million[6] [7]

200 million to 299 million records

ArtistBiggest selling albumPeriodGenreClaimed sales
Always Guaranteed 1958–present Pop / Rock / Rock N Roll / Jazz260 million[8]
Saturday Night Fever 1958-2003 Pop / Disco / Soul / Rock / Soft Rock220 million[9]
Let's Dance 1964–2016 Rock 200 million[10]
Greatest Hits[11] 1970–present Glam rock / Hard rock 170-200 million[12] [13] [14]
The Dark Side of the Moon[15] 1964–2014 Progressive rock 200 million[16] [17]
Hot Rocks 1964–1971 1962–present Rock / Blues rock 200 million[18]

100 million to 199 million records

ArtistBiggest selling albumPeriodGenreClaimed sales
×2011–present Pop 150 million[19]
Invisible Touch 1967–present Progressive rock / Pop rock 150 million[20]
No Jacket Required 1980–present Adult contemporary 150 million[21]
The Shirley Bassey Singles Album 1957–present Pop 135 million[22]
12 Gold Bars 1967–present Rock 130 million[23]
21 2006–present Pop / Soul 120 million[24]
Brothers in Arms 1977–1995 Rock / Pop 103 million[25]
A Rush of Blood to the Head 1997–present Alternative rock 100 million[26]
1964–1970 Pop rock / Beat 100 million[27] [28]
Machine Head 1968–present Hard rock 100 million[29] [30]
Violator 1980–present Electro Rock 100 million[31] [32]
Rumours 1967–present Pop rock 100 million[33]
Faith 1981–2016 Pop 100 million[34]
The Number of the Beast 1975–present Heavy metal 100 million[35] [36]
Pipes of Peace 1957–present Pop rock 100 million[37]
Actually 1981–present Synthpop 100 million[38]
Who's Next 1964–present Rock / Hard rock 100 million[39]
Out of Order 1962–present Rock / Pop 100 million[40]
Hysteria 1977–present Hard rock / heavy metal 100 million[41]

50 to 99 million records

ArtistBiggest selling albumPeriodGenreClaimed sales
Spice 1996–2000
2007–2008
Pop, Euro Pop 90 million[42]
Greatest Hits 1980–present New wave 75 million[43]
I've Been Expecting You 1990–present Pop 75 million[44]
(What's the Story) Morning Glory? 1991–2009 Britpop / Rock 75 million[45]
Synchronicity 1977–present Pop rock / New Wave 75 million[46]
Little MixGlory Days2011–2022Pop, R&B, dance-pop75 million[47]
Rio 1978–present New wave / alternative rock 70 million[48]
Promises and Lies 1980–present Reggae 100 million[49]
Breakfast in America[50] 1969–present Progressive rock 60 million[51] [52]
Aqualung 1968–present Progressive rock / hard rock 60 million[53]
The Slider[54] 1967–1977 Glam rock / Folk rock 58 million[55]
Paranoid 1968–present Heavy metal 50 million[56]
Colour by Numbers 1982–present New wave-pop 50 million

See also

Notes and References

  1. [List of best-selling music artists]
  2. Web site: Beatles' remastered box set, video game out . CNN . 3 August 2020 . 15 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180915183858/https://money.cnn.com/2009/09/04/news/companies/beatles_video_game/ . live .
  3. News: Did 'Thriller' Really Sell a Hundred Million Copies . 4 January 2013 . . Wyman . Bill . 20 June 2016 . 26 October 2015 . http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20151026143746/http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/did-thriller-really-sell-a-hundred-million-copies . live .
  4. Web site: Elton John. Marshall-arts.com. 18 February 2022. 21 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220121153338/https://marshall-arts.com/elton-john. live.
  5. http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/25-best-selling-albums-of-all-time.htm 25 Best-Selling Albums of All Time
  6. News: Led Zeppelin to release songs digitally for the first time . . 14 December 2010 . London . Owen . Gibson . 16 October 2007 . 7 April 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140407104214/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/oct/16/digitalmedia.musicnews . live .
  7. News: Can Led Zeppelin still rock?. Sorel-Cameron. Peter. 9 December 2007. CNN. 2010-07-30. 26 February 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110226125245/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/12/09/led.zep/index.html. live.
  8. http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/celebrity/article6612844.ece Sir Cliff Richard told to demolish conservatory by planners
  9. Web site: Bee Gees facts: Gibb brothers' wives, nationality, band name meaning and more revealed. Smoothradio.com. 18 February 2022. 18 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220218202128/https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/bee-gees/barry-robin-maurice-gibb-facts-gibb-wives-net-worth/. live.
  10. News: Rebel, rebel: We profile singing legend David Bowie. Belfast Telegraph. 2 January 2016. Andy. Gill. 5 August 2018. 19 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180619213809/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/rebel-rebel-we-profile-singing-legend-david-bowie-34329294.html. live.
  11. News: Queen score 'best selling album ever' - NME. 2006-11-17. NME. 2018-02-21. en-US. 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184257/http://www.nme.com/news/queen/25093. live.
  12. News: ROGER TAYLOR BBC BREAKFAST NEWS VIDEO INTERVIEW. BBC News. 6 November 2009. 2009-11-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20091109074755/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/breakfast/8346221.stm. 9 November 2009 . live.
  13. Web site: British rock legends get their own music title for PLAYSTATION3 and PlayStation2 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121114043645/http://www.emimusic.com/news/2009/singstar%C2%AE-queen-to-be-launched-by-sony-computer-entertainment-europe/ . 14 November 2012 .
  14. Web site: Queen's Greatest Hits is first album to sell 6 million UK copies. The Daily Telegraph. 2 April 2018. 10 January 2022. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/10629578/Queens-Greatest-Hits-is-first-album-to-sell-6-million-UK-copies.html. live.
  15. News: Dark Side: The Light Show. Sanfilippo. Gabrielle. The Blazer. 2018-02-21. en-US. 5 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305225417/http://fhsblazer.com/2015/11/dark-side-the-light-show/. live.
  16. News: Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett dies at home . Times Online . 11 July 2006 . London . 2010-04-26 . Adam . Fresco . https://web.archive.org/web/20081008015449/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0%2C%2C2-2265034%2C00.html . 8 October 2008 . live .
  17. News: Floyd 'true to Barrett's legacy'. BBC News. 11 July 2006. 5 September 2009. 6 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120406045526/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5170644.stm. live.
  18. News: Kate . Holton . Rolling Stones sign Universal album deal . . Reuters.com . 17 January 2008 . 2008-10-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20081207235208/https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSL1767761020080117. 7 December 2008 . live.
  19. https://journalstar.com/entertainment/music/ed-sheeran-becomes-ivor-novello-board-member/article_69646f57-7973-55cd-9c72-2e0c46795cec.html
  20. News: Final chapter in the book of Genesis? . . 30 May 2008 . London . Marc . Lee . 2010-04-26 . 29 May 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180529045025/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3673737/Final-chapter-in-the-book-of-Genesis.html . live .
  21. News: Phil Collins' fans rejoice: Artist announces end of retirement . . 29 October 2015 . 9 April 2016 . 2 November 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151102040348/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/29/entertainment/phil-collins-ends-retirement-feat . live .
  22. News: Happy 80th Birthday, Dame Shirley Bassey . . 8 January 2017 . 2017-01-08 . 28 February 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170228031338/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-38546687 . live .
  23. http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/live_reviews/article2903552.ece The Times
  24. Web site: Tickets to see Adele in Birmingham up for sale for jaw-dropping £1,300 EACH . Birmingham Mail . 8 April 2016 . 30 October 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171030032344/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/tickets-see-adele-birmingham-up-11009968 . live .
  25. News: With Dire Straits no more, Knopfler sails solo. CNN. 13 October 2000. 5 September 2009. 4 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110604055946/http://archives.cnn.com/2000/SHOWBIZ/Music/10/13/music.knopfler.reut/. dead.
  26. Web site: Coldplay tribute act set to present a field full of stars at Harpenden fundraiser. Matt. Adams. Herts Advertiser of St Albans. 16 March 2018. 16 March 2018. 16 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180316234114/http://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/coldplay-tribute-act-set-to-present-a-field-full-of-stars-at-harpenden-fundraiser-1-5437622. live.
  27. News: For Dave Clark Five, the accolades finally arrive . . 6 March 2008 . Edna . Gundersen . 2010-04-26 . 7 January 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120107142105/http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-03-06-dave-clark-five_N.htm . live .
  28. News: Dave Clark Five singer Smith dies. BBC News. 29 February 2008. 5 September 2009. 13 August 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090813184449/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7270242.stm. live.
  29. Web site: Deep Purple . EMI Music Publishing . 5 September 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090710053224/http://www.emimusicpub.com/worldwide/artist_profile/deep-purple_profile.html . 10 July 2009 . dead .
  30. News: Russia's Medvedev meets Deep Purple . . 11 February 2008 . 2010-04-26 . 24 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110824012137/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-02-11-109509688_x.htm . live .
  31. News: Depeche Mode reveal tour details . ITN.co.uk . . 7 October 2008 . 2008-10-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081010072150/http://itn.co.uk/news/ce68a1056cfcee1b20e22bdea0454786.html . 10 October 2008 . dead .
  32. News: Depeche Mode mit Weltpremiere beim ECHO. ITN.co.uk. Bundesverband Musikindisrtie-IFPI Germany. 3 February 2009. de. 5 September 2009. 8 April 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090408072649/http://www.musikindustrie.de/aktuell_einzel.html?&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=406&tx_ttnews[backPid]=84&cHash=3ed085be65. live.
  33. Fleetwood Mac. Rolling Stone.
  34. News: Michael seeking 'a quieter life' . BBC News . 12 June 2008 . 2010-04-26 . 18 August 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090818070155/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7449964.stm . live .
  35. Web site: The biggest selling UK acts of all time. NME.COM. NME.COM. 29 February 2016. 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231228/http://www.nme.com/photos/the-biggest-selling-uk-acts-of-all-time/263766#/photo/7. live.
  36. Web site: Iron Maiden Star Gets Airline Boardroom Gig. Sky News. 29 February 2016. 11 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121011211055/http://news.sky.com/story/806494/iron-maiden-star-gets-airline-boardroom-gig. live.
  37. Web site: Biography: Paul McCartney. MTV Germany. de. 5 September 2009. 7 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607113903/http://www.mtv.de/music/15992/bio. dead.
  38. Web site: Pet Shop Boys: Biografie . 2008-10-27 . Warner Music Germany . de . https://web.archive.org/web/20081118074605/http://www.warnermusic.de/petshopboys/bio/ . 18 November 2008 . dead .
  39. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/17/arts/music/17daltrey.html?ref=music The New York Times
  40. News: Stewart show backed by public cash. BBC News. 11 April 2002. 5 September 2009. 26 June 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080626133318/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/1922965.stm. live.
  41. News: Def Leppard, Poison coming to White River Amphitheatre in Auburn. 26 June 2009. The Seattle Times. 2 April 2018. 2 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180402230233/https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/def-leppard-poison-coming-to-white-river-amphitheatre-in-auburn/. live.
  42. News: Spice Girls mark 25 years of debut hit Wannabe with vinyl EP, unreleased music and social media campaign. Music Week. June 2021. 2022-09-01. 14 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210614114558/https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/spice-girls-mark-25-years-of-debut-hit-wannabe-with-vinyl-ep-unreleased-music-and-social-media-campaign/083483. live.
  43. Web site: Eurythmics. 2009-06-28. Sony Music Germany. de. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090322040904/http://www.sonymusic.de/Eurythmics/Biographie. 22 March 2009.
  44. News: Shake-up starts at EMI with departure of UK chief. 9 January 2008. Times Online. Amanda Andrews and Adam Sherwin. London. 5 September 2009. 12 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110612182813/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article3156308.ece. live.
  45. News: Some might say Oasis are still world beaters after Slane gig. Belfast Telegraph. 20 April 2010. 29 June 2012. https://archive.today/20120629024145/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/reviews/some-might-say-oasis-are-still-world-beaters-after-slane-gig-14351086.html. live.
  46. News: Police fan bands go on patrol . BBC News . 28 May 2007 . 2010-04-26 . Stephen . Robb . 31 March 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080331060902/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6511673.stm . live .
  47. Web site: Aubrey . Elizabeth . 2023-09-16 . Leigh-Anne Pinnock hints debut album will be released next year . 2023-09-17 . NME . en-GB.
  48. Duran Duran To Get Brit Award Honor. Billboard.
  49. News: UB40 reveal new lead singer: Ali Campbell's brother Duncan. Times Online. 30 April 2008. London. 2010-04-26. Adam. Sherwin. 17 May 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080517001237/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3848605.ece. live.
  50. Doran, John. Supertramp: Breakfast in America review . BBC. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  51. Wuensch, Yuri. . CANOE. 21 November 2006. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  52. Web site: Indelibly Tramped. Heatley. Michael. Record Collector. 9 January 2017. 10 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170110160929/http://recordcollectormag.com/articles/indelibly-tramped. live.
  53. Web site: Interview with Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson. BBC Wiltshire. 5 September 2009. 28 September 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090928012704/http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2008/01/30/jethro_tull_swindon_gig_feature.shtml. live.
  54. Web site: T Rex - Electric Boogie plus Weeley Festival. https://web.archive.org/web/20120216235757/http://www.easyaction.co.uk/detail.php?catno=EARS0014. 16 February 2012.
  55. News: The death of a glam rock idol . Chronicle Live . 15 September 2007 . 5 September 2009 . 1 July 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090701075423/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/history-newcastle-north-east/remember-when/2007/09/15/the-death-of-a-glam-rock-idol-72703-19790819/ . live .
  56. News: Ozzy Osbourne Goes 'On the Record'. Fox News. 25 May 2007. 5 September 2009. 26 March 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090326105900/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,275497,00.html. live.