World’s Best-Selling Albums Each Year, 1955-2022

World’s Best-Selling Albums: 1955-2022

Astonishingly, there is no clearcut resource for worldwide album sales. By pooling together data from various sources (links here), Dave’s Music Database has compiled a list of the best-selling album from each year since 1955. Check out other album of the year awards here. 2022: Bad Bunny Un Verano Sin Ti 2021: Adele 30 2020: BTS Map of the Soul: 7 2019: Taylor Swift: Lover 2018: Drake Scorpion 2017: Ed Sheeran ÷ (Divide) 2016: Drake Views 2015: Adele 25 2014: U2 Songs of Innocence 2013: Frozen (soundtrack) 2012: Taylor Swift Red 2011: Adele 21 2010: Katy Perry Teenage Dream 2009: Black Eyed Peas The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies) 2008: Lady Gaga The Fame 2007: Rihanna Good Girl Gone Bad 2006: Amy Winehouse Back to Black 2005: Coldplay X & Y 2004: Usher Confessions 2003: Evanescence Fallen 2002: Norah Jones Come Away with Me 2001: Alicia Keys Songs in A Minor 2000: The Beatles 1 (compilation: 1962-70) 1999: Santana Supernatural 1998: Mariah Carey #1’s (compilation) 1997: Shania Twain Come on Over 1996: Celine Dion Falling into You 1995: Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill 1994: Hootie & the Blowfish Cracked Rear View 1993: Mariah Carey Music Box 1992: Various Artists (Whitney Houston et al) The Bodyguard (soundtrack) 1991: Michael Jackson Dangerous 1990: Madonna The Immaculate Collection 1989: Phil Collins …But Seriously 1988: Tracy Chapman Tracy Chapman 1987: Michael Jackson Bad 1986: Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet 1985: Dire Straits Brothers in Arms 1984: Bob Marley & the Wailers Legend 1983: ZZ Top Eliminator 1982: Michael Jackson Thriller 1981: Queen Greatest Hits (compilation) 1980: AC/DC Back in Black 1979: Pink Floyd The Wall 1978: Various Artists (including Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta) Grease (soundtrack) 1977: Meat Loaf Bat Out of Hell 1976: Eagles Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 (compilation: 1971-75) 1975: Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here 1974: Elton John Greatest Hits (compilation: 1970-74) 1973: Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon 1972: Simon & Garfunkel Greatest Hits (compilation) 1971 Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IV 1970: Simon & Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled Water 1969: The Beatles Abbey Road 1968: Iron Butterfly In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida 1967: The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 1966: The Beatles Revolver 1965: Richard Rodgers (music) & Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) The Sound of Music (soundtrack) 1964: The Beatles Beatles for Sale 1963: The Beatles With the Beatles 1962: Vaughn Meader The First Family 1961: Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim (composers) West Side Story (soundtrack) 1960: Nat “King” Cole The Magic of Christmas (aka “The Christmas Song”) 1959: The Harry Simeone Chorale Sing We Now of Christmas (aka “The Little Drummer Boy”) 1958: Elvis Presley Golden Records (compilation) 1957: Elvis Presley Christmas Album 1956: Alan Jay Lerner (music) & Frederick Loewe (lyrics) My Fair Lady (cast album) 1955: Richard Rodgers (music) & Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) Oklahoma! (soundtrack) Resources and Related Links: Daves Music Database: “links for sales data” Dave’s Music Database: “Best-Selling Albums of All Time Dave’s Music Database: “Other Year-End Album Awards” Last updated 2/17/2023.