UK's Best Selling Artists/Albums/Singles

[bergkamp2004]

The Adele album shows how music has pretty much died!

Worst album on that list by miles

[denise]

The Adele album shows how music has pretty much died!

Worst album on that list by miles

It shows to me instead that good music still sell over the usual tunz tunz beat which is devastating our poor ears these days!

[Euromillions]

The Adele album shows how music has pretty much died!

Worst album on that list by miles

I guess it will annoy you even more when it's #1

[HUR]

Annoying, indeed.

[phoenix83]

The Adele album shows how music has pretty much died!

Worst album on that list by miles

Queen's Greatest Hits II is by far the worst on that list, the vast majority of their classic hits were in the earlier part of the career and thus appear on Greatest Hits.

All the others (including 21) are classics of their genre.

[phoenix83]

Here is the Top 10 All Time UK Singles Acts.
This Top 10 is from a few Weeks ago.

Rihanna will be on over 12 Million UK 'Singles'
Sales, by now. Within the next 4 to 24 Weeks
she should outsell Queen, Michael Jackson, &
Elton John, & end up in 5th place, behind Madonna.

She has the advantage of being huge in an Era when
your entire back catalogue of Hits can sell forever
- 24/7, 365 Days a Year.

It has enabled her to rush into the Top 10 Acts,
after only having her first Hit in September 2005.....

THE TOP 10 BEST SELLING UK SINGLES ACTS

(To W/E 19th November 2011)

1) Cliff Richard - 21,410,000
2) Beatles - 21,170,000
3) Elvis Presley - 21,000,000
4) Madonna - 17,345,000
5) Elton John - 15,075,000
6) Michael Jackson - 14,795,000
7) Queen - 12,595,000
8) Rihanna - 11,600,000 (11,594,209)
9) ABBA - 11,085,000
10) David Bowie - 10,330,000

Zeus555

RiRi is the consummate singles artist. She's probably done more catchy songs in a short period of time than virtually anyone else. Having said that I'm still surprised she is all-time top ten (probably higher since this list was done) in the UK.

Of course she will never appear on any top album list as comparatively few would actually buy one of her albums as it would be a few great singles and the rest filler.

[denise]

at Rihanna!!

[Deano]

The UK's Top 10 Best Selling Albums (Up-Date)

(To W/E 3rd March 2012 Inclusive)

01 GREATEST HITS – QUEEN (5,863,000)
02 SGT PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND – THE BEATLES (5,044,000)
03 GOLD: GREATEST HITS – ABBA (4,989,000)
04 WHAT'S THE STORY MORNING GLORY – OASIS (4,517,000)
05 THRILLER - MICHAEL JACKSON (4,248,000)
06 BROTHERS IN ARMS - DIRE STRAITS (4,152,000)
07 THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON - PINK FLOYD (4,114,000)
08 21 – ADELE (4,020,000)
09 BAD - MICHAEL JACKSON (3,959,000)
10 GREATEST HITS II – QUEEN (3,887,000)

© 2012 THE OFFICIAL CHARTS COMPANY.

MY COMMENTS

1) So, 'The Immaculate Collection' by Madonna, falls
out of the Top 10. (From No.10).

2) '21' by Adele, is a New Entry at No.8, after just over a Year on Sale.

3) 'Gold', by ABBA, is just 11,000 copies short of
5 Million Sales. And just 55,000 copies behind the
No.2 Album, by The Beatles.

Zeus555

'Thriller' sales don't look correct to me. In over 2 years (end of 2009 OCC sales were 4,216,000) 'Thriller' has only sold 32,000 copies!? I don't think so somehow.

Also, I thought 'Bad' was already quoted as over 4 million, and was ahead of 'Thriller' in the UK? Perhaps someone could clarify what's going on.

[pierpinto]

'Thriller' sales don't look correct to me. In over 2 years (end of 2009 OCC sales were 4,216,000) 'Thriller' has only sold 32,000 copies!? I don't think so somehow.

Also, I thought 'Bad' was already quoted as over 4 million, and was ahead of 'Thriller' in the UK? Perhaps someone could clarify what's going on.

Read this post from Zeus, Deano

The OCC are having another look at 'Thriller's
UK Sales. Also, I've pointed out to them, that the
Sale for 'Bad' is too low. Plus, I've asked them to
please re-assess the UK Sales of 'Off The Wall',
as that Album suddenly seemed to 'lose' a lot of
its Sales by the time the November 2006 UK Top
100 was compiled.

They'll likely add any missing Sales in for a future
Top 100. It would be unlikely that they'd add in
any missing 'Thriller' & 'Bad' Sales in, at this time,
as their Top 10 UK Albums List has spread to the
UK/Global Media, now & all over The Internet too.

But, they are aware that there is a dispute, as
to whether the Sales of those 3 Michael Jackson
Albums are too low.

I can't make them add any Sales in. I can only show
them where the 'missing' Sales are said to be - and
to see if they agree that they really are 'missing' Sales.

I've sent them lots of Data in, to show why there
is this dispute, over those UK Sales.

We will see what comes of it in the future - if anything.

Zeus555

OFF THE WALL on the OCC list of 2006 wasn't not even in the Top 110

#110 GOTTA GET THRU THIS DANIEL BEDINGFIELD 1,614,517

OTW was already 6xPlatinum in 1992 according to Music Week.

In 2004 sold 100,000 copies.

there's something wrong

[Deano]

It seems to me that the OCC don't care if the sales or information are accuarate, unless you are British.

Their rushed-out, misleading headline, posted out to the whole world, before they even bothered to check the facts, proves this.

Shockingly bad for a supossed 'authority' on music.

[HUR]

The Adele album shows how music has pretty much died!

Worst album on that list by miles

Queen's Greatest Hits II is by far the worst on that list, the vast majority of their classic hits were in the earlier part of the career and thus appear on Greatest Hits.

All the others (including 21) are classics of their genre.

Mmmmm it is difficult to compare a compilation to a studio album. But I don't think how you can come to the conclusion that "Greatest Hits II" is the worst album of that list; song by song, it is far better than "21". The song "Innuendo" alone is a more accomplished piece of music than the whole of that Adele album put together. You just can't compare them musically.

Also, I wouldn't even say that "21" is a classic album, time is needed for that to become true.

[phoenix83]

The Adele album shows how music has pretty much died!

Worst album on that list by miles

Queen's Greatest Hits II is by far the worst on that list, the vast majority of their classic hits were in the earlier part of the career and thus appear on Greatest Hits.

All the others (including 21) are classics of their genre.

Mmmmm it is difficult to compare a compilation to a studio album. But I don't think how you can come to the conclusion that "Greatest Hits II" is the worst album of that list; song by song, it is far better than "21". The song "Innuendo" alone is a more accomplished piece of music than the whole of that Adele album put together. You just can't compared them musically.

Also, I wouldn't even say that "21" is a classic album, time is needed for that to become true.

IMHO, "Under Pressure", "Radio Ga Ga" and "I Want To Break Free" are the only great tracks on that album. Most of the later songs are especially mediocre.

"Innuendo" was an attempt to do another Bohemian Rhapsody-style epic that failed.

You are kind of right though about time being needed to call an album classic, I guess I just meant that "21" is a superb album in its genre.

[HUR]

Actually, "Innuendo" is an epic track, of course, but I think it has little to do with "Bohemian Rhapsody", from a musical standpoint. I understand the parallel. But the latter has too much of a 'camp' vive compared to "Innuendo", plus an operatic middle part and a pop ballad (and far more vocal overdubs); whereas the former has some flamenco touches and an orquestral interlude. Not very simimar when you think about it: two flamboyant, extravagant and indeed epic songs, but not much more than that.

Only those three tracks? Seriously? What about "I'm Going Slightly Mad", "It's a Hard Life", "Who Wants To Live Forever", "The Miracle", "Breakthru", "I Want It All", "One Vision", "Friends Will Be Friends", "The Show Must Go On" or "Innuendo"? Obviously, you are entitled to it, but I find it very strange how you claim that all those songs are 'mediocre' and, at the same time, you say that "21" is a 'superb' album. Actually, musically, Queen's "Greatest Hits II" has far better songs than "21"; as I said, there more ideas put into an individual song like "Innuendo", than in the whole of that Adele's album (and probably her first record too, which I haven't listened to yet).

[Allthatisholy]

Subjective thoughts on quality in music is irrelevant here.

[john2000]

Greatest Hits 2 mediocre : LOL

[phoenix83]

Actually, "Innuendo" is an epic track, of course, but I think it has little to do with "Bohemian Rhapsody", from a musical standpoint. I understand the parallel. But the latter has too much of a 'camp' vive compared to "Innuendo", plus an operatic middle part and a pop ballad (and far more vocal overdubs); whereas the former has some flamenco touches and an orquestral interlude. Not very simimar when you think about it: two flamboyant, extravagant and indeed epic songs, but not much more than that.

Only those three tracks? Seriously? What about "I'm Going Slightly Mad", "It's a Hard Life", "Who Wants To Live Forever", "The Miracle", "Breakthru", "I Want It All", "One Vision", "Friends Will Be Friends", "The Show Must Go On" or "Innuendo"? Obviously, you are entitled to it, but I find it very strange how you claim that all those songs are 'mediocre' and, at the same time, you say that "21" is a 'superb' album. Actually, musically, Queen's "Greatest Hits II" has far better songs than "21"; as I said, there more ideas put into an individual song like "Innuendo", than in the whole of that Adele's album (and probably her first record too, which I haven't listened to yet).

Those are all good songs but mediocre by the standards of Queen at their very best. I still maintain it's the worst album in that Top 10 list (not a bad album by any means but no classic). "Innuendo" is indeed inventive and original but not remembered as one of Queen's best tracks by any means.

But we can agree to disagree.

[phoenix83]

Greatest Hits 2 mediocre : LOL

By the standards of that top 10 list it is.

[johnnyboy]

Deano
There's been much debate about MJ's BAD sales in these forums.
In 1992, it was certified at 3.9m sales. (Sony were allegedly claiming sales of 4.05m). Shop sales accounted for around 3.1m and club sales around 0.3m. That left around 0.5m unaccounted for.
In 2006, the OCC's All Time Chart put it on 3.55m - but that was of course shop sales only not shipments/club sales.

Phoenix83
I agree with you totally about Queen's Greatest Hits Vol 2. Those 3 songs you mention are the only great songs on that album. I think in 1991 Greatest Hits should have been re-released with Under Pressure, I Want To Break Free and Radio GaGa at the expense of 3 inferior songs such as Flash, Now I'm Here and Save Me.

Brian05
Re:Sergeant Pepper. Around half its sales would be on vinyl/cassette. Arguably, more individuals already own 21 than Sgt Pepper. Many would have bought replacement copies/new format of Sgt Pepper over the years.

[zeus555]

As regards UK Shipments, yesterday, The BPI gave Adele's
'21' a 15th Platinum Award.

It is now the UK's 'Most Certified Album'.

However, if every huge Album got the UK Platinum Awards
that it is entitled to, (for Shipments), then 'Greatest Hits',
by Queen', should have about 19 or 20, 'Sgt Pepper....',
by The Beatles, should have about 17, & 'Gold', by ABBA,
should have 16 or 17 etc..

LINK:,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_be ... ed_Kingdom

Zeus555

[denise]

21 is a great album....I want it to raise higher and higher on the list!!

[pierpinto]

In 1992, it was certified at 3.9m sales. (Sony were allegedly claiming sales of 4.05m). Shop sales accounted for around 3.1m and club sales around 0.3m. That left around 0.5m unaccounted for.
In 2006, the OCC's All Time Chart put it on 3.55m - but that was of course shop sales only not shipments/club sales.

Shop sales were higher, actually.

MJDangerous made an excellent analysis back in 2009

http://www.ukmix.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=63110

[phoenix83]

Phoenix83
I agree with you totally about Queen's Greatest Hits Vol 2. Those 3 songs you mention are the only great songs on that album. I think in 1991 Greatest Hits should have been re-released with Under Pressure, I Want To Break Free and Radio GaGa at the expense of 3 inferior songs such as Flash, Now I'm Here and Save Me.

Yeah that would have been a good idea! (Although I have a weird affinity to Flash!)

Re:Sergeant Pepper. Around half its sales would be on vinyl/cassette. Arguably, more individuals already own 21 than Sgt Pepper. Many would have bought replacement copies/new format of Sgt Pepper over the years.

Interesting comment. That would be true of many of the older albums on the list. Of course there's no possible way of measuring this but it would be interesting to know the number of specific individuals who have bought each of the albums.

[zeus555]

THE UK ALBUMS WITH THE MOST BPI PLATINUM AWARDS

1 Platinum Award = a Shipment, (to UK Stores), of
300,000 copies. The BPI did not start giving Awards
until April 1973. That is why ‘Sergeant Pepper’s
Lonely Hearts Club Band’, by The Beatles, has no
Awards, as it came out in 1967.

'The Dark Side Of The Moon', by Pink Floyd, (1973),
should have 14 Awards. It has 9. It got the 9th on
15th April 2005.

(To W/E 3rd March 2012)

(The Date of the most recent Award is in the end Brackets)

1) 21 - ADELE (2011) - 15 Platinum Awards - (4,500,000) - (2nd March 2012)

2) (WHAT’S THE STORY) MORNING GLORY? - OASIS (1995) - 14 Platinum Awards - (4,200,000) - (24th September 2004)

3)=BROTHERS IN ARMS - DIRE STRAITS (1985) - 13 Platinum Awards - (3,900,000) -
(31st October 1997)

3)=BAD - MICHAEL JACKSON (1987) - 13 Platinum Awards - (3,900,000) - (1st July 1992)

3)=ABBA GOLD : GREATEST HITS - ABBA (1992) - 13 Platinum Awards - (3,900,000) -
(11th February 2005)

6)=THE IMMACULATE COLLECTION - MADONNA (1990) - 12 Platinum Awards - (3,600,000) - (10th January 2003)

6)=STARS - SIMPLY RED (1991) - 12 Platinum Awards - (3,600,000) - (1st June 1995)

8)=RUMOURS - FLEETWOOD MAC (1977) - 11 Platinum Awards - (3,300,000) -
(8th July 2011)

8)=GREATEST HITS (ONE) - QUEEN (1981) - 11 Platinum Awards - (3,300,000) -
(1st January 1992)

8)=THRILLER - MICHAEL JACKSON (1982) - 11 Platinum Awards - (3,300,000) -
(1st July 1992)

11)=JAGGED LITTLE PILL - ALANIS MORISSETTE (1995) - 10 Platinum Awards - (3,000,000) - (25th October 2002)

11)=SPICE - SPICE GIRLS (1996) - 10 Platinum Awards - (3,000,000) - (1st August 1997)

11)=COME ON OVER - SHANIA TWAIN (1998) - 10 Platinum Awards - (3,000,000) -
(14th April 2000)

11)=I’VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU - ROBBIE WILLIAMS (1998) - 10 Platinum Awards - (3,000,000) - (22nd October 2004)

11)=BACK TO BEDLAM - JAMES BLUNT (2005) - 10 Platinum Awards - (3,000,000) -
(2nd February 2007)

Zeus555

[johnnyboy]

Pierpinto
According to that MJD thread, Bad's (shop) sales were about 3.0 million. We don't have figures for 1990/1991 but sales for 1992 were just 54,000.

Shop sales could have been about 3.25m 1992 plus about 0.25m for club sales (I previously rounded it up to 0.3m) that is 3.5m. Still short of the BPI certified award of 3.9m or 4m + apparently claimed by Sony then.

Adele/21
If she has sold just over 4m, why then the shipments of 4.5m. Surely there are now no club sales, the OCC has almost 100% of the album market. Are there 500,000 knocking around in shops?

[HUR]

Hello John2000,

I'm glad to see you here. I agree with you. This world needs more from you, and from Iron Maiden of course.

Greatest Hits 2 mediocre : LOL

By the standards of that top 10 list it is.

Sorry I have to agree with John on that one.

I wouldn't say that those are "mediocre songs by the standards of Queen" at all. I agree that their first "Greatest Hits", from 1981, is the better out of both compilations. But 'mediocre' is too much of a strong word to bring in here. But I concur, the songs on "Greatest Hits II" are "not as good as" as what they produced at their peak. However, they are all great tracks, including some of the best songs ever.

As I said, it is tough and perhaps not fair to compare a studio album to a compilation. Studio albums are supposed to be complete and generally cohesive works, while compilations are just a collection of songs (mainly hits). The only way is to compare them song by song, and from that point of view, both "Greatest Hits" and "Greatest Hits II" are easily the best albums of that Top 10, with only "Gold" coming close to me (incidentally another compilation). "Greatest Hits II" has far better songs than albums like "Sgt Peppers", "The Dark Side Of The Moon", "Morning Glory" and so on.

You started claiming that "Queen's Greatest Hits II is by far the worst on that list" and now, also, that "by the standards of that top 10 list it is", and you shout both things as if they were a sort of given truth, like a fact.

Is it possible for you to explain why the songs on albums like "Sgt Peppers", "The Dark Side Of The Moon", "Brothers In Arms" or "Morning Glory" are better than those on "Greatest Hits II"? For someone who is so sure about something (as you are), you have to have some solid reasons and grounds to back it up. Could you please expand on it?