The Top Selling Debut Albums Of All Time In the USA!

by **Mulvanaghty** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:18 am

The following are the biggest selling debut albums in United States history. The sales totals come from the RIAA list of the best selling albums which list all the albums that have been certified to have sold/shipped at least 5 million copies. So this list ends with the debut albums that are 5 million sellers.

01. 1987 - Guns N' Roses - Appetite For Destruction - 18 million
02. 1976 - Boston - Boston - 17 million
03. 1995 - Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill - 16 million
04. 1994 - Hootie And the Blowfish - Cracked Rear View - 16 million
05. 1997 - Backstreet Boys - Backstreet Boys - 14 million
06. 1999 - Britney Spears - Baby One More Time - 14 million
07. 1991 - Pearl Jam - Ten - 13 million
08. 1985 - Whitney Houston - Whitney Houston - 13 million
09. 1996 - Matchbox 20 - Yourself or Somone like you - 12 million
10. 1995 - Jewel - Pieces Of You - 12 million
11. 2000 - Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory - 10 million
12. 1987 - George Michael - Faith - 10 million
13. 1989 - Garth Brooks - Garth Brooks - 10 million
14. 2002 - Norah Jones - Come Away With Me - 10 million
15. 1978 - Van Halen - Van Halen - 10 million
16. 1998 - N'Sync - N'Sync - 10 million
17. 2000 - Nelly - Country Grammar - 9 million
18. 1990 - Mariah Carey - Mariah Carey - 9 million
19. 1992 - Billy Ray Cyrus - Some Gave All - 9 million
20. 1986 - Beastie Boys - Licensed To Ill - 9 million
21. 1991 - Boyz II Men - Cooleyhighharmony - 9 million
22. 1997 - Will Smith - Big Willie Style - 9 million
23. 1993 - Ace Of Base - The Sign - 9 million
24. 1992 - Stone Temple Pilots - Core - 8 million
25. 1998 - Lauryn Hill - The Misseducation of Lauryn Hill - 8 million
26. 1999 - Christina Aguilera - Christina Aguilera - 8 million
27. 1969 - Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin - 8 million
28. 1993 - Toni Braxton - Toni Braxton - 8 million
29. 1997 - Savage Garden - Savage Garden - 7 million
30. 2005 - Carrie Underwood - Some Hearts - 7 million
31. 2003 - Evanescence - Fallen - 7 million
32. 1993 - Counting Crows - August And Everything After 7 million
33. 1970 - Crosby, Stills, Nash, And Young - Dejvu - 7 million
34. 1993 - Sheryl Crow - Tuesday Night Music Club - 7 million
35. 1997 - P. Diddy - No Way Out - 7 million
36. 1990 - Vanilla Ice - To The Extreme - 7 million
37. 1996 - Spice Girls - Spice - 7 million
38. 1988 - Paula Abdul - Forever Your Girl - 7 million
39. 1983 - Quiet Riot - Metal Health - 6 million
40. 1978 - The Cars - The Cars - 6 million
41. 1982 - Men At Work - Business As Usual - 6 million
42. 1988 - Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman - 6 million
43. 1997 - Third Eye Blind - Third Eye Blind - 6 million
44. 1996 - Leann Rimes - Blue - 6 million
45. 2003 - 50 Cent - Get Rich or die Trying - 6 million
46. 1994 - Dave Matthews Band - Under The Table And Dreaming - 6 million
47. 2000 - Three Doors Down - The Better Life - 6 million
48. 1991 - Brooks And Dunn - Brand New Man - 6 million
49. 1994 - Bush - Sixteen Stone - 6 million
50. 1993 - R. Kelly - 12 Play - 6 million
51. 2001 - Alicia Keys - Songs In A Minor - 6 million
52. 1983 - Cindi Lauper - She's So Unusual - 6 million
53. 1997 - Creed - My Own Prison - 6 million
54. 2002 - Avril Lavigne - Let Go - 6 million
55. 1990 - Wilson Phillips - Wilson Phillips - 5 million
56. 2004 - Gretchen Wilson - Here For The Party - 5 million
57. 1989 - Skid Row - Skid Row - 5 million
58. 2006 - Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift - 5 million
59. 1999 - Sisqo - Unleash The Dragon - 5 million
60. 1991 - Spin Doctors - Pocket Full Of Kryptonite - 5 million
61. 1979 - Christopher Cross - Christopher Cross - 5 million
62. 1993 - The Cranberries - Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We - 5 million
63. 1981 - Phil Collins - Face Value - 5 million
64. 1996 - Deana Carter - Did I Shave My Legs For This - 5 million
65. 1977 - Foreigner - Foreigner - 5 million
66. 1974 - Bad Company - Bad Company - 5 million
67. 1964 - The Beatles - Meet The Beatles - 5 million
68. 1990 - C&C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat - 5 million
69. 1990 - The Black Crows - Shake Your Money Maker - 5 million
70. 1966 - The Monkees - The Monkees - 5 million
71. 1995 - Natalie Merchant - Tigerlily - 5 million
72. 1983 - Madonna - Madonna - 5 million
73. 1992 - Wynonna Judd - Wynonna - 5 million

by **Bney** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:33 am

Mulvanaghty wrote:The following are biggest selling debut albums in United States history:

01. Guns N' Roses - Appetite For Destruction - 18 million
02. Boston - Boston - 17 million
03. Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill - 16 million
04. Hootie And the Blowfish - Cracked Rear View - 16 million
05. Backstreet Boys - Backstreet Boys - 14 million
06. Britney Spears - Baby One More Time - 14 million
07. Pearl Jam - Ten - 13 million
08. Whitney Houston - Whitney Houston - 13 million
09. Matchbox 20 - Yourself or Somone like you - 12 million
10. Jewel - Pieces Of You - 12 million
11. Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory - 10 million
12. George Michael - Faith - 10 million
13. Garth Brooks - Garth Brooks - 10 million
14. Norah Jones - Come Away With Me - 10 million
15. Van Halen - Van Halen - 10 million
16. N'Sync - N'Sync - 10 million
17. Nelly - Country Grammar - 9 million
18. Mariah Carey - Mariah Carey - 9 million
19. Billy Ray Cyrus - Some Gave All - 9 million
20. Beastie Boys - Licensed To Ill - 9 million
21. Boyz II Men - Cooleyhighharmony - 9 million
22. Will Smith - Big Willie Style - 9 million
23. Ace Of Base - The Sign - 9 million

more in a second.....

Britney, backstreet bous, N'sync

!! JIVE Record didn't suck back then

by **Willypedia** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:53 am

Get Rich Or Die Tryin sold 8.1 millions as of last week.

Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle sold more than 6 millions even though it's undercertified by the RIAA.

Also Eminem's debut album, The Slim Shady LP stands at 5.3 millions as of Jan 2012

by **Mulvanaghty** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:29 am

Willypedia wrote:Get Rich Or Die Tryin sold 8.1 millions as of last week.

Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle sold more than 6 millions even though it's undercertified by the RIAA.

Also Eminem's debut album, The Slim Shady LP sold 5.3 millions.

This best of list for debut albums gets its sales info from the RIAA. Soundscan only tracks 95% of what is sold at retail through stores and online, and you'll find plenty of other albums that are at this point or that point in terms of soundscan or claims about a certain album being undercertified. This is just a snapshot in time of how things currently look for the biggest debut albums at RIAA.

by **Willypedia** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:15 am

Mulvanaghty wrote:
Willypedia wrote:Get Rich Or Die Tryin sold 8.1 millions as of last week.

Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle sold more than 6 millions even though it's undercertified by the RIAA.

Also Eminem's debut album, The Slim Shady LP sold 5.3 millions.
This best of list for debut albums gets its sales info from the RIAA. Soundscan only tracks 95% of what is sold at retail through stores and online, and you'll find plenty of other albums that are at this point or that point in terms of soundscan or claims about a certain album being undercertified. This is just a snapshot in time of how things currently look for the biggest debut albums at RIAA.

Well, it means is not accurate then...

by **marcsgirl85** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:57 am

for some of the albums it's not because they are actually undercertified

Evanesence fallen & Carrie Underwood Some Hearts for example should both be 8x platinum Fallen has sold 7.6 million copies while Some Hearts might still be a bit off as it's only sold 7.2 million rounded

by **Mulvanaghty** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:25 pm

Willypedia wrote:
Mulvanaghty wrote:
Willypedia wrote:Get Rich Or Die Tryin sold 8.1 millions as of last week.

Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle sold more than 6 millions even though it's undercertified by the RIAA.

Also Eminem's debut album, The Slim Shady LP sold 5.3 millions.
This best of list for debut albums gets its sales info from the RIAA. Soundscan only tracks 95% of what is sold at retail through stores and online, and you'll find plenty of other albums that are at this point or that point in terms of soundscan or claims about a certain album being undercertified. This is just a snapshot in time of how things currently look for the biggest debut albums at RIAA.
Well, it means is not accurate then...

What do you mean its not accurate? The source is the RIAA. Albums are not certified for 8.1 million sales or 7.3 million sales. Do you know of a more accurate list for the top selling debut albums in the United States?

by **Mulvanaghty** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:28 pm

marcsgirl85 wrote:for some of the albums it's not because they are actually undercertified

Evanesence fallen & Carrie Underwood Some Hearts for example should both be 8x platinum Fallen has sold 7.6 million copies while Some Hearts might still be a bit off as it's only sold 7.2 million rounded

7.6 million in soundscan does not necessarily mean 8 million plus in shipments. The list is based on what is factually known to be true, not what might be true.

by **herb** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 4:18 pm

How about Carole King's "Tapestry" album? It was certified diamond by the RIAA.

by **Mulvanaghty** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 6:41 pm

herb wrote:How about Carole King's "Tapestry" album? It was certified diamond by the RIAA.

But Tapestry is NOT a debut album. This a list of top selling debut albums. "Writer" was Carole King's Debut album and was released in May 1970 and peaked at #84 on the Billboard 200.

by **Mulvanaghty** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 6:48 pm

Its interesting that only 11 debut albums released after January 2000 made the list and no debut albums have made the list since Taylor Swifts debut album was released in 2006!

by **Timmy94** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 6:59 pm

Mulvanaghty wrote:Its interesting that only 11 debut albums released after January 2000 made the list and no debut albums have made the list since Taylor Swifts debut album was released in 2006!

Lady Gaga's The Fame could make it in a few years... Even faster if her next album is turning into a hit!

Maroon 5 should also make the list soon...

by **Willypedia** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 8:47 pm

Mulvanaghty wrote:
Willypedia wrote:
Mulvanaghty wrote:
Willypedia wrote:Get Rich Or Die Tryin sold 8.1 millions as of last week.

Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle sold more than 6 millions even though it's undercertified by the RIAA.

Also Eminem's debut album, The Slim Shady LP sold 5.3 millions.
This best of list for debut albums gets its sales info from the RIAA. Soundscan only tracks 95% of what is sold at retail through stores and online, and you'll find plenty of other albums that are at this point or that point in terms of soundscan or claims about a certain album being undercertified. This is just a snapshot in time of how things currently look for the biggest debut albums at RIAA.
Well, it means is not accurate then...
What do you mean its not accurate? The source is the RIAA. Albums are not certified for 8.1 million sales or 7.3 million sales. Do you know of a more accurate list for the top selling debut albums in the United States?

A more accurate list comes from the real sale figures that Nielsen Soundscan provides us since 1991. Snoop Dogg and Eminem should be on that list because they sold more than 5 million copies with their debut albums, and 50 Cent's GRODT sold 6 millions in 2003 alone but now its sales stand at 8.1 millions, and that's an update from last week.

by **Play** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 8:48 pm

Willypedia you alive!

by **Willypedia** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 8:56 pm

Play wrote:Willypedia you alive!

Been maad busy over the last year...moved to London first now New York...I always kept followin this forum even though I wasn't posting that much, except for the rap sales thread. Now I have a little bit more of spare time so...here I am! :wink:

by **Mulvanaghty** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:42 pm

Willypedia wrote:
Mulvanaghty wrote:
Willypedia wrote:
Mulvanaghty wrote:
Willypedia wrote:Get Rich Or Die Tryin sold 8.1 millions as of last week.

Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle sold more than 6 millions even though it's undercertified by the RIAA.

Also Eminem's debut album, The Slim Shady LP sold 5.3 millions.
This best of list for debut albums gets its sales info from the RIAA. Soundscan only tracks 95% of what is sold at retail through stores and online, and you'll find plenty of other albums that are at this point or that point in terms of soundscan or claims about a certain album being undercertified. This is just a snapshot in time of how things currently look for the biggest debut albums at RIAA.
Well, it means is not accurate then...
What do you mean its not accurate? The source is the RIAA. Albums are not certified for 8.1 million sales or 7.3 million sales. Do you know of a more accurate list for the top selling debut albums in the United States?
A more accurate list comes from the real sale figures that Nielsen Soundscan provides us since 1991. Snoop Dogg and Eminem should be on that list because they sold more than 5 million copies with their debut albums, and 50 Cent's GRODT sold 6 millions in 2003 alone but now its sales stand at 8.1 millions, and that's an update from last week.

1. Soundscan does have any sales before 1991 which would make any such list totally inaccurate. Boston has sold 17 million copies, but Soundscan did not exist to record most of those sales.

2. The RIAA takes ALL sales into account. Soundscan does not. Just 90% to 95% of the sales from normal retail outlets. RIAA does an official audit which counts and certifies all sales even to your local library.

3. I asked if there was another list of the top debut albums, and you claimed there is, but you have neglected to link to one.

by **exhale** » Wed May 02, 2012 11:29 pm

I love alanis Morisette but it's not the debut of her.
She's released 2 album ony for the canada market in 1991 and 1992

1991 - Alanis (uscito solo in Canada)
1992 - Now Is the Time (uscito solo in Canada)

by **jimmypages59** » Fri May 04, 2012 5:02 am

You're so anal, over your "Boxscore" shite, why not be so anal, over your Best "Selling" albums....in the USA of All Time?

by **jpguy** » Mon May 07, 2012 1:42 am

exhale wrote:I love alanis Morisette but it's not the debut of her.
She's released 2 album ony for the canada market in 1991 and 1992

1991 - Alanis (uscito solo in Canada)
1992 - Now Is the Time (uscito solo in Canada)

The album was never released in the States... so literally, her debut album in the USA is "Jagged"...

In the other hand, Christina Aguilera's debut album has sold 9 million copies already ... not 8 million, that's how she is certified, not her actual sales

by **Nichu94** » Mon May 07, 2012 5:05 am

The title should be "highest certified debut album ever" instead of this one. Thanks anyway!

by **marcsgirl85** » Fri May 11, 2012 8:55 pm

@JPGuy RCA Records is probably being slow to certify Christina Aguilera's debut 9x platinum like Columbia is to certify Ricky Martin's english debut 8x platinum or the same is true of wind up records and Evanesences debut album fallen which should also be 8x platinum but like mr Martin's is only 7x platinum