When you think of record-breaking albums, you probably picture Michael Jackson moonwalking across the stage or maybe The Beatles conquering America in the 1960s. Here’s the thing though: the actual list of America’s best-selling albums ever might throw you for a loop. Let’s be real, some of these are absolute head-scratchers while others are no-brainers.
According to the Recording Industry Association of America, the gold standard when it comes to tracking album sales in the United States, the numbers tell a fascinating story. We’re talking about certified units that include traditional album sales, digital downloads, and even streaming equivalents since February 2016. Ready to see which albums Americans just couldn’t stop buying?
Michael Jackson – Thriller: 34 Million Copies
Michael Jackson’s 1982 album, ‘Thriller’, ranked second with 34 million sales, though globally it remains the undisputed champion. Thriller was Jackson’s first number-one album on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart, and stood atop for a record 37 non-consecutive weeks. The album revolutionized the music industry in ways that are difficult to overstate, breaking down racial barriers and transforming music videos into an art form.
THRILLER is the first album in RIAA Gold & Platinum Program history to be certified 30X Multi-Platinum for U.S. sales, and representatives claim it has sold over 105 million copies globally. Songs like “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and the title track “Thriller” became cultural touchstones. The album earned Jackson a record-setting eight Grammys in one night, cementing his status as the King of Pop.
Eagles – Hotel California: 26 Million Copies
Wait, the Eagles hold both the number one and number three spots? The Eagles also held third place in the ranking with ‘Hotel California’, which had 26 million certified unit sales as of August 2024. Released in December 1976, just months after Their Greatest Hits, this studio album showcased the band at their creative peak. The title track, with its haunting guitar solos and cryptic lyrics, became one of rock’s most iconic songs.
The group specializes in folk, country, and soft rock, and are most famous for 1977 number one single ‘Hotel California’, which is 6 and a half minutes long and is still popular today. The album perfectly captured the dark side of the California dream, and decades later, it continues to resonate with listeners across generations.
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV: 23 Million Copies
Led Zeppelin’s self-titled fourth album features hits like “Black Dog” and “Stairway to Heaven” and has sold 23 million units in the U.S. since its release in 1971. This album captures the essence of hard rock almost perfectly, showcasing the band’s ability to blend blues, folk, and heavy metal into something entirely their own. “Stairway to Heaven” alone has become arguably the most famous rock song ever recorded.
What’s interesting is that Led Zeppelin IV never actually had an official title printed on the cover. The band wanted the music to speak for itself, and boy, did it ever. From the thundering drums of John Bonham to Robert Plant’s soaring vocals, this album defined what it meant to be a rock god in the ’70s.
Pink Floyd – The Wall: 23 Million Copies
Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” has sold over 23 million copies in the United States and is a rock opera telling the story of Pink, a rock star on a journey toward self-imposed isolation from the world. Released in 1979, this ambitious double album dealt with heavy themes of abandonment, war trauma, and mental breakdown. It’s not exactly easy listening, yet it became one of the most commercially successful concept albums in history.
The best-selling double album in the US is The Wall by Pink Floyd: 23x platinum for 11,5 million copies sold (the RIAA counts each disc in a multi-disc set as one unit toward certification). Songs like “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)” and “Comfortably Numb” have remained staples of classic rock radio for decades. The theatrical performances and subsequent film adaptation only added to the album’s legendary status.
Billy Joel – Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II: 23 Million Copies
Billy Joel’s double-disc compilation showcasing his biggest hits from 1973 to 1985 has achieved the remarkable feat of selling 23 million copies in the United States. This collection includes certified classics like “Piano Man,” “Just the Way You Are,” “My Life,” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” The Piano Man’s ability to craft memorable melodies and relatable lyrics made him one of the best-selling artists of all time.
What’s particularly impressive is how Joel bridged the gap between pop, rock, and even classical influences. His storytelling resonated with working-class Americans while maintaining broad appeal across demographics. The compilation format allowed casual fans to enjoy his evolution as an artist without committing to individual studio albums, contributing to its massive commercial success.
The Beatles – The Beatles (The White Album): 24 Million Copies
Also known as “The White Album,” this four-side extravaganza from 1968 showed exactly how prolific the Beatles could be as studio musicians, and the album boasts a 24x platinum certification. The sprawling double album contained 30 tracks that ranged from hard rock to avant-garde experimentation, showcasing each member’s individual songwriting talents as the band began to drift apart creatively.
From “Back in the U.S.S.R.” to “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” to the acoustic simplicity of “Blackbird,” the White Album demonstrated the incredible range of what many consider the greatest band in history. The minimalist white cover became iconic in itself, a stark contrast to the psychedelic artwork of Sgt. Pepper’s that preceded it.
Fleetwood Mac – Rumours: 20 Million Copies
Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 masterpiece Rumours has sold roughly 20 million copies domestically, making it one of the most commercially successful albums ever recorded. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the turbulent personal circumstances surrounding its creation. The band members were going through breakups, divorces, and romantic entanglements with each other while recording some of the most beautiful love songs ever written.
Tracks like “Dreams,” “Go Your Own Way,” “Don’t Stop,” and “The Chain” captured the raw emotion of relationships falling apart while somehow creating timeless pop-rock perfection. The album spent 31 weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 and won the Grammy for Album of the Year. Decades later, it continues to find new audiences, with “Dreams” experiencing a viral resurgence on social media platforms in recent years.
Shania Twain – Come On Over: 20 Million Copies
Shania Twain’s “Come on Over” has sold over 20 million units since its debut in 1997, with the Canadian country singer helping solidify the genre’s new surge of popularity in the U.S. This album broke down barriers between country and pop music in ways that paved the road for countless artists who followed. Produced by her then-husband Robert “Mutt” Lange, the album’s polished sound and crossover appeal made it accessible to listeners who wouldn’t normally buy country albums.
Hits like “You’re Still the One,” “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much” dominated both country and pop radio for years. Twain became the best-selling female country artist of all time, and Come On Over remains the best-selling studio album by a female artist in any genre. Not bad for someone who grew up in poverty in rural Canada.
AC/DC – Back in Black: 25 Million Copies
AC/DC’s Back in Black stands as one of the most remarkable comeback stories in rock history. Released in 1980, just months after the tragic death of their original lead singer Bon Scott, the album became a tribute to their fallen bandmate and a statement of defiance. With new vocalist Brian Johnson, the Australian rockers created an album of pure, unfiltered hard rock that has sold approximately 25 million copies in the United States alone.
The title track, along with anthems like “You Shook Me All Night Long” and “Hells Bells,” became staples of rock radio and sporting events worldwide. Also featuring in the ranking were several world-famous rock bands: AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Guns N’ Roses, Fleetwood Mac, and Boston. The album’s black cover served as a memorial to Bon Scott, and its raw power proved that rock and roll would never die. It remains one of the best-selling albums globally, with estimates exceeding 50 million copies worldwide.
These ten albums represent different eras, genres, and stories, yet they all share one thing in common: they captured something special that made millions of Americans reach for their wallets. From the California rock of the Eagles to the hard-driving power of AC/DC, these records have become the soundtrack to American life across multiple generations. What’s your take on this list? Did your favorite make the cut, or are you surprised by what topped the charts?
