The 20th Century was a time during which many musical masterpieces in multiple genres were created. As a result, it seems almost impossible to choose a specific number of albums that not only shaped each decade but also shaped music history. Of all genres, pop music, which is an abbreviation of “popular” music, has always been considered to be one of the most universal. Popular music is simply music that is considered mainstream. As we know, what is popular changes often.
In the mid-1950s, modern pop music emerged in the United States and the United Kingdom. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, pop music included rock and roll and the various styles that it inspired. Rock and pop were largely compatible until the late 1960s when pop became linked with music that was more profitable, transient, and easily available. Since its evolution, pop music has become and remains one of music’s most significant genres. Now, without further ado, here are five of the top-selling pop albums of the 20th Century.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
It’s hard to imagine the 60s without the pioneering Beatles. In a decade where everything was so carefree, expressive music flowed like water. Also, during this time, many others faced challenges adapting to music’s continuous change. However, for George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, and the incomparable Paul McCartney, creating hits seemed to be second nature.
Produced by George Martin, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (also known as Sgt. Pepper) was released on May 26, 1967. Comprised of mostly pop and psychedelic rock, the album had an immediate multigenerational impact and was associated with numerous criteria of the era’s youth culture, such as drugs, fashion, confidence, and sociocultural influence. With songs like “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!”, Sgt. Pepper went on to break multiple sales records.
As of April 2019, with certified sales of 5.1 million copies, Sgt. Pepper is the third best-selling album in the UK. It also remains one of the most successful albums in the US, with 11 million sold in 1997. As of 2011, Sgt. Pepper has sold more than 32 million copies worldwide, solidifying it as one of the highest-selling albums of all time.
The Dark Side of the Moon (1970)
No one defined the 1970s progressive rock scene like Pink Floyd. Forming in London in 1965, the band’s original lineup consisted of Syd Barrett (guitar, lead vocals), Roger Waters (bass guitar, vocals), Richard Wright (keyboards, vocals), and Nick Mason (drums). David Gilmour (guitar, vocals) joined the band in 1967. Pink Floyd eventually gained a large following as one of the best British psychedelic groups of the 1970s. In addition to their supreme musicianship, the band was also esteemed for their profound lyrics and industrious live performances. The band’s biggest-selling release, The Dark Side of The Moon, explores themes such as greed, time, conflict, mental illness, and death.
The album was promoted with the singles “Money” and “Us and Them”. Written by Roger Waters, “Money” generally demonstrates and criticizes both capitalism and the power of money. Composed by Richard Wright and written by Roger Waters, “Us and Them” describes the illogical nature of war and the ignorance of modern-day humans who have been heavily consumed by materialism. Certified 14 x platinum in the United Kingdom, the Dark Side of the Moon also topped the US Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart for 990 weeks. This status catapulted record sales throughout the music industry during the 1970s.
To date, The Dark Side of the Moon has sold over 45 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of the 1970s and the fourth best-selling album in history.
Thriller (1982)
Many things defined the 1980s: Bold fashion, technological advancement, groundbreaking movies, television shows, and of course, music. Because of this, it’s no surprise that many culture-defining moments from that decade are still with us today. Skip to 1982. Songs like John Mellencamp’s “Jack and Diane” and Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” dominated the airwaves. Despite the many other hit singles from other artists that followed, no one could predict the global phenomenon that would soon take the music world by storm.
Who could create such a thing? None other than the undisputed King of Pop, Micheal Jackson. Released on November 30, 1982, Jackson’s Thriller album took off with lightning speed and hasn’t slowed down since. Seven of the album’s nine singles reached the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and set the record for the most top 10 singles from an album. “The Girl Is Mine”, “P.Y.T.(Pretty Young Thing), and “Human Nature” received major radio play, while “Beat It”, “Billie Jean”, and “Thriller” also reached number one, with their accompanying videos in heavy rotation on MTV. The latter became one of the most watched videos of all time.
Thriller went on to win a plethora of accolades, including an unprecedented eight Grammys at the 1984 Grammy Awards. These included Album of the Year and Record of the Year for “Beat It”. Thriller remains the best-selling album of all time, having sold an estimated 70 million copies worldwide. In 2021, it was certified 34× platinum by the RIAA, further cementing Jackson’s status as a global icon and dominant force to be reckoned with in the music world.
The Bodyguard (1992)
The 90s brought about more change and even more innovative music. Many new artists defined the decade, with many others continuing their success from the one before. This particular artist included one of the greatest voices in music, Whitney Houston. Since her debut album in 1985, the Newark, New Jersey native has blessed our ears with her memorable songs and pristine pipes. November 25, 1992, introduced Houston in her film debut, with the accompanying soundtrack released just a few days before. Released on November 17, 1992, The Bodyguard Soundtrack album was released to astounding acclaim.
The lead single from the soundtrack, “I Will Always Love You,” was originally written and sung by Dolly Parton in 1973. The David Foster produced hit gave Houston her tenth number one single which stayed at number one for fourteen consecutive weeks. Ultimately, “I Will Always Love You” sold over 24 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.
The album’s second single, “I’m Every Woman”, became another international top ten hit and reached the top five of the Billboard Hot 100. Written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, the dance-pop hit was originally performed by soul legend Chaka Khan. The album’s third single, “I Have Nothing”, also became an immediate hit, eventually peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.
The soundtrack resulted in multiple accolades for Houston, including seven American Music Awards and the 1994 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Additionally, both “I Have Nothing“ and “Run to You” were each nominated for Academy Awards for Best Original Song. To date, the Bodyguard Soundtrack has sold 45 million copies worldwide.
No Strings Attached (2000)
The end of the 90s and the beginning of the 2000s saw the beginning of “boy band mania”. Back then, these boys (who are grown men now) were the object of every teenage girl’s desire. From their concert t-shirts being worn consistently, to their posters being plastered on every wall, N’Sync provided a prismatic fantasy that every young girl dreamed of. Like many others before them, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, JC Chasez, and Justin Timberlake were all instrumental in sending every young girl into a cotton candy-filled frenzy.
With their catchy songs, synchronized dance moves, and sugar-coated vocals, N’Sync was formed in Orlando, Florida, in 1995. Because of this, it’s no surprise that their songs dominated the airwaves, while their music videos were shown on almost every channel. After their highly successful 1998 self-titled debut album, their second album, No Strings Attached, was released on March 21, 2000. It sold a record 2.42 million in its first week of release.
Often considered their signature song, “Bye Bye Bye“, the album’s lead single, reached the top 5 of Billboard’s Hot 100. Additionally, it spent 5 weeks atop the Hot 100 Airplay chart. The second single, “It’s Gonna Be Me”, became the most successful, entering Billboard’s Hot 100, eventually reaching number one, and remaining there for two consecutive weeks. The upbeat dance tune was also N’SYNC’s very first number-one single in the U.S. The third and final single, “This I Promise You”, reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. By the end of 2000, No Strings Attached had sold over 9.9 million copies in the US, making it the second-best-selling album of the decade.
No matter how many years it has been since these classics were released, good music never truly gets old. One of many reasons why these albums are still heard and loved today.
