Jump to content

List of best-selling singles: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Jagged 85 (talk | contribs)
87,237 edits
m linked
Line 4: Line 4:
The '''world's best-selling single''' cannot be listed officially, since there is no international body to count global record sales. Historical data before the 1980s and from [[developing countries]] are also incomplete. Information is also lacking for non-English language singles.
The '''world's best-selling single''' cannot be listed officially, since there is no international body to count global record sales. Historical data before the 1980s and from [[developing countries]] are also incomplete. Information is also lacking for non-English language singles.


Singles are listed in alphabetical order of the artists name, rather than singles sold. Groupings are based on different sales benchmarks. Multiple entries from the same artist are listed in chronological order:
[[Single (music)|Singles]] are listed in alphabetical order of the artists name, rather than singles sold. Groupings are based on different sales benchmarks. Multiple entries from the same artist are listed in chronological order:


<!-- Entries without references will be deleted immediately, per [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources]]!-->
<!-- Entries without references will be deleted immediately, per [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources]]!-->

Revision as of 01:59, 14 February 2010

The world's best-selling single cannot be listed officially, since there is no international body to count global record sales. Historical data before the 1980s and from developing countries are also incomplete. Information is also lacking for non-English language singles.

Singles are listed in alphabetical order of the artists name, rather than singles sold. Groupings are based on different sales benchmarks. Multiple entries from the same artist are listed in chronological order:


25 - 39.9 million copies

Artist Single Year Genre Sales
(in millions)
Elton John "Candle in the Wind 1997"/"Something About the Way You Look Tonight" 1997 Pop 37[1][2]
Bing Crosby "White Christmas" 1942 Pop 30[1][3]
Bing Crosby "Silent Night" 1935 Traditional pop 30[4]
Bill Haley & His Comets "Rock Around the Clock" 1954 Rock and roll 25 [5]
Teixeirinha "Coração de Luto" 1960 Folk 25 [6]
Elvis Presley "It's Now or Never" 1960 Pop 25 [7]

10 - 24.9 million copies

Artist Single Year Genre Sales
(in millions)
USA for Africa "We Are the World" 1985 Pop 20 [8]
Zager and Evans "In the Year 2525" 1969 Pop 20 [9]
The Ink Spots "If I Didn't Care" 1936 Doo-wop 19 [10]
Baccara "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie" 1977 pop 18 [4]
ABBA "Fernando" 1976 Pop 10 [11]
The Beatles "Hey Jude" 1968 Rock 10 [1]
The Beatles "I Want to Hold Your Hand" 1964 Rock 12 [1][4]
Carl Douglas "Kung Fu Fighting" 1974 Disco 10 [12]
Celine Dion "My Heart Will Go On" 1997 Pop 10 [13]
Cher "Believe" 1998 Pop/Dance 10[14]
George McCrae "Rock Your Baby" 1974 Disco 11 [4]
Goombay Dance Band "Sun Of Jamaica" 1979 Pop 10 [15]
Kyu Sakamoto "Sukiyaki" 1961 J-pop 13 [16][17]
Los del Río "Macarena" 1995 Latin pop 11[18]
Middle of the Road "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep" 1971 Pop 10 [4]
Mills Brothers "Paper Doll" 1943 Country 11 [4][19]
Procol Harum "A Whiter Shade of Pale" 1967 Pop 10 [4]
Roger Whittaker "The Last Farewell" 1975 Pop 11 [20]
Roy Acuff "Wabash Cannonball" 1942 Country 10[4]
Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean "Hips Don't Lie" 2006 Latin pop 10 [21][22]
Barbra Streisand "Woman in Love" 1980 Pop 11 [citation needed]
Terry Jacks "Seasons in the Sun" 1974 Pop 10 [23]
The Monkees "I'm a Believer" 1966 Pop 10 [4]
Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You" 1992 R&B/Soul 12 [24]
Village People "Y.M.C.A." 1978 Pop/Disco 12[25]

5 - 9.9 million copies

Artist Single Year Genre Sales
(in millions)
1910 Fruitgum Company "Simon Says" 1968 Pop 5 [4]
a-ha "Take on Me" 1985 Synthpop 5 [26] - 7 [27]
ABBA "Dancing Queen" 1976 Pop 5 [citation needed]
ABBA "Waterloo" 1974 Pop 5 [4]
Bryan Adams "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" 1991 Rock 8 [28]
Morris Albert "Feelings" 1975 Pop 7 [citation needed]
Christina Aguilera "Genie in a Bottle" 1999 Pop 7 [citation needed]
Akon "Don't Matter" 2007 Reggae fusion, R&B 5.7 [29]
The Animals "The House of the Rising Sun" 1964 Pop 5 [4]
Paul Anka "Diana" 1957 Pop 9 [1][4]
Thelma Aoyama "Soba ni Iru ne" 2009 R&B 8.2 [30]
The Archies "Sugar, Sugar" 1969 Pop 6 [4]
Gene Austin "My Blue Heaven" 1927 Pop 5 [4]
Gene Autry "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" 1949 Pop 8 [4]
Gene Autry "That Silver-Haired Daddy Of Mine" 1939 Pop 5 [4]
The Beatles "Can't Buy Me Love" 1964 Rock 6 [4]
The Beatles "She Loves You" 1963 Rock 5 [4]
Wings "Mull of Kintyre" 1977 Traditional 6 [31]
Bee Gees "Massachusetts" 1967 Pop 5 [4]
Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z "Crazy In Love" 2003 R&B 6 [32]
Beyoncé "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" 2008 R&B 6.1 [33]
Black Eyed Peas "My Humps" 2005 Pop 6 [citation needed]
Black Eyed Peas "Boom Boom Pow" 2009 Pop 8.5 [34]
Black Eyed Peas "I Gotta Feeling" 2009 Pop 7.1 [35]
Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman "Time To Say Goodbye" 1998 Pop 5 [citation needed]
Boney M. "Ma Baker" 1977 Pop 5 [citation needed]
Debby Boone "You Light Up My Life" 1977 Pop 5 [citation needed]
Brandy & Monica "The Boy Is Mine" 1998 R&B 6 [citation needed]
C+C Music Factory "Gonna Make You Sweat" 1991 Dance 5 [citation needed]
Cher "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" 1990 Pop/Rock 6.5 [citation needed]
Chic "Le Freak" 1979 Pop/Disco 5 [citation needed]
Chipmunks "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" 1958 Children/Pop 5.5 [4]
Harry Simeone Chorale "The Little Drummer Boy" 1958 Pop 6 [4]
Coldplay "Viva La Vida" 2008 Pop/Rock 9.6 [36]
Coolio "Gangsta's Paradise" 1995 Hip hop 5 [37]
Culture Club "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?" 1982 Pop 6.5 [38]
Bing Crosby "Jingle Bells" 1943 Pop 6 [4]
Barbra Streisand "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)" 1979 Pop 6 [citation needed]
Puff Daddy & Faith Evans "I'll Be Missing You" 1997 Pop 5 [citation needed]
Vernon Dalhart "The Prisoner's Song" 1924 Country 6 - 7 [4]
Dawn "Knock Three Times" 1971 Pop 6.5 [4]
Dawn "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" 1973 Pop 6 [4]
Neil Diamond "Cracklin' Rosie" 1970 Pop 6 [4]
Eminem "Stan" 2000 Hip hop 5 [citation needed]
Eminem "My Name Is" 1999 Hip hop 5 [citation needed]
Eminem "Lose Yourself" 2002 Hip hop 6 [citation needed]
Eminem "Without Me" 2002 Hip hop 6 [citation needed]
Eminem "The Real Slim Shady" 2000 Hip hop 5 [citation needed]
Eminem "Just Lose It" 2004 Hip hop 5 [citation needed]
Europe "The Final Countdown" 1986 Hard rock 7 [citation needed]
Georgie Fame "The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde" 1968 Pop 7.5 [4]
The Foundations "Build Me Up Buttercup" 1969 Pop 5 [citation needed]
Marvin Gaye "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" 1968 Soul/R&B 5 [citation needed]
Bobby Goldsboro "Honey" 1968 Pop 7 [citation needed]
George Baker Selection "Una Paloma Blanca" 1975 Pop 5 [citation needed]
Danyel Gérard "Butterfly" 1971 Pop 7 [4]
Rocco Granata "Marina" 1959 Pop 5 [citation needed]
Greeeen "Kiseki" 2009 Pop/Rock 6.2 [30]
George Harrison "My Sweet Lord" 1970 Pop 5 [citation needed]
Mary Hopkin "Those Were the Days" 1968 Pop 8 [4]
Engelbert Humperdinck "Release Me" 1967 Pop 5 [4]
Enrique Iglesias "Bailamos" 1999 Latin pop 7 [citation needed]
The Jackson 5 "I Want You Back" 1969 R&B 6 [39]
The Jackson 5 "I'll Be There" 1970 Pop 5 [4]
Janet Jackson "Together Again" 1997 Pop 6 [40]
Jason Mraz "I'm Yours" 2008 Pop 8.1 [41]
Tom Jones "Delilah" 1968 Pop 5 [4]
Kanye West "Heartless" 2008 Hip Hop 5.5 [42]
R. Kelly "I Believe I Can Fly" 1996 R&B 7 [43]
Lady GaGa featuring Colby O'Donis "Just Dance" 2008 Pop 7.7 [44]
Lady GaGa "Poker Face" 2008 Pop 9.8 [45]
Avril Lavigne "Girlfriend" 2007 Pop 7.3 [29]
Leona Lewis "Bleeding Love" 2007 Pop, R&B 7 [30]
Lobo "I'd Love You To Want Me" 1972 Pop 5
Trini Lopez "If I Had a Hammer" 1963 Pop 5 [citation needed]
Madonna "Hung Up" 2005 Dance/Pop/Disco 5 [citation needed]
Madonna "Vogue" 1990 Dance/Pop/House 6 [citation needed]
Mariah Carey "Without You" 1994 Pop 6 [citation needed]
Mariah Carey "All I Want For Christmas Is You" 1994 Pop/Holiday 5 [citation needed]
Mariah Carey "Fantasy" 1995 Pop/R&B 5 [citation needed]
Mariah Carey "We Belong Together" 2005 Pop/R&B 6 [citation needed]
Ricky Martin "Livin' La Vida Loca" 1999 Latin Pop 8 [citation needed]
Paul Mauriat & His Orchestra "Love Is Blue" 1968 Pop 5 [citation needed]
Scott McKenzie "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)" 1967 Pop 7 [4]
George Michael "Careless Whisper" 1984 Pop 6 [46]
Mitch Miller "March from Bridge On The River Kwai" 1957 March 5 [4]
Modern Talking "You're My Heart, You're My Soul" 1984 Pop 8 [47]
Mungo Jerry "In the Summertime" 1970 Pop 6 [4]
The New Seekers "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" 1971 Pop/Folk 6 [4]
Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" 1991 Rock 8 [48]
Oasis "Wonderwall" 1995 Rock 8 [4]
Donny Osmond "Puppy Love" 1971 Pop 5 [4]
The Partridge Family "I Think I Love You" 1970 Pop 5 [4]
Katy Perry "I Kissed a Girl" 2008 Pop 8 [30][49]
Katy Perry "Hot N Cold" 2008 Pop 6 [citation needed]
Pink "So What" 2008 Pop/Rock 7.8[50]
Elvis Presley "A Fool Such As I"/"I Need Your Love Tonight" 1961 Rock 5 [citation needed]
Elvis Presley "All Shook Up" 1957 Rock 5 [citation needed]
Elvis Presley "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" 1960 Rock 5 [citation needed]
Elvis Presley "Hound Dog" 1956 Rock 9 [4]
Elvis Presley "Jailhouse Rock" 1957 Rock 5 [citation needed]
Elvis Presley "Love Me Tender"/"Any Way You Want Me" 1956 Rock 5 [citation needed]
Elvis Presley "Surrender" 1961 Rock 5 [4]
Elvis Presley "Good Luck Charm" 1962 Rock 5 [citation needed]
Elvis Presley "Return To Sender" 1962 Rock 5 [citation needed]
Elvis Presley "Suspicious Minds" 1969 Rock 5 [citation needed]
Elvis Presley "Teddy Bear" 1957 Rock 5 [citation needed]
Elvis Presley "Way Down" 1977 Rock 5 [citation needed]
Jeannie C. Riley "Harper Valley PTA" 1968 Pop 5.5 [4]
Nini Rosso "Il Silenzio" 1965 Pop 5 [4]
Pussycat "Mississippi" 1977 Pop 5 [citation needed]
Cliff Richard "We Don't Talk Anymore" 1979 Pop 5 [citation needed]
Flo Rida "Low" 2007 Hip-Hop 8 [30]
Rihanna featuring Jay-Z "Umbrella" 2007 Pop, R&B, Dance 6.6 [29]
LeAnn Rimes "How Do I Live" 1997 Country/Pop 6 [citation needed]
Julie Rogers "The Wedding" 1964 Pop 7 [4]
The Rolling Stones "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" 1965 Classic Rock 5 [citation needed]
Royal Scots Dragoon Guards "Amazing Grace" 1972 Pop 7 [4]
Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler "Ballad of the Green Berets" 1966 Pop 5 [4]
Shakira "Whenever, Wherever" 2001 Pop 9 [citation needed]
Shakira "Underneath Your Clothes" 2002 Pop 5.5 [citation needed]
Shakira featuring Alejandro Sanz "La Tortura" 2005 Latin Pop 5.7 [citation needed]
Shocking Blue "Venus" 1969 Pop 8 [4]
Shop Boyz "Party Like a Rockstar" 2007 Pop rap 5.2 [29]
Simon & Garfunkel "Bridge Over Troubled Water" 1970 Pop 6 [4]
Machiko Soga "Oba-Q Ondo" 1966 Children/Anime/Ondo 6 [51]
Soulja Boy Tell 'Em "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" 2007 Southern rap 5.2 [29]
Soulja Boy Tell 'Em feat. Sammie "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" 2009 Hip hop 5.7 [52]
Britney Spears "...Baby One More Time" 1999 Pop 5 [53]
Spice Girls "Wannabe" 1996 Pop 6 [54]
John & Sandra Steele "My Happiness" 1948 Pop 5 [citation needed]
Survivor "Eye of the Tiger" 1982 Rock 5 [citation needed]
T-Pain "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')" 2007 Snap & B 5.9 [29]
Taylor Swift "Love Story" 2008 Country/Pop 6.5 [55]
Tee Set "Ma Belle Amie" 1969 Pop 5 [citation needed]
Three Dog Night "Joy to the World" 1971 Rock 5 [4]
Timbaland ft. One Republic "Apologize" 2007 RnB/Pop 6.2 [30]
Tino Rossi "Petit Papa Noel" 1946 Christmas 5.711 [56]
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John "You're the One That I Want" 1978 Pop 5 [citation needed]
The Tokens "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" 1961 Pop 6 [57]
The Tornados "Telstar" 1962 Pop 5 [4]
Usher feat. Young Jeezy "Love In This Club" 2008 R&B 5.6 [30]
Utada Hikaru "Flavor of Life" 2007 J-Pop 7.2 [29]
Lil Wayne "Lollipop" 2008 Rap 9.1 [30]
Ashanti "Foolish" 2002 R&B 7.2

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e "World Best Selling Singles, Uk'S All Time Best Singles". Philbrodieband.com. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  2. ^ - RIAA Newsroom. The American Recording Industry Announces its Artists of the Century RIAA Retrieved 2009-08-15. “Candle In The Wind 1997,” soon surpassed Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” to become the best-selling single of all time.
  3. ^ Pop Memories 1890-1954: Joel Whitburn; ISBN 0-89820-083-0; Published 1986
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay The Book of Golden Disks: by Joseph Murrells - ISBN 0 214 205126
  5. ^ "Best Selling Singles in the World". Neosoul.com. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  6. ^ [1] (in Portuguese)
  7. ^ [2]
  8. ^ Breznican, Anthony (June 30, 2009). "The many faces of Michael Jackson". USA Today. Retrieved July 19, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "Denny Zager Zager & Evans". Zager Guitar. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  10. ^ The Paramount Theater -- Ink Spots Set The World On Fire with Paramount Concert (November 13, 2007)
  11. ^ Karen Collins (2008-01-12). "Fernando the Flute - Details". Tagg.org. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  12. ^ "The UK Number Ones : 1970-1974". Onlineweb.com. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  13. ^ "Bot generated title ->". Celine Dion Sales<!. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  14. ^ "Cher and Share Alike". Web.archive.org. 2006-10-12. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  15. ^ "Goombay Dance Band Biography". Goombaydanceband.net. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  16. ^ [3] (in Japanese)
  17. ^ [4] (in Japanese)
  18. ^ "Overnight Success - Celebrities". Javno. 2007-06-08. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  19. ^ Songwriters Hall of Fame[dead link]
  20. ^ "Roger Whittaker Biography". Rogerwhittaker.com. 1936-03-22. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  21. ^ http://www.prefixmag.com/news/shakira-and-britney-dominate-list-of-the-20-best-s/32422/
  22. ^ [5]
  23. ^ CNN.com Parent article
  24. ^ "Behind the glitter and glitz, the real Dolly Parton shines". Seattlepi.nwsource.com. 2008-11-08. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  25. ^ Published: 12:00AM GMT 16 Mar 2001 (2001-03-16). "Glenn Hughes". Telegraph. Retrieved 2009-07-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  26. ^ "Top Singles 1985". Tsort.info. 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  27. ^ [6] (in French)
  28. ^ "Radio 2 - Sold On Song - Top 100 - No.91". BBC. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g IFPI top 10 sellers 2007
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/DMR2009.pdf
  31. ^ [httphttp://www.jpgr.co.uk/r6018.html httphttp://www.jpgr.co.uk/r6018.html]. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  32. ^ "Biggest Selling Singles Since the Year 2000". Yahoo. 2009-09-01. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  33. ^ http://www.capif.org.ar/Comunicacion/Gacetillas/Digital Music Report 2010 - IFPI.pdf
  34. ^ http://www.capif.org.ar/Comunicacion/Gacetillas/Digital Music Report 2010 - IFPI.pdf
  35. ^ http://www.capif.org.ar/Comunicacion/Gacetillas/Digital Music Report 2010 - IFPI.pdf
  36. ^ http://www.coldplayzone.it/coldplay_charts_sales_singoli.asp#vlv. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  37. ^ Coolio – "Gangsta's Paradise" certifications
    "'Gangsta's Paradise' Dutch certification". www.nvpi.nl.
    "IFPI Austria Gold & Platinum certification database". www.nvpi.nl.
    "German Gold & Platinum certification database". www.musikindustrie.de.
    "Coolio's US certifications". www.riaa.com.
  38. ^ "HMV.co.jp". HMV.co.jp. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  39. ^ Masley, Ed. "Boy bands throughout history". Azcentral.com. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  40. ^ "Janet: Queen Of Music & Media". Mitglied.lycos.de. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  41. ^ http://www.capif.org.ar/Comunicacion/Gacetillas/Digital Music Report 2010 - IFPI.pdf
  42. ^ http://www.capif.org.ar/Comunicacion/Gacetillas/Digital Music Report 2010 - IFPI.pdf
  43. ^ "» clanotopiaDOTde » the young music-fun-lifestyle-community". Clanotopia.com. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  44. ^ http://www.capif.org.ar/Comunicacion/Gacetillas/Digital Music Report 2010 - IFPI.pdf
  45. ^ http://www.capif.org.ar/Comunicacion/Gacetillas/Digital Music Report 2010 - IFPI.pdf
  46. ^ "BBC.com Michael seeking 'a quieter life'". BBC News. 2008-06-12. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  47. ^ "Dieter Bohlen - Germany's Prince of Pop | Culture & Lifestyle | Deutsche Welle | 12.02.2003". Dw-world.de. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  48. ^ "BBC ON THIS DAY | 8 | 1994: Rock musician Kurt Cobain 'shoots himself'". BBC News. 1953-04-08. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  49. ^ Published: 11:59AM BST 21 Oct 2008 (2008-10-21). "2008". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-07-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  50. ^ http://www.pinkspage.wg.am/diskografie.html
  51. ^ These 2 million copies are Gramophone record, 4 million copies are sonosheet. [7] (in Japanese)
  52. ^ http://www.capif.org.ar/Comunicacion/Gacetillas/Digital Music Report 2010 - IFPI.pdf
  53. ^ Britney Spears – "...Baby One More Time" certifications
    "Australian Certification". Retrieved 2009-07-14.
    "French Certification". Retrieved 2009-07-14.
    "German Certification". Retrieved 2009-07-14.
    "Dutch certification". Retrieved 2009-07-14.
    "Swedish Certification" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-07-14.
    "Swiss Certification". Retrieved 2009-07-14.
    "U.K. Certification". Retrieved 2009-07-14.
    "U.S. Certification". Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  54. ^ "Spice Girls, PMS On The Money". MTV. 1997-10-01. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
  55. ^ http://www.capif.org.ar/Comunicacion/Gacetillas/Digital Music Report 2010 - IFPI.pdf
  56. ^ "InfoDisc : Les 45 T. / Singles les plus vendus en France". Infodisc.fr. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  57. ^ Art Arena: http://myweb.absa.co.za/artarena/. "3rd Ear Music Forum - A Lion's Trial?". 3rdearmusic.com. Retrieved 2009-07-29. {{cite web}}: External link in |author= (help)

References

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_best-selling_singles&oldid=343887115"