Talk:List of best-selling music artists

Lady Gaga SALES

So recently on the UK television show Graham Norton, he told her about some "statistics." Those statistics were album and single sales and he says: "69 million singles sold and 23 million albums sold"

If this is being televised to millions of people, I think they're going to believe that and that I'm guessing those are the OFFICIAL NUMBERS.

69 + 23 = 92 MILLION total sales!

Consider the change.

The video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oMF3ttjnA4 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.149.142.11 (talk) 06:17, 14 May 2011 (UTC)

Sales figures must come from prestigious news services or highly reliable music-industry related organizations such as Billboard or MTV. Besides we go with the figures that are supported with enough certified sales (see the brackets of required certified sales above), and the current 55 million is supported by 68% certified sales (37,890,000) which is what an artist who's begun charting in 2008 would need. For some 92 million in sales, Gaga would need some 62.5 million in certified sales which I doubt will happen soon, at least not within the next year.--Harout72 (talk) 16:15, 14 May 2011 (UTC)

65 MILLION: I put the sales of The Fame, The Fame Monster, The Remix, The Singles and The Cherrytree Sessions (all those with reliable(?) sources on her discography) and of the singles "Poker Face", "Just Dance", "Bad Romance", "Telephone" and "Born This Way" (all those with reliable(?) sources on the article on of the best-selling singles worldwide) together and it makes a total of 65,691,122. So. Since they are verified by news agencies considered reliable, should that 65 million be the figure? -- Frous (talk) 14:02, 27 May 2011 (UTC)

Oooops. Those are 53,691,122 put together...a "minor" miscalcutation on my side. :D -- Frous (talk) 19:04, 29 May 2011 (UTC)

The source dates from mid 2010, since then she has released a remix album, a new studio album and new singles. Through research on certifications from reliable sources (the sources listed on the Wikipedia articles for each single and album) the amount of album sales are of:

• The Fame: 9'355,000
• The Fame Monster: 5'489,000
• The Remix: 519,000
• Born This Way: 2'451,000

Which is: 17'993,000 albums sold worldwide.

Her single sales are of: 49'471,500 and, once added the album sales gives a total of: 66'944,500 total sales, should the number be changed?--StephenG (talk) 01:43, 13 June 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from LuPaPeSe, 29 May 2011

|- |Rihanna || Barbados || 2005–present || 2005 || R&B / Pop / Dance /Hip-hop || 128 million http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/43193061#43193061 |- LuPaPeSe (talk) 01:16, 29 May 2011 (UTC)

 Not doneFirst, your source is not reliable enough; second, 80 million is as high as it can get for Rihanna at the moment as she has only 54 million in certified sales.--Harout72 (talk) 03:58, 29 May 2011 (UTC)

stop inflating sales

firstly the only thing that can be inflated is money! so why are people inflating lady gaga's sales. 55 million come one that is albums and singles. if this is the case that you are counting ablums and singles then change all the amounts so they are all correct, an example: britney spears' sales are at 150million+ including singles. if you are just counting albums then get rid of gaga she doesn't deserve a place yet with 12million albums sales. sort it out cos it is incorrect and i though this website was ment to be accurate! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Mikala19 (talk • contribs) 19:49, 29 May 2011 (UTC)

? I don't get your point. These figures represent all records - one single + one EP + one album makes 3 records in these statistics. If you count together the certified sales of The Fame, The Fame Monster, The Remix, Hitmixes, Cherrytree Sessions, Telephone, Just Dance, Bad Romance, Poker Face, Born This Way (single) and currently Born This Way (album) (BTW album's and single's sales are acc. to Billboard), you get approximately 55 million.

By the way, could you please give sources to Britney's 150 million. :) -- Frous (talk) 18:45, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

my point is gaga's sales are at 55million. some artists the sales are for albums only, (like britney's) you wither need to decide on albums only or albums and singles and if you can't find all the sorces for singles for every artist you need to indicate some are counted by albums and singles yet some are counted through just their album sales. it is an unfair and unreliable source otherwise.

its imopssible for gaga to have sold as much as some claim especially when there is illegal downloading, i would have believed some figures if this was 10 years ago but not now.

britney's overall sales are at just under 125 million but that was before her new singles and album. femme fatale has sold 1,033,000 worldwide to date. this is from its opening week just add them all up through to this weeks sales and you will find just over the million mark. so that is 126million total sales worldwide. then there is till the world ends and hold it against me have been released as downloads only and they have sold including the remixes just over 1 million worldwide and till the world ends has sold 1.4 millon and then as a featured artist on rihanna's s&m has sold 196475 so from the sorces her total sales are at 128,629,000 if my calcualtions are correct. so you round it up to 129million Mikala19 (talk) 16:52, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

Mikala19, Britney's total estimated sales of 100 million is for albums, singles and videos. Therefore, the source currently supporting Spears' stay on the list states Records not Albums. However, if a highly reliable source is located such as CNN, Fox News, BBC etc. claiming 120 million records, we can update Britney's estimated sales and the source, since she has begun charting in '98 and she has enough available certified sales (64.7 million) to support 120 million records. But again, the source must be highly reliable.--Harout72 (talk) 18:01, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

And might we also mention that THIS IS NOT A FORUM, so you can take your dismay with Gaga elsewhere. Unless a reliable source is given, Britney sales cannot be updated. Records mean everything including singles. Gaga may be selling more singles but she's only released two albums (one of them two weeks ago) and an EP which sell at a much faster rate than Britney's so it's natural that you might see Gaga's sales increase faster since she relies mostly on digital media.--HusseinIED (talk) 08:02, 8 June 2011 (UTC)

New Kids On The Block

Worldwide sales are at 80 million..

http://www.hondacenter.com/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=585 http://www.bokcenter.com/default.asp?bok=227&objId=600 http://www.pressplus1.com/music/press-release-new-kids-new-tour-new-album.html http://steelcitymusic.ca/events/copps-coliseum/new-kids-block-backstreet-boys/08-06-2011 http://www.nbc12.com/story/14248960/nkotbsb-is-coming-this-summer-with-brand-new-album-showcasing-fan-picked-classic-tracks-from-new-kids-on-the-block-backstreet-boys-the-premiere?clienttype=printable — Preceding unsigned comment added by R&BEditzs (talk • contribs) 19:21, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

The sources above are not reliable with an exception of NBC which states 80 million albums, which should be records (albums, singles, videos). Therefore, we cannot use it. But if another highly reliable source is located claiming 80 million records, we can update their estimated sales as NKONB seem to have gathered enough certified sales (some 28.3 million excluding Canadian certified sales). The 28 million covers good 35% of the 80 million, and that is all they need to meet the requirement of this list as they've first charted in '86, see the requirement percentages above.--Harout72 (talk) 19:54, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

ACDC ARE BRITISH

No Denying it! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 109.154.14.218 (talk) 00:50, 6 June 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from Bluekahuna, 7 June 2011

The Beach Boys have sold at least 100 million records across the globe, this list is very incomplete! Bluekahuna (talk) 19:25, 7 June 2011 (UTC)

 Not done: please provide reliable sources that support the change you want to be made.- Happysailor ^(Talk) 21:09, 7 June 2011 (UTC)

The Four Seasons

The Four Seasons have definitely sold over 100 million records why aren't they on the list? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jih1234 (talk • contribs) 16:40, 13 June 2011 (UTC)

Because they don't have enough certified sales. You might also want to refer to this archived discussion.--Harout72 (talk) 20:43, 13 June 2011 (UTC)

Garth Brooks

Can a new reliable source be located for Garth? The current source claims 128 million albums in the U.S. which doesn't represent a worldwide sales claim. In certified sales, Brooks is listed as having 159.8 million, so the 128 million claim is very low. I'm pretty sure he has a few million in certifications from the CRIA but their website is still down. Any thoughts? — Gabe 19 ^{(talk contribs)} 23:07, 14 June 2011 (UTC)

I tried to locate another source for Brooks, but nothing other than couple of sources claiming 128 million maximum came up. The 128 million doesn't even cover his US actual sales, his US certified sales (see it here) alone are 159.2 million. This guy has sold some 170 million records in US easily. Actually, the Eagles are in a similar situation, 110.8 million in US certified sales (see the detailed certified sales here, and their claimed figure is only 120 million, which, in fact, should be some 150 million easily, but again I can't locate anything higher for them either. As for CRIA's certified sales, while it's still down, I contact CRIA every now and then to get their certified sales for the artists that we still don't have Canadian certifications for. I got David Bowie's today, already uploaded on MediaFire and posted along with others.--Harout72 (talk) 00:00, 15 June 2011 (UTC)

• • who cares about garth brooks? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.26.19.86 (talk) 00:51, 26 June 2011 (UTC)

Eminem

Eminem sold 86.5 million — Preceding unsigned comment added by ArshakMessi (talk • contribs) 04:37, 18 June 2011 (UTC)

German and Austrian Artists

Some German Artists are missing on the list. (Platten = Records)

Modern Talking sold over 120 million records

http://www.sueddeutsche.de/panorama/dsds-neues-modern-talking-mit-medlock-und-bohlen-1.854734

Udo Jürgens sold over 100 million records.

http://www.eventim.de/udo-juergens-biografie.html?affiliate=EVE&doc=artistPages/biography&fun=artist&action=biography&kuid=695

http://www.kultmuenchen.de/konzerte/schlager-volksmusik/event/Udo_J%C3%BCrgens_muenchen_9531.html

Roland Kaiser sold over 90 million records.

http://www.sonymusic.de/Roland-Kaiser/Biographie

James Last sold over 80 million records. is ranked with 50 million records

http://www.universal-music.de/company/corporate-communications/presse-archiv/presse-archiv-detail/article/76509/james-last-erhaelt-universal-music-lifetime-award-und-einen-vertrag-auf-lebenszeit/

Falco sold over 60 million records.

http://www.seite3.ch/Falco+Der+Groessterreicher+/426817/detail.html

Heino sold over 50 million records.

http://www.laut.de/Heino

Peter Alexander solver over 50 million records.

http://www.kleinezeitung.at/nachrichten/kultur/2673560/peter-alexander-verkaufte-mehr-50-mio-platten.story

Enigma sold over 50 million records.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/virginemi-to-release-enigma-the-platinum-collection-boxed-set-on-february-9-79339722.html

Ich901 (talk) 19:14, 18 June 2011 (UTC)Ich901

This list requires all claimed figures to be supported by certain percentage of certified sales, see the requirements above. Modern Talking was removed from the list for not having enough certified sales supporting their claimed figure, see this archived discussion for MT. Out of all the German bands/projects, Boney M. and Scorpions are the only ones that have enough certified sales backing up their claimed figures. As for James Last, he has enough certified sales to support up to 70 million, 6 million in certified sales from Germany, 3.3 million from the UK, 200,000 from Canada (CRIA certifcation-database is offline at the moment), 1.2 million from the Netherlands (NVPI certification-database is not functioning at the moment). --Harout72 (talk) 19:54, 18 June 2011 (UTC)

Sources and references

--Ich901 (talk) 19:38, 18 June 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from Lmazis1964, 22 June 2011

Bon Jovi has been active since 1983, not 1933.

Lmazis1964 (talk) 06:06, 22 June 2011 (UTC)

 Done. Scieberking (talk) 10:07, 22 June 2011 (UTC)

Julio Iglesias

his US sales certificates are above 29.5 million. and in Brazil he is the best selling artist with 8.1 million as well as his sales in France and other countries he has sold more than 40 million records certificated and because he is from 1968 so his 300 million records claim can be true!!!!!!! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.99.158.159 (talk) 11:45, 24 June 2011 (UTC)

I see only some 13.2 million in US certified sales, and 1.4 million in Brazilian certified sales, but Brazil's certification database covers only releases that have been certified after 1990. See the detailed certified sales for Iglesias here. All in all, the 300 million and even the 200 million that we see in some sources are clearly inflated figures for promotional purposes that Iglesias' record company has used possibly to market his then releases.--Harout72 (talk) 15:40, 24 June 2011 (UTC)

OK i didnt know that some of his US sales are in latin type. but anyway i say that he has sold almost 27 million according to that file and if thats right with 15% needed sales we can say that his claimed sales should be around 180 million!!!!!!!!!! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Farid1374 (talk • contribs) 19:21, 24 June 2011 (UTC)

Well, there is some 26.4 million in certified sales, and that could support up to 175 million in actual sales (15%). If there is that figure coming from a reliable source we could update Iglesias' estimated sales as well as the source.--Harout72 (talk) 23:49, 24 June 2011 (UTC)

OK is this 100 million claimed anywhere and is 200 million? so if these are claimed so you can add him with 175 and 200 million like for micheal jackson and some others!!!!!! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Farid1374 (talk • contribs) 09:56, 27 June 2011 (UTC)

Let's bear in mind that the lowest figure-for those artists that have begun before 1975-must be supported by 15% certified sales. And for Iglesias, as I pointed out above, 175 million is the most, and if we do locate that source, we can also keep the current source stating 100 million. All other artists on the list with certified sales that have begun before 1975, have enough certified sales supporting their claimed figures with 15% certified sales including Michael Jackson whose 750 million claimed figure is supported by 20% certified sales (153.7 million).--Harout72 (talk) 15:14, 27 June 2011 (UTC)

Eminem

Hey i just wanted to say why do you only have 80 million for Eminem when he has 86 million in Album sales only and you haven't counted any of singles When Love the way you lie has 9 million digital sales world wide and Not afraid has 4 million world wide not to mention all 32 of Eminems singles (excluding Lie and not afraid) surely have to add AT LEAST up to 10 million (My guess is added together its much higher) which would be 23 million singles sales which would put Eminems sales at 109 million just letting you know. I didn't put my sources but if you reply ill be glad to. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 186.42.217.172 (talk) 05:13, 26 June 2011 (UTC)

I replied. Place your sources.--CallMeNathan • Talk2Me 14:13, 26 June 2011 (UTC)

Certifications

hi i just want to know that is certifications from some countries like Russia, Denmark, India and Ireland reliabe or not and if they are not why?

and some corrections:

1: Usher has sold 65 or 80?! i see two for Usher.

2: Enrique iglesias is not from United States at all he is from Spain only i think. --Farid1374 (talk) 15:42, 28 June 2011 (UTC)

Denmark's certifications can be found here and here. Denmark's certifications are also posted on their charts, here, they are all reliable. Unfortunately, they date back to 2001 only. Russia's certifications for international artists can be found here, and they are also reliable. The site for Indian music industry is this, but they don't seem to post certifications, at least not that I can find. 1) Usher's source states 65 million records, I removed the one with 80 million, it was the same source as the one listed for 65 million. Thanks for bringing it up. 2) As for Enrique Iglesias, we go with Origin Country not Nationality. In other words, we list whatever the country artists begin in, and in the case of Iglesias, it's the U.S..--Harout72 (talk) 23:21, 28 June 2011 (UTC)

Tom Jones

I made a previous edit to add Tom Jones but the source i provided was considered not good enough which is fair. I did find this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/8557064.stm

Which states "Sir Tom, who has sold more than 100m records worldwide, left school with no qualifications and married his sweetheart Linda at the age of 16." Does this seem like a credible source now?

(Paddytheceltic (talk) 01:21, 29 June 2011 (UTC))

Also found: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7620450.stm http://www.tomjones.com/news/listen-to-tom-jones-on-bbc-radio-4s-desert-island-discs/

(Paddytheceltic (talk) 01:24, 29 June 2011 (UTC))