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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 98.181.62.167 (talk) at 04:56, 9 July 2012 (→‎Adele: new section). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Former FLCList of best-selling music artists is a former featured list candidate. Please view the link under Article milestones below to see why the nomination failed. Once the objections have been addressed you may resubmit the article for featured list status.
Article milestones
DateProcessResult
October 27, 2005Articles for deletionNo consensus
November 13, 2005Articles for deletionKept
June 4, 2006Articles for deletionSpeedily kept
September 2, 2006Peer reviewReviewed
June 23, 2011Featured list candidateNot promoted
January 4, 2012Peer reviewReviewed
May 28, 2012Featured list candidateNot promoted
Current status: Former featured list candidate

Julio Iglesias

I think that I've found a problem:

Almost all the sites claim that Julio Iglesias has sold over 300 million copies worldwide an he is recognized as one of the best-selling artists of all time (Acording to Sony he is in the top 10).

It's quite weird for me that in this list he has less than 119 million claimed copies and is situated in the last positions.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga has reached the 110.000.000+ records sold (Mediatraffic.de) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.44.23.106 (talk) 15:25, 15 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

That's pretty much the most unreliable source you can quote... Ich901 (talk) 16:46, 29 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Britney Spears Sales

Since Rihanna and Gaga have been included thanks to singles sales,Britney has sold over 150 milion copies if we consider her singles sales too! We all know that Brit has sold over 85 milion albums,so sales cannot be just 100 milion. I don't think that singles sales are counted for every single artist on this list. And i think this page should shows only albums sales.

Totally agree with you, also only Rihanna and Gaga include her singles sales — Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.59.239.144 (talk) 10:02, 28 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Kylie Minogue

Over the last few years most official press releases, TV appearances etc have claimed Kylie's sales to exceed 68 million, though it is not often mentioned whether these are albums or combined albums/singles. "The Kylie Show" shown on ITV in 2008 claimed Album sales of 60 million and single sales of 100 million for example. However, this article shows claimed official certifications for some territories, Uk included, which says her total certified sales for combined albums/singles in the UK are 10.4 million. However, Kylie has recently been announced as the 12th biggest selling singles act in the Uk by the official charts organisation in the UK with sales of 10.1 million singles sold. Her album sales are at least 15-20 million in the UK alone bringing her total UK sales to around 25-30 million combined units. Add this to her "claimed" worldwide sales of 60million (though as already said official claims are much more) and her total worldwide sales should be over 80 million at the very least. Only one of the referenced articled makes any reference to sales so I am not sure why they are being used. There are many articles that do mention her sales that could be cited instead. All in all the "official" certifications cited in the article appear very low and unrealistic and therefore poorly researched.

The Kylie Show ITV Introduction

Official UK Charts company Kylie Article 2012 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 188.222.75.72 (talk) 20:20, 7 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The record companies must pay a certain fee to get records (albums, singles, videos) certified. The certifications are not automatic; therefore, Minogue's UK certified sales are different from her UK actual sales. Currently, in the UK, Minogue has 6,860,000 certified album units, 3,400,000 certified singles units and 175,000 certified video units. For her detailed available certified sales refer to this uploaded file that I've put together, all of which have been retrieved from the databases of the certifying bodies. Based on her available certified sales, the UK truly seems to be her biggest market.--Harout72 (talk) 00:54, 8 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]
188.222.75.72 are right. Extended discussion is here: User_talk:Harout72#Kylie. Whole this page (after changes by Harout72) is mistification. This page does not show "List of best-selling music artists", this page show only numbers of gold, silver and platinum CD's. You must change the name of the article, for example "List of best-selling music artists (only gold, silver, platinum certifications)" or this data moved to separate table, under the table of full album sales. Subtropical-man (talk) 14:02, 19 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]
No list of best-selling music artists, no mater how well-researched, or what criteria it uses, will be complete. What this list does is take reliably sourced claims for different artists' total sales and support them or give them perspective with certifications. No one's saying certifications are infallible or the highest authority. As Harout72 stated above, record companies have to pay a fee to get records certified.
This explains how, for example, "Somebody That I Used to Know" can sell 5 million copies in the United States and only get certified for 1 million, or how Parallel Lines can sell 20 million copies yet only have certifications amounting to 1.7 million due to the band's label not wanting to release sales data to certifying bodies (See this quote in the link: "in order to get multiple sales levels, the band eventually sued for royalties because of this").--Mαuri’96 “...over the Borderline” 16:45, 19 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]
Do not change the fact - this page does not show "List of best-selling music artists" (as the title says), this page only show numbers of gold, silver and platinum CD's. You must change the name of the article, for example "List of best-selling music artists (only gold, silver, platinum certifications)" or this data moved to separate table, under the table of full album sales (there may be two tables). Subtropical-man (talk) 19:35, 19 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Discussion from Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion

That's right, the original research policy restricts what content can be added to articles, which is not the case with the main article that this information-box belongs to. This info-box is part of a talk-page which is based on consensus of multiple editors. Everything that is done based on the instructions in the info-box is supported by reliable sources, that is not original research.--Harout72 (talk) 15:31, 19 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Where is sources for data (calculating and %) in this box? Subtropical-man (talk) 22:02, 19 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]
Read up Wikipedia:No original research#Routine calculations. What's presented in the box is about converting units (Gold/Platinum awards into figures) and adding numbers. The percentages which are based on consensus, do not immediately reflect what's added to the list. They are merely used to determine which sources are the best to go with, and WP:RS states: The reliability of a source depends on context. Each source must be carefully weighed to judge whether it is reliable for the statement being made and is the best such source for that context.--Harout72 (talk) 01:32, 20 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]
Please give the sources for "before 1975 are required to have their lowest available sales figures supported by 15% in certified units", "between 1975–1990 are required to have their lowest available claimed figures supported by 15–35% in certified units. (That is 1.33% for each additional year after 1975)" and other. That is one of many things to explain. What are this numbers? 1.33%, 15-35% and other. Why not 1.66% or 45-46%? Please, sources for this numbers. Subtropical-man (talk) 17:07, 20 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

You have already been given detailed explanation at Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion/Talk:List of best-selling music artists/talk mbox about everything that sits in the box. Others have tried their best also. There is no need for further explanation. In fact, any further disruptive edits from you, will be reported at WP:AN/I.--Harout72 (talk) 23:33, 20 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The Rolling Stones' Ranking Doesn't Make Sense

I'm surprised that the Rolling Stones don't appear in the top 10, given their extraordinary success over five decades. For comparison's sake, the Rolling Stones had 7 number 1 albums in a row, which span almost the entire existence of Led Zeppelin. Add on top of that what the Stones did in the 1960s with strings of hit singles, plus what the Stones have sold since then (e.g., A Bigger Bang sold 5 million copies). The Stones have to rank above Led Zeppelin. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.77.55.160 (talk) 13:38, 8 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The ranking is based on available certified sales that must cover a certain percentage of the claimed sales, which is determined by the year in which the artists first charted. So everything is correct. Ich901 (talk) 14:38, 8 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The method you're using may be *consistent*, but that doesn't mean it achieves the stated purpose of the article, namely, to identify the bestselling musical artists of all time. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.77.55.160 (talk) 13:08, 18 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Def Leppard

http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/fox-friends/all-american-summer-concerts This source say 100 million records sold. Is Fox News reliable enough? --Jamcad01 (talk) 05:58, 11 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Video files should not be used as they can easily be manipulated, yours doesn't work, by the way. Fox News is reliable, but we'd need a text version, and make sure that it uses the term Records and not Albums.--Harout72 (talk) 15:15, 11 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]
Wait, you don't understand. If you scroll down the page a bit there is a typed section saying "June 15: Def Leppard

With 100 million records sold worldwide and two prestigious Diamond Awards to their credit, Def Leppard continues to be one of the most important forces in rock music." --Jamcad01 (talk) 09:33, 12 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Let's just wait until we have the 100 million in a proper article by one of the news services. Anything published by Fox & Friends is not immediately a Fox News content, and that's what we have on that page. It's just a morning show.--Harout72 (talk) 15:05, 12 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Blondie

I was wondering if Blondie could be added to the list. I have found quite a couple of not-so-reliable sources which are listed below:

After adding up the band's certifications, I ended up with ~18.8 million, which, considering that Blondie began charting in 1976, should be enough to add them to the list.--Mauri96 (talk) 03:00, 18 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

No, I'm afraid, those sources are not reliable. I made a few adjustments to your work, which make the total 19.1 million, good work overall. But we could surely add Blondie to the list if a reliable source is located.--Harout72 (talk) 06:00, 18 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]
I understand if the the last two and probably the first links are not considered reliable. However, I politely ask: What about the 3rd one? If the grammar or writing style seems off, it's because the site is originally in Spanish.
I've also heard that Parallel Lines is terribly under-certified due to some problems Blondie had with their label. (See Ashley Douglas' comment here.) That may only be hearsay, but I do sincerely believe that Blondie should be added to the list.--Mαuri’96 “...over the Borderline” 00:08, 9 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

prince

prince has sold more than 80 million records. he has sold, according to UKMIX (wikipedia's refusing to allow me to post the website) that he has sold approximately 80-85 million in album sales. the website goes on to say that if his singles sales are added it would go over 100. Definitely he has been having hits since the late 70s...

how can so many artists go so high and not Prince? he has definitely sold AT LEAST 100... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.221.177.44 (talk) 00:27, 20 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

UK Mix is a user-generated site, therefore, not reliable.--Harout72 (talk) 01:19, 20 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

thank you for replying. but, since UK Mix is not reliable (it seems to very accurately however calculate sales), how come bbc is reliable (which is where the 80 million comes from)? And if you go to the prince discography page and click on the first link on the bottom, it takes you to a source that claims Prince sold 100 million. Why is BBC's opinion higher than this book result? If there is a disagreement about how many records he's really sold, one should write 80 - 100 million records for him.

thanks 98.221.177.44 (talk) 01:29, 20 June 2012 (UTC)98.221.177.44 (talk)[reply]

BBC is considered highly reliable source for its highest level of fact checking and editorial control. Ebony (magazine) (which the 100 million comes from) is not a news service. We don't accept sources of that kind on here. But if a reliable source such as BBC, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The New York Times is located that claims 100 million Records (not just albums) please let us know, we can also include that. Prince has enough certified units for 100 million figure.--Harout72 (talk) 01:45, 20 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/velocity/2010/07/09/prince-is-right-the-internet-is-over/ Forbes states that Prince sold 100 million records worldwide. Forbes is consistently known for and famous for calculating (usually correctly) singers' wealth, so they are a reliable website. thanks 98.221.177.44 (talk) 02:41, 20 June 2012 (UTC) 98.221.177.44 (talk) 01:29, 20 June 2012 (UTC)98.221.177.44 (talk)[reply]

 Done. While it would've been better if we had a source like the one I was suggesting above, Forbes is acceptable.--Harout72 (talk) 04:15, 20 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

thanks a lot! 98.221.177.44 (talk) 13:50, 20 June 2012 (UTC) 98.221.177.44 (talk) 02:41, 20 June 2012 (UTC) 98.221.177.44 (talk) 01:29, 20 June 2012 (UTC)98.221.177.44 (talk)[reply]

Katy Perry

I kissed girl: 8 million
Hon n Cold:
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[1] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[2] Platinum 0*
Belgium (BEA)[3] Gold 15,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[4] 2× Platinum 200,000*
Canada (CRIA)[5] 6× Platinum+2× Platinum (MT) 560,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[6] 2× Platinum 60,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[7] Platinum 10,000[7]
Germany (BVMI)[8] Gold 150,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[9] Platinum 15,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[10] Platinum 20,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[11] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[12] Platinum 600,000^
United States (RIAA)[13] 4× Platinum 4,000,000^
Total certified sales: 5,815,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.


California gurls, Teenage dream, Firework, E.T., Last Friday Night, The One That Got Away =37,620,00 .[14]
One of the boys=5 million.[15]
Teenage dream (album)= 6 Million
54 Million

Friend, Katy Perry has sold 74.6 million tracks worldwide, and this page says that http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/katy-perry-part-of-me-interview-339341 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.59.239.144 (talk) 09:16, 27 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

It actually says 74.6 million tracks and 9.1 million full lengths, making the total 83.7 million. Since Perry has begun charting in 2008, she would need her claimed figures supported by 66% certified sales per the requirements of this list (see the second box from top on this page). That would need to be 55.2 million certified units for a claim as high as 83.7 million, but her current available certified units are 43.5 million. That could only support up to 65.9 million claim.--Harout72 (talk) 15:38, 27 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]
I don't think she has sold enough yet for competing the people who have been added to this list. Clarificationgiven (talk) 10:14, 28 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]
It's true that Katy's certifications are nowhere near Eminem's or Rihanna's, but they're nearly as high as Lady Gaga's and higher than Christina Aguilera's, the Spice Girls', Jennifer Lopez's, and Coldplay's certified sales.
It's not necessarily a question of what you think or what anyone "thinks" for that matter. There are reliable sources (somewhere) for Katy Perry. It's just a matter of finding claims that are lower than the one above and that mention album as well as single sales.--Mαuri’96 “...over the Borderline” 16:49, 28 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]
It's ridicolous to think that Katy Perry's certifications are that high, none of her 2 studio albums have sold more than Coldplay's, Christina's or the Spice Girl's. — Preceding unsigned comment added by XtinoFrost (talk • contribs) 17:39, 4 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I meant certified singles. You might want to check the list of best-selling singles. No artist save for Elvis Presley has more singles on the list than Katy Perry.--Mαuri’96 “...over the Borderline” 00:14, 9 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Bob Marley ?

150-350 million records sold — Preceding unsigned comment added by 94.168.166.122 (talk) 16:29, 29 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I don't think so. Ich901 (talk) 16:44, 29 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Proven sales higher than Claimed sales?

Not sure what the policy is, and where the claimed sales figures are coming from? as they differ from the proven sales amount, where do they come from too?. But for some, like Garth Brooks and The Eagles the proven sales are higher than the claimed sales. What's going on here then? Why would it be claimed that someone has sold less than can be proven rather than more which seems to be normal for most musicians. Carlwev (talk) 14:51, 4 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Somehow Brooks & Dunn's U.S. certifications were included in RIAA's total by mistake, I corrected it. But Brooks' total certified units (135.6 million) for all available markets are still higher than his claimed figure. Since certifications for albums are based on shipped units and not sold units, I believe that some of Garth Brooks albums may not have sold as much as they have been shipped. As for The Eagles, the Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles was included in the RIAA's total (3 million units), it's corrected now. But again, the total certified units for The Eagles are 124 million, which is still higher than their claimed figure. --Harout72 (talk) 17:25, 4 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

P!nk

P!nk has sold 110 Million records according to EMI. http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/publishing/publishing-briefs-pink-re-ups-with-emi-universal-1006648552.story Its a well known fact that labels tend to inflate sales but Music publishers don't lie. So I think she should be included! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 182.177.93.214 (talk) 13:29, 5 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Tom Jones

Tom Jones (singer) is missing too. I know there are rules as to sources. Tom Jones article claims he has sold over 100 million records, and as he's older would need a lower percentage proven sales. I am not that good at digging up references but would be worth someone looking at it. Carlwev (talk) 14:44, 5 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Refer to this archived discussion for Tom Jones, that should help you out.--Harout72 (talk) 15:51, 5 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

TLC?

TLC sold 55 millions albums why are they not on this list and destiny's child are who sold less that that?

List of Best Selling Girl Groups
1. Spice Girls United Kingdom 75 million[2] Pop 3 5 → 4 → 5 1996–2001, 2007–2008 (8 years)
2. TLC United States 55 million[3] R&B/Hip Hop 4 3 → 2 1991–2003, 2008–present (18 years)
3. Destiny's Child United States 50 million[4] R&B 4 4 → 3 1997–2005 (9 years)
4. Bananarama United Kingdom 40 million[5] Pop 10 3 → 2 1981–present (30 years)
5. En Vogue United States 20 million[8] R&B 6 4 → 3 → 4 1989–present (23 years)
5. Speed Japan 20 million[6] Pop 4 4 1996–2001, 2003, 2008–present (12 years)
5. The Supremes United States 20 million[7] R&B 29 4 → 3 1959–1977 (19 years)
8. Morning Musume Japan 16 million[9] Pop 12 Rotational 1997–present (16 years)
9. Pussycat Dolls United States 15 million[10] Pop 2 6 → 5 → 4 2005–2009; 2011–present (5 years)
9. Salt-n-Pepa United States 15 million[11] Hip Hop 5 3 1986–1999, 2008–present (17 years)
9. SWV United States 15 million[12] R&B 3 3 1990–1998, 2005–present (17 years)

64.211.75.34 (talk) 17:55, 3 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Once a reliable source is provided for the 55 million Records (not albums), then their certified units will be checked. TLC have begun charting in 1992, therefore, per the requirements of this list, they would need their claimed figures supported by 38% certified sales. For a claim of 55 million records, 38% would be 20.9 million certified units.--Harout72 (talk) 23:04, 3 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

here it is on the second page a source showing 22 million certified units

http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=top-selling-artists


64.211.75.34 (talk) 17:58, 5 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Read again above what you were asked to provide: Once a reliable source is provided for the 55 million Records (not albums), then their certified units will be checked. That said, the RIAA's 22 million is only their U.S. certified album sales. It is not an actual sales, and it's most certainly not TLC's worldwide actual sales.--Harout72 (talk) 22:42, 5 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Iron Maiden

The band has reportedly sold albums in the 80-85 million range, as is indicated by several credible websites, including one cited on Wikipedia's page for the band (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/06/business/media/06maiden.html?_r=3&ref=music). Since the 70 million in claimed sales has been on this page for several years, and the band has released a new album and completed their largest tour ever, it seems fair to credit them with that many claimed sales. 68.96.75.221 (talk) 10:49, 6 July 2012 (UTC) Matt[reply]

Refer to this archived discussion from about a month ago. That should help you understand why the 85 million currently cannot be used.--Harout72 (talk) 15:08, 6 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

B'z sales

B'z didn't sold just 75 million million albums, It sold 80 million albums.[16][17] (Read about Best-selling music artists in Japan).

 Done Source for B'z sales figure is now updated.--Harout72 (talk) 17:45, 8 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Mr.Children sales

Mr.Children didn't sold just 50 million albums, It sold 55 million albums.[16][17] (Read about Best-selling music artists in Japan).

The first source you've posted above is for B'z, and the second source cannot be found. Where is the source that claims 55 million for Mr. Children?--Harout72 (talk) 17:28, 8 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Adele

Adele's 21 has sold more than 22 million albums which Wikipedia confirms. Her previous album has sold more than 6 million which wikipedia confirms. Rolling in the Deep has sold over 8 million as well as Someone Like You which wikipedia confirms. So far thats 44 million records. Set Fire To the Rain has sold over 4 million which wikipedia confirms making it 48 million records. Chasing Pavements has sold well over a million. And surely her Live at the Royal Albert Hall video album has sold well over a million and her other sales accumulate enough to make it at least 50 million by now.

  1. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2008 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  2. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Katy Perry – Hot N Cold" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  3. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2008". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  4. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Katy Perry – Hot N Cold" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  5. ^ "Gold and Platinum Search". Music Canada. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  6. ^ "Danish single certifications – Katy Perry – Hot N Cold". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 10 March 2012}. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help) Scroll through the page-list below until year 2008 to obtain certification.
  7. ^ a b "Katy Perry" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  8. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Katy Perry; 'Hot N Cold')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  9. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Katy Perry – Hot N Cold". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  10. ^ certweek IS REQUIRED for SPANISH CERTIFICATION.
  11. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Hot N Cold')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  12. ^ "British single certifications – Katy Perry – Hot N Cold". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 10 March 2012. Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Hot N Cold in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  13. ^ "American single certifications – Katy Perry – Hot N Cold". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  14. ^ Ann Pride (2012-01-08). "You Da One! Rihanna named best-selling digital download artist of ALL TIME". London: Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-05-27.
  15. ^ "Weekly US music releases: Katy Perry, Usher, Eels, and Fantasia". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  16. ^ a b 【オリコン】B'z、前人未到のシングル・アルバム通算8000万枚突破. Oricon. 2011-08-02. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  17. ^ a b CDアルバム　年間ランキング Oricon Year-end Albums - 2011. Oricon. Retrieved 2012-02-02. {{cite book}}: Check |url= value (help)
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