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What's the best selling album of all time?
Topic Started: Aug 10 2006, 11:11 AM (607 Views)
George K
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Finally
By Michael Booth
The Denver Post
Published August 10, 2006

Quick, who's got the best-selling music album of all time?

The Beatles, right? "The White Album," no doubt, or "Sgt. Pepper's," or one of the hits collections.

No? Hmmm. Gotta be Elvis, then.

Wait, wait, don't say it . . . it must be the Stones. U2? The Police? Who was bigger than any of those?

Answer is here.
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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Dave Spelvin
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Fulla-Carp
George K
Aug 10 2006, 11:11 AM
By Michael Booth
The Denver Post
Published August 10, 2006

Quick, who's got the best-selling music album of all time?

The Beatles, right? "The White Album," no doubt, or "Sgt. Pepper's," or one of the hits collections.

No? Hmmm. Gotta be Elvis, then.

Wait, wait, don't say it . . . it must be the Stones. U2? The Police? Who was bigger than any of those?

Answer is here.

Eagles
Posted Image
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Mark
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HOLY CARP!!!
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of The Moon.

___.___
(_]===*
o 0
When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
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plays88keys
Pisa-Carp
I think at one time it was Michael Jackson's "Thriller."

Your link can't be accessed, btw.
You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy.
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LWpianistin
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HOLY CARP!!!
I was able to access it. :shrug:
And how are you today?
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apple
one of the angels
White Christmas
it behooves me to behold
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Optimistic
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HOLY CARP!!!
Dark Side of the Moon

EDIT- actually, it held a different record, but I can't remember which. I think it was longest running in the Billboard Top 40?
PHOTOS

I must have a prodigious quantity of mind; it takes me as much as a week, sometimes, to make it up.
- Mark Twain


We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
-T. S. Eliot
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George K
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Finally
(Spoiler Alert!!!!)





answer below....







The Eagles and their little pop masterpieces, that's who. The "top this" distinction of the most copies of one album title ever sold in the United States -- 29 million and counting -- belongs to "The Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975."

And that compilation doesn't even contain "Hotel California," an iconic song from that era of rock history. No, it's 29 million copies of the "Tequila Sunrise" sound over 30 years of sales, the hits album featuring the carefully honed soft rock of "Peaceful Easy Feeling" and "Lyin' Eyes."

The collective rock wisdom of America can't take it easy on this sore point. Yes, the Eagles perfected a California vibe that soothed the nation in the mid-1970s.

But really. "Witchy Woman"?

What would the aging adolescent snobs in the "High Fidelity" record shop say?

"That's just insane," spluttered Paul Green, founder of the School of Rock in Philadelphia. "That must have been a lot of people buying it for a penny from that record club in TV Guide," he said with a laugh. "Being a philosophy graduate, I'd have to call that an `argument ad populum.' It's ponderous, to say the least."

`Just not right'

"That's just not right," echoed Steve Waksman, a professor of music at Smith College and a longtime rock music collector. Acknowledging himself to be a purist when it comes to "albums," Waksman argues that hits collections don't deserve to be on top of the sales list, which was compiled by the Recording Industry Association of America (check out the list at riaa.com/gp/bestsellers/topalbums.asp).

"Still, there's no shame in owning it," Waksman said, perhaps realizing 29 million people make a good-size lynch mob. "To me, it's always more interesting to think about why people like something, rather than dismiss it out of hand."

So what exactly is it about "71-75" that propelled it slowly but surely past Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (27 million, No. 2 all-time), "Led Zeppelin IV" (23 million, No. 3), Pink Floyd's "The Wall" (23 million, No. 4) and AC/DC's "Back in Black" (21 million, No. 5)?

Why are the Beatles, who have sold more from their complete album catalog than any other act in history, stuck at No. 9 on the single-album list with "The Beatles"?

Why does Elvis not show up until No. 117, with his Christmas album, for crying out loud?

What in Mick Jagger's name is Billy Joel doing with his greatest hits at No. 6 all time, at 21 million copies? How did the "My Bodyguard" soundtrack wind up at No. 12? Whatever happened to Hootie & the Blowfish? Did the 16 million copies of "Cracked Rear View" (No. 16) fall on them?

And will any current artist ever climb those heights to take the Eagles to the limit?

The Eagles sold 18 million copies of the hits album in the first 18 months after release, in February 1976. Not all the songs were huge radio hits, a fact industry observers call the "huh?" factor. "Peaceful Easy Feeling" peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard chart, "Take It Easy" at No. 12, "Witchy Woman" at No. 9.

Don Henley has an answer.

"I think it's a deceptively simple equation: Well-crafted, well-played songs with memorable melodies and decent lyrics," said Henley, who also has enjoyed a huge solo career. "Easier said than done, especially these days."

Another explanation is that America loves rock and country -- especially country, Waksman said. There are many more country music stations than classic rock stations these days. The top 20 all-time album list is heavily populated by such crossover country stars as Garth Brooks and Shania Twain, Waksman noted.

"Rock and country are the common denominators on the list, and with the Eagles you have both of that going on," Waksman said. "The early Eagles in particular were a real hybrid, with folk, rock, country and singer-songwriter elements. They made that mix in a very distinctive way, and that can appeal to a broad base of listeners."

Pop hooks

Waksman credits two other factors: the Eagles' rarely matched vocal harmonies, and catchy pop hooks in the songs. "That was calculated on their part," he said, "but that doesn't make it any less effective."

Admirers and neutral observers also point to the band's mythology. The band members' pictures appeared on only one album cover -- 1973's "Desperado." Though the Eagles have enjoyed multiple reunion and farewell tours, and leaders Don Henley and Glenn Frey have had their share of the media spotlight, they're not in the constant tabloid high beams focused on Jagger, Jackson or any of the Beatles.

"They haven't been on the cover of People talking about addiction or divorce," said one marketer who has worked with the Eagles. "There's a mystique there."

The Western iconography helps too, Waksman said. The hits cover features an arid animal skull; their second album was "Desperado"; their third "On the Border." They shared the California sound with Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and Neil Young.

`Alternative lifestyle'

"They were living an alternative lifestyle that didn't contradict their desire to go for the gold," Waksman said. "They were hippies, but they weren't San Francisco hippies. They were laid back in a different way."

America is dominated by people who are country or think they're country, Green said. "Once you get outside of the cities, it's Texarkana," he said. "I'm actually surprised Shania's not closer to No. 1. The biggest tour this year is Tim McGraw."

"I was surprised by a lot of what I found there," Waksman said.

Disappointed as he is by the presence of Billy Joel, Waksman actually believes the top 20 list "rocks harder" than he would have guessed. With Zeppelin in an admirable No. 3 spot, followed quickly by Floyd, AC/DC, Boston, Guns 'N Roses, Santana and Springsteen, "It's great for hard rock to be up that high."

Ironically, Waksman said, the list puts the lie to the heavy metal "counterculture."

"Clearly, by this list it's not counterculture. There's nothing non-mainstream about it."

Many rock industry observers believe the Eagles, Jackson, Led Zeppelin and the others at the top of the list are safe from future assaults by contemporary artists. Albums simply aren't selling in the mass volumes of the previous three decades.
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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The 89th Key
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Dave Spelvin
Aug 10 2006, 03:14 PM
George K
Aug 10 2006, 11:11 AM
By Michael Booth
The Denver Post
Published August 10, 2006

Quick, who's got the best-selling music album of all time?

The Beatles, right? "The White Album," no doubt, or "Sgt. Pepper's," or one of the hits collections.

No? Hmmm. Gotta be Elvis, then.

Wait, wait, don't say it . . . it must be the Stones. U2? The Police? Who was bigger than any of those?

Answer is here.

Eagles

That's what I would say as well.

Although I know MJ held the title for a bit, I believe the Eagles' "greatest hits" or something is numero uno.
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ivorythumper
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
I've heard Meatloaf's "Bat Out of Hell" was the one of if not the biggest selling album.
The dogma lives loudly within me.
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Nina
Senior Carp
Ack. I despise The Eagles. Ersatz white boy angst, all the soul of a studio gig.
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George K
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Finally
Nina
Aug 10 2006, 06:08 PM
Ack. I despise The Eagles. Ersatz white boy angst, all the soul of a studio gig.

Agreed. Never did anything for me. They are the Beach Boys without the edge.

(as if the BB's ever had one!)
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
I couldn't access the link either.

Where is Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors"?
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sue
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HOLY CARP!!!
George K
Aug 10 2006, 04:10 PM
Nina
Aug 10 2006, 06:08 PM
Ack.  I despise The Eagles.  Ersatz white boy angst, all the soul of a studio gig.

Agreed. Never did anything for me. They are the Beach Boys without the edge.

(as if the BB's ever had one!)

:o I loved the Eagles!

Beach Boys, blech.
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George K
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Finally
kenny
Aug 10 2006, 06:12 PM
I couldn't access the link either.

My apologies for posting a link that requires registration. However, I copied and pasted the whole story about 5 posts up (just below the "spoiler alert").

And Sue, you don't like the Beach Boys because you're too young. :baby:
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
Sorry, I like 'em.

And I'm responsible for three sales of this album, all in different formats.

Reason it sold?

It's good. The music has hooks, lyrics are ok, you can sing along...not a bad song in the bunch.
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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Mark
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HOLY CARP!!!
Yuk! I'm with you Sue!

I hate the Beach Boys.

___.___
(_]===*
o 0
When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
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AlbertaCrude
Bull-Carp
Don't mind the Eagles. But I could never, nor still to this day get into Steely Dan, Hall and Oates and the Doobie Brothers.
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sue
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HOLY CARP!!!
George K
Aug 10 2006, 04:20 PM
And Sue, you don't like the Beach Boys because you're too young. :baby:

Well, heck, I don't hear that everyday, thanks. :cool: You are wrong, though. :P
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Nobody's Sock
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Fulla-Carp
All alone at the end of the of the evening
And the bright lights have faded to blue
I was thinking 'bout a woman
who might haveLoved me
and I never knew
You know I've always been a dreamer
(spent my life running 'round)
And it's so hard to change
(can't seem to settle down)
But the dreams I've seen lately
Keep on turning out
and burning out
And turning out the same
So put me on a highway
And show me a sign
And take it to the limit
one more time

You can spend all your time making money
You can spend all your love making time
If it all fell to pieces tomorrow
Would you still be mine?
And when you're looking for your freedom
(nobody seems to care)
And you can't find the door
(can't find it anywhere)
When there's nothing to believe in
Still you're coming back,
you're running back
You're coming back for more
So put me on a highway
And show me a sign
And take it to the limit
one more time
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."
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TomK
HOLY CARP!!!
AlbertaCrude
Aug 10 2006, 07:29 PM
Don't mind the Eagles. But I could never, nor still to this day get into Steely Dan, Hall and Oates and the Doobie Brothers.

That's the thing about the Eagles--there's nothing that nobody doesn't like about them. You could ALWAYS put on an Eagles album and everybody will be happy.

Steeley Dan is GREAT, Hall and Oats and the Doobie's are kind of worthless.
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George K
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Finally
TomK
Aug 10 2006, 07:08 PM
You could ALWAYS put on an Eagles album and everybody will be happy.

I would not. :veryangry:
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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AlbertaCrude
Bull-Carp
Oh, I recognize the immense talent and creativity of Steely Dan. Don't get me wrong. The music just dosen't have that raw "live" edge that gets my attention.
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ivorythumper
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
Quote:
 
The Eagles and their little pop masterpieces, that's who. The "top this" distinction of the most copies of one album title ever sold in the United States -- 29 million and counting -- belongs to "The Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975."


According to that highly impeachable source, Wikipedia, Bat Out Of Hell sold 34 million copies.

Quote:
 
he album was not an immediate hit; it was more of a growing one. Bat out of Hell still sells about 200,000 copies per year and has sold an estimated 34 million copies worldwide, 16 million in the US alone, becoming one of the biggest selling albums of all time.


That is more than the 29M sold by the Eagles, no? :shrug:
The dogma lives loudly within me.
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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
George K
Aug 10 2006, 04:11 PM
TomK
Aug 10 2006, 07:08 PM
You could ALWAYS put on an Eagles album and everybody will be happy.

I would not. :veryangry:

I think TomK means "You could ALWAYS put on an Eagles album and nobody would notice".
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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