To coincide with the release of Adele’s hotly anticipated new album 25, we are going to look at the five all-time top selling albums in the UK and what makes them so great!
To coincide with the release of Adele’s hotly anticipated new album 25, we are going to look at the five all-time top selling albums in the UK and what makes them so great!
5. Oasis – (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
Coming in at number 5 on our list is Oasis and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? As a child of the 90’s growing up in the north, it came as no surprise that this album was one of the bestselling ever, especially considering the amount of times I’ve heard it being played over the last 20 years! The album is full of classic Oasis tracks, that everyone (tries to) sing along to with their hands behind their back, belting out their best Manchurian version of the word “Sunnnshiinnneeee”. Included are the hugely popular tracks; “Wonderwall”, “Don’t Look Back in Anger”, Champagne Supernova and others. I can easily say it’s my favourite album of this century and possibly my favourite non-greatest hit album of all time! Everyone in the office can sing at least one line from one of the tracks and “Some Might Say” it’s their favourite album too!
4. Adele – 21
Possible quite apt considering the reason for this blog, Adele’s 21 takes the number 4 spot on the list, which is astounding considering it was only released in 2011 while many of the other albums have had decades to generate their sales! 21, Adele’s 2nd album was a huge success in the UK and internationally, it has achieved platinum status 16 times, the most times of any album in the UK ever! The album contains many hits but perhaps none more so popular than the track “Someone Like You”. This song achieved number 1 status in the UK and stayed there for five weeks while also achieving number 1 in a number of other countries. This album continues to be bought to this day and “Rumour Has It” we may even see it climb even higher in our listing the next time Adele releases a new album
3. The Beatles – Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Being maybe Britain’s most loved band of all time it’s easy to see how Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band has took the number three spot on our list. The album is the highest release on the list that isn’t classed as a greatest hits album and is often cited as one of the most influential pieces of music in history inspiring the rock and roll era and many artists since! The album takes its name from Paul McCartney written track and fictional alter ego of The Beatles, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Also included on the track listing is the hugely popular and much covered With a Little Help from My Friends. The album was a great success but our list also keeps “Getting Better”….
2. Abba – Gold: Greatest Hits
A possible dark horse at number 2 on the list but after a show of hands in the office we found that nearly every person had a copy of this item in their house at some point! Abba Gold is a compilation of greatest hits from everyone’s guilty pleasure and has achieved platinum status 14 times! With hits we all enjoy singing along to such as Dancing Queen and Mama Mia, it’s easy to see how this album climbed so high on the list! Unfortunately they didn’t quite make the top spot and as we know “The Winner Takes it All” …..
1. Queen – Greatest Hits
Perhaps unsurprisingly the bestselling album ever in the UK is Queen’s Greatest Hits. This is certainly one of, if not my favourite album of all time and has achieved Platinum status a whopping 11 times! The album contains a host of classics including the 3rd bestselling single in the UK of all time and the best song to bang your head to (Thanks Wayne’s World), Bohemian Rhapsody. Other well know songs include, “Another One Bites the Dust”, “Killer Queen” and “We Will Rock You”. This album truly deserves the top spot on this list, they can truly boast “We are the Champions”!
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Nick Cooper
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