List of best-selling albums in Europe

In this article we are going to explore the impact of List of best-selling albums in Europe in our current society. From its origin to its evolution, List of best-selling albums in Europe has played a key role in different aspects of our daily lives. Throughout history, List of best-selling albums in Europe has been a source of debate and interest, awakening passions and generating reflections on its influence in various areas. Through this article, we will analyze the relevance of List of best-selling albums in Europe today and how it has shaped our perceptions, behaviors and decisions. In addition, we will examine different perspectives regarding List of best-selling albums in Europe, presenting a comprehensive and critical vision that invites reflection and deep analysis of its role in our society.

Since 1996, the IFPI have awarded Platinum Europe Awards for albums that have sold at least one million copies in Europe. Only albums released on or after 1 January 1994 are eligible for the award. This is a list of the best-selling albums in Europe, having been certified Platinum five times or more.

List of best-selling albums in Europe of the IFPI Platinum Europe Awards

10× Platinum

Year Artist Album Label Sales Certification
1997 Celine Dion Let's Talk About Love Epic 10,000,000 10× Platinum
2011 Adele 21 Columbia/XL 10,000,000 10× Platinum

9× Platinum

Year Artist Album Label Sales Certification
1996 Celine Dion Falling into You Epic 9,000,000 9× Platinum
2000 The Beatles 1 Capitol 9,000,000 9× Platinum

8× Platinum

Year Artist Album Label Sales Certification
1994 Bon Jovi Cross Road Mercury 8,000,000 8× Platinum
1995 Celine Dion D'eux Epic 8,000,000 8× Platinum
1996 Spice Girls Spice Virgin 8,000,000 8× Platinum
2006 Amy Winehouse Back to Black Island 8,000,000 8× Platinum

7× Platinum

Year Artist Album Label Sales Certification
1995 Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill Maverick 7,000,000 7× Platinum
1997 Shania Twain Come On Over Mercury Nashville 7,000,000 7× Platinum
1998 Madonna Ray of Light Maverick/Warner 7,000,000 7× Platinum
1998 U2 The Best of 1980–1990 Island 7,000,000 7× Platinum
2002 Norah Jones Come Away with Me Blue Note 7,000,000 7× Platinum

6× Platinum

Year Artist Album Label Sales Certification
1997 Andrea Bocelli Romanza Island/Universal 6,000,000 6× Platinum
1997 The Corrs Talk on Corners Atlantic 6,000,000 6× Platinum
1996 Fugees The Score Ruffhouse/Columbia 6,000,000 6× Platinum
2000 Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP Aftermath 6,000,000 6× Platinum
1998 George Michael Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael Sony 6,000,000 6× Platinum
2004 James Blunt Back to Bedlam Atlantic 6,000,000 6× Platinum
1995 Michael Jackson HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I Epic 6,000,000 6× Platinum
1995 Oasis (What's the Story) Morning Glory? Creation 6,000,000 6× Platinum
2004 Robbie Williams Greatest Hits EMI/Chrysalis 6,000,000 6× Platinum
2001 Robbie Williams Swing When You're Winning EMI/Chrysalis 6,000,000 6× Platinum
1999 Santana Supernatural Arista 6,000,000 6× Platinum

5× Platinum

Year Artist Album Label Sales Certification
1997 Spice Girls Spiceworld Virgin 5,000,000 5× Platinum
1999 Celine Dion All the Way... A Decade of Song Epic 5,000,000 5× Platinum
1997 Backstreet Boys Backstreet's Back Jive 5,000,000 5× Platinum
2000 Barry White The Ultimate Collection Universal 5,000,000 5× Platinum
1995 Bruce Springsteen Greatest Hits Columbia 5,000,000 5× Platinum
2002 Coldplay A Rush of Blood to the Head Capitol/Parlophone 5,000,000 5× Platinum
2005 Coldplay X&Y Capitol/Parlophone 5,000,000 5× Platinum
2003 Dido Life for Rent Arista 5,000,000 5× Platinum
1999 Dido No Angel Arista 5,000,000 5× Platinum
1995 Elton John Love Songs Rocked 5,000,000 5× Platinum
2002 Eminem The Eminem Show Aftermath/Shady 5,000,000 5× Platinum
1997 Eros Ramazzotti Eros BMG 5,000,000 5× Platinum
1996 George Michael Older Virgin 5,000,000 5× Platinum
2000 Madonna Music Maverick/Warner 5,000,000 5× Platinum
1997 James Horner Titanic: Music from the Motion Picture Sony 5,000,000 5× Platinum
1995 Queen Made in Heaven Parlophone/EMI 5,000,000 5× Platinum
1998 Phil Collins Hits Atlantic 5,000,000 5× Platinum
2002 Robbie Williams Escapology EMI/Chrysalis 5,000,000 5× Platinum
2005 Robbie Williams Intensive Care EMI/Chrysalis 5,000,000 5× Platinum

By claimed sales

Previously, IFPI, Music & Media awarded album sales in the Pan-European sphera like The Bodyguard soundtrack which earned 7× platinum, equivalent to 7 million copies. They also reported sales amount in the case of several album's artists in their regular articles.

*Positions based on claimed sales and release year.

Year Artist Album Sales Ref.
1982 Michael Jackson Thriller 18,000,000
1992 Various artists/Whitney Houston The Bodyguard 7,000,000
1987 Michael Jackson Bad 6,700,000
1993 Mariah Carey Music Box 6,000,000
1992 ABBA ABBA Gold 5,600,000
1986 Madonna True Blue 5,500,000
1988 Tracy Chapman Tracy Chapman 5,000,000
1989 Madonna Like a Prayer 5,000,000
1991 Michael Jackson Dangerous 5,000,000
1993 Sheryl Crow Tuesday Night Music Club 5,000,000

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Platinum Europe Awards - Terms and Conditions" (PDF). IFPI. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on July 29, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d Celine Dion's highest IFPI Platinum Europe Awards:
  4. ^ "Michael Jackson … continued". Ebony. September 1987. p. 146. Retrieved December 18, 2022 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ "EUROPEAN TOP 100 ALBUMS Week 9/94" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 9. February 26, 1994. p. 13. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  6. ^ "Gold & Platinum Awards 1987" (PDF). Music & Media. December 26, 1987. p. 16. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  7. ^ Tilli, Robert (December 22, 1994). "La Carey Picks The Right Song As Album Sales Point" (PDF). Music & Media. p. 22. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  8. ^ Bakker, Machgiel (19 November 1993). "ABBA Is Still Thankful For The Music Via Boxed Set" (PDF). Music & Media. p. 16. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  9. ^ Bakker, Machgiel (July 17, 1987). "Spotlight: Madonna Heads For 15th Triumph" (PDF). Music & Media. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  10. ^ "European Chart" (PDF). Music & Media. February 3, 1990. p. 18. Retrieved December 18, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  11. ^ "WEA Warnings On Madonna LP" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 19. May 4, 1990. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 19, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  12. ^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 43. October 23, 1993. p. 22. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  13. ^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music and Media. 17 June 1995: 25. Retrieved 14 March 2021. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)