Queen’s 1981 compilation ‘Greatest Hits’ has been named as the best-selling album of all-time in Britain.
Chart compilers Official Charts Company have revealed the 60 best-selling albums in Britain to mark the 60th anniversary of the album chart.
Queen’s ‘Greatest Hits’ has sold 6.1 million copies, the only album in Britain to sell more than six million.
It’s followed by ABBA’s 1992 compilation ‘Gold: Greatest Hits’, which has sold 5.2 million. The Beatles’ 1967 album ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ is the best-selling non-compilation album, selling 5.1 million copies.
The first album chart was published on July 22, 1956. Frank Sinatra was at No 1 with ‘Songs For Swingin’ Lovers’.
‘21’ by Adele is the fourth best-selling album ever, despite only being released five years ago in 2011. Its follow-up ‘25’ is already at No 27 in the best-selling list seven months after its release in November 2015. ‘25’ beat Oasis’ 18-year-old record of being the fastest-selling album ever, selling 800,000 copies in its first week, compared to the 650,000 Oasis’ third album sold in 1997.
Ed Sheeran’s ‘X’ is also new in the Top 60, having sold 2.6 million since 2014 to be the 49th best-seller.
Robbie Williams has most appearances in the Top 60, charting with his solo albums ‘I’ve Been Expecting You’ (No 48) and ‘Swing When You’re Winning’ (No 56), as well as Take That’s ‘Progress’ (No 57) and compilation ‘Never Forget – The Ultimate Collection’ (No 59).
Queen guitarist Brian May said of the band’s achievement: “What a great bit of news to wake up to. The most popular album? Well, I always thought the band showed promise, but this is beyond our boyhood dreams. Thanks, folks.”
The 10 best-selling albums of all time in Britain are:
1) Queen – ‘Greatest Hits’
2) Abba – ‘Gold: Greatest Hits’
3) The Beatles – ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’
4) Adele – ‘21’
5) Oasis – ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory’
6) Michael Jackson – ‘Thriller’
7) Pink Floyd – ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’
8) Dire Straits – ‘Brothers In Arms’
9) Michael Jackson – ‘Bad’
10) Queen – ‘Greatest Hits II’
The remaining 11-60 albums can be seen here.