Million-Selling Records in One Week
In the vast realm of music albums, only 26 have achieved the remarkable milestone of selling a million or more copies in a single week in the United States. Among these elite albums, one standout artist managed this feat multiple times with the same project – Adele, whose record-breaking album ’25’ reached the million mark not just once, but thrice. This remarkable achievement sets her apart as a true music industry powerhouse.
But which other renowned artists share this prestigious accomplishment? Unsurprisingly, Taylor Swift, the reigning queen of album sales, features prominently on this exclusive list. Additionally, legendary boy bands like Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC make their mark, along with iconic artists such as Whitney Houston and Garth Brooks. Each of these albums represents a significant moment in music history, showcasing the immense popularity and influence of these talented musicians.
From Norah Jones to Lady Gaga, from Eminem to Britney Spears, the diversity of genres and eras represented in this list is a testament to the universal appeal of music that transcends time and trends. These albums have not only captured the hearts of millions of listeners but have also made a lasting impact on the music industry as a whole.
As you delve into the following compilation of albums that have sold over a million copies in a single week, arranged in ascending order based on weekly sales, prepare to be amazed by the sheer magnitude of these milestone achievements in the world of music.
Let’s kick off the list with Lil Wayne’s ‘Tha Carter III’, which sold 1,006,000 copies in a week back in 2008. This was just the beginning of a string of remarkable album sales that continue to astound music lovers and industry experts alike.
Next up, we have Norah Jones’ ‘Feels Like Home’, which achieved a sales milestone of 1,022,000 copies in a single week in 2004. The soulful melodies and captivating vocals of Norah Jones struck a chord with audiences worldwide, propelling her to the top of the charts.
Taylor Swift makes her first appearance on the list with ‘Speak Now’, selling an impressive 1,047,000 copies in a week in 2010. Known for her heartfelt lyrics and catchy tunes, Taylor Swift has established herself as a powerhouse in the music industry, captivating fans with each new release.
Limp Bizkit’s ‘Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water’ is up next, with sales of 1,055,000 copies in a week in 2000. The band’s unique blend of rock and rap resonated with a wide audience, catapulting them to commercial success and critical acclaim.
Whitney Houston’s ‘The Bodyguard’ soundtrack, featuring her iconic hits, achieved sales of 1,061,000 copies in a week in 1993. This timeless album remains a classic in the world of music, showcasing Whitney Houston’s incredible talent and vocal prowess.
Garth Brooks’ ‘Double Live’ set a new record with sales of 1,085,000 copies in a week in 1998. The country superstar’s energetic performances and heartfelt songs endeared him to fans around the world, solidifying his status as a country music legend.
Usher’s ‘Confessions’ album achieved a milestone with sales of 1,096,000 copies in a week in 2004. Usher’s smooth vocals and infectious beats captivated audiences, making ‘Confessions’ a standout hit in his impressive discography.
Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ album soared to success with sales of 1,108,000 copies in a week in 2011. Known for her bold style and powerful vocals, Lady Gaga pushed boundaries and inspired fans with her anthemic songs and empowering messages.
Adele’s ’25’ makes a second appearance on the list, with sales over a million copies, solidifying her status as a music industry powerhouse. This remarkable achievement is a testament to Adele’s unparalleled talent and the universal appeal of her emotional and captivating music.
Backstreet Boys’ ‘Millennium’ album achieved sales of 1,134,000 copies in a week in 1999, solidifying their status as one of the biggest boy bands in music history. With their infectious pop hits and smooth harmonies, Backstreet Boys captured the hearts of fans worldwide.
Taylor Swift’s ‘Midnights’ continued her streak of success with sales of 1,140,000 copies in a week in 2022. This album showcased Taylor Swift’s evolution as an artist, captivating audiences with her introspective lyrics and mesmerizing melodies.
50 Cent’s ‘The Massacre’ album surpassed the million mark with sales of 1,141,000 copies in a week in 2005. Known for his gritty lyrics and infectious beats, 50 Cent made a significant impact on the rap scene, cementing his place as a hip-hop icon.
Adele’s ’25’ achieved sales over a million copies for the third time, a feat that few artists can boast. This remarkable achievement speaks to the timeless quality of Adele’s music and its enduring appeal to audiences worldwide.
Taylor Swift’s ‘Red’ album reached new heights with sales of 1,208,000 copies in a week in 2012. This album showcased Taylor Swift’s versatility as an artist, blending pop and country influences to create a unique and captivating sound.
Taylor Swift’s ‘Reputation’ album continued her reign with sales of 1,216,000 copies in a week in 2017. Known for her candid lyrics and bold storytelling, Taylor Swift pushed boundaries and captivated audiences with her fearless approach to music.
The Beatles’ ‘1’ album achieved a milestone with sales of 1,259,000 copies in a week in 2001. This iconic compilation of the band’s greatest hits resonated with fans old and new, solidifying The Beatles’ status as one of the greatest bands of all time.
Taylor Swift’s ‘1989’ album continued her streak of success with sales of 1,287,000 copies in a week in 2014. This album marked a shift in Taylor Swift’s sound, embracing a more pop-oriented style while retaining her signature songwriting prowess.
Britney Spears’ ‘Oops!…I Did It Again’ album reached a milestone with sales of 1,319,000 copies in a week in 2000. The iconic pop princess captivated audiences with her infectious hits and captivating performances, solidifying her status as a pop music legend.
Eminem’s ‘The Eminem Show’ album achieved sales of 1,322,000 copies in a week in 2002. Known for his raw lyrics and intense delivery, Eminem made a significant impact on the rap scene, becoming one of the best-selling artists of all time.
Taylor Swift’s ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ album saw another milestone with sales of 1,359,000 copies in a week in 2023. This reimagined version of her classic album delighted fans and showcased Taylor Swift’s dedication to her craft and her loyal fanbase.
Backstreet Boys’ ‘Black & Blue’ album achieved unprecedented success with sales of 1,591,000 copies in a week in 2000. This album solidified Backstreet Boys’ status as one of the biggest boy bands in music history, captivating fans with their infectious melodies and smooth harmonies.
Eminem’s ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’ album set a new record with sales of 1,760,000 copies in a week in 2000. Eminem’s powerful lyrics and controversial topics sparked conversations and solidified his status as a rap legend with a dedicated fanbase.
*NSYNC’s ‘Celebrity’ album achieved sales of 1,878,000 copies in a week in 2001. The beloved boy band captured the hearts of fans with their upbeat songs and energetic performances, becoming a cultural phenomenon in the late 90s and early 2000s.
*NSYNC’s ‘No Strings Attached’ album reached an unparalleled milestone with sales of 2,416,000 copies in a week in 2000. This achievement solidified *NSYNC’s status as one of the biggest boy bands of all time, with a massive fanbase and chart-topping hits.
Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ album reached a new height with sales of 2,610,000 copies in a week in 2024. This album showcased Taylor Swift’s evolution as an artist and her ability to connect with audiences on a profound level, solidifying her status as a music industry powerhouse.
Adele’s ’25’ album made history with an astonishing first-week sales figure of 3,378,000 copies in 2015. This unprecedented achievement underscored Adele’s immense popularity and the universal appeal of her emotional and soul-stirring music, setting a new standard for album sales in the modern music industry.
