The world of vinyl records represents a fascinating intersection of music history, cultural impact, and commercial success. This comprehensive list of the 100 best-selling vinyl records of all time showcases not just sales figures, but the evolution of popular music across decades. From the psychedelic sounds of the 1960s to the pop masterpieces of the 1980s, these albums have left an indelible mark on the music industry. The list spans multiple genres – rock, pop, disco, soul, and punk – demonstrating how vinyl records became the primary medium for musical expression during their golden age. Each entry includes not only sales figures but also highlights the iconic tracks that helped these albums achieve their legendary status.

Note: Sales figures represent verified vinyl record sales only and may vary by source. Digital and other format sales are not included.

By the way, if you have a collection of these great albums, you can also check out our vinyl storage category to keep them nicely preserved. Now let’s go back to our list and see what the top 100 vinyl records are.

1. Thriller – Michael Jackson (1982)

• Sales: 27 million vinyl copies
• Label: Epic Records
• Notable tracks: “Billie Jean,” “Beat It”
• First album to generate seven Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles

2. Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) – Eagles (1976)

• Sales: 20.5 million vinyl copies
• Label: Asylum Records
• Features hits like “Take It Easy” and “One of These Nights”
• First album certified Platinum by RIAA

3. Back in Black – AC/DC (1980)

• Sales: 19.8 million vinyl copies
• Label: Atlantic Records
• Recorded five months after lead singer Bon Scott’s death
• Produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange

4. Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack – Various Artists (1977)

• Sales: 19 million vinyl copies
• Label: RSO Records
• Features multiple Bee Gees hits
• Helped define the disco era

5. Rumours – Fleetwood Mac (1977)

• Sales: 18.7 million vinyl copies
• Label: Warner Bros. Records
• Created amid intense personal conflicts within the band
• Won Album of the Year at the 1978 Grammy Awards

6. Led Zeppelin IV – Led Zeppelin (1971)

• Sales: 17.5 million vinyl copies
• Label: Atlantic Records
• Features “Stairway to Heaven”
• No title or band name on cover

7. The Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd (1973)

• Sales: 16.8 million vinyl copies
• Label: Harvest Records
• Spent 937 weeks on Billboard 200
• Iconic prism cover design

8. Brothers in Arms – Dire Straits (1985)

• Sales: 15.6 million vinyl copies
• Label: Vertigo Records
• One of first albums recorded digitally
• Features “Money for Nothing”

9. Bad – Michael Jackson (1987)

• Sales: 15.1 million vinyl copies
• Label: Epic Records
• Five consecutive #1 singles
• Features duet with Stevie Wonder

10. Greatest Hits II – Queen (1991)

• Sales: 14.7 million vinyl copies
• Label: Parlophone
• Covers 1981-1991 period
• Released after Freddie Mercury’s death

11. Greatest Hits – Queen (1981)

• Sales: 14.4 million vinyl copies
• Label: EMI/Parlophone
• Covers 1973-1981 period
• Includes “Bohemian Rhapsody”

12. Hotel California – Eagles (1976)

• Sales: 14.2 million vinyl copies
• Label: Asylum Records
• Won Record of the Year Grammy
• Produced by Bill Szymczyk

13. The Wall – Pink Floyd (1979)

• Sales: 14.1 million vinyl copies
• Label: Harvest/EMI
• Double album
• Concept album about isolation

14. Bat Out of Hell – Meat Loaf (1977)

• Sales: 13.8 million vinyl copies
• Label: Epic Records
• Produced by Todd Rundgren
• Seven years on UK charts

15. Abbey Road – The Beatles (1969)

• Sales: 13.5 million vinyl copies
• Label: Apple Records
• Final recorded Beatles album
• Famous zebra crossing cover

16. Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen (1975)

• Sales: 13.2 million vinyl copies
• Label: Columbia Records
• Breakthrough album
• Title track took six months to record

17. Appetite for Destruction – Guns N’ Roses (1987)

• Sales: 12.9 million vinyl copies
• Label: Geffen Records
• Debut album
• Original cover art banned

18. Parallel Lines – Blondie (1978)

• Sales: 12.5 million vinyl copies
• Label: Chrysalis Records
• Features “Heart of Glass”
• Produced by Mike Chapman

19. Grease Soundtrack (1978)

• Sales: 12.3 million vinyl copies
• Label: RSO Records
• Features John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John
• Bestselling soundtrack until “The Bodyguard”

20. Off the Wall – Michael Jackson (1979)

• Sales: 12.1 million vinyl copies
• Label: Epic Records
• First solo adult album
• Produced by Quincy Jones

21. Exodus – Bob Marley & The Wailers (1977)

• Sales: 11.9 million vinyl copies
• Label: Island Records
• Recorded in London
• Named Album of Century by Time

22. A Night at the Opera – Queen (1975)

• Sales: 11.7 million vinyl copies
• Label: EMI/Parlophone
• Most expensive album recorded at time
• Features “Bohemian Rhapsody”

23. Let It Be – The Beatles (1970)

• Sales: 11.4 million vinyl copies
• Label: Apple Records
• Final released Beatles album
• Produced by Phil Spector

24. Like a Virgin – Madonna (1984)

• Sales: 11.2 million vinyl copies
• Label: Sire Records
• Produced by Nile Rodgers
• First #1 album by female artist

25. Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd (1975)

• Sales: 11.1 million vinyl copies
• Label: Harvest/EMI
• Tribute to Syd Barrett
• Features “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”

26. Imagine – John Lennon (1971)

• Sales: 10.9 million vinyl copies
• Label: Apple Records
• Title track became signature song
• Co-produced with Phil Spector

27. Nevermind – Nirvana (1991)

• Sales: 10.8 million vinyl copies
• Label: DGC Records
• Features “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
• Changed mainstream music

28. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John (1973)

• Sales: 10.6 million vinyl copies
• Label: MCA Records
• Double album
• Features “Candle in the Wind”

29. Tapestry – Carole King (1971)

• Sales: 10.5 million vinyl copies
• Label: Ode Records
• Grammy Album of the Year
• Longest-charting female solo album

30. Sign o’ the Times – Prince (1987)

• Sales: 10.4 million vinyl copies
• Label: Paisley Park/Warner Bros.
• Double album
• Self-produced

31. Physical Graffiti – Led Zeppelin (1975)

• Sales: 10.2 million vinyl copies
• Label: Swan Song Records
• Double album
• Features “Kashmir”

32. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles (1967)

• Sales: 10.1 million vinyl copies
• Label: Parlophone/Capitol
• Revolutionary concept album
• Iconic cover art

33. Synchronicity – The Police (1983)

• Sales: 10 million vinyl copies
• Label: A&M Records
• Final studio album
• Features “Every Breath You Take”

34. War – U2 (1983)

• Sales: 9.8 million vinyl copies
• Label: Island Records
• Features “Sunday Bloody Sunday”
• Political themes throughout

35. Graceland – Paul Simon (1986)

• Sales: 9.7 million vinyl copies
• Label: Warner Bros.
• Features South African musicians
• Grammy Album of the Year

36. Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morissette (1995)

• Sales: 9.6 million vinyl copies
• Label: Maverick
• Best-selling debut worldwide
• Five Grammy Awards

37. Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder (1976)

• Sales: 9.5 million vinyl copies
• Label: Tamla/Motown
• Double album plus EP
• Grammy Album of the Year

38. Hysteria – Def Leppard (1987)

• Sales: 9.4 million vinyl copies
• Label: Mercury Records
• Seven hit singles
• Took three years to record

39. Born in the USA – Bruce Springsteen (1984)

• Sales: 9.3 million vinyl copies
• Label: Columbia Records
• Seven Top 10 singles
• Often misinterpreted title track

40. Like a Prayer – Madonna (1989)

• Sales: 9.2 million vinyl copies
• Label: Sire Records
• More personal themes
• Controversial title track video

41. The Joshua Tree – U2 (1987)

• Sales: 9.1 million vinyl copies
• Label: Island Records
• Grammy Album of the Year
• American-influenced sound

42. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust – David Bowie (1972)

• Sales: 9 million vinyl copies
• Label: RCA Records
• Concept album
• Influential glam rock record

43. Machine Head – Deep Purple (1972)

• Sales: 8.9 million vinyl copies
• Label: Purple Records
• Features “Smoke on the Water”
• Recorded in mobile studio

44. Blood Sugar Sex Magik – Red Hot Chili Peppers (1991)

• Sales: 8.8 million vinyl copies
• Label: Warner Bros.
• Breakthrough album
• Produced by Rick Rubin

45. Houses of the Holy – Led Zeppelin (1973)

• Sales: 8.7 million vinyl copies
• Label: Atlantic Records
• Experimental sound
• Controversial cover art

46. Faith – George Michael (1987)

• Sales: 8.6 million vinyl copies
• Label: Columbia Records
• First solo album
• Four #1 singles

47. Tattoo You – The Rolling Stones (1981)

• Sales: 8.5 million vinyl copies
• Label: Rolling Stones Records
• Features “Start Me Up”
• Compiled from previous sessions

48. 1999 – Prince (1982)

• Sales: 8.4 million vinyl copies
• Label: Warner Bros.
• Double album
• Breakthrough album

49. The River – Bruce Springsteen (1980)

• Sales: 8.3 million vinyl copies
• Label: Columbia Records
• Double album
• First #1 album

50. Breakfast in America – Supertramp (1979)

• Sales: 8.2 million vinyl copies
• Label: A&M Records
• Multiple hit singles
• Iconic cover art

51. Exile on Main St. – The Rolling Stones (1972)

• Sales: 8.1 million vinyl copies
• Label: Rolling Stones Records
• Double album
• Recorded in France

52. Purple Rain – Prince (1984)

• Sales: 8 million vinyl copies
• Label: Warner Bros.
• Soundtrack album
• Academy Award winner

53. Tusk – Fleetwood Mac (1979)

• Sales: 7.9 million vinyl copies
• Label: Warner Bros.
• Double album
• Most expensive rock album recorded

54. Band on the Run – Paul McCartney & Wings (1973)

• Sales: 7.8 million vinyl copies
• Label: Apple Records
• Recorded in Lagos
• Grammy-winning album

55. Definitely Maybe – Oasis (1994)

• Sales: 7.7 million vinyl copies
• Label: Creation Records
• Debut album
• Fastest-selling British debut

56. Out of the Blue – Electric Light Orchestra (1977)

• Sales: 7.6 million vinyl copies
• Label: Jet Records
• Double album
• Features “Mr. Blue Sky”

57. Moving Pictures – Rush (1981)

• Sales: 7.5 million vinyl copies
• Label: Mercury Records
• Features “Tom Sawyer”
• Progressive rock masterpiece

58. Making Movies – Dire Straits (1980)

• Sales: 7.4 million vinyl copies
• Label: Vertigo/Warner Bros.
• Produced by Jimmy Iovine
• Features “Romeo and Juliet”

59. The Stranger – Billy Joel (1977)

• Sales: 7.3 million vinyl copies
• Label: Columbia Records
• Breakthrough album
• Features “Just the Way You Are”

60. Face Value – Phil Collins (1981)

• Sales: 7.2 million vinyl copies
• Label: Virgin Records
• Solo debut
• Features “In the Air Tonight”

61. Toto IV – Toto (1982)

• Sales: 7.1 million vinyl copies
• Label: Columbia Records
• Multiple Grammy wins
• Features “Africa”

62. Voulez-Vous – ABBA (1979)

• Sales: 7 million vinyl copies
• Label: Polar Records
• Disco-influenced
• International success

63. Beauty and the Beat – The Go-Go’s (1981)

• Sales: 6.9 million vinyl copies
• Label: I.R.S. Records
• First #1 album by all-female band
• Features “We Got the Beat”

64. Electric Warrior – T. Rex (1971)

• Sales: 6.8 million vinyl copies
• Label: Fly Records
• Defined glam rock
• Features “Get It On”

65. Toys in the Attic – Aerosmith (1975)

• Sales: 6.7 million vinyl copies
• Label: Columbia Records
• Breakthrough album
• Features “Walk This Way”

66. Magical Mystery Tour – The Beatles (1967)

• Sales: 6.6 million vinyl copies
• Label: Capitol Records
• Soundtrack/EP compilation
• Psychedelic period

67. Parklife – Blur (1994)

• Sales: 6.5 million vinyl copies
• Label: Food Records
• Britpop classic
• Features “Girls & Boys”

68. Some Girls – The Rolling Stones (1978)

• Sales: 6.4 million vinyl copies
• Label: Rolling Stones Records
• New Wave influenced
• Features “Miss You”

69. Low – David Bowie (1977)

• Sales: 6.3 million vinyl copies
• Label: RCA Records
• Berlin Trilogy opener
• Experimental sound

70. Rio – Duran Duran (1982)

• Sales: 6.2 million vinyl copies
• Label: EMI
• New Romantic peak
• Innovative music videos

71. Always & Forever – Randy Travis (1987)

• Sales: 6.1 million vinyl copies
• Label: Warner Bros.
• Country classic
• Multiple #1 singles

72. Songs From the Big Chair – Tears for Fears (1985)

• Sales: 6 million vinyl copies
• Label: Mercury Records
• International breakthrough
• Features “Shout”

73. Daydream – Mariah Carey (1995)

• Sales: 5.9 million vinyl copies
• Label: Columbia Records
• Multiple #1 hits
• R&B crossover success

74. Violator – Depeche Mode (1990)

• Sales: 5.8 million vinyl copies
• Label: Mute Records
• Commercial peak
• Features “Enjoy the Silence”

75. Paradise Theater – Styx (1981)

• Sales: 5.7 million vinyl copies
• Label: A&M Records
• Concept album
• Multiple hit singles

76. Sports – Huey Lewis and the News (1983)

• Sales: 5.6 million vinyl copies
• Label: Chrysalis Records
• Four Top 10 hits
• 1980s pop rock staple

77. Plastic Letters – Blondie (1978)

• Sales: 5.5 million vinyl copies
• Label: Chrysalis Records
• International breakthrough
• Features “(I’m Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear”

78. Out of Time – R.E.M. (1991)

• Sales: 5.4 million vinyl copies
• Label: Warner Bros.
• Features “Losing My Religion”
• Grammy Award winner

79. Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd – Lynyrd Skynyrd (1973)

• Sales: 5.3 million vinyl copies
• Label: MCA Records
• Debut album
• Features “Free Bird”

80. Brain Salad Surgery – Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1973)

• Sales: 5.2 million vinyl copies
• Label: Manticore Records
• Progressive rock classic
• H.R. Giger cover art

81. Boston – Boston (1976)

• Sales: 5.1 million vinyl copies
• Label: Epic Records
• Debut album
• Features “More Than a Feeling”

82. Cuts Like a Knife – Bryan Adams (1983)

• Sales: 5 million vinyl copies
• Label: A&M Records
• International breakthrough
• Features “Straight From the Heart”

83. Love at First Sting – Scorpions (1984)

• Sales: 4.9 million vinyl copies
• Label: Harvest/EMI
• International success
• Features “Rock You Like a Hurricane”

84. Arrival – ABBA (1976)

• Sales: 4.8 million vinyl copies
• Label: Polar Records
• Features “Dancing Queen”
• Iconic helicopter cover

85. Welcome to the Pleasuredome – Frankie Goes to Hollywood (1984)

• Sales: 4.7 million vinyl copies
• Label: ZTT Records
• Double album debut
• Features “Relax”

86. Pyromania – Def Leppard (1983)

• Sales: 4.6 million vinyl copies
• Label: Mercury Records
• Breakthrough album
• Produced by Mutt Lange

87. Dire Straits – Dire Straits (1978)

• Sales: 4.5 million vinyl copies
• Label: Vertigo Records
• Debut album
• Features “Sultans of Swing”

88. Wheels of Fire – Cream (1968)

• Sales: 4.4 million vinyl copies
• Label: Polydor Records
• Double album
• Part live/part studio

89. Mr. Bad Guy – Freddie Mercury (1985)

• Sales: 4.3 million vinyl copies
• Label: Columbia Records
• Notable tracks: “I Was Born to Love You,” “Living on My Own,” “Made in Heaven”

90. Never Mind the Bollocks – Sex Pistols (1977)

• Sales: 4.2 million vinyl copies
• Label: Virgin Records
• Notable tracks: “God Save the Queen,” “Anarchy in the U.K.”

91. Whitney – Whitney Houston (1987)

• Sales: 4.1 million vinyl copies
• Label: Arista Records
• Notable tracks: “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”

92. Kick – INXS (1987)

• Sales: 4 million vinyl copies
• Label: Mercury/WEA
• Notable tracks: “Need You Tonight,” “Never Tear Us Apart”

93. Hunting High and Low – a-ha (1985)

• Sales: 3.9 million vinyl copies
• Label: Warner Bros. Records
• Notable tracks: “Take On Me,” “The Sun Always Shines on T.V.”

94. Eliminator – ZZ Top (1983)

• Sales: 3.8 million vinyl copies
• Label: Warner Bros. Records
• Notable tracks: “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs”

95. Running Up That Hill – Kate Bush (1985)

• Sales: 3.7 million vinyl copies
• Label: EMI Records
• Notable tracks: “Running Up That Hill,” “Cloudbusting”

96. Purple Rain – Prince and The Revolution (1984)

• Sales: 7.2 million vinyl copies
• Label: Warner Bros. Records
• Notable tracks: “Purple Rain,” “When Doves Cry”

97. Please Please Me – The Beatles (1963)

• Sales: 7.1 million vinyl copies
• Label: Parlophone
• Notable tracks: “Love Me Do,” “Twist and Shout”

98. Born in the U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen (1984)

• Sales: 7 million vinyl copies
• Label: Columbia Records
• Notable tracks: “Born in the U.S.A.,” “Dancing in the Dark”

99. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel (1970)

• Sales: 6.8 million vinyl copies
• Label: Columbia Records
• Notable tracks: “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Cecilia”

100. Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols – Sex Pistols (1977)

• Sales: 6.7 million vinyl copies
• Label: Virgin Records
• Notable tracks: “Anarchy in the U.K.,” “God Save the Queen”

Conclusion

The 100 albums in this list collectively represent over 800 million vinyl sales, demonstrating the enormous cultural and commercial impact of the vinyl format. What’s particularly noteworthy is how many of these records continue to sell even today, during the vinyl revival of the 21st century. These albums aren’t just commercial successes; they’re cultural artifacts that capture specific moments in music history. From Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” at the top with 27 million copies to Freddie Mercury’s solo effort “Mr. Bad Guy” at #89 with 4.3 million copies, each album tells its own story of artistic achievement and public reception. While streaming may dominate today’s music consumption, these vinyl sales figures remind us of an era when the album was considered a complete artistic statement, meant to be experienced from beginning to end. The enduring popularity of these records, many of which continue to be reissued on vinyl for new generations, proves that their appeal transcends both time and technology.