List of best-selling singles

Last updated

1942 10-inch 78 rpm release of the single "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby Bing Crosby - White Christmas 1942 10 inch.jpg
1942 10-inch 78 rpm release of the single "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby
1997 7-inch 45 rpm release of "Candle in the Wind 1997"/"Something About the Way You Look Tonight", double A-side single by Elton John Elton John - Candle In The Wind 1997 7 inch.jpg
1997 7-inch 45 rpm release of "Candle in the Wind 1997"/"Something About the Way You Look Tonight", double A-side single by Elton John

This is a compendium of the best-selling music singles. The criterion for inclusion is to sell at least ten million copies worldwide. The singles listed here were cited by reliable sources from various media, such as digital journalism, newspapers, magazines, and books.

Contents

According to Guinness World Records , Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" (1942) as performed by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single worldwide, with estimated sales of over 50 million copies. [1] The song, recognized as "the best-selling single of all time", was released before the pop/rock singles-chart era and "was listed as the world's best-selling single in the first-ever Guinness Book of Records (published in 1955) and—remarkably—still retains the title more than 50 years later". Guinness World Records also states that double A-side charity single "Candle in the Wind 1997"/"Something About the Way You Look Tonight" (1997) by Elton John (rewritten as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, rather than Marilyn Monroe in the original 1973 version), is "the biggest-selling single since UK and US singles charts began in the 1950s, having accumulated worldwide sales of 33 million copies". This makes it the second-best-selling physical single of all time. [1]

Two best-selling singles lists are displayed here relating first to physical singles (mainly CD and vinyl singles) and second to digital singles (digitally downloaded tracks which first became available to purchase in the early 2000s).

Best-selling physical singles

15 million physical copies or more

ArtistSingleReleasedSales
(in millions)
Source
Bing Crosby "White Christmas"194250 [1]
Elton John "Something About the Way You Look Tonight"/"Candle in the Wind 1997"199733 [1]
Bing Crosby "Silent Night"193530 [2]
Tino Rossi "Petit Papa Noël"194630 [3]
Bill Haley & His Comets "Rock Around the Clock"195425 [4] [5]
Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You"199220 [6]
Elvis Presley "It's Now or Never"196020 [7] [8]
USA for Africa "We Are the World"198520 [9]
The Ink Spots "If I Didn't Care"193919[ disputed ] [10]
Celine Dion "My Heart Will Go On"199718 [11]
Mariah Carey "All I Want For Christmas Is You"199416 [12]
Baccara "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie"197716 [13]
Bryan Adams "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You"199115 [14]
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John "You're the One That I Want"197815 [15]

10–14.9 million copies

ArtistSingleReleasedSales
(in millions)
Source
The Andrews Sisters "Bei Mir Bist Du Schön"193714 [16]
Scorpions "Wind of Change"199114 [17]
Prince Nico Mbarga "Sweet Mother"197613 [18]
Kyu Sakamoto "Sukiyaki"196313 [19]
Gene Autry "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"194912.5 [20]
The Beatles "I Want to Hold Your Hand"196312 [7]
Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman "Time to Say Goodbye"199612 [21]
Village People "Y.M.C.A."197812 [22]
Band Aid "Do They Know It's Christmas?"198411.7 [23]
Los del Río "Macarena"199511 [24]
Cher "Believe"199811 [25] [26]
Carl Douglas "Kung Fu Fighting"197411 [27] [28]
George McCrae "Rock Your Baby"197411 [7]
Mills Brothers "Paper Doll"194311 [7]
Roger Whittaker "The Last Farewell"197511 [29]
ABBA "Fernando"197610 [30]
Roy Acuff "Wabash Cannonball"194210 [7]
Paul Anka "Diana"195710 [31] [32]
Toni Braxton "Un-Break My Heart"199610 [33]
George Harrison "My Sweet Lord"197010 [34]
Middle of the Road "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep"197110 [7]
The Monkees "I'm a Believer"196610 [7] [35]
Panjabi MC "Mundian To Bach Ke"199810[ disputed ] [36]
Patti Page "Tennessee Waltz"195010 [37] [38] [39]
The Penguins "Earth Angel"195410 [40]
Elvis Presley "Hound Dog"195610 [41]
Procol Harum "A Whiter Shade of Pale"196710 [7]
Boney M. "Rivers of Babylon"197810 [42]
Britney Spears "...Baby One More Time"199810 [43]
The Knack "My Sharona"197910 [44] [45]

Highest-certified singles

A list of the best selling singles released before 2000, based on worldwide certified unit sales (including both digital sales and equivalent track streams)

ArtistSingleReleasedCertified Sales
Elton John "Candle in the Wind"1997 28.7 Million
Mariah Carey "All I Want for Christmas is You"1994 26.9 Million
Journey "Don't Stop Believing"1981 24.4 Million
Michael Jackson "Thriller"1983 23.9 Million
Queen "Bohemian Rhapsody"1975 17 Million
Michael Jackson "Billie Jean"1983 16.2 Million
Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You"1992 13.8 Million
Toto "Africa"1982 12.4 Million
Michael Jackson "Beat It "1983 12.2 Million
"Whitney Houston" I Wanna Dance with Somebody 1987 11.1 Million
Wham! Last Christmas 1984 11 Million
Earth, Wind and Fire September 1978 10.8 Million
Survivor "Eye of the Tiger"1982 10.1 Million
Cyndi Lauper "Girls Just Want to have Fun"1983 10 Million
USA For Africa "We Are the World"1985 9.8 Million
Britney Spears "...Baby One More Time"1998 9.8 Million
Queen "We Will Rock You"1977 9.1 Million
Puff Daddy and Faith Evans I'll be missing you 1997 9.1 Million
Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit"1991 8.7 Million
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John "You're the One That I Want"1978 8.6 Million
Band Aid "Do They Know it's Christmas?"1984 8.3 Million
Celine Dion "My Heart Will Go On"1997 8.3 Million
Queen "Don't Stop Me Now"1979 8.3 Million
Queen "We are the Champions"1977 8.3 Million
Notorious B.I.G Big Poppa 1994 8.2 Million
Bon Jovi "Livin on a Prayer"1986 8.2 Million
Elvis Presley "It's Now or Never"1960 8 Million
Rick Astley "Never Gonna Give You Up"1987 8 Million
Guns and Roses Sweet Child O' Mine 1988 7.9 Million
The Beatles "Hey Jude"1968 7.9 Million
Queen "Another One Bites the Dust"1980 7.8 Million
Aqua Barbie Girl 1996 7.6 Million
Mariah Carey Fantasy 1995 7.6 Million
Coolio Gangsta's Paradise 1995 7.5 Million
Michael Jackson "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough"1979 7.4 Million
Bryan Adams "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You"1991 7.4 Million
Notorious B.I.G Juicy 1994 7.3 Million
Village People "Y.M.C.A"1978 7.3 Million
Brenda Lee Rockin Around the Christmas Tree 1958 7.3 Million
Metallica Enter Sandman 1991 7.2 Million
The Beatles "I Want to Hold Your Hand"1963 7 Million
The Fugees Killing me Softly 1996 7 Million
The Eagles "Hotel California"1977 7 Million
Bees Gees "Stayin Alive"1977 7 Million
Cher "Believe"1998 7 Million
Los Del Rio "Macarena"1993 7 Million
The Melodians Rivers of Babylon 1970 6.8 Million
Mariah Carey Always be my Baby 1995 6.7 Million
Oasis Wonderwall 1995 6.6 Million
Ozzy Osbourne Crazy Train 1980 6.4 Million
Queen "Under Pressure"1981 6.3 Million

Best-selling digital singles

15 million digital copies or more

ArtistSingleReleasedSales
(in millions)
Source
Ed Sheeran "Shape of You"201741.5 [a] [46] [47]
Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee "Despacito"201736.1 [a] [46] [47]
Rihanna featuring Drake "Work"201632.5 [a] [48]
The Chainsmokers and Coldplay "Something Just Like This"201721.5 [a] [46] [47]
Ed Sheeran "Perfect"201721.4 [a] [46] [47]
Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth "See You Again"201520.9 [a] [49]
The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey "Closer"201620.7 [a] [50] [46]
Adele "Rolling in the Deep"201120.6 [51] [52] [53]
Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars "Uptown Funk"201520 [a] [49]
Billie Eilish "Bad Guy"201919.5 [a] [54]
Ed Sheeran "Thinking Out Loud"201519.5 [a] [49]
Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug "Havana"201719.0 [a] [46] [47]
Lil Nas X "Old Town Road"201818.4 [a] [54]
Carly Rae Jepsen "Call Me Maybe"201118.0 [55]
Taylor Swift "Love Story"200818.0 [a] [56]
Adele "Someone Like You"201117.0 [57]
Rihanna "Needed Me"201617.0 [a] [48]
Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello "Señorita"201916.1 [a] [54]
Imagine Dragons "Radioactive"201216 [a] [58]
"Believer"201715.4 [a] [59] [60]
Drake "God's Plan"201815.3 [a] [47]

10–14.99 million copies

ArtistSingleReleasedSales
(in millions)
Source
Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell "Blurred Lines"201314.8 [a] [61]
Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera "Moves Like Jagger"201114.4 [62]
Kesha "Tik Tok"200914 [63]
Lady Gaga "Poker Face"200814 [64]
Pharrell Williams "Happy"201313.9 [a] [65]
Maroon 5 "Sugar"201513.5 [a] [49]
Post Malone and Swae Lee "Sunflower"201813.4 [a] [54]
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz "Thrift Shop"201213.4 [a] [61]
Ariana Grande "7 Rings"201913.3 [a] [54]
Katy Perry featuring Juicy J "Dark Horse"201313.2 [a] [65]
Major Lazer & DJ Snake featuring "Lean On"201513.1 [a] [49]
Gotye featuring Kimbra "Somebody That I Used to Know"201113 [66]
Ellie Goulding "Love Me like You Do"201512.6 [a] [49]
Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla "One Dance"201612.5 [a] [50]
Bruno Mars "Just the Way You Are"201012.5 [67]
Adele "Hello"201512.3 [a] [49]
John Legend "All of Me"201312.3 [a] [65]
Jason Mraz "I'm Yours"200812.2 [68] [69] [70] [71]
Flo Rida featuring Kesha "Right Round"200912 [72]
Flo Rida featuring T-Pain "Low"200712 [73]
Lady Gaga "Bad Romance"200912 [74]
Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B "Girls Like You"201811.9 [a] [47]
Justin Bieber "Love Yourself"201511.7 [a] [50]
Tones and I "Dance Monkey"201911.4 [a] [54]
Avicii featuring Aloe Blacc "Wake Me Up"201311.1 [a] [61]
Sia featuring Sean Paul "Cheap Thrills"201611.1 [a] [50]
Meghan Trainor "All About That Bass"201411 [a] [65]
Tia Ray "Be Apart"201810.9 [a] [47]
Idina Menzel "Let It Go"201310.9 [a] [65]
Justin Bieber "Sorry"201510.8 [a] [50]
Lukas Graham "7 Years"201510.4 [a] [50]
Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber "I Don't Care"201910.3 [a] [54]
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper "Shallow"201810.2 [a] [54]
The Chainsmokers featuring Daya "Don't Let Me Down"201610.2 [a] [50]
Lorde "Royals"201310 [75]
Bruno Mars "Grenade"201010.2 [67]
Mike Posner "I Took a Pill in Ibiza"201510 [a] [50]
Shakira featuring Freshlyground "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)"201010 [76]
Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean "Hips Don't Lie"200610 [77]
Lady Gaga featuring Colby O'Donis "Just Dance"200810 [78]

By stream equivalent units

Beginning in 2020, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry began reporting the best-selling singles of each year in terms of subscription streams equivalent units. The methodology used converts all digital formats, including digital download sales, paid subscription streaming, and free ad-supported streaming, into a single figure. [79]

ArtistSingleReleasedUnits
(in billions)
Source
The Weeknd "Blinding Lights"20195.31 [79] [80] [81]
The Weeknd "Save Your Tears"20204.66 [80] [81] [82]
The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber "Stay"20213.81 [80] [81]
Harry Styles "As It Was"20223.74 [81] [82]
Dua Lipa "Levitating"20202.99 [80] [81]
Ed Sheeran "Bad Habits"20212.77 [80] [81]
Miley Cyrus "Flowers"20232.70 [82]
Tones and I "Dance Monkey"20192.34 [80]
Rema and Selena Gomez "Calm Down"20221.89 [82]
SZA "Kill Bill"20221.84 [82]
The Weeknd and Ariana Grande "Die for You"20231.78 [82]
BTS "Butter"20211.76 [80]
Glass Animals "Heat Waves"20201.75 [81]
Olivia Rodrigo "Drivers License"20211.73 [80]
Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon "Peaches"20211.72 [81]
Roddy Ricch "The Box"20191.67 [80]
Saint Jhn "Roses"20191.64 [80]
Dua Lipa "Don't Start Now"20191.62 [80]
Olivia Rodrigo "Good 4 U"20211.61 [80]
Lil Nas X "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)"20211.60 [80]
Future featuring Drake "Life Is Good"20201.57 [80]

Best-selling singles by year worldwide

Claimed sales
YearArtistSingleSource
1966 Barry Sadler "The Ballad of the Green Berets" [83]
1968 The Beatles "Hey Jude" [84]
1969 The Archies "Sugar, Sugar" [85]
1990 Madonna "Vogue" [86]
1992 Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You" [87]
1998 Celine Dion "My Heart Will Go On" [88]
IFPI Report (since 2007)
YearArtistSingleSales
(in millions) [b]
Source
2007 Avril Lavigne "Girlfriend"7.3 [89]
2008 Lil Wayne "Lollipop"9.1 [90]
2009 Lady Gaga "Poker Face"9.8 [69]
2010 Kesha "Tik Tok"12.8 [91]
2011 Bruno Mars "Just the Way You Are"12.5 [67]
2012 Carly Rae Jepsen "Call Me Maybe"12.5 [92]
2013 Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell "Blurred Lines"14.8 [61]
2014 Pharrell Williams "Happy"13.9 [65]
2015 Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth "See You Again"20.9 [49]
2016 Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla "One Dance"12.5 [50]
2017 Ed Sheeran "Shape of You"26.6 [46]
2018 Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug "Havana"19.0 [46] [47]
2019 Billie Eilish "Bad Guy"19.5 [54]
2020 The Weeknd "Blinding Lights" [lower-alpha 1] [79]
2021 The Weeknd "Save Your Tears" [lower-alpha 2] [80]
2022 Harry Styles "As It Was" [lower-alpha 3] [81]
2023 Miley Cyrus "Flowers" [lower-alpha 4] [82]

See also

Notes

  1. IFPI report claimed a figure of 2.72 billion subscription stream equivalent units globally
  2. IFPI report claimed a figure of 2.15 billion subscription stream equivalent units globally
  3. IFPI report claimed a figure of 2.28 billion subscription stream equivalent units globally
  4. IFPI report claimed a figure of 2.70 billion subscription stream equivalent units globally

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Real Slim Shady</span> 2000 single by Eminem

"The Real Slim Shady" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his third album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). It was released as the lead single a month before the album's release.

<i>Number Ones</i> (Michael Jackson album) 2003 greatest hits album by Michael Jackson

Number Ones is a greatest hits album by American singer Michael Jackson. It was released on November 18, 2003, by Epic Records. Number Ones was Jackson's first proper compilation album with Epic Records, after the release of the first disc of HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I in 1995. The album included Jackson's singles that reportedly reached number 1 in charts around the world, hence the album's name. Number Ones also features the last original single released during Jackson's lifetime, "One More Chance", released four days after the release of the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Britney Spears discography</span>

American singer Britney Spears has released nine studio albums, eight compilation albums, nine box sets, three extended plays (EPs), 50 singles, 11 promotional singles, two charity singles, and has made three guest appearances. In 1997, Spears signed a recording contract with American record label Jive Records in order to launch her career.

"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!", also known as simply "Let It Snow", is a song written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in July 1945 in Hollywood, California, during a heatwave as Cahn and Styne imagined cooler conditions. The song was first recorded that fall by Vaughn Monroe, was released just after Thanksgiving, and became a hit by Christmas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Backstreet Boys discography</span>

The discography of American pop vocal group Backstreet Boys consists of ten studio albums, 31 singles, one live album, three compilation albums and 33 music videos. As of 2019, they have sold more than 130 million records worldwide, becoming the best-selling boy band of all time. Formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993, the group consists of Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson, AJ McLean and Howie Dorough. Richardson left the group in 2006 to pursue other interests, but rejoined in 2012. The Backstreet Boys released their debut single "We've Got It Goin' On" in 1995, which peaked at number sixty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100. The single, however, entered the top ten in many European countries. Their debut album, Backstreet Boys, was released internationally in 1996, and was certified three times platinum in Europe, and diamond in Canada. In 1997, they released their second international album, Backstreet's Back, which continued their international success. At the same time, they released their second self-titled album in the United States. It peaked at number four and eventually became the tenth best-selling album of the 1990s.

The Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) or Federation of the Italian Music Industry is an umbrella organization that keeps track of virtually all aspects of the music recording industry in Italy. It was established in 1992, when major corporate labels left the previously existing Associazione dei Fonografici Italiani (AFI). During the following years, most of the remaining Italian record labels left AFI to join the new organisation. As of 2011, FIMI represents 2,500 companies operating in the music business.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westlife discography</span>

Irish boy band Westlife have released twelve studio albums, sixteen video albums, one live album, three karaoke albums, thirty-eight singles, twenty-one promotional singles, nine compilation albums and fifty-four music videos. Formed on 3 July 1998, the group was made up of singers Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden. The band was signed under Simon Cowell, Clive Davis, and Jordan Jay and under record labels' BMG, S Records, Arista Records, Sony BMG, Syco Music, Sony Music Entertainment and RCA Records from 1998 to 2012 and currently on Universal Music Group and Virgin EMI Records from 2018. The last four members remained active until their last live concert performance in the Europe's third largest stadium Croke Park on 23 June 2012 and have reunited on 3 October 2018 for new music and tour. Based on the British Phonographic Industry certifications, the group have sold more than 26 million records and videos in the United Kingdom alone across their 20-year career–12.8 million singles, 13.5 million albums and 1.3 million videos. Their biggest selling album is their first Greatest Hits compilation, followed by Coast to Coast, with seven of their albums selling one million copies or more. Their biggest selling video is "Where Dreams Come True", which has sold 240,000 copies to date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Timberlake discography</span>

The discography of American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake consists of six studio albums, two compilation albums, three extended plays, and 51 singles. Timberlake started his music career in 1995, as a member of boy band NSYNC. Following the group's hiatus in 2002, he released his solo debut studio album, Justified, in November that same year. The album was a commercial success and peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart and additionally topped the charts in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Justified earned multiple multi-platinum certifications, including a triple platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and a sextuple platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). It produced four singles: "Like I Love You", "Cry Me a River", "Rock Your Body" and "Señorita"; all performed well commercially, with two of them becoming top 5 hits on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and top two hits on the UK Singles Chart. "Rock Your Body" also reached number one in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adele discography</span> Discography of notable English musician

English singer-songwriter Adele has released four studio albums, one video album, two extended plays, 17 singles and eleven music videos. Adele has sold over 72 million in pure album sales and over 100 million in album equivalent units worldwide over four studio albums and one video album as of December 2021. She was named the best-selling album artist of the 2010s decade in the US and worldwide. She has also sold over 100 million in single sales with total sales records over 170 million as of December 2021. She also became the best-selling female artist of the 21st century in the UK. Her album 21 became the best-selling album of the 21st century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katy Perry discography</span>

American singer Katy Perry has released six studio albums, seven extended plays (EP), 39 singles, and 11 promotional singles. According to Recording Industry Association of America, Perry has sold 109.5 million digital singles and 17 million albums in the United States. She is also the sixth best-selling digital singles artist in the United States. Throughout her career, Perry has sold 48 million album units and 135 million singles worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Billboard listed her as the fourth top female artist of the 2010s decade and the 61st greatest artist of all time. Perry has scored nine number one songs on Billboard Hot 100 and three number one albums on Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year</span> 1963 song by Andy Williams

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is a popular Christmas song written in 1963 by Edward Pola and George Wyle. It was recorded and released that year by pop singer Andy Williams for his first Christmas album, The Andy Williams Christmas Album. However, the song was not released as a promotional single by Williams' record label that year, as they instead opted to promote his cover of "White Christmas" as the official promo single from the album. "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" has consistently made it onto pop singles charts around the world in the 2010s and 2020s. It peaked at No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 2020 and at No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart in 2021.

"'Till I Collapse" is a song by American rapper Eminem featuring American singer Nate Dogg, released from his fourth studio album The Eminem Show (2002). Despite never being released as a single, the song has managed to chart numerous times worldwide and is the most streamed non-single of all time on Spotify as of June 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolling in the Deep</span> 2010 single by Adele

"Rolling in the Deep" is a song by English singer-songwriter Adele from her second studio album, 21 (2011). It is the lead single and opening track on the album. The song was written by Adele and Paul Epworth. The singer herself describes it as a "dark blues-y gospel disco tune". In 2011, it was reportedly the biggest crossover hit in the United States since 1985; "Rolling in the Deep" gained radio airplay from many different radio formats. It was first released on 29 November 2010 as the lead single from 21 in digital download format. The lyrics describe the emotions of a scorned lover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Set Fire to the Rain</span> 2011 song by Adele

"Set Fire to the Rain" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Adele for her second studio album, 21 (2011). The song was written by Adele and Fraser T. Smith while the production was handled by the latter. It became Adele's third consecutive US number-one single from 21 and reached the top ten in most of other foreign markets. It is a pop power ballad with lush instrumentation and a swelling string arrangement, in contrast to the understated production of most songs on the album. The song has received acclaim from various critics with many complimenting on Adele's vocals. "Set Fire to the Rain" was voted by readers of Billboard as their favorite number one hit of 2012. Though no official music video was released for the song, a live performance from the DVD Live at the Royal Albert Hall was uploaded to video-sharing website YouTube. This rendition won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.

"No Role Modelz" is a song by American rapper J. Cole, taken from his third studio album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive. The song interpolates "Don't Save Her" by Project Pat, and was produced by Phonix Beats and J. Cole. During the week of December 22, 2015, the song reached number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Cole his fourth top 40 hit as a solo artist and the highest-charting single from 2014 Forest Hills Drive. On May 20, 2016, the single was officially certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Without Me (Eminem song)</span> 2002 single by Eminem

"Without Me" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fourth studio album The Eminem Show (2002). "Without Me" was released on May 13, 2002, as the lead single from the album, and re-released on his greatest hits compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits (2005). "Without Me" is one of Eminem's most successful singles, reaching number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and number one in fifteen countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Believer (Imagine Dragons song)</span> 2017 song by Imagine Dragons

"Believer" is a song by American pop rock band Imagine Dragons. The song was released on February 1, 2017, through Interscope Records and Kidinakorner as the lead single from the band's third studio album, Evolve (2017). It was written by Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee, Daniel Platzman, Justin Tranter, Jamie marcel and its producers Mattman & Robin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Global Recording Artist of the Year</span> Award

The Global Recording Artist of the Year is an award presented by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) to honor the year's commercially best-performing musician, based on global album-equivalent units earned, which includes music downloads, streaming and physical sales. It has been awarded every year since January 2014, starting with the British boy band One Direction, who won the accolade for 2013. American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift is the biggest winner of the accolade, having won four times—in 2014, 2019, 2022, and 2023.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Best-selling single". Guinness World Records . Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  2. ""Silent night, holy night"". German Patent And Trade Mark Office.
  3. Rossi, Tino. "Best-selling single (France)". Guinness World Records.
  4. Barnett, David C. (1 July 2000). "(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock". NPR . Retrieved 9 October 2020. Since its release more than 40 years ago, "Rock Around the Clock" has sold over 25 million copies in over 30 languages.
  5. This figure was also cited through the 1980s by Guinness World Records, albeit with the caveat that the figure was an "unaudited" claim. By the time of the book's 1999 edition, the estimated sales figure had increased to 43 million, again as an "unaudited" claim.
  6. Geller, Wendy (21 February 2014). "It Was 40 Years Ago: Dolly Parton Bids Adieu to Porter Wagoner, Writes 'I Will Always Love You'". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Murrells 1978, p. 395.
  8. Martin, Douglas (5 December 2009). "Aaron Schroeder, Writer of Hit Songs for Elvis Presley, Dies at 83". The New York Times . Archived from the original on 17 December 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  9. Breznican, Anthony (30 June 2009). "The many faces of Michael Jackson". USA Today . Archived from the original on 5 December 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  10. "Songwriters Friends: The Ink Spots". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  11. Rosenberg, Sari (28 February 2018). "February 28, 1998: Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" Soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Lifetime. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  12. "Mariah Carey Hit With $20 Million Lawsuit for 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' - Is Nothing Sacred?". Forbes. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  13. "'Yes Sir, I Can Boogie' singer María Mendiola has died". NME. 12 September 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  14. Pareles, Jon (8 March 1994). "Review/Pop; Bryan Adams, More Mr. Nice Guy". The New York Times . Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  15. Lachno, James (18 December 2017). "The 50 best pop songs written for movies". The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on 20 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  16. Sforza, John (2015). Swing It!: The Andrews Sisters Story. University Press of Kentucky. p. 29. ISBN   978-0-8131-4897-7.
  17. Milas, Alexander (3 June 2022). "Wind Of Change: the story of the most monumental power ballad ever". Louder . Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  18. "Prince Nico Mbara". Nigeria Exchange. Archived from the original on 30 December 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  19. 坂本九さん 〜心のふるさと・笠間〜. Kasama Tourist (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. (Translation)
  20. Jackson, Kenneth T. (15 August 1998). The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives. Vol. 1. Gale. p. 550. ISBN   9780684804927. ...while Autry's version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" sold more than 12.5 million copies
  21. "Andrea Bocelli". Decca Records. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012.
  22. "Glenn Hughes". The Daily Telegraph . London. 16 March 2001. Archived from the original on 16 March 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  23. McFarlen, Donald (1988). The Guinness Book of World Records, 1989. Jim Pattison Group. pp. 155–156. ISBN   9780806902760.
  24. Hlavaty, Craig (1 August 2016). "20 years ago the world couldn't stop doing the 'Macarena'". The Houston Chronicle . Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  25. "Throwback Thursday: 'Believe' by Cher, the song that brought you Auto-Tune [LISTEN]". Music Times. 13 March 2014. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  26. Napsha, Cheryl; Berman, Connie (2001). "1: And the Beat Goes On". Cher. Infobase Publishing. p. 13. ISBN   978-0-79105-907-4.
  27. Ellis, James (27 October 2009). "Biddu". Metro . Archived from the original on 6 December 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  28. Browne, Malika (20 August 2004). "It's a big step from disco to Sanskrit chants, but Biddu has made it". The Sunday Times . London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  29. "Roger Whittaker". BBC Hereford and Worcester. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
  30. Tagg, Philip (2000). Fernando the Flute. MMMSP. ISBN   978-0-9701684-1-2. Archived from the original on 25 December 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  31. Bush, John. "Paul Anka – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2 May 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  32. Larkin 2006, "Anka, Paul".
  33. Pitt, Ivan L. (2010). Economic Analysis of Music Copyright: Income, Media and Performances. Springer. p. 125. ISBN   978-1-4419-6317-8.
  34. Inglis, Ian (2010). The Words and Music of George Harrison. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger. p. 23. ISBN   978-0-313-37532-3.
  35. LaBlanc, Michael L. (1989). Contemporary Musicians: Profiles of the People in Music . Gale Research. ISBN   9780810322110.
  36. Wartofsky, Alona (13 July 2003). "Rap's Fresh Heir". The Washington Post . Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  37. "Songwriters Friends: Patti Page". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 12 June 2008. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  38. "Patti Page". Encyclopædia Britannica . Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  39. "Tennessee Waltz singer Patti Page dies". The Daily Telegraph. London. 2 January 2013. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  40. Martin, Douglas (14 November 2012). "Cleve Duncan, the Voice of 'Earth Angel', Dies". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 21 February 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  41. Tyler, Don (2008). Music of the Postwar Era. ABC-CLIO. p. 226. ISBN   9780313341915.
  42. "Boney M. ist Stargast in Nordenham" (in German). Nordwest-Zeitung. 6 June 2015. Archived from the original on 9 June 2015.
  43. Place, Clarissa (20 April 2012). "Ten Things About... Britney Spears". Digital Spy . Archived from the original on 26 May 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  44. "Who was My Sharona?". 17 February 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  45. "A one-hit wonder but it was hardly for want of trying". The Sydney Morning Herald. 18 February 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  46. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Global Top 10 Digital Singles of 2017", IFPI Global Music Report 2018 (PDF), International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, p. 9, archived from the original (PDF) on 24 April 2018, retrieved 24 April 2018
  47. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Havana by Camila Cabello (featuring Young Thug) named best-selling single of 2018". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. 6 March 2019. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  48. 1 2 Kaufman, Gil (29 January 2021). "Rihanna Wishes Herself a 'Happy #ANTIversary' with Throwback Pics". Billboard . Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  49. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "State of the Industry Overview 2016 | Most popular artists and global bestsellers of 2015" (PDF). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Berlin: IFPI. 2016. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  50. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Global Top 10 Digital Singles of 2016", IFPI Global Music Report 2017: Annual State of the Industry (PDF), International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, p. 9, archived (PDF) from the original on 26 April 2017, retrieved 13 April 2018
  51. Eftink, Jim (25 May 2018). "This week in music: 2011 Adele". KFVS-TV . Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  52. Seun, Adeola (17 June 2018). "What Is Adele's Net Worth Now, Years After Rolling in the Deep Release?". Just Richest. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  53. Walter, Abby (14 September 2020). "The very best songs from across four generations: 1940s-2010s". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  54. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Cirisano, Tatiana (10 March 2020). "Billie Eilish's 'Bad Guy' Named IFPI's Biggest Global Single of 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  55. Coscarelli, Joe (31 July 2015). "Carly Rae Jepsen, With a New Album, Is Definitely Changing Her Number". The New York Times . Archived from the original on 9 October 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  56. Stefano, Angela (12 February 2021). "Taylor Swift's New 'Love Story' Leads Re-Recorded Fearless Album". Taste of Country . Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  57. "Adele: Someone like you". Bitesize . Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  58. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". Billboard . Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  59. "Global Music Report 2018" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. p. 9. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2022 via FIMI.
  60. "IFPI Global Music Report 2020 – Data and Analysis for 2019 (Excerpt)". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. May 2020. pp. 55–62. Archived from the original on 21 July 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  61. 1 2 3 4 "Top Global Singles", IFPI Digital Music Report 2014 (PDF), International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, 18 March 2015, p. 15, archived (PDF) from the original on 21 March 2014, retrieved 18 March 2015
  62. Goldstein, Jessica (3 April 2014). "Pharrell and The Voice: Which Musicians Have Benefited the Most From Being TV Judges?". Vulture.com . Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  63. "Ke$ha's 'Warrior': The Billboard Cover Story". Billboard. 15 October 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  64. Sobel, Barbara (11 April 2019). "Lady Gaga's 'Poker Face' Was Number 1 Ten Years Ago Today [Video]". Guardian Liberty Voice. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  65. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Global Top Digital Singles of 2014", IFPI Digital Music Report 2015 (PDF), International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, 14 April 2015, p. 12, archived (PDF) from the original on 14 November 2017, retrieved 13 April 2018
  66. Brandle, Lars (30 November 2012). "Gotye, Kimbra Win Big at ARIA Awards". Billboard. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  67. 1 2 3 "The Global Top Selling Digital Singles of 2011", IFPI Digital Music Report 2012 (PDF), International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, 23 January 2012, p. 7, archived from the original (PDF) on 5 December 2016, retrieved 13 April 2018
  68. "Gaon Download Chart – 2012년" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013.
  69. 1 2 "Top 10 Digital Songs 2009", IFPI Digital Music Report 2010 (PDF), International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, p. 10, archived (PDF) from the original on 22 February 2012, retrieved 13 April 2018
  70. "Gaon Download Chart – 2010년" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. 10 February 2011. Archived from the original on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  71. "Gaon Download Chart – 2011년" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013.
  72. "Flo Rida Has A 'Good Feeling'; International Megastar's Smash Single Certified Platinum, Becoming the Rapper's Sixth Platinum Single in the U.S." Atlantic Records. 10 January 2012. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015 via Warner Music Group.
  73. "Flo Rida "Whistles" to the Top of the Charts". Atlantic Records. 16 August 2012. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015 via Warner Music Group.
  74. Stern, Bradley (18 November 2014). "Lady Gaga's 'The Fame Monster' Turns 5: Stan & Deliver". Idolator. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
  75. Nippert, Matt (7 November 2014). "Birthday girl Lorde's earnings estimated at $11m-plus". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  76. Cantor-Navas, Judy (1 October 2012). "Pitbull Vs. Shakira: Whose World Cup Song Is Better? (Poll)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  77. "Shakira to Release Special U.S. Edition of Her Hit Album She Wolf" (Press release). PR Newswire. 18 November 2009. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  78. McCrea, Brad (8 April 2018). "Lady Gaga's 'Just Dance' Turns 10". iHeartRadio. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  79. 1 2 3 "The Weeknd wins 2020's IFPI Global Digital Single Award for Blinding Lights". IFPI. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  80. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "The Weeknd Wins IFPI Global Digital Single Award for Save Your Tears". IFPI. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  81. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Harry Styles wins IFPI Global Single Award for As It Was". IFPI. 23 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  82. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Miley Cyrus' Flowers Confirmed by IFPI as Biggest-Selling Global Single of the Year". IFPI. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  83. Cornelius, Steven; Natvig, Mary (2022). Music: A Social Experience. Routledge. ISBN   978-1-315-40428-8 . Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  84. Campion, James (2022). Take a Sad Song: The Emotional Currency of "Hey Jude". Rowman & Littlefield. p. 3. ISBN   978-1-4930-6238-6 . Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  85. The Many Worlds of Music. Broadcast Music, Inc. 1970. p. 9. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  86. Burgess, Richard James (1997). The Art of Record Production. Omnibus Press. p. 31. ISBN   978-0-7119-5552-3 . Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  87. "Official Top 40 best-selling songs of 1992". Official Charts. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  88. "10 of the best Celine Dion songs". The Daily Telegraph . 11 October 2017. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  89. "Digital Music Sales in 2007" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  90. "Top 10 Digital Single Tracks 2008" (PDF). IFPI. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  91. "IFPI publishes Digital Music Report 2011". Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  92. "Global Top Selling Digital Singles of 2012", IFPI Digital Music Report 2013 (PDF), International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, 26 February 2013, p. 12, archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2013, retrieved 26 February 2013

Bibliography