Pop music is deeply embedded in the fabric of American society. Whether it’s playing on the radio, television, or at the local shopping center, today’s top hits seem to be constantly blasting from speakers everywhere.
While pop originally grew out of rock and roll, it began to develop its own characteristics in the 1960s. Comprised primarily of short, catchy, melodic songs, pop’s greatest strength is its wide audience appeal. While some pop groups – such as NSYNC – appeal primarily to teenagers, more major players – such as the King of Pop, Michael Jackson – offer something for just about everyone.
By creating an index of album sales and Billboard performance, 24/7 Wall St. has determined the 100 best pop albums of all time.
Pop music has come to mean more than mere popularity. Generally, pop albums consist of singles-based music engineered for wide appeal on pop radio and pop television. Pop music often incorporates elements of dance, as well as heavily produced electronic components. Based on 24/7 Wall St.’s discretion, albums that did not meet these loose criteria were excluded from our analysis. As a result, a number of highly popular artists including Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, and Fleetwood Mac were culled from the final list.
Click here to see the 100 best pop albums of all time.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
100. Business As Usual (1982)
> Artist: Men At Work
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 90
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Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
99. Greatest Hits (2000)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 105
Source: Top Streetwear / Wikimedia Commons
98. Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ (2003)
> Artist: 50 Cent
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 104
Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images
97. Some Nights (2012)
> Artist: fun.
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 92
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Source: Drew de F Fawkes / Wikimedia Commons
96. Blurryface (2015)
> Artist: twenty one pilots
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 150
Source: Jessie Pearl from Yucaipa, CA, USA / Wikimedia Commons
95. Christopher Cross (1979)
> Artist: Christopher Cross
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 116
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
94. Wilson Phillips (1990)
> Artist: Wilson Phillips
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 125
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Source: Timothy Tsui / Wikimedia Commons
93. Songs About Jane (2002)
> Artist: Maroon 5
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 157
Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images for NARAS
92. Good Girl Gone Bad (2007)
> Artist: Rihanna
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 99
Source: J Vettorino from USA / Wikimedia Commons
91. janet. (1993)
> Artist: Janet Jackson
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 106
Source: Sean Gallup / Getty Images
90. True Blue (1986)
> Artist: Madonna
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 82
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Source: pitpony.photography / Wikimedia Commons
89. In The Lonely Hour (2014)
> Artist: Sam Smith
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 198
Source: Vicki L. Miller / Shutterstock.com
88. The Essential Michael Jackson (2005)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 220
Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images
87. Breakaway (2004)
> Artist: Kelly Clarkson
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 104
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Source: Francois Nel / Getty Images
86. Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989)
> Artist: Janet Jackson
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 108
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
85. Not A Moment Too Soon (1994)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 115
Source: nicolas genin / Wikimedia Commons
84. 1999 (1982)
> Artist: Prince
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 162
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Source: Rich Polk / Getty Images
83. The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013)
> Artist: Eminem
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 187
Source: Robin Wong / Wikimedia Commons
82. Let Go (2002)
> Artist: Avril Lavigne
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 97
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
81. Montevallo (2014)
> Artist: Sam Hunt
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 179
Source: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
80. My Kinda Party (2010)
> Artist: Jason Aldean
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 171
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Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
79. + (2012)
> Artist: Ed Sheeran
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 243
Source: Courtesy of Elektra
78. The Cars (1978)
> Artist: The Cars
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 139
Source: Patrick Riviere / Getty Images
77. Savage Garden (1997)
> Artist: Savage Garden
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 104
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Source: chrisweger / Wikimedia Commons
76. Madonna (1983)
> Artist: Madonna
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 168
Source: The Come Up Show from Canada / Wikimedia Commons
75. The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill (1998)
> Artist: Lauryn Hill
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 91
Source: MC2 Erica R. Gardner, USN / Wikimedia Commons
74. Rapture (1986)
> Artist: Anita Baker
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 157
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Source: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
73. Need You Now (2010)
> Artist: Lady Antebellum
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 129
Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
72. Speak Now (2010)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 137
Source: Eric Mutrie from Canadaderivative / Wikimedia Commons
71. Spice (1997)
> Artist: Spice Girls
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 105
Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
70. Secrets (1996)
> Artist: Toni Braxton
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 92
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Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images
69. Red (2012)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 148
Source: Francisconce / Wikimedia Commons
68. Dangerous (1991)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 119
Source: Phil Walter / Getty Images
67. Number Ones (2003)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 220
Source: Sky Cinema / Shutterstock.com
66. The Fame (2008)
> Artist: Lady Gaga
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 208
Source: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
65. Unorthodox Jukebox (2012)
> Artist: Bruno Mars
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 203
Source: Jason Persse from Brooklyn, USA / Wikimedia Commons
64. Dr. Dre — 2001 (1999)
> Artist: Dr. Dre
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 164
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Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
63. Here’s To The Good Times (2012)
> Artist: Florida Georgia Line
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 241
Source: Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images
62. Toni Braxton (1993)
> Artist: Toni Braxton
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 96
Source: megan K. rocks from Athens, GA, USA / Wikimedia Commons
61. Christina Aguilera (1999)
> Artist: Christina Aguilera
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 97
Source: Alexander Mazurkevich / Shutterstock.com
60. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
> Artist: Elton John
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 111
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Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
59. 19 (2008)
> Artist: Adele
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 218
Source: Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images
58. The Writing’s On The Wall (1999)
> Artist: Destiny’s Child
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 99
Source: sisterphotography / Wikimedia Commons
57. Breathe (1999)
> Artist: Faith Hill
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 103
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Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
56. Whitney (1987)
> Artist: Whitney Houston
> Copies sold: 9 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 88
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
55. Crash My Party (2013)
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 216
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
54. Tailgates & Tanlines (2011)
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 214
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Source: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com
53. good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012)
> Artist: Kendrick Lamar
> Copies sold: 1 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 283
Source: yakub88 / Shutterstock.com
52. x (2014)
> Artist: Ed Sheeran
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 197
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
51. Some Gave All (1992)
> Artist: Billy Ray Cyrus
> Copies sold: 9 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 97
Source: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
50. Oops!…I Did It Again (2000)
> Artist: Britney Spears
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 84
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Source: Andreas Rentz / Getty Images for MTV
49. Born To Die (2012)
> Artist: Lana Del Rey
> Copies sold: 1 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 311
Source: Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com
48. Big Willie Style (1997)
> Artist: Will Smith
> Copies sold: 9 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 99
Source: Michael Loccisano / Getty Images
47. Nothing Was The Same (2013)
> Artist: Drake
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 230
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Source: Codorado / Wikimedia Commons
46. The Sign (1993)
> Artist: Ace Of Base
> Copies sold: 9 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 102
Source: Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com
45. Daydream (1995)
> Artist: Mariah Carey
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 81
Source: Ibolya Nyikos / Wikimedia Commons
44. Hangin’ Tough (1988)
> Artist: New Kids On The Block
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 132
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Source: Tommaso Boddi / Getty Images
43. Mariah Carey (1990)
> Artist: Mariah Carey
> Copies sold: 9 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 113
Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images for MTV
42. Recovery (2010)
> Artist: Eminem
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 309
Source: Alan Light / Wikimedia Commons
41. Forever Your Girl (1988)
> Artist: Paula Abdul
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 175
Source: Yves Lorson from Kapellen, Belgium / Wikimedia Commons
40. Faith (1987)
> Artist: George Michael
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 96
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Source: yakub88 / Shutterstock.com
39. Night Visions (2012)
> Artist: Imagine Dragons
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 287
Source: Brian Bahr / Getty Images
38. No Strings Attached (2000)
> Artist: ‘N Sync
> Copies sold: 11 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 82
Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
37. Country Grammar (2000)
> Artist: Nelly
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 104
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Source: Ian / Wikimedia Commons
36. Like A Virgin (1984)
> Artist: Madonna
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 109
Source: Momento Mori / Wikimedia Commons
35. Cooleyhighharmony (1991)
> Artist: Boyz II Men
> Copies sold: 9 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 133
Source: Terry Wyatt / Getty Images for IEBA
34. Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em (1990)
> Artist: M.C. Hammer
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 108
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Source: Jason Merritt / Getty Images
33. Confessions (2004)
> Artist: Usher
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 124
Source: Gerardo Mora / Getty Images
32. Up! (2002)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Copies sold: 11 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 93
Source: Scott Gries / ImageDirect / Getty Images
31. ‘N Sync (1998)
> Artist: ‘N Sync
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 109
Source: Zulytheslg / Wikimedia Commons
30. Take Care (2011)
> Artist: Drake
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 265
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Source: Tommaso Boddi / Getty Images
29. Music Box (1993)
> Artist: Mariah Carey
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 128
Source: Mat Hayward / Shutterstock.com
28. Some Hearts (2005)
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 157
Source: George Rose / Getty Images
27. Off The Wall (1979)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 193
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Source: Nicholastbroussard / Wikimedia Commons
26. Licensed To Ill (1986)
> Artist: Beastie Boys
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 152
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
25. The Immaculate Collection (1990)
> Artist: Madonna
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 148
Source: Jason Merritt / Getty Images
24. CrazySexyCool (1994)
> Artist: TLC
> Copies sold: 11 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 119
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Source: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images
23. The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
> Artist: Eminem
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 171
Source: Lunchbox LP from Culver City, CA, USA / Wikimedia Commons
22. II (1994)
> Artist: Boyz II Men
> Copies sold: 12 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 99
Source: Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images
21. 25 (2015)
> Artist: Adele
> Copies sold: 11 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 123
Source: Shutterstock.com
20. Teenage Dream (2010)
> Artist: Katy Perry
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 236
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Source: jazills / Wikimedia Commons
19. 1989 (2014)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 9 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 172
Source: Eva Rinaldi
/ Wikimedia Commons
18. Can’t Slow Down (1983)
> Artist: Lionel Richie
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 160
Source: Vinnie Zuffante / Hulton Archive / Getty Images
17. Bad (1987)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 171
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Source: Katherine Brock / Wikimedia Commons
16. The Woman In Me (1995)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Copies sold: 12 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 107
Source: Krystaleen / Wikimedia Commons
15. Millennium (1999)
> Artist: Backstreet Boys
> Copies sold: 13 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 93
Source: Vince Bucci / Getty Images
14. Purple Rain (Soundtrack) (1984)
> Artist: Prince And The Revolution
> Copies sold: 13 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 124
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Source: Drew de F Fawkes / Wikimedia Commons
13. …Baby One More Time (1999)
> Artist: Britney Spears
> Copies sold: 14 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 103
Source: Eva Rinaldi
/ Wikimedia Commons
12. Taylor Swift (2006)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 275
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images for iHeartMedia
11. Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010)
> Artist: Bruno Mars
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 368
Source: dephisticate / Wikimedia Commons
10. Fearless (2008)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 254
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Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images
9. Backstreet Boys (1997)
> Artist: Backstreet Boys
> Copies sold: 14 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 133
Source: Asterio Tecson / Wikimedia Commons
8. Whitney Houston (1985)
> Artist: Whitney Houston
> Copies sold: 13 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 176
Source: Ian Gavan / Getty Images
7. Greatest Hits (1973)
> Artist: Elton John
> Copies sold: 17 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 106
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Source: Scott Gries / ImageDirect / Getty Images
6. Curtain Call: The Hits (2005)
> Artist: Eminem
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 386
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
5. The Eminem Show (2002)
> Artist: Eminem
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 350
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
4. The Bodyguard (1992)
> Artist: Whitney Houston
> Copies sold: 18 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 155
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Source: Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
3. Come On Over (1997)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Copies sold: 20 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 151
Source: Kristopher Harris from Charlotte, NC / Wikimedia Commons
2. 21 (2011)
> Artist: Adele
> Copies sold: 14 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 370
Source: Phil Walter / Getty Images
1. Thriller (1982)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Copies sold: 33 million
> Appearances on Billboard 200: 327
While pop music almost always enjoys commercial success, not all popular music is necessarily “pop.” The term originally was used to describe all forms of popular music, including rock and roll, but it has evolved into a more specific genre of music. As a result, even popular rock groups are frequently not considered pop music.
There are several notable artists who straddle the two genres, however, including Prince, whose 4x Multi-Platinum album “1999” and 13x Multi-Platinum “Purple Rain” soundtrack both made the cut.
As pop music has enjoyed increasing commercial success over the last 50 years, it has become interwoven with other styles of music, taking on characteristics of and influencing genres such as rap and country. Artists who may have originally worked in one genre have become more pop as they have become more successful. Today, artists such as Taylor Swift, who began playing pop country, and Drake, who is more associated with rap, are often played on top hits radio stations. Not only could both musicians be considered pop artists, but also their fan bases overlap greatly.
There are a number of artists who have more than one album on the list. Michael Jackson leads the pack with six albums featured, followed by Taylor Swift and Eminem, who both have five. Madonna is next with four albums featured.
To determine the best pop albums of all time, 24/7 Wall St. generated an index based on rankings on the Billboard 200 chart and lifetime album sales. Both components of the index were given equal weight.
A band’s total certified U.S. album sales came from the Recording Industry Association of America. The RIAA tracks album sales released in the American market with a threshold of 500,000 units sold. To be considered, an album must have at least 1,000,000 certified sales. How well an album performed on the Billboard 200 was determined by awarding points based on the number of weeks it was on the list and its rank for each week.
Pop music has come to mean more than mere popularity. Generally, pop albums consist of singles-based music engineered for wide appeal on pop radio and pop television. Pop music often incorporates elements of dance, as well as heavily produced electronic components. Based on 24/7 Wall St.’s discretion, albums that did not meet these loose criteria were excluded from our analysis. As a result, a number of highly popular artists including Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, and Fleetwood Mac were culled from the final list.
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