The roots of country music run deep in the soil of America. And, while the genre has changed dramatically since the days of the Carter Family, it is in many ways more popular today than ever.
During the 1980s, the country music industry began to abandon the more raw “outlaw country” sound that was made popular in the 1970s by artists such as Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson. Instead, artists such as Garth Brooks and George Strait embraced a more pop-friendly sound that resonated with traditional country fans as well as new audiences.
The demand for country music remains high, with the genre accounting for 11.5% of total album sales in 2017, according to Nielsen. This is due in large part to pop country artists’ crossover successes.
By creating an index of album sales and Billboard performance, 24/7 Wall St. has determined the 100 most popular country albums of all time.
Click here to see the most popular country albums of all time.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
100. Greatest Hits (1986)
> Artist: Alabama
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 38
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Source: John Athayde / Wikimedia Commons
99. I Hope You Dance (2000)
> Artist: Lee Ann Womack
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 83
Source: Ga Fullner / Shutterstock.com
98. The Band Perry (2010)
> Artist: The Band Perry
> Copies sold: 1 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 130
Source: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
97. Night Train (2012)
> Artist: Jason Aldean
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 106
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Source: Craig ONeal / Wikimedia Commons
96. Love On The Inside (2008)
> Artist: Sugarland
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 109
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
95. A Place In The Sun (1999)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 86
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
94. John Michael Montgomery (1995)
> Artist: John Michael Montgomery
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 65
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Source: pasphotography / Shutterstock.com
93. The Road And The Radio (2005)
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 98
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
92. Lonely Grill (1999)
> Artist: Lonestar
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 96
Source: Danny E Hooks / Shutterstock.com
91. Who I Am (1994)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 69
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
90. The Closer You Get (1983)
> Artist: Alabama
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 70
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Source: Chuck Redden / Wikimedia Commons
89. It’s All About To Change (1991)
> Artist: Travis Tritt
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 94
Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
88. Twice The Speed Of Life (2004)
> Artist: Sugarland
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 92
Source: Katherine Brock / Wikimedia Commons
87. Greatest Hits (2004)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 77
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Source: sisterphotography / Wikimedia Commons
86. It Matters To Me (1995)
> Artist: Faith Hill
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 80
Source: Mat Hayward / Shutterstock.com
85. Blown Away (2012)
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 92
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
84. Kill The Lights (2015)
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 119
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Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
83. Hunter Hayes (2013)
> Artist: Hunter Hayes
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 121
Source: Tom Frisch from Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA / Wikimedia Commons
82. Horse Of A Different Color (2004)
> Artist: Big & Rich
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 99
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
81. Loaded: The Best Of Blake Shelton (2010)
> Artist: Blake Shelton
> Copies sold: 1 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 174
Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
80. Melt (2002)
> Artist: Rascal Flatts
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104
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Source: Bruce Comer Jr / Wikimedia Commons
79. Greatest Hits (2001)
> Artist: Martina McBride
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104
Source: Terry Wyatt / Getty Images
78. Drive (2002)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 77
Source: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
77. Greatest Hits 2 (2004)
> Artist: Toby Keith
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 105
Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
76. Kickin’ It Up (1994)
> Artist: John Michael Montgomery
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 82
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
75. Live Like You Were Dying (2004)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 86
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
74. Golden Road (2002)
> Artist: Keith Urban
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 111
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Source: DoD News / Wikimedia Commons
73. Based On A True Story … (2013)
> Artist: Blake Shelton
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 130
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images
72. Ten Years Of Gold (1978)
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104
Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
71. Enjoy The Ride (2006)
> Artist: Sugarland
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 102
Source: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
70. You Get What You Give (2010)
> Artist: Zac Brown Band
> Copies sold: 1 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 171
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
69. Behind Closed Doors (1973)
> Artist: Charlie Rich
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 105
Source: Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com
68. Always On My Mind (1982)
> Artist: Willie Nelson
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 99
Source: Nightshooter. Attribution: Photo Credit: Larry Philpot of www.soundstagephotography.com . / Wikimedia Commons
67. Greatest Hits (2000)
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 105
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Source: Craig ONeal / Wikimedia Commons
66. When The Sun Goes Down (2004)
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 94
Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
65. When Love Finds You (1994)
> Artist: Vince Gill
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 112
Source: Bob James / Wikimedia Commons
64. Me And My Gang (2006)
> Artist: Rascal Flatts
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 91
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Source: Melissa from Quakertown, USA / Wikimedia Commons
63. Red River Blue (2011)
> Artist: Blake Shelton
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 166
Source: Heinrich Klaffs / Wikimedia Commons
62. Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison (1968)
> Artist: Johnny Cash
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 124
Source: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
61. Lady Antebellum (2008)
> Artist: Lady Antebellum
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 148
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
60. Everywhere (1997)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104
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Source: David Brown / Wikimedia Commons
59. Home (2002)
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 56
Source: Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock.com
58. Traveller (2015)
> Artist: Chris Stapleton
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 133
Source: Jack Newton / Wikimedia Commons
57. Killin’ Time (1989)
> Artist: Clint Black
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 143
Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images
56. Carnival Ride (2007)
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 101
Source: LawrenceFung / Wikimedia Commons
55. No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems (2002)
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104
Source: Keith Hinkle / Wikimedia Commons
54. Unleashed (2002)
> Artist: Toby Keith
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104
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Source: Bruce Comer Jr / Wikimedia Commons
53. Did I Shave My Legs For This? (1996)
> Artist: Deana Carter
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 86
Source: Terry Wyatt / Getty Images
52. Don’t Rock The Jukebox (1991)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 118
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
51. Be Here (2004)
> Artist: Keith Urban
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104
Source: Craig ONeal / Wikimedia Commons
50. Always & Forever (1987)
> Artist: Randy Travis
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 103
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Source: Aberdeen Proving Ground / Wikimedia Commons
49. Hard Workin’ Man (1993)
> Artist: Brooks & Dunn
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 99
Source: Gustavo Caballero / Getty Images
48. I Still Believe In You (1992)
> Artist: Vince Gill
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 100
Source: Anthony Quintano / Wikimedia Commons
47. Stardust (1978)
> Artist: Willie Nelson
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 117
Source: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
46. Strait Out Of The Box (1995)
> Artist: George Strait
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 39
Source: RCA Records / Wikimedia Commons
45. Greatest Hits (1979)
> Artist: Waylon Jennings
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 115
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
44. The Gambler (1978)
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 112
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Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
43. Chief (2011)
> Artist: Eric Church
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 154
Source: Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock.com
42. Fresh Horses (1995)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 66
Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
41. Mountain Music (1982)
> Artist: Alabama
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 114
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
40. Faith (1998)
> Artist: Faith Hill
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 99
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Source: Angela George / Wikimedia Commons
39. Feels Like Today (2004)
> Artist: Rascal Flatts
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 105
Source: sisterphotography / Wikimedia Commons
38. Greatest Hits (2000)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 105
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images
37. Feels So Right (1981)
> Artist: Alabama
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 161
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
36. Blue (1996)
> Artist: LeAnn Rimes
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 97
Source: By Office of the Governor of Maryland [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
35. Not A Moment Too Soon (1994)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 115
Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
34. In Pieces (1993)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 76
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
33. A Lot About Livin’ (And A Little ‘Bout Love) (1992)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 122
Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
32. Pure Country (Soundtrack) (1992)
> Artist: George Strait
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 129
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
31. Montevallo (2014)
> Artist: Sam Hunt
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 179
Source: Dlindner0 / Wikimedia Commons
30. My Kinda Party (2010)
> Artist: Jason Aldean
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 171
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Source: Steve Jurvetson - edited by CPacker / Wikimedia Commons
29. The Chase (1992)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 9 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 64
Source: Keith Hinkle / Wikimedia Commons
28. Need You Now (2010)
> Artist: Lady Antebellum
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 129
Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
27. Speak Now (2010)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 137
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Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images
26. Red (2012)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 148
Source: Burningkarma / Wikimedia Commons
25. Brand New Man (1991)
> Artist: Brooks & Dunn
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 153
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
24. Here’s To The Good Times (2012)
> Artist: Florida Georgia Line
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 241
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Source: Peter Kramer / Getty Images
23. Sevens (1997)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 58
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
22. The Legend Of Johnny Cash (2005)
> Artist: Johnny Cash
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 269
Source: sisterphotography / Wikimedia Commons
21. Breathe (1999)
> Artist: Faith Hill
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 103
Source: Keith Hinkle / Wikimedia Commons
20. Crash My Party (2013)
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 216
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Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
19. Tailgates & Tanlines (2011)
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 214
Source: Courtesy of Mercury
18. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
> Artist: Soundtrack
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 112
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
17. Some Gave All (1992)
> Artist: Billy Ray Cyrus
> Copies sold: 9 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 97
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Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
16. The Hits (1994)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 110
Source: Sara Collaton / Wikimedia Commons
15. Up! (2002)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Copies sold: 11 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 93
Source: the_diet_starts_mond ay from Colorado / Wikimedia Commons
14. Some Hearts (2005)
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 157
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Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
13. The Ultimate Hits (2007)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 138
Source: Wasted Time R / Wikimedia Commons
12. Fly (1999)
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 131
Source: Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
11. The Woman In Me (1995)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Copies sold: 12 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 107
Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
10. The Foundation (2008)
> Artist: Zac Brown Band
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 294
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Source: ViVr / Wikimedia Commons
9. Wide Open Spaces (1998)
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Copies sold: 12 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 134
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images
8. Kenny Rogers’ Greatest Hits (1980)
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Copies sold: 12 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 161
Source: Jana Zills / Wikimedia Commons
7. Taylor Swift (2006)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 275
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Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
6. Garth Brooks (1989)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 224
Source: Adam Bettcher / Getty Images
5. Ropin’ The Wind (1991)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 14 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 132
Source: Eva Rinaldi
/ Wikimedia Commons
4. Fearless (2008)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 254
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Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images
3. Double Live (1998)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 21 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 56
Source: Cooper Neill / Getty Images
2. No Fences (1990)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 17 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 224
Source: Al Bello / Getty Images
1. Come On Over (1997)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Copies sold: 20 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 151
Several of the most popular country albums are by older, more traditional country artists. These include Waylon Jennings’ “Greatest Hits,” Willie Nelson’s “Stardust,” and Johnny Cash’s “At Folsom Prison,” which is the oldest album on the list. However, the artists who bridge the gap between country and pop make up the majority of the most popular albums.
Taylor Swift – who began playing country music in Nashville as a teenager and is now one of the world’s biggest pop stars – illustrates the commercial power of a country musician making efforts to appeal to a wider audience. Other pop country artists with albums on this list include Sam Hunt with his album “Montevallo” and Lady Antebellum with their self-titled LP.
The popularity of pop country is also reflected in the high sales of more recent releases, which skew toward the “pop” side of the genre. Over half of the most popular country albums of all time were released in 2000 or later. Not all these newer albums skew pop, however, and several are more traditional country sounding releases, such as Chris Stapleton’s “Traveller.”
The top-selling albums on the list are releases by Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and the Dixie Chicks – all of whom found crossover appeal in the 1990s. Brooks also has the most albums on the list, with 10. He’s followed by Tim McGraw, who has five albums on the list.
Only 18 artists with albums on the list do not have more than one release among the 100 most popular country albums. This implies that once a musician makes it to the top of the charts, country fans continue to show their support.
To determine the most popular country 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.
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