[cnxvideo id=”625451″ placement=”ros”]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.
100. Greatest Hits (1986)
> Artist: Alabama
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 38
[in-text-ad]
99. I Hope You Dance (2000)
> Artist: Lee Ann Womack
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 83
98. The Band Perry (2010)
> Artist: The Band Perry
> Copies sold: 1 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 130
97. Night Train (2012)
> Artist: Jason Aldean
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 106
[recirclink id=444492]
96. Love On The Inside (2008)
> Artist: Sugarland
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 109
95. A Place In The Sun (1999)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 86
94. John Michael Montgomery (1995)
> Artist: John Michael Montgomery
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 65
[in-text-ad-2]
93. The Road And The Radio (2005)
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 98
92. Lonely Grill (1999)
> Artist: Lonestar
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 96
91. Who I Am (1994)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 69
90. The Closer You Get (1983)
> Artist: Alabama
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 70
[in-text-ad]
89. It’s All About To Change (1991)
> Artist: Travis Tritt
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 94
88. Twice The Speed Of Life (2004)
> Artist: Sugarland
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 92
87. Greatest Hits (2004)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 77
[recirclink id=444468]
86. It Matters To Me (1995)
> Artist: Faith Hill
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 80
85. Blown Away (2012)
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 92
84. Kill The Lights (2015)
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 119
[in-text-ad-2]
83. Hunter Hayes (2013)
> Artist: Hunter Hayes
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 121
82. Horse Of A Different Color (2004)
> Artist: Big & Rich
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 99
81. Loaded: The Best Of Blake Shelton (2010)
> Artist: Blake Shelton
> Copies sold: 1 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 174
80. Melt (2002)
> Artist: Rascal Flatts
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104
[in-text-ad]
79. Greatest Hits (2001)
> Artist: Martina McBride
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104
78. Drive (2002)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 77
77. Greatest Hits 2 (2004)
> Artist: Toby Keith
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 105
[recirclink id=444391]
76. Kickin’ It Up (1994)
> Artist: John Michael Montgomery
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 82
75. Live Like You Were Dying (2004)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 86
74. Golden Road (2002)
> Artist: Keith Urban
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 111
[in-text-ad-2]
73. Based On A True Story … (2013)
> Artist: Blake Shelton
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 130
72. Ten Years Of Gold (1978)
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104
71. Enjoy The Ride (2006)
> Artist: Sugarland
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 102
70. You Get What You Give (2010)
> Artist: Zac Brown Band
> Copies sold: 1 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 171
[in-text-ad]
69. Behind Closed Doors (1973)
> Artist: Charlie Rich
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 105
68. Always On My Mind (1982)
> Artist: Willie Nelson
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 99
67. Greatest Hits (2000)
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 105
[recirclink id=444326]
66. When The Sun Goes Down (2004)
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 94
65. When Love Finds You (1994)
> Artist: Vince Gill
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 112
64. Me And My Gang (2006)
> Artist: Rascal Flatts
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 91
[in-text-ad-2]
63. Red River Blue (2011)
> Artist: Blake Shelton
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 166
62. Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison (1968)
> Artist: Johnny Cash
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 124
61. Lady Antebellum (2008)
> Artist: Lady Antebellum
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 148
60. Everywhere (1997)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104
[in-text-ad]
59. Home (2002)
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 56
58. Traveller (2015)
> Artist: Chris Stapleton
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 133
57. Killin’ Time (1989)
> Artist: Clint Black
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 143
[recirclink id=444046]
56. Carnival Ride (2007)
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 101
55. No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems (2002)
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104
54. Unleashed (2002)
> Artist: Toby Keith
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104
[in-text-ad-2]
53. Did I Shave My Legs For This? (1996)
> Artist: Deana Carter
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 86
52. Don’t Rock The Jukebox (1991)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 118
51. Be Here (2004)
> Artist: Keith Urban
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 104
50. Always & Forever (1987)
> Artist: Randy Travis
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 103
[in-text-ad]
49. Hard Workin’ Man (1993)
> Artist: Brooks & Dunn
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 99
48. I Still Believe In You (1992)
> Artist: Vince Gill
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 100
47. Stardust (1978)
> Artist: Willie Nelson
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 117
[recirclink id=443940]
46. Strait Out Of The Box (1995)
> Artist: George Strait
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 39
45. Greatest Hits (1979)
> Artist: Waylon Jennings
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 115
44. The Gambler (1978)
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 112
[in-text-ad-2]
43. Chief (2011)
> Artist: Eric Church
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 154
42. Fresh Horses (1995)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 66
41. Mountain Music (1982)
> Artist: Alabama
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 114
40. Faith (1998)
> Artist: Faith Hill
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 99
[in-text-ad]
39. Feels Like Today (2004)
> Artist: Rascal Flatts
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 105
38. Greatest Hits (2000)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 105
37. Feels So Right (1981)
> Artist: Alabama
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 161
[recirclink id=443564]
36. Blue (1996)
> Artist: LeAnn Rimes
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 97
35. Not A Moment Too Soon (1994)
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 115
34. In Pieces (1993)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 76
[in-text-ad-2]
33. A Lot About Livin’ (And A Little ‘Bout Love) (1992)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 122
32. Pure Country (Soundtrack) (1992)
> Artist: George Strait
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 129
31. Montevallo (2014)
> Artist: Sam Hunt
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 179
30. My Kinda Party (2010)
> Artist: Jason Aldean
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 171
[in-text-ad]
29. The Chase (1992)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 9 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 64
28. Need You Now (2010)
> Artist: Lady Antebellum
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 129
27. Speak Now (2010)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 137
[recirclink id=443882]
26. Red (2012)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 148
25. Brand New Man (1991)
> Artist: Brooks & Dunn
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 153
24. Here’s To The Good Times (2012)
> Artist: Florida Georgia Line
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 241
[in-text-ad-2]
23. Sevens (1997)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 58
22. The Legend Of Johnny Cash (2005)
> Artist: Johnny Cash
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 269
21. Breathe (1999)
> Artist: Faith Hill
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 103
20. Crash My Party (2013)
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 216
[in-text-ad]
19. Tailgates & Tanlines (2011)
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 214
18. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
> Artist: Soundtrack
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 112
17. Some Gave All (1992)
> Artist: Billy Ray Cyrus
> Copies sold: 9 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 97
[recirclink id=443620]
16. The Hits (1994)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 110
15. Up! (2002)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Copies sold: 11 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 93
14. Some Hearts (2005)
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 157
[in-text-ad-2]
13. The Ultimate Hits (2007)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 138
12. Fly (1999)
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 131
11. The Woman In Me (1995)
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Copies sold: 12 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 107
10. The Foundation (2008)
> Artist: Zac Brown Band
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 294
[in-text-ad]
9. Wide Open Spaces (1998)
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Copies sold: 12 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 134
8. Kenny Rogers’ Greatest Hits (1980)
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Copies sold: 12 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 161
7. Taylor Swift (2006)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 275
[recirclink id=443575]
6. Garth Brooks (1989)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 224
5. Ropin’ The Wind (1991)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 14 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 132
4. Fearless (2008)
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 254
[in-text-ad-2]
3. Double Live (1998)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 21 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 56
2. No Fences (1990)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Copies sold: 17 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 224
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.
Top Gaining Stocks
Top Losing Stocks