Debates over what constitutes great art will likely never come to a conclusion. This is especially true when it comes to a medium as personal to people as music.
While it is difficult to quantify the qualities that make good art, when it comes to music, popularity could be considered one measure. There are certain albums that over decades have drawn the admiration of millions of music fans across the world. Such albums can surely be considered among the best.
By creating an index based on album sales, Billboard performance, and recognition among music fans, 24/7 Wall St. has determined the 100 best albums of all time.
Click here to see the 100 best albums of all time.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
Source: Alexander Mazurkevich / Shutterstock.com
100. Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player (1973)
> Artist: Elton John
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 89
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Source: Aurelien Guichard / Wikimedia Commons
99. AM (2013)
> Artist: Arctic Monkeys
> Copies sold: 1 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 123
Source: Simon Jacquier from Vernayaz (near Martigny, Valais), Switzerland / Wikimedia Commons
98. Audioslave (2002)
> Artist: Audioslave
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 103
Source: TonyTheTiger / Wikimedia Commons
97. Sweet Baby James (1970)
> Artist: James Taylor
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 102
Source: Yahoo! Blog / Wikimedia Commons
96. A Rush Of Blood To The Head (2002)
> Artist: Coldplay
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 108
Source: The Dark Lord of Wiki / Wikimedia Commons
95. Toxicity (2001)
> Artist: System Of A Down
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 94
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
94. Pearl (1971)
> Artist: Janis Joplin
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 42
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Source: Jim Summaria / Wikimedia Commons
93. Bad Company (1977)
> Artist: Bad Company
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 64
Source: Skoll World Forum / Wikimedia Commons
92. So (1986)
> Artist: Peter Gabriel
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 93
Source: Carlo Allegri / Getty Images
91. Songs From The Big Chair (1985)
> Artist: Tears For Fears
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 82
Source: musicisentropy / Wikimedia Commons
90. Superunknown (1994)
> Artist: Soundgarden
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 80
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Source: Al Pavangkanan / Wikimedia Commons
89. Dirt (1992)
> Artist: Alice In Chains
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 102
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
88. Out Of Time (1991)
> Artist: R.E.M.
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 109
Source: Heinrich Klaffs / Wikimedia Commons
87. Brothers In Arms (1985)
> Artist: Dire Straits
> Copies sold: 9 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 97
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Source: MJ Kim / Getty Images
86. Animals (1977)
> Artist: Pink Floyd
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 30
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
85. The Unforgettable Fire (1984)
> Artist: U2
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 133
Source: Travis Rigel Lukas Hornung (Travis Hornung) from Encinitas, CA, United States / Wikimedia Commons
84. The Downward Spiral (1994)
> Artist: Nine Inch Nails
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 115
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Source: Ga Fullner / Shutterstock.com
83. Paranoid (1971)
> Artist: Black Sabbath
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 76
Source: nicolas genin / Wikimedia Commons
82. 1999 (1982)
> Artist: Prince
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 162
Source: Newsmakers / Getty Images
81. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1981)
> Artist: AC/DC
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 55
Source: Epic / Hulton Archive / Getty Images
80. Heart (1985)
> Artist: Heart
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 92
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Source: Rhino Entertainment Company / Elektra Records / Wikimedia Commons
79. Candy-O (1979)
> Artist: The Cars
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 62
Source: Steve Mathieson / Wikimedia Commons
78. All Things Must Pass (1970)
> Artist: George Harrison
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 38
Source: Chris Jackson / Getty Images
77. The River (1980)
> Artist: Bruce Springsteen
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 107
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Source: Noam Galai / Getty Images
76. Fleetwood Mac (1975)
> Artist: Fleetwood Mac
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 168
Source: Fox Photos / Getty Images
75. Meet The Beatles! (1964)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 74
Source: Martin Overstrom / Wikimedia Commons
74. Scarecrow (1985)
> Artist: John Mellencamp
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 75
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Source: Yulia Grigoryeva / Shutterstock.com
73. Toys In The Attic (1975)
> Artist: Aerosmith
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 128
Source: Teodoromix / Wikimedia Commons
72. The Razors Edge (1990)
> Artist: AC/DC
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 77
Source: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
71. American Idiot (2004)
> Artist: Green Day
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 143
Source: Jean-Luc / Wikimedia Commons
70. Quadrophenia (1973)
> Artist: The Who
> Copies sold: 1 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 57
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Source: Kobby Dagan / Shutterstock.com
69. Songs In The Key Of Life (1976)
> Artist: Stevie Wonder
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 82
Source: Danny Martindale / Getty Images
68. Led Zeppelin III (1970)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 59
Source: Maia Valenzuela / Flickr
67. MTV Unplugged In New York (1994)
> Artist: Nirvana
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 91
Source: Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com
66. Chicago Transit Authority (1969)
> Artist: Chicago
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 171
Source: Kobby Dagan / Shutterstock.com
65. Weezer (1994)
> Artist: Weezer
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 137
Source: Bryan Bedder / Getty Images
64. Tracy Chapman (1988)
> Artist: Tracy Chapman
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 61
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Source: Wikimedia Commons
63. Don’t Look Back (1978)
> Artist: Boston
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 45
Source: JStone / Shutterstock.com
62. Let It Bleed (1969)
> Artist: The Rolling Stones
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 44
Source: Bryan Bedder / Getty Images
61. Abraxas (1970)
> Artist: Santana
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 88
Source: Klaus Hiltsher / Wikimedia Commons
60. Running On Empty (1977)
> Artist: Jackson Browne
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 65
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Source: Danny Martindale / Getty Images
59. In Through The Out Door (1979)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 44
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
58. 52nd Street (1978)
> Artist: Billy Joel
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 76
Source: Wikifanp99 / Wikimedia Commons
57. Kick (1987)
> Artist: INXS
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 81
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Source: Raph_PH / Wikimedia Commons
56. Use Your Illusion II (1991)
> Artist: Guns N’ Roses
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 106
Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
55. The Long Run (1979)
> Artist: Eagles
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 57
Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images
54. The Stranger (1977)
> Artist: Billy Joel
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 137
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Source: dave1968 / Wikimedia Commons
53. Use Your Illusion I (1991)
> Artist: Guns N’ Roses
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 108
Source: Courtesy of Elektra
52. The Cars (1978)
> Artist: The Cars
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 139
Source: Vince Bucci / Getty Images
51. Purple Rain (Soundtrack) (1984)
> Artist: Prince And The Revolution
> Copies sold: 13 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 124
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
50. Shake Your Money Maker (1990)
> Artist: The Black Crowes
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 165
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Source: Hulton Archive / Getty Images
49. 4 (1981)
> Artist: Foreigner
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 81
Source: Yulia Grigoryeva / Shutterstock.com
48. …And Justice For All (1988)
> Artist: Metallica
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 121
Source: Keystone / Getty Images
47. Some Girls (1978)
> Artist: The Rolling Stones
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 88
Source: Ian Gavan / Getty Images
46. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1978)
> Artist: Elton John
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 111
Source: gillyberlin / Wikimedia Commons
45. Dookie (1973)
> Artist: Green Day
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 116
Source: Dana Nalbandian / Shutterstock.com
44. The End Of The Innocence (1989)
> Artist: Don Henley
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 148
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Source: Avis De Miranda / Shutterstock.com
43. A Night At The Opera (1975)
> Artist: Queen
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 57
Source: Phil Walter / Getty Images
42. Off The Wall (1979)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 193
Source: Jeck M. / Wikimedia Commons
41. Core (1992)
> Artist: Stone Temple Pilots
> Copies sold: 8 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 117
Source: Matt Becker / Wikimedia Commons
40. Escape (1979)
> Artist: Journey
> Copies sold: 9 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 152
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Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
39. Like A Virgin (1984)
> Artist: Madonna
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 109
Source: Masao Nakagami / Wikimedia Commons
38. Licensed To Ill (1986)
> Artist: Beastie Boys
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 152
Source: Anthony Quintano from Honolulu, HI, United States / Wikimedia Commons
37. Who’s Next (1971)
> Artist: The Who
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 42
Source: Joep Vullings / Wikimedia Commons
36. Tommy (1969)
> Artist: The Who
> Copies sold: 2 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 126
Source: Matt Becker / Wikimedia Commons
35. Boston (1976)
> Artist: Boston
> Copies sold: 17 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 137
Source: Harry How / Getty Images
34. Born In The U.S.A. (1984)
> Artist: Bruce Springsteen
> Copies sold: 15 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 143
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Source: AngryApathy / Wikimedia Commons
33. Pyromania (1983)
> Artist: Def Leppard
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 123
Source: George Rose / Getty Images
32. Sports (1983)
> Artist: Huey Lewis & The News
> Copies sold: 7 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 160
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
31. Sticky Fingers (1971)
> Artist: The Rolling Stones
> Copies sold: 3 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 69
Source: Keystone / Getty Images
30. Bat Out Of Hell (1977)
> Artist: Meat Loaf
> Copies sold: 14 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 82
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Source: Eva Rinaldi
/ Wikimedia Commons
29. Hysteria (1987)
> Artist: Def Leppard
> Copies sold: 12 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 136
Source: Mike Coppola / Getty Images
28. Slippery When Wet (1986)
> Artist: Bon Jovi
> Copies sold: 12 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 118
Source: Rickmkent / Wikimedia Commons
27. Eliminator (1983)
> Artist: ZZ Top
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 185
Source: Angela George / Wikimedia Commons
26. Tapestry (1971)
> Artist: Carole King
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 318
Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
25. Hotel California (1976)
> Artist: Eagles
> Copies sold: 16 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 114
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
24. Pet Sounds (1966)
> Artist: The Beach Boys
> Copies sold: 1 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 47
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Source: Ed Vill, Prayer for the wild at heart / Wikimedia Commons
23. Appetite For Destruction (1987)
> Artist: Guns N’ Roses
> Copies sold: 18 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 182
Source: livepict.com / Wikimedia Commons
22. Jagged Little Pill (1995)
> Artist: Alanis Morissette
> Copies sold: 16 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 127
Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images
21. Supernatural (1999)
> Artist: Santana
> Copies sold: 15 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 103
Source: marco annunziata / Wikimedia Commons
20. Ten (1991)
> Artist: Pearl Jam
> Copies sold: 13 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 261
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Source: Jim Summaria / Wikimedia Commons
19. Houses Of The Holy (1973)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Copies sold: 11 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 106
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
18. The Doors (1967)
> Artist: The Doors
> Copies sold: 4 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 122
Source: Mauricio Santana / Getty Images
17. Metallica (1991)
> Artist: Metallica
> Copies sold: 16 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 476
Source: tony morelli / Wikimedia Commons
16. Physical Graffiti (1975)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Copies sold: 16 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 48
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
15. Back In Black (1980)
> Artist: AC/DC
> Copies sold: 22 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 306
Source: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
14. Nevermind (1991)
> Artist: Nirvana
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 392
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
13. Rubber Soul (1965)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 70
Source: Keith Moseley / Wikimedia Commons
12. The Wall (1979)
> Artist: Pink Floyd
> Copies sold: 23 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 150
Source: Dana Wullenwaber / Wikimedia Commons
11. Led Zeppelin (1969)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Copies sold: 10 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 115
Source: p_a_h from United Kingdom / Wikimedia Commons
10. Led Zeppelin II (1969)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Copies sold: 12 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 117
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Source: MJ Kim / Getty Images
9. Wish You Were Here (1975)
> Artist: Pink Floyd
> Copies sold: 6 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 46
Source: Sarah McKagen / Wikimedia Commons
8. Rumours (1977)
> Artist: Fleetwood Mac
> Copies sold: 20 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 263
Source: Zoran Veselinovic / Wikimedia Commons
7. Thriller (1982)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Copies sold: 33 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 327
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Source: Public Record Office of Northern Ireland / Wikimedia Commons
6. Revolver (1966)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Copies sold: 5 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 85
Source: Harry Pot / Wikimedia Commons
5. The White Album (1968)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Copies sold: 19 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 184
Source: Fox Photos / Getty Images
4. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Copies sold: 11 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 222
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Source: Heinrich Klaffs / Wikimedia Commons
3. Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Copies sold: 23 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 281
Source: John Pratt / Keystone / Getty Images
2. Abbey Road (1969)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Copies sold: 12 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 256
Source: Evening Standard / Getty Images
1. The Dark Side Of The Moon (1973)
> Artist: Pink Floyd
> Copies sold: 15 million
> Weeks on Billboard 200: 937
Methodology & Detailed Findings
To introduce their albums to the general audience, musicians often release singles ahead of time. These songs make their way to listeners via radio, television, or the internet. While not all songs – even in a great album – can be considered great, the best album will have more than one hit. The very best albums provide a cohesive artistic vision that spans all of their songs. They’re something that fans choose to sit down and listen to again and again.
Of the 100 albums on the list of best albums, 40 were released in the 1970s and only five were released after the year 2000. This could be due in part to audience appreciation building over the years, but also the lessening of artists’ focus on making great albums. In the modern age of streaming and downloads, modern artists may choose to concentrate their efforts on singles or EPs. Aside from a handful of devoted fans, few people today listen to a vinyl record from start to finish.
The 1970s were a golden era for albums, and rock and roll was the most popular genre. While there are a number of notable records on the list that fall outside of the genre – such as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Carole King’s “Tapestry” – the majority of the albums would be regarded as rock music first and foremost.
While many critics may disagree with some of the choices or the order in which the albums appear, the list is based on popularity among listeners. These are the best albums according to the fans. This method of determining the best albums also results in the exclusion of successful and beloved recording artists such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole.
To determine the best albums of all time, 24/7 Wall St. generated an index based on rankings on the Billboard 200 chart, lifetime album sales, and user ratings on Ranker.com’s “The Greatest Albums of All Time.” This final metric was weighed twice as heavily as the former two.
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.
Compilation and “greatest hits” albums were removed from consideration.
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