David Bowie was one of the most vital cultural forces of the last century – an artist whose career can hardly be measured in terms of mere chart performance. In fact, 2016’s “Blackstar” remains his only album to reach #1 on the Billboard 200 and that’s partly due to his sudden passing around the time of its release. Along similar lines, he scored just two Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping singles – “Fame” and “Let’s Dance” – over the course of five-plus decades of recording and performing.
Nevertheless, Bowie’s influence has loomed large over both the music industry and Western culture in general since the early 1970s. Not only did albums such as “Ziggy Stardust” and “Aladdin Sane” combine brilliant songwriting with a hard-hitting classic rock sensibility, but they helped forge his signature glam persona. As his sound and style evolved, so too did his identity, casting a wide net over the many fashion statements and musical movements that followed. (He also had an impressive acting career, and is on our list of 25 pop music stars who played dramatic roles in movies.)
In spite of his enduring legacy, however, Bowie wasn’t the perennial chart dominator that one might expect. His 1967 self-titled debut didn’t even crack the Billboard 200 and now-iconic releases such as 1977’s “Heroes” and 1972’s “Hunky Dory” are among his worst overall sellers. Then there’s his stretch of albums from 1993 to 2003, which represent a career nadir in terms of chart performance – though he went on to enjoy one of he biggest comebacks in music history.
One ultimately gets the sense that Bowie pursued artistic expression above all else, even as he culled from contemporary trends or took big commercial swings. And we can forgive him for the 1987 stinker “Never Let Me Down,” can’t we? That one sold better than you might think, by the way.
To determine David Bowie’s top charting albums over his long career, 24/7 Tempo reviewed performance data on the Billboard 200 album charts. Albums were ranked based on an inverse score wherein a week at No. 1 is worth 200 points, a week at No. 2 worth 199 points, and so on, up to a week at No. 200 worth one point. Only studio albums were considered. Billboard data is current through the week of August 20, 2022.
Click here to see David Bowie’s top charting albums on the Billboard 200
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
23. Hours (1999)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #47 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 4
[in-text-ad]
Source: Bryan Bedder / Getty Images
22. Reality (2003)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #29 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 4
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Princess Diana Archive / Hulton Royals Collection via Getty Images
21. Earthling (1997)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #39 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 6
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
20. Outside (1995)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #21 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 6
[in-text-ad-2]
19. Heathen (2002)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #14 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 9
18. Black Tie White Noise (1993)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #39 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 8
[in-text-ad]
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
17. Hunky Dory (1972)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #57 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 19
16. “Heroes” (1977)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #35 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 19
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
15. The Next Day (2013)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #2 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 13
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
14. The Man Who Sold the World (1972)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #105 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 23
Source: Central Press / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
13. Blackstar (2016)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 12
[in-text-ad]
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
12. Lodger (1979)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #20 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 15
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Express / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
11. Low (1977)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #11 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 20
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
10. Pin Ups (1973)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #23 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 21
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Express / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
9. Aladdin Sane (1973)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #17 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 23
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
8. Tonight (1984)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #11 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 24
[in-text-ad]
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
7. Diamond Dogs (1974)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #5 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 25
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Patrick Riviere / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
6. Never Let Me Down (1987)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #34 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 26
Source: Jack Kay / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
5. Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #12 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 27
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Pictorial Parade / Archive Photos via Getty Images
4. Station to Station (1976)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #3 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 33
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
3. Young Americans (1975)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #9 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 51
[in-text-ad]
Source: Jo Hale / Getty Images
2. The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars (1972)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #21 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 89
Source: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
1. Let’s Dance (1983)
> Peak position on Billboard 200: #4 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 69
Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor
Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
