by Alex Cosper (7/19/13) The best selling albums are measured by unit shipments to retail, as tracked by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This organization, which is considered the top music entity in America, issues platinum and gold awards. During the music industry's first full century in the 1900s, the top selling albums were Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) by the Eagles and Michael Jackson's Thriller. After Michael Jackson died in 2009, Thriller reclaimed the top position. By that point, boths albums had shipped around 24 million units. While unit shipments to retail do not necessarily equate to best selling units at the consumer level, it's the closest official measurement. The figure also does not represent returned and refunded albums. Below are the track listings of the top three albums. Michael Jackson - Triller (Epic), Producer: Quincy Jones (released 11/30/82) Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' Baby Be Mine The Girl Is Mine (with Paul McCartney) Thriller Beat It Billie Jean Human Nature P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) The Lady In My Life Eagles - Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) (Asylum), Producer: Glyn Johns, Bill Szymczyk (released 2/17/76) Take It Easy Witchy Woman Lyin' Eyes Already Gone Desperado One of These Nights Tequila Sunrise Take It To The Limit Peaceful Easy Feeling Best of My Love Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (Warner Bros.), Producer: Fleetwood Mac, Ken Caillat, Richard Dashut (released 2/4/77) Second Hand News Dreams Never Going Back Again Don't Stop Go Your Own Way Songbird The Chain You Make Loving Fun I Don't Want To Know Oh Daddy Gold Dust Woman © Playlist Research. All rights reserved. |