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List of biggest-selling British music artists

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This list documents Britain's best-selling music artists alphabetically[1] as well as by record sales. This page lists those artists who have had claims of over one million or more records in sales. The list is divided into numerous record-sales brackets within each of which, artists are listed in alphabetical order, rather than by number of records sold. The artists on the list are supported by third-party reliable sources, the sales-figures within which should represent a total number of sold albums, singles, compilation-albums, music videos as well as downloads of singles and full-length albums. This list holds no account of sales after the initial release dates, some artists keep on selling albums they originally released for instance in 1972. those albums sold over the years in their millions.

Constraints

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Although the criteria for the following list are intended to be expansive (including comparisons for total-sales for all recording artists) there are certain limitations and constraints that may limit the conclusions that can be derived from these data. There is no certainty these things are correct for not all sales are controllable.

Such constraints include:

  • Bias towards acts who have had success in a specific country or region.
  • Bias towards older artists. There is a broader genre spectrum of music to listen to now which limits the number of listeners.
  • Bias towards modern artists. Comparatively fewer successful pre-modern artists will have sold more records, as both global spending power and population have increased. In 1950, the world's population was 2.5 billion; by 2000 it had risen to 6 billion. Also, older artists suffer from bias as their record sales are less likely to have been accurately tracked, and estimates of their early sales are likely to be more vague.
  • Fan sites, press articles and record labels have been known to inflate record sales claims.
  • Inflated claims for artists who performed in different acts during their careers. Sometimes all of the sales data is attributed to an individual artist. For the purposes of this list, an effort is made to separate the individual acts (e.g., the sales figures for The Beatles and Paul McCartney & Wings are mutually exclusive).

400 million or more records

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Artist Biggest selling album Period Genre Claimed sales
The BeatlesSgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band1960–1970Pop / Rock500–600 million[2][3]

300 million to 400 million records

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Artist Biggest selling album Period Genre Claimed sales
Elton JohnGoodbye Yellow Brick Road1964–presentPop / Rock300 million[4]
Queen Greatest Hits[5] 1970–present Glam rock / Hard rock 250-300 million[6][7]
Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin IV[8]1968–1980Hard rock / Heavy metal200–300 million[9][10]

200 million to 299 million records

[edit]
Artist Biggest selling album Period Genre Claimed sales
Cliff RichardAlways Guaranteed1958–presentPop / Rock / Rock N Roll / Jazz260 million[11]
Pink FloydThe Dark Side of the Moon[12]1964–2014Progressive rock250 million[13]
Bee GeesSaturday Night Fever1958–2003Pop / Disco / Soul / Rock / Soft Rock220 million[14]
David BowieLet's Dance1964–2016Rock200 million[15]
The Rolling StonesHot Rocks 1964–19711962–presentRock / Blues rock200 million[16]

100 million to 199 million records

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Artist Biggest selling album Period Genre Claimed sales
ColdplayA Rush of Blood to the Head1997–presentAlternative rock170 million[17]
Ed Sheeran×2011–presentPop150 million[18]
GenesisInvisible Touch1967–presentProgressive rock / Pop rock150 million[19]
Phil CollinsNo Jacket Required1980–presentAdult contemporary150 million[20]
Shirley BasseyThe Shirley Bassey Singles Album1957–presentPop135 million[21]
Status Quo12 Gold Bars1967–presentRock130 million[22]
Adele212006–presentPop / Soul120 million[23]
Bay City Rollers Rollin' 1964-present Pop rock / glam rock 120 million[24]
Dire StraitsBrothers in Arms1977–1995Rock / Pop120 million[25]
The Dave Clark Five–1964–1970Pop rock / Beat100 million[26][27]
Deep PurpleMachine Head1968–presentHard rock100 million[28][29]
Def LeppardHysteria1977–presentHard rock / heavy metal100 million[30]
Depeche ModeViolator1980–presentElectro Rock100 million[31][32]
Fleetwood MacRumours1967–presentPop rock100 million[33]
George MichaelFaith1981–2016Pop100 million[34]
Iron MaidenThe Number of the Beast1975–presentHeavy metal100 million[35][36]
Paul McCartneyPipes of Peace1957–presentPop rock100 million[37]
Pet Shop BoysActually1981–presentSynthpop100 million[38]
Rod StewartOut of Order1962–presentRock / Pop100 million[39]
UB40Promises and Lies 1980–presentReggae100 million[40]
The WhoWho's Next1964–presentRock / Hard rock100 million[41]

50 to 99 million records

[edit]
Artist Biggest selling album Period Genre Claimed sales
Spice GirlsSpice1996–2000
2007–2008		Pop, Euro Pop90 million[42]
EurythmicsGreatest Hits1980–presentNew wave75 million[43]
Robbie WilliamsI've Been Expecting You1990–presentPop75 million[44]
Little Mix Glory Days 2011–2022 Pop, R&B, dance-pop 75 million[45]
Oasis(What's the Story) Morning Glory?1991–2009
2024–present		Britpop / Rock75 million[46]
The PoliceSynchronicity1977–1986
2007–2008		Pop rock / New Wave75 million[47]
Duran DuranRio1978–presentNew wave / alternative rock70 million[48]
One DirectionMidnight Memories2010–2015Pop-rock / power pop70 million[49]
Jethro TullAqualung1968–presentProgressive rock / hard rock60 million[50]
SupertrampBreakfast in America[51]1969–presentProgressive rock60 million[52][53]
T. RexThe Slider[54]1967–1977Glam rock / Folk rock58 million[55]
Black SabbathParanoid1968–presentHeavy metal50 million[56]
Culture ClubColour by Numbers1982–presentNew wave-pop50 million

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ List of best-selling music artists
  2. ↑ "Beatles' remastered box set, video game out". CNN. Archived from the original on 15 September 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  3. ↑ Wyman, Bill (4 January 2013). "Did 'Thriller' Really Sell a Hundred Million Copies". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on 26 October 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  4. ↑ "Elton John". Marshall-arts.com. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  5. ↑ "Queen score 'best selling album ever' - NME". NME. 17 November 2006. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  6. ↑ "Rock band Queen get postage stamp of approval". Reuters. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  7. ↑ Brueggemann, Tom (5 June 2019). "'Rocketman' Is Another Hit Music Biopic, But Please Don't Think That Makes It a Trend". IndieWire. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  8. ↑ 25 Best-Selling Albums of All Time Archived 19 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine. HowStuffWorks.
  9. ↑ Gibson, Owen (16 October 2007). "Led Zeppelin to release songs digitally for the first time". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  10. ↑ Sorel-Cameron, Peter (9 December 2007). "Can Led Zeppelin still rock?". CNN. Archived from the original on 26 February 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  11. ↑ Sir Cliff Richard told to demolish conservatory by planners . The Times.
  12. ↑ Sanfilippo, Gabrielle. "Dark Side: The Light Show". The Blazer. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  13. ↑ "Pink Floyd's Waters Angry At Music Streaming". Sky News. 28 May 2015. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  14. ↑ "Bee Gees facts: Gibb brothers' wives, nationality, band name meaning and more revealed". Smoothradio.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  15. ↑ Gill, Andy (2 January 2016). "Rebel, rebel: We profile singing legend David Bowie". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  16. ↑ Holton, Kate (17 January 2008). "Rolling Stones sign Universal album deal". Reuters.com. Reuters. Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2008.
  17. ↑ "The 30 Best Songs of the 2000s, Ranked". The Telegraph. 11 October 2026. Archived from the original on 12 October 2026. Retrieved 11 October 2026.
  18. ↑ [permanent dead link]
  19. ↑ Lee, Marc (30 May 2008). "Final chapter in the book of Genesis?". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  20. ↑ "Phil Collins' fans rejoice: Artist announces end of retirement". CNN. 29 October 2015. Archived from the original on 2 November 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  21. ↑ "Happy 80th Birthday, Dame Shirley Bassey". BBC News. 8 January 2017. Archived from the original on 28 February 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  22. ↑ The Times Archived 20 July 2023 at the Wayback Machine on Status Quo
  23. ↑ "Tickets to see Adele in Birmingham up for sale for jaw-dropping £1,300 EACH". Birmingham Mail. 8 March 2016. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  24. ↑ Brocklehurst, Steven (22 April 2021). "Bay City Rollers: The boy band that turned the world tartan". BBC News. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  25. ↑ "Dire Straits founder John Illsley starts tour in Winchester". Southern Daily Echo. 16 October 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  26. ↑ Gundersen, Edna (6 March 2008). "For Dave Clark Five, the accolades finally arrive". USA Today. Archived from the original on 7 January 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  27. ↑ "Dave Clark Five singer Smith dies". BBC News. 29 February 2008. Archived from the original on 13 August 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  28. ↑ "Deep Purple". EMI Music Publishing. Archived from the original on 10 July 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  29. ↑ "Russia's Medvedev meets Deep Purple". USA Today. 11 February 2008. Archived from the original on 24 August 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  30. ↑ "Def Leppard, Poison coming to White River Amphitheatre in Auburn". The Seattle Times. 26 June 2009. Archived from the original on 2 April 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  31. ↑ "Depeche Mode reveal tour details". ITN.co.uk. ITN. 7 October 2008. Archived from the original on 10 October 2008. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  32. ↑ "Depeche Mode mit Weltpremiere beim ECHO". ITN.co.uk (in German). Bundesverband Musikindisrtie-IFPI Germany. 3 February 2009. Archived from the original on 8 April 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  33. ↑ "Fleetwood Mac". Rolling Stone.
  34. ↑ "Michael seeking 'a quieter life'". BBC News. 12 June 2008. Archived from the original on 18 August 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  35. ↑ NME.COM. "The biggest selling UK acts of all time". NME.COM. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  36. ↑ "Iron Maiden Star Gets Airline Boardroom Gig". Sky News. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  37. ↑ "Biography: Paul McCartney" (in German). MTV Germany. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  38. ↑ "Pet Shop Boys: Biografie". Warner Music Germany (in German). Archived from the original on 18 November 2008. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  39. ↑ "Stewart show backed by public cash". BBC News. 11 April 2002. Archived from the original on 26 June 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  40. ↑ Sherwin, Adam (30 April 2008). "UB40 reveal new lead singer: Ali Campbell's brother Duncan". Times Online. London. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  41. ↑ The New York Times Archived 10 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine on The Who
  42. ↑ "Spice Girls mark 25 years of debut hit Wannabe with vinyl EP, unreleased music and social media campaign". Music Week. June 2021. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  43. ↑ "Eurythmics". Sony Music Germany (in German). Archived from the original on 22 March 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2009.
  44. ↑ Amanda Andrews and Adam Sherwin (9 January 2008). "Shake-up starts at EMI with departure of UK chief". London: Times Online. Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  45. ↑ Aubrey, Elizabeth (16 September 2023). "Leigh-Anne Pinnock hints debut album will be released next year". NME. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  46. ↑ "Some might say Oasis are still world beaters after Slane gig". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 20 April 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  47. ↑ Robb, Stephen (28 May 2007). "Police fan bands go on patrol". BBC News. Archived from the original on 31 March 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  48. ↑ "Duran Duran To Get Brit Award Honor". Billboard.
  49. ↑ "One Direction: Ten years of 1D, but is a reunion on the way?". CBBC Newsround. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  50. ↑ "Interview with Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson". BBC Wiltshire. Archived from the original on 28 September 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  51. ↑ Doran, John. Supertramp: Breakfast in America review . BBC. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  52. ↑ Wuensch, Yuri. "Roger Hodgson returns with solo tour". CANOE. 21 November 2006. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  53. ↑ Heatley, Michael. "Indelibly Tramped". Record Collector. Archived from the original on 10 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  54. ↑ "T Rex - Electric Boogie plus Weeley Festival". Archived from the original on 16 February 2012.
  55. ↑ "The death of a glam rock idol". Chronicle Live. 15 September 2007. Archived from the original on 1 July 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  56. ↑ "Ozzy Osbourne Goes 'On the Record'". Fox News. 25 May 2007. Archived from the original on 26 March 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
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