These albums have made their way into history!
Since March is recognized as “Women’s History Month”, various fields celebrate female pioneers. Their contributions to the advancements of society have changed the way we live. Female artists are also trailblazers in the music industry breaking records and opening doors for acts after them. Here are the 17 best-selling female albums of all time to celebrate Women’s History Month.
17. whitney – whitney houston
The sophomore release from Miss Houston saw her continue her reign on top of the charts. Soaring from her self-titled debut album which produced 3 number-one singles, “Whitney” continued her hit streak. The album produced 4 number-one singles making Whitney the first artist in history to garner 7 consecutive number-one hits. The album has sold 20 million copies worldwide and is certified diamond status by the RIAA.
16. Daydream – Mariah Carey
Mariah’s fifth studio album continued her global dominance as the quintessential megastar. Following the massive success of her album “Music Box”, “Daydream” received critical acclaim producing 3 number-one singles. The project saw Carey move into a more urban-sound, while still frolicking in the pop genre. The album became a worldwide smash selling over 20 million copies worldwide and reaching diamond status by the RIAA.
15. 25 – adele
Adele’s blockbuster 3rd album “25” followed her global smash sophomore album “21”. Known for her age-themed album titles, 25 is the first music project from the singer after entering motherhood. The album’s debut single “Hello” became a global smash hit breaking numerous charting records. “25” debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the best-selling album of 2015. The album also won numerous awards including 1 Brit Award and 2 Grammys including the prestigious “Album of The Year”. The album has sold over 23 million copies worldwide and is Adele’s second album to reach diamond status by the RIAA.
14. like a virgin – madonna
Madonna’s sophomore album “Like A Virgin” was a global smash successor to her debut record “Madonna”. Produced by Nile Rodgers, “Like A Virgin” produced the monstrous singles “Material Girl” and “Into The Groove” that have become Madonna standards. The album solidified Madonna as a pop icon and has sold over 21 million copies worldwide. In 2023 the album was inducted into the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.
13. whitney houston – whitney houston
Whitney Houston’s self-titled debut album made her a household name. The record produced 3 number-one singles and debuted at the number-one spot on Billboard making her the first artist to achieve the feat. Houston won her first Grammy for “Best Pop Vocal Performance” for the song “Saving All My Love for You”. The album received critical acclaim and worldwide success making it the best-selling studio album by a black female artist in music history. It is one of the best-selling albums ever with 25 million copies sold.
12. spice – spice girls
The Spice Girls’ debut album “Spice” is the best-selling album in music history by a girl group. The record introduced the Spice Girls to the forefront of the pop music world creating a frenzy around them similar to “Beatlemania”. “Spice” produced 4 number-one singles on the Hot 100 and sold over 23 million copies worldwide. The debut single “Wannabe” has sold over 6 million copies becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time.
11. tracy chapman – tracy chapman
The self-titled debut album by singer/songwriter Tracy Chapman gained critical acclaim. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and birthed the massive hit “Fast Car”. In 2023, “Fast Car” was covered by country artist Luke Combs and went number on the country charts making Chapman the first black woman to have written a number-one country song. The album has sold over 20 million copies worldwide since its release in 1988.
10. true blue – madonna
Madonna’s third studio album was inspired by and dedicated to her then-husband actor Sean Penn. It was the first project that the “Material Girl” co-wrote and co-produced, resulting in 3 singles from the album going number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The album is widely considered the album that made Madonna an icon and rival of 80s megastars Michael Jackson and Prince. “True Blue” has sold over 25 million copies worldwide and is regarded by critics as Madonna’s best album.
9. …Baby one more time – britney spears
Britney Spears is considered the lead contender of the 90s pop explosion. Her self-titled debut album reached the top of the charts in various territories making her the youngest artist to achieve a number one debut album. The record produced two number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the biggest-selling album of 1999. The Guinness Book of World Records gave Spears two awards for the album’s success. Worldwide sales of the record consist of 25 million copies, and “…Baby, One More Time” is Spears’s best-selling album.
8. come away with me – norah jones
Jazz singer and pianist Norah Jones released her debut album “Come Away With Me” in 2002 to critical acclaim. Daughter of satirist and composer Ravi Shankar, Jones set the music world ablaze with her first record. The album topped the Billboard Hot 100 and several Grammy awards including the prestigious “Album of The Year” award. The album has sold over 27 million copies worldwide and is her best-selling album.
7. music box – mariah carey
“Music Box” is the third studio album from global superstar Mariah Carey. The record has sold over 28 million copies worldwide and is Carey’s best-selling album. The first three singles from the effort topped the charts in various territories. The album is the first of two albums from Carey’s catalog to be certified diamond status by the RIAA.
6. falling into you – celine dion
“Falling Into You” is the fourth English-language album from Canadian singer Celine Dion. The album garnered Dion many accolades including 2 Grammy Awards for Album of The Year and Best Pop Album. “Falling Into You” was critically acclaimed across the music industry and the best-selling album of Dion’s career. The album has sold over 32 million copies worldwide.
5. let’s talk about love – celine dion
“Let’s Talk About Love” is the follow-up to Dion’s massive album “Falling Into You”. It is the fifth English language album and 15th overall album from Dion’s catalog. The lead single “My Heart Will Go On” became a worldwide smash winning her 4 Grammy awards including “Record of The Year”. “Let’s Talk About Love” has sold over 31 million copies worldwide and is the second album in Dion’s catalog to reach diamond status by the RIAA.
4. 21 – adele
Adele’s sophomore effort “21” made her a global icon. The album is the best-selling album of the 21st century. The record produced 3 number-one singles making her the first UK female artist to have 3 number-one and top-ten songs in the same week on the Billboard Hot 100. Selling over 31 million copies worldwide the album is the best-performing album of Adele’s career and the second in her catalog to be certified diamond status by the RIAA.
3. come on over – shania twain
Shania Twain’s third album “Come On Over” is the best-selling country album of all time. The album has been credited for modernizing country music. Although the album reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Come On Over” was critically acclaimed upon its release. 12 of the 16 songs on the album were released as singles with 3 being top-ten Billboard Hot 100 hits. “From This Moment On” has been hailed the “Wedding Song” of the 90s. The album has sold over 40 million copies worldwide and is hailed the biggest-selling solo album by a female artist.
2. jagged little pill – alanis morissette
“Jagged Little Pill” is the third album from Canadian singer Alanis Morrisette. The album is an alternative rock album that uses elements of post-grunge and pop-rock. The lyrical content of the songs on the album discusses “young adult angst” and unsuccessful relationships. Morrisette was nominated for 9 Grammy awards winning 5 including “Album of The Year”. “Jagged Little Pill” has sold over 33 million albums worldwide, and is the first album by a Canadian artist to reach double diamond status.
1. the bodyguard – whitney houston
“The Bodyguard” is the best-selling album by a female artist in music history. The album supports the movie of the same name and threw Whitney Houston into a different stratosphere of fame. Houston and her longtime collaborator Clive Davis are co-executive producers of the album. The soundtrack was a massive global success hitting the number-one spot in 18 countries. The album gave Houston the distinction of having the most weeks at number for a female artist which she held for 19 years before Adele’s “21” in 2011 dethroned the feat.
Houston’s cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” became the stand-out track from the album hitting number one in various territories and landing the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks. The soundtrack won 3 Grammys, 14 Billboard Awards, 8 American Music Awards, and countless other accolades. It has sold 45 million copies worldwide and is the third best-selling album of all time. The album also makes Houston the only female artist with 3 diamond-certified albums by the RIAA.
All of these albums by these female artists have been groundbreaking in the music world. These artistic contributions made these female entertainers icons worldwide, opening doors for future artists after them. 5 of the women listed are the best-selling female artists in music history. The 17 best-selling female albums of all time will excite future music enthusiasts for generations to come.
-SV
