Full disclosure.
I am writing the introduction, but I did not write the article.
I had to ask one of my writers come up with this list of best pop albums of all time.
That’s because pop music just isn’t my thing.
I just don’t know that much about it. That said, I did recognize most of the albums below.
I even like some of them. Mainly The Beatles and Fleetwood Mac.
But there is no denying that everyone of these albums was a huge hit in its time, and they continue to enjoy incredible popularity today. Let’s find out what the top pop albums are!
Best Pop Albums Of All Time
I have to admit, I was surprised to see a few of these albums on the list. Obviously, any “best” list is subjective, but I still did not expect to see a few of the inclusions. What do you think?
Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band remains the Beatles’ top-selling album. It has sold 32 million copies to date. It was released in 1967 but remains immensely popular even today, for several reasons.
First, it marked a revolutionary shift in music production by introducing innovative studio techniques like multi-tracking and tape manipulation. It also showcased the immense talent of the Beatles band members.
Second, it depicted the band’s artistic evolution and ability to embrace diverse musical styles, like rock, pop, Indian music, and psychedelia. This made it extremely appealing to a broad audience.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’s iconic cover art also contributed to its lasting appeal.
Some of the standout tracks in this album include Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds and the titular track Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Thriller by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s Thriller is still one of the best-selling pop albums ever. The album blends funk, disco, R&B, and soft rock, in addition to pop.
Released in 1982, Thriller sold a whopping 70 million copies worldwide. Its popularity can be attributed to the fact that it paved the way for a new pop era by perfectly capturing the diversity and energy of the time.
The album’s success marked a new chapter in music. It brought together various genres and helped set a standard for future artists.
Thriller also includes iconic tracks like Billie Jean and Beat It. These tracks showcase Michael’s incredible talent as a singer and a dancer.
Bad by Michael Jackson
Yes, MJ gets two spots on this list. His album Bad is another one of the most popular pop albums ever. It sold a staggering 35 million copies worldwide.
This album’s success also comes from Jackson’s diverse musical styles, along with his innovative use of technology. He seamlessly blended pop, rock, funk, R&B, dance, soul, and hard rock. This genre-spanning approach broadened Bad’s audience and made it universally enjoyable.
Bad changed the pop genre forever. It influenced a multitude of artists in the 80s and 90s. Moreover, it made history by being the first album to achieve five Billboard Hot 100 number 1 hits, which further emphasizes the exceptional impact it had on the music industry.
Dirty Dancing (Soundtrack) by Various Artists
Dirty Dancing is the soundtrack to the film of the same name. The film became the highest-grossing in 1987-88, earning over $200 million. The album spans the pop, rock, soft rock, and R&B genres.
The Dirty Dancing soundtrack album has gone on to become platinum 11 times over, since it first came out in 1987. It even remained in the top spot on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart for more than 17 weeks!
Every track on the album has withstood the test of time and remains a classic to date. Just as important, all songs are intricately woven into the movie, enhancing the film’s romantic atmosphere.
Faith by George Michael
Faith, released in 1987 by George Michael, sold more than 26 million copies worldwide. Six out of its seven singles were in the top 5 on the Billboard U.S. Top 200 and the entire album held the top spot for more than 12 weeks in 1988.
Despite it being an album by a solo white artist, Faith became popular with black audiences, too. It merged different styles through its tracks, such as the Frank Sinatra-esque Kissing a Fool, the disco-dance style of Monkey, and the haunting Father Figure.
Its catchy tunes and meaningful lyrics, combined with the fact that George was the greatest sex symbol of the time, made the album super popular.
Then there was the fact that George had broken up with Wham! – the biggest pop band at the time – a year earlier. Fans were naturally curious to know how he would fare solo. All these contributed to Faith’s success as the near-perfect pop album of the 1980s.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road is Elton John’s biggest-selling album, with more than 30 million records sold. It also remained on top of the charts for a record eight weeks in 1973.
The album includes tracks in different genres, like rock, pop, and ballads. The album has an overall hint of nostalgia and talks of a return to a simpler life, which resonated with many listeners.
This is also why the album remains iconic to date and continues to connect with people on a deep emotional level. We have an article discussing the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road lyrics meaning.
Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac released their highest-selling pop-rock album Rumours in 1977. It sold over 40 million copies worldwide. This makes it the 9th best-selling album of all time.
Rumours was a hit for several reasons. The rhythm, production, and engineering of the entire album are perfect. Of course, there are also the personal issues among the members of the band.
Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, as well as Christine and John McVie, were all undergoing internal strife and painful breakups. They could barely tolerate each other.
But they used this and channeled their anger and pain into the tracks. They managed to create multiple masterpieces under trying circumstances. For a good example, read our analysis of the Rhiannon lyrics and their meaning or of the meaning of the Silver Spring lyrics.
Like a Virgin by Madonna
Madonna’s 1984 masterpiece Like a Virgin solidified the singer’s status as the Queen of Pop. It also revolutionized the music industry. The album includes several tracks with catchy tunes that are easy to hum along to.
It also showcases Madonna’s unique voice, which depicts a range of emotions. Madonna also used a bold and innovative approach on the album, which helped set a trend for future pop stars.
The lyrics of the tracks on Like a Virgin deal with love, heartbreak, and self-discovery- which many fans found relatable. This added to the album’s popularity.
Baby One More Time by Britney Spears
Baby One More Time has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide, making it Britney Spears’ best-selling album.
According to Grammy.com, Baby One More Time changed the musical landscape forever. It ushered in a new era of pop music culture, sound, and production.
It also influenced a generation of singers who were inspired by the Princess of Pop. Furthermore, the album earned Britney her first Grammy nomination.
Lemonade by Beyonce
Beyonce’s Lemonade is an art pop and R&B album that includes genres like reggae, blues, funk, and hip hop. Released in 2016, it became the best-selling album worldwide, with 2.5 million copies sold in that year. The Associated Press called it the ‘greatest album of the 2010s’.
Lemonade is iconic because it was Beyonce’s tribute to black women. Through her songs, Beyonce talks openly, emotionally, and honestly about her struggles, her father’s infidelity, and later her husband Jay-Z’s.
The album also empowers women everywhere to stand up for themselves. Beyonce has also touched on the sensitive topic of race, assuring the community that she is there for them. Everyone appreciated the fact that she used her star power for good. This makes her among the greatest icons of all time.
21 by Adele
Adele’s 21 (released in 2012) has sold more than 31 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best albums of the 21st century. It includes tracks from the pop, pop soul, and R&B genres.
Its titular track also topped record charts in over 30 countries. The singer went on to win six Grammys for it. Adele’s emotional delivery and meaningful lyrics (based on her heartbreaks) resonated with millions of fans worldwide.
1989 by Taylor Swift
1989 is Taylor Swift’s fifth studio album. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the album nine times platinum. In 2019 alone, 1989 sold more than 6.2 million copies.
It is said that 1989 changed Taylor’s career and the music industry forever. It cemented her image as an iconic artist who made music on her terms.
She said in an interview that “1989 was her starting over.” After all, she had moved from country to pop with this album. No wonder it is hailed as the contemporary pop manifesto.
All the tracks in 1989 explore the feelings that come after a major change. The lyrics and Taylor’s emotional rendition deeply resonated with her fans all over the globe.
The Fame by Lady Gaga
The Fame combines electropop, dance-pop, and synth-pop. It remains one of Lady Gaga’s best-selling pop albums of all time.
It was her debut album and it was nominated for five Grammy Awards at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. Rolling Stone went on to name it one of the 100 Greatest Debut Albums of All-Time in 2022.
Born To Die by Lana Del Ray
Del Ray’s 2010 album Born to Die has sold over 15 million copies worldwide. It is one of the most successful records of 2010.
The titular track tells the sad story of a troubled girl and many young girls could relate to its melancholy and nostalgic feel. People have described Born to Die as a cultural reset, even crediting Del Ray with establishing a new era for modern music.
Teenage Dream by Katy Perry
Released in 2010, Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream has sold over 12 million copies worldwide. Its title track, Teenage Dream, was certified 8 times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Teenage Dream combines power pop, electropop, disco, and industrial music. It also has some retro vibes. The album established Katy Perry as an artist who was here to stay for a long time in the fickle pop music market.
Greatest Pop Music Albums Ever: Final Thoughts
The best pop albums of all time encompass a wide range of musical styles and eras. What they have in common is that they each left a lasting impact on the music industry and popular culture. And continue to do so.
From the groundbreaking innovation of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band to the boundary-pushing artistry of Beyonce’s Lemonade, these albums have not only achieved commercial success but have also redefined the boundaries of pop music.
Whether it’s Michael Jackson’s Thriller setting new standards for pop or Adele’s 21 resonating with audiences on a deeply emotional level, these albums have stood the test of time and continue to captivate listeners across generations.
Aas subjective as any “best” list may be, there’s no denying the enduring influence and significance of these iconic pop albums. Of course, you may feel there are albums I missed, or ones I included that I shouldn’t have. If so, please feel free to let me know in a comment below.
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