Metallica, Creed, the Beatles Hold Top-Selling Albums of Past 20 Years

2012-01-06

Story by Cat Badra

Best-selling albums since 1991 include a variety of genres

Nineteen ninety one was the year Nirvana’s, “Nevermind,” was released, forever changing the sound and aesthetic of popular music with its grunge-flavored pop rock. But, according to the just-released Nielsen SoundScan list of the best-selling albums released since 1991, the financial winners since that year include Metallica, Creed, the Beatles and Alanis Morissette. Of course, this does nothing to diminish Nirvana’s influence, as the band’s legacy is eternal. If anything, being excluded from the list increases the band’s character as an anti-establishment, underground outfit.

No. 1 on Nielsen’s SoundScan list is metal heavyweights Metallica’s self-titled record, often called the “Black Album,” which has sold an incredible 15,375,000 copies since its release. Shania Twain’s, “Come On Over,” comes in at No. 2 with 15,513,000 copies sold, while Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill” (14,714,000), the Backstreet Boys’ “Millennium” (12,168,000) and the Beatles’ “1” (11,985,000) round out the top five on the list. Post-grunge, hard rockers Creed took the No. 8 spot, selling nearly 12 million copies of their sophomore album, “Human Clay.” Find the top ten, below.

Top 10 Albums for the SoundScan Era (1991-present):

1. Metallica, “Metallica” (15,735,000)
2. Shania Twain, “Come On Over” (15,513,000)
3. Alanis Morissette, “Jagged Little Pill” (14,714,000)
4. Backstreet Boys, “Millennium” (12,168,000)
5. Beatles, “1” (11,985,000)
6. Soundtrack, “Bodyguard” (11,829,000)
7. Santana, “Supernatural (11,772,000)
8. Creed, “Human Clay” (11,574,000)
9. N Sync, “No Strings Attached” (11,122,000)
10. Celine Dion, “Falling Into You” (10,790,000)

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Cat Badra

Meet the expert - Cat Badra is a music writer for Audio Ink Radio and a range of other music, sports and lifestyle publications. She's a graduate of Michigan State University with a master's degree in theater and speech. Contact her at cat@audioinkradio.com.