The Most Popular Album Released Every Year from 1950 to 2020
Some said it couldn’t be done, but Discogs has managed to compile information about 70 years of popular music in a single list. After doing a deep dive in the Database, we discovered the most popular albums from every year between 1950 and 2020. The 70-album roundup reflects the most collected album across all formats. We defined popularity by how many Discogs users have added the Master Release to their Collections.
Some of these albums were incredibly popular upon their release. Others have stood the test of time as reissues across new and resurrected formats have been discovered by the Discogs community. Whether you would prefer a Supertramp 8-track, Nirvana CD, or Taylor Swift LP, you are sure to find a few favorites and surprises as you explore this breakdown of most popular albums from the last 70 years.
Published in partnership with Amazon Music.
1950s
As we travel back in time to the 1950s, crooners and jazz classics define the decade. Artists like Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis continue to reach new audiences as these groundbreaking albums are reissued or repressed every few years.
Elvis Presley’s debut album is the first rock and roll album to top these charts. The hip-shaking hysteria of his television appearances paved the way for the rock revolution of the 1960s.
Most Popular Album of the 1950s: Miles Davis – Kind Of Blue (1959)
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1960s
Just like the ‘50s end, the Swinging ‘60s begin with an essential release from Miles Davis. Unsurprisingly, the decade is dominated by The Beatles because the fanaticism for the band grew to a fever pitch and Beatlemania spread across the globe.
However, one movie soundtrack bucks the trend. After winning 10 Academy Awards, the immense success of West Side Story led to an equally successful soundtrack with 227 versions and counting.
Most Popular Album of the 1960s: The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
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1970s
Classic rock tops the 1970s with multiple releases from Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. Not only is The Dark Side of the Moon the most collected album of the 1970s, it’s also the most collected album of all time.
The glam odyssey of Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and the raw, riveting Rumours of Fleetwood Mac have also proven to be timeless as the Discogs community continues to regularly add these albums to their Collection.
Most Popular Album of the 1970s: Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
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1980s
The unprecedented success of AC/DC’s Back in Black kicks off the ‘80s when Angus Young and company forged ahead after the passing of the late, great Bon Scott. David Bowie and Dire Straits appear for the second decade in a row, demonstrating how they evolved and embraced the sounds of the era.
The list also features the pop masterpiece that is Purple Rain and artists like Metallica and Nirvana, the latter whose seminal 1991 album inspired legions of fans to collect their essential ‘80s material.
Most Popular Album of the 1980s: Michael Jackson – Thriller (1982)
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1990s
The ‘90s are dominated by Nirvana with three of their releases landing on the list. Second only to The Beatles in terms of popularity throughout the decades, Nirvana became a household name when they were active and their albums continue to be celebrated by fans everywhere.
As Nirvana guided listeners through the uncharted waters of the mainstream, bands like Rage Against the Machine, Oasis, and Massive Attack found new audiences when indie bands rose to prominence with major label support and distribution.
Most Popular Album of the 1990s: Nirvana – Nevermind (1991)
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2000s
Radiohead leads the pack with a few entries, Metallica makes their triumphant return, and some of the 21st century’s most influential artists rank for the first time, thanks in part to the 2000s vinyl renaissance.
The White Stripes, Arcade Fire, and The XX are proof that indie rock was not just a fad as these albums have been steadily collected on both CD and vinyl since their initial release.
Most Popular Album of the 2000s: Amy Winehouse – Back to Black (2006)
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2010s
Daft Punk, multiple Kendrick Lamar albums, and some of the biggest names in contemporary indie pop round out the 2010s. Currently, the original vinyl pressing of Random Access Memories is the most collected release in the Discogs database, while the first pressing of Good Kid, M.A.A.d City comes in at third.
The 2010s also include David Bowie’s ★ (Blackstar), an album that served as his swan song and parting gift to the world. Released on his 69th birthday, the record came out two days before he lost his private battle with liver cancer.
Most Popular Album of the 2010s: Daft Punk – Random Access Memories (2013)
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Daft Punk – Random Access Memories
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David Bowie – (Blackstar)
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2020s
With eight vinyl variants available during pre-order alone, Folklore has quickly become a modern staple for record collectors. Taylor Swift elevated her songcraft as she worked with a new collaborator through the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Billie Eilish is topping the charts again in 2021 with Happier Than Ever and Taylor Swift is reaching more listeners with vinyl represses, we may be already experiencing some of the trends to come in the 2020s!
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