How Many Albums Have Gone Diamond? Let's Explore the Elite Club of Music History!
Hello there, music enthusiasts! Today, we're diving into an exciting question that's been buzzing around the music industry: how many albums have gone diamond? We're talking about the crème de la crème of music sales, where an album has sold a whopping 10 million copies or more. So, buckle up as we explore this elite club of music history! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and how many albums have gone diamond.
What Does It Mean for an Album to Go Diamond?
Before we dive into the numbers, let's quickly clarify what it means for an album to go diamond. In the music industry, certifications are given by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) to recognize sales and streaming equivalents. Here's a quick breakdown:
- Gold: 500,000 units - Platinum: 1,000,000 units - Multi-Platinum: 2,000,000 units (and so on) - Diamond: 10,000,000 units
So, when we say an album has gone diamond, it means it's sold (or streamed the equivalent of) 10 million copies! That's a serious feat, and we're about to explore which albums have achieved this incredible milestone.
The Diamond Album Club: How Many Members Are There?
As of now, there are 113 diamond albums in the United States alone. That's a massive number, but it's even more impressive when you consider the total number of albums released throughout history. So, let's take a look at which artists and albums have made it into this elite club.
The Top 10 Diamond Albums of All Time
You might be wondering which albums have sold the most copies to reach diamond status. Here are the top 10 diamond albums of all time, ranked by their total sales and streaming equivalents:
- 1. Michael Jackson - Thriller (66 million units)
- 2. AC/DC - Back in Black (50 million units)
- 3. Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon (45 million units)
- 4. Whitney Houston - The Bodyguard Soundtrack (45 million units)
- 5. Eagles - Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) (42 million units)
- 6. Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (40 million units)
- 7. Shania Twain - Come On Over (40 million units)
- 8. Led Zeppelin - IV (37 million units)
- 9. Michael Jackson - Bad (35 million units)
- 10. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A. (30 million units)
Now, let's take a closer look at each of these albums and the artists behind them.
Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)
Thriller is not only the best-selling album of all time but also the first album to reach seven diamond certifications! Released in 1982, this iconic album features timeless hits like "Billie Jean," "Beat It," and the title track "Thriller." Michael Jackson's groundbreaking music videos and innovative dance moves helped propel Thriller to unprecedented heights, making it a staple in pop culture history.
AC/DC - Back in Black (1980)
Back in Black is the second-best-selling album of all time, with over 50 million copies sold worldwide. This iconic hard rock album was released just months after the death of AC/DC's lead singer Bon Scott, with new vocalist Brian Johnson taking the helm. The album features classic tracks like "Hells Bells," "You Shook Me All Night Long," and the title track "Back in Black."
Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
The Dark Side of the Moon is one of the most enduring and influential albums in music history. Released in 1973, this progressive rock masterpiece features iconic tracks like "Money," "Time," and "The Great Gig in the Sky." The album has spent 958 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, making it one of the longest-charting albums ever.
Whitney Houston - The Bodyguard Soundtrack (1992)
The Bodyguard soundtrack is a testament to Whitney Houston's incredible talent and the power of a well-crafted pop ballad. The album features six chart-topping singles, including Houston's signature hit "I Will Always Love You." With 45 million copies sold worldwide, it's one of the best-selling albums of all time and a diamond-certified classic.
Eagles - Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) (1976)
Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) is a compilation album that features some of the Eagles' most iconic tracks, including "Hotel California," "Take It Easy," and "Desperado." With 42 million copies sold in the U.S. alone, this album is a staple of classic rock radio and a diamond-certified smash hit.
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (1977)
Rumours is the second-best-selling album of the 1970s and one of the best-selling albums of all time. Released in 1977, this soft rock classic features timeless hits like "Dreams," "Don't Stop," and "Go Your Own Way." The album's raw emotional power and incredible musicianship have made it a beloved staple of classic rock radio for decades.
Shania Twain - Come On Over (1997)
Come On Over is a country-pop crossover sensation that launched Shania Twain into the stratosphere of superstardom. With 40 million copies sold worldwide, this album features iconic hits like "That Don't Impress Me Much," "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!," and "From This Moment On." Twain's infectious energy and catchy melodies helped make Come On Over a diamond-certified phenomenon.
Led Zeppelin - IV (1971)
IV is the fourth studio album by the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin, featuring iconic tracks like "Stairway to Heaven," "Black Dog," and "Rock and Roll." Released in 1971, this album has sold over 37 million copies worldwide and is a cornerstone of classic rock history. IV showcases Led Zeppelin's signature blend of heavy blues-rock, folk, and mystical influences.
Michael Jackson - Bad (1987)
Bad is the seventh studio album by the King of Pop, featuring iconic hits like "Billie Jean," "Beat It," and "Man in the Mirror." Released in 1987, this album has sold over 35 million copies worldwide and is a diamond-certified classic. Bad showcases Jackson's signature blend of pop, R&B, and funk, as well as his incredible vocal prowess.
Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A. (1984)
Born in the U.S.A. is the seventh studio album by the Boss, featuring iconic tracks like "Born in the U.S.A.," "Dancing in the Dark," and "Glory Days." Released in 1984, this album has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and is a diamond-certified classic. Born in the U.S.A. showcases Springsteen's heartfelt songwriting and storytelling, as well as his signature brand of heartland rock.
How Many Albums Have Gone Diamond by Genre?
Now that we've explored the top 10 diamond albums let's take a look at how many albums have gone diamond in various genres.
Pop
Pop music dominates the diamond album club, with 81 diamond albums across various sub-genres like pop-rock, dance-pop, and R&B. Michael Jackson alone has 13 diamond albums, more than any other artist in history. Other pop artists with multiple diamond albums include:
- Elton John: 5 diamond albums - Barbra Streisand: 4 diamond albums - Celine Dion: 4 diamond albums - Mariah Carey: 3 diamond albums
Rock
Rock music is the second-most represented genre in the diamond album club, with 24 diamond albums. Classic rock bands like the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and Led Zeppelin have multiple diamond albums, as do modern rock acts like Foo Fighters and Green Day.
Country
Country music has 6 diamond albums, with Shania Twain accounting for half of them. Other country artists with diamond albums include:
- Garth Brooks: 2 diamond albums - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill: 1 diamond album (for their collaborative album The Rest of Our Life) - Dixie Chicks: 1 diamond album (Wide Open Spaces)
Rap & Hip-Hop
Rap and hip-hop have 4 diamond albums, with Eminem leading the way with 3 diamond albums. Other rap and hip-hop artists with diamond albums include:
- Kendrick Lamar: 1 diamond album (DAMN.) - Drake: 1 diamond album (for his collaborative album with Future, What a Time to Be Alive)
Other Genres
Other genres with diamond albums include:
- Jazz: 1 diamond album (Tony Bennett's MTV Unplugged) - Soundtracks: 2 diamond albums (The Bodyguard soundtrack and The Lion King soundtrack) - Latin: 1 diamond album (Luis Miguel's Romances)
How Many Albums Have Gone Diamond Each Year?
Now let's take a look at how many albums have gone diamond each year, from 1976 (when the RIAA first introduced the diamond certification) to the present day.
1970s
The 1970s saw a total of 17 diamond albums certified, with the majority of them coming from the rock and pop genres. Some of the most iconic albums of the decade, like Fleetwood Mac's Rumours and the Eagles' Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975), were certified diamond in the 1970s.
1980s
The 1980s saw a significant increase in diamond album certifications, with a total of 31 diamond albums certified during the decade. This was the decade that saw the rise of pop superstars like Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, as well as iconic rock albums like AC/DC's Back in Black and Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A.
1990s
The 1990s saw another surge in diamond album certifications, with a total of 32 diamond albums certified during the decade. This was the decade that saw the rise of pop divas like Celine Dion and the Spice Girls, as well as iconic rap albums like Eminem's The Slim Shady LP.