Based on critical acclaim and sales, Elvis Presley’s Elvis’ Christmas Album (1957) is frequently cited as the best-selling and top-rated, holding RIAA Diamond certification. Other top contenders for the best Christmas album include A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector (1963), Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas (1994), and A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio.
According to the most recent record album certifications, the holiday album title that has shipped the most copies in the United States is Elvis Presley's 1957 LP Elvis' Christmas Album, which is certified by the RIAA for shipment of 17 million copies in the U.S. (3 million copies of the original 1957 release on RCA ...
The number one Christmas song of all time, based on sales and cultural impact, is generally considered to be "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby, the best-selling single ever, with over 50 million physical copies sold worldwide. In modern times, Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" is a dominant holiday anthem, topping charts and streaming services yearly, making it the biggest digital Christmas hit.
There's no single "number one song of all time" because it depends on the criteria (sales, streams, cultural impact, critical acclaim), but Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" is often cited as the best-selling single ever by sales, while Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" holds records for streaming/digital certifications, and critics' lists (like Rolling Stone's list) favor songs like Aretha Franklin's "Respect" or Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone".
How The Best Christmas Album Almost Never Happened
Who sold 1 billion albums?
While exact numbers vary and are often debated, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson are frequently cited as artists who have sold over 1 billion records, with Elvis often called the best-selling solo artist and Michael Jackson the best-selling artist overall when group sales are considered alongside solo work. The Beatles, as a group, also have figures approaching or exceeding 1 billion units in some estimates, making them top contenders.
Perhaps best known for his GRAMMY-winning hit with Sandi Patti, "More Than Wonderful," gospel artist Larnelle Harris has Christmas to thank for his fifth career GRAMMY. The Kentucky-born singer/songwriter took home Best Gospel Performance, Male for his 1988 holiday album, Christmas, at the 31st GRAMMY Awards.
An interesting piece of Christmas trivia, the Elvis Christmas Album, released in 1957, is the biggest selling Christmas LP of all time. It sold 17 million copies in the United States alone, as well as being very popular in Australia too.
The top 10 Christmas songs often feature classics like "White Christmas" (Bing Crosby) and "The Christmas Song" (Mel Tormé) alongside modern hits like "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (Mariah Carey) and "Fairytale of New York" (The Pogues), with perennial favorites including "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (Brenda Lee), "Jingle Bell Rock" (Bobby Helms), "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" (Andy Williams), and "Last Christmas" (Wham!), showcasing a mix of nostalgic carols and pop holiday anthems.
Garth Brooks is the artist famous for having nine Diamond-certified albums, a record for albums, though Drake has since surpassed him in total Diamond certifications (albums and singles combined). Brooks' nine Diamond albums include his debut, No Fences, Ropin' the Wind, The Chase, In Pieces, Sevens, The Ultimate Hits, and Double Live, among others, all representing over 10 million copies sold each.
40 years ago today, Michael Jackson released 'Thriller.' It's the biggest-selling album of all-time, spent 37 weeks at #1 in the US and earned eight #GRAMMYs . The iconic record spawned 7 top 10 hits, including “Billie Jean” & “Beat It,” and is certified 34x Platinum by RIAA.
Drake now holds the record for most RIAA diamond certifications with 10 total. His vinyl release of 'Some Sexy Songs 4 U' caused a huge sales spike. While impactful, Drake's 2024 feud with Kendrick Lamar hasn't slowed his forward movement.
Here are the Rappers with certified Diamond albums in US💎 - #Eminem has most (3) - #Drake becomes the latest entry with 'Take Care' - #LaurynHill is the only female Rapper with Diamond album.
That epic run ended this week when Taylor Swift added yet another honor to her already hefty list of accomplishments when the 10:13 long “All Too Well (Taylor's Version)” officially became the longest No. 1 hit of all time.
Happy Birthday Stevie Wonder . . . Born May 13, 1950 Wonder's single "Fingertips" was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963, at the age of 13 - - - making him the youngest solo artist ever to top the chart.
