The past decade has seen a significant shift in the way music is consumed and appreciated. The advent of streaming services has revolutionized the music industry, altering how albums chart and how artists achieve success. This transformation is reflected in the Top 100 biggest albums of the past 10 years, showcasing a mix of enduring favorites and modern classics that have dominated the charts since July 2014.
Ed Sheeran’s ÷ (Divide): The Reigning Champion
At the pinnacle of this list stands Ed Sheeran’s ÷ (Divide), the UK’s biggest album of the past decade. Released in March 2017, this album has become a cultural phenomenon, amassing 4.26 million UK chart units. This impressive figure includes 1.98 million physical sales, just under 500,000 digital downloads, and 1.79 million streaming sales equivalents.
The lead single from ÷, “Shape Of You,” holds the title of the biggest song of the past decade. This track alone has had a massive impact, becoming ubiquitous across various media and streaming platforms. The album’s success didn’t stop there; it famously broke the UK music Chart on its release, resulting in all 16 tracks from the album landing in the Top 20 of the UK’s Singles Chart during its opening week.
Changes in Chart Rules
The overwhelming success of ÷ prompted a significant change in the chart rules. In July 2017, the three-track cap was introduced to prevent high-streaming albums from completely dominating the singles chart. This rule, still in place today, limits artists to having no more than three tracks simultaneously in the Top 100. This change was a direct response to the unprecedented chart performance of Sheeran’s album, highlighting the shifting landscape of the music industry.
Ed Sheeran’s Dominance
Ed Sheeran’s influence doesn’t end with ÷. He has a remarkable presence in the Top 100 list with five albums in total. Following ÷, his second album, X (Multiply), holds the number three spot. Released in 2014, X includes hits like “Thinking Out Loud” and “Photograph,” which have become anthems in their own right. Additionally, = (Equals) is at number 28, No.6 Collaborations Project at 32, and his debut album + (Plus) at 37. This prolific output underscores Sheeran’s consistent popularity and his ability to connect with a wide audience.
Adele’s 25: A Record-Breaking Release
Securing the number two position is Adele’s third studio album, 25. Released in 2015, 25 set a new standard for opening week sales in the UK, with an astonishing 800,300 copies sold. This feat broke the previous record held by Oasis’s Be Here Now, which sold 813,000 copies in its first seven days but didn’t achieve the same rapid sales pace. The success of 25 is a testament to Adele’s powerful voice and emotional songwriting, resonating deeply with listeners.
Continued Success
Adele’s influence extends beyond 25. She has two additional albums in the Top 100: her 2021 release, 30, at number 50, and her groundbreaking 2011 album, 21, at number 53. Both albums have received critical acclaim and commercial success, cementing Adele’s status as one of the most impactful artists of her generation.
The Greatest Showman Soundtrack: A Cinematic Phenomenon
The soundtrack for The Greatest Showman, landing at number four, demonstrates the enduring appeal of movie soundtracks in the streaming era. Released in 2017, this album has achieved 2.8 million UK chart units, comprising 1.12 million physical sales, 331,000 downloads, and 1.35 million streaming sales equivalents. The soundtrack features a collection of uplifting and memorable songs that have captivated audiences, contributing to its high streaming numbers.
Impact on Streaming
The success of The Greatest Showman soundtrack underscores the importance of streaming in the modern music landscape. Soundtracks have a unique ability to reach diverse audiences through their association with popular films, leading to repeated plays and a lasting presence on the charts.
Sam Smith’s In The Lonely Hour: A Landmark Debut
Sam Smith’s debut album, In The Lonely Hour, secures the number five spot. Released in 2014, this album is notable for being the first-ever Number 1 album to have its streams contribute to its total. It enjoyed six separate spells at the top, totaling eight non-consecutive weeks at Number 1. The album’s blend of soulful ballads and heartfelt lyrics struck a chord with listeners, earning Smith widespread acclaim and a dedicated fan base.
British Acts and the Streaming Era
British artists have significantly benefited from the streaming era, with six of them featuring in the Top 10. This list includes Lewis Capaldi with Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent at number seven, George Ezra’s Wanted On Voyage at number eight, and Jess Glynne’s I Cry When I Laugh at number nine. These artists have leveraged the power of streaming to reach global audiences, showcasing the strength and diversity of British music.
Classic Hits Resurgence
One notable trend in the streaming era is the resurgence of classic hits compilations. Many fans have taken to streaming platforms to rediscover iconic tracks from legendary artists. Eminem’s 2005 release, Curtain Call: The Hits, is the highest-placing greatest hits collection at number ten. Following closely are Elton John’s Diamonds at number eleven, ABBA’s Gold: Greatest Hits at number thirteen, and Queen’s Greatest Hits at number fourteen. These collections offer new and old fans alike a chance to revisit timeless music, keeping these artists relevant in the digital age.
The Impact of Streaming on Album Sales
The introduction of streaming has revolutionized how album sales are measured and achieved. Physical sales, once the dominant force in chart success, have now been complemented and often surpassed by digital downloads and streaming equivalents. This shift is evident in the diverse range of albums featured in the Top 100 list, which includes both recent releases and timeless classics that have found new life through streaming platforms.
Physical Sales
While physical sales have declined overall, they remain an important part of an album’s success. Many fans still appreciate the tangible experience of owning a physical copy, whether it’s vinyl, CD, or special edition box sets. This trend is evident in the success of albums like The Greatest Showman soundtrack and Adele’s 25, which both boast substantial physical sales figures.
Digital Downloads
Digital downloads continue to play a crucial role, particularly for fans who prefer owning their music without the need for physical storage. Ed Sheeran’s ÷ and Adele’s 25 both saw significant download numbers, contributing to their overall chart success.
Streaming Equivalents
The most transformative change has been the inclusion of streaming equivalents in chart calculations. Streaming allows for continuous and widespread access to music, leading to repeated plays and sustained popularity for many albums. This shift has enabled artists like Ed Sheeran, The Greatest Showman cast, and Sam Smith to achieve remarkable chart longevity and success.
Conclusion
The Top 100 biggest albums of the past 10 years provide a fascinating insight into the evolving music landscape. From the dominance of streaming to the continued relevance of physical sales and digital downloads, this list highlights the diverse ways in which music is consumed and appreciated today. Ed Sheeran’s ÷ (Divide) stands as the defining album of the decade, with other artists like Adele, Sam Smith, and various iconic compilations also making their mark. As the music industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these trends develop and which new artists and albums will emerge to shape the future of music.
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Top Albums Breakdown
The Top Contenders
1. Divide by Ed Sheeran
- Release Date: March 2017
- Total UK Chart Units: 4.26 million
- Key Tracks: Shape of You, Castle on the Hill, Galway Girl
2. 25 by Adele
- Release Date: November 2015
- Total UK Chart Units: 3.6 million
- Key Tracks: Hello, When We Were Young, Send My Love
3. X by Ed Sheeran
- Release Date: June 2014
- Total UK Chart Units: 3.5 million
- Key Tracks: Thinking Out Loud, Sing, Photograph
4. The Greatest Showman Soundtrack
- Release Date: December 2017
- Total UK Chart Units: 2.8 million
- Key Tracks: This Is Me, The Greatest Show, Never Enough
5. In The Lonely Hour by Sam Smith
- Release Date: May 2014
- Total UK Chart Units: 2.6 million
- Key Tracks: Stay With Me, I’m Not the Only One, Lay Me Down
British Music’s Streaming Success
British artists have thrived in the streaming era, with many achieving global success through platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
Lewis Capaldi
- Album: Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent
- Total UK Chart Units: 2.4 million
- Key Tracks: Someone You Loved, Before You Go, Hold Me While You Wait
George Ezra
- Album: Wanted on Voyage
- Total UK Chart Units: 2.3 million
- Key Tracks: Budapest, Blame It on Me, Cassy O’
Jess Glynne
- Album: I Cry When I Laugh
- Total UK Chart Units: 2.2 million
- Key Tracks: Hold My Hand, Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself, Take Me Home
Classic Hits Revisited
The popularity of streaming has also allowed for the resurgence of classic hits compilations, introducing legendary artists to new generations of listeners.
Eminem
- Album: Curtain Call: The Hits
- Total UK Chart Units: 2 million
- Key Tracks: Lose Yourself, The Real Slim Shady, Stan
Elton John
- Album: Diamonds
- Total UK Chart Units: 1.9 million
- Key Tracks: Rocket Man, Tiny Dancer, Your Song
ABBA
- Album: Gold: Greatest Hits
- Total UK Chart Units: 1.8 million
- Key Tracks: Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Take a Chance on Me
Queen
- Album: Greatest Hits
- Total UK Chart Units: 1.7 million
- Key Tracks: Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites the Dust, We Will Rock You
100 biggest albums of the past decade
- Ed Sheeran – DIVIDE
- Adele – 25
- Ed Sheeran – X
- Motion Picture Cast Recording – THE GREATEST SHOWMAN
- Sam Smith – IN THE LONELY HOUR
- Taylor Swift – 1989
- Lewis Capaldi – DIVINELY UNINSPIRED TO A HELLISH EXTENT
- George Ezra – WANTED ON VOYAGE
- Jess Glynne – I CRY WHEN I LAUGH
- Eminem – CURTAIN CALL – THE HITS
- Elton John – DIAMONDS
- Justin Bieber – PURPOSE
- ABBA – GOLD – GREATEST HITS
- Queen – GREATEST HITS
- Fleetwood Mac – RUMOURS
- Coldplay – A HEAD FULL OF DREAMS
- Various Artists – NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL CHRISTMAS
- Rag’n’Bone Man – HUMAN
- Michael Buble – CHRISTMAS
- George Ezra – STAYING AT TAMARA’S
- Oasis – TIME FLIES – 1994-2009
- Fleetwood Mac – 50 YEARS – DON’T STOP
- Elvis Presley – IF I CAN DREAM
- Little Mix – GLORY DAYS
- Arctic Monkeys – AM
- Bob Marley & The Wailers – LEGEND
- Various Artists – NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MUSIC 89
- Ed Sheeran – =
- Oasis – WHAT’S THE STORY MORNING GLORY
- Weeknd – THE HIGHLIGHTS
- Dua Lipa – DUA LIPA
- Ed Sheeran – NO 6 COLLABORATIONS PROJECT
- Various Artists – NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MUSIC 95
- Little Mix – GET WEIRD
- Olly Murs – NEVER BEEN BETTER
- David Bowie – LEGACY
- Ed Sheeran – +
- Olivia Rodrigo – SOUR
- James Bay – CHAOS AND THE CALM
- Various Artists – NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MUSIC 92
- Billie Eilish – WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP WHERE DO WE GO
- Beatles – 1
- Harry Styles – FINE LINE
- Michael Jackson – NUMBER ONES
- Original Soundtrack – FROZEN
- Taylor Swift – MIDNIGHTS
- Amy Winehouse – BACK TO BLACK
- Various Artists – NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL DISNEY
- Taylor Swift – REPUTATION
- Adele – 30
- One Direction – FOUR
- Hozier – HOZIER
- Adele – 21
- Drake – VIEWS
- Arctic Monkeys – WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM THAT’S WHAT I’M
- Various Artists – NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MUSIC 93
- Harry Styles – HARRY’S HOUSE
- ELO – ALL OVER THE WORLD – THE VERY BEST OF
- George Michael – TWENTY FIVE
- Sam Smith – THE THRILL OF IT ALL
- Killers – DIRECT HITS
- Taylor Swift – LOVER
- Original Soundtrack – GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY – AWESOME MIX 1
- Various Artists – NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MUSIC 90
- Maroon 5 – SINGLES
- Dua Lipa – FUTURE NOSTALGIA
- Weeknd – BEAUTY BEHIND THE MADNESS
- Weeknd – STARBOY
- Red Hot Chili Peppers – GREATEST HITS
- Drake – SCORPION
- Taylor Swift – FOLKLORE
- Foo Fighters – GREATEST HITS
- Phil Collins – THE SINGLES
- Various Artists – NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MUSIC 98
- Various Artists – NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MUSIC 88
- Various Artists – NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MUSIC 94
- Queen – THE PLATINUM COLLECTION
- Various Artists – NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MUSIC 91
- One Direction – MADE IN THE AM
- Post Malone – BEERBONGS & BENTLEYS
- Oasis – DEFINITELY MAYBE
- Motion Picture Cast Recording – A STAR IS BORN
- Drake – MORE LIFE
- Royal Blood – ROYAL BLOOD
- Motion Picture Cast Recording – MAMMA MIA – HERE WE GO AGAIN
- Motion Picture Cast Recording – MOANA
- Lana Del Rey – BORN TO DIE
- Michael Jackson – THE ESSENTIAL
- Michael Ball & Alfie Boe – TOGETHER
- Nirvana – NEVERMIND
- Elvis Presley – THE WONDER OF YOU
- Guns N’ Roses – GREATEST HITS
- Whitney Houston – THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION
- Billie Eilish – DON’T SMILE AT ME
- Original Broadway Cast – HAMILTON
- Bruno Mars – 24K MAGIC
- Stone Roses – THE STONE ROSES
- Pink – GREATEST HITS – SO FAR
- Catfish & The Bottlemen – THE BALCONY
- Pink – BEAUTIFUL TRAUMA
Conclusion
The Top 100 biggest albums of the past decade offer a window into the evolving music industry, marked by the rise of streaming and the enduring appeal of physical and digital sales. Ed Sheeran and Adele dominate the list, while soundtracks and greatest hits collections showcase the diverse ways fans engage with music. As we look ahead, it will be fascinating to see how these trends continue to shape the musical landscape and which artists will define the next decade.
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