To mark National Album Day (October 12), BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds have revealed the 40 biggest studio albums of the 21st century so far.
The chart, compiled by the Official Charts Company, is based on the number of physical sales as well as digital downloads and streams since January 1, 2000. It was broadcast on Radio 2 today by Paul Gambaccini.
Adele’s 2011 album 21 is No.1 on the chart, with her 2015 album 25 coming in at No.3. She has a total of three albums ranking within the Top 40 most popular records of the 21st century.
Adele’s 21 (XL Recordings) has sales of 5,162,672, according to the Official Charts Company.
Ed Sheeran also has two albums, X and ÷, in the Top 10. James Blunt, Michael Bublé, Dido, David Gray, Leona Lewis and Amy Winehouse all feature in the Top 10, which is 50% male/female.
Other artists making the Top 40 are Coldplay, Craig David, Duffy, Emeli Sandé, Eminem, Green Day, Kaiser Chiefs, Keane, The Killers, Kings of Leon, Lady Gaga, Maroon 5, Norah Jones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rihanna, Robbie Williams, Sam Smith, Scissor Sisters, Snow Patrol, Susan Boyle and Take That.
Over 70% of artists featured in the Top 40 and all artists in the Top 5 are British.
Jeff Smith, head of music, Radio 2 and 6 Music, said: “We are delighted to reveal the nation’s 40 favourite albums of the millennium here on Radio 2 for National Album Day 2019 and it’s heartening to see so many British artists in the chart, proving that home-grown music is still as popular as ever. ”
The list of the Top 10 biggest albums of the 21st century are:
Official Albums Chart – 2000-2019 (week 39):
1. 21 – Adele (2011)
2. Back to Black – Amy Winehouse (2006)
3. 25 - Adele (2015)
4. X – Ed Sheeran (2014)
5. ÷ - Ed Sheeran (2017)
6. Back to Bedlam – James Blunt (2004)
7. Spirit – Leona Lewis (2007)
8. Crazy Love – Michael Bublé (2009)
9. No Angel – Dido (2000)
10. White Ladder – David Gray (1999)
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