Biggest Selling Singles In The United States
The biggest selling single of all time in the United States has sold almost twice as many as its closest competition. In 1997, Elton John released a remake of his classic 1973 song "Candle In The Wind" with new lyrics that paid homage to Diana, Princess of Wales after her untimely death. This single sold over 11 million copies in the United States. An incredible figure. Unfortunately, "Candle In The Wind" is not available for streaming via Rhapsody at this time, so it is not included in the final playlist here.
So what are the runners up to "Candle In The Wind 1997"? Well, only two have broken the 6 million mark ("A Little Less Conversation" by Elvis Presley & "Here Without You" by 3 Doors Down"), and only 12 have cracked the 4 million mark.
Please note that I am speaking only of sales in the USA. Look for future blog posts to reveal top sellers in other countries and worldwide.
A "single" is a song recording that has been marketed for sale as a unit, usually with a second track, or "b-side". For the most part singles also appear on a full-length album and tend to be the track(s) a record company feels have the best chance for massive sales and airplay.
All the songs in this playlist have sold over 4 million copies as a single in America. Some will surprise you, many will not. Are you one of the millions that bought one of these as a single? What's your favorite? Marvin Gaye gets my vote...
Biggest Selling Singles In The United States
1. A Little Less Conversation - Elvis Presley
2. Here Without You - 3 Doors Down
3. Another One Bites The Dust - Queen
5. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
7. Hound Dog/Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
8. I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
9. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
10. Low - Flo Rida
13. We Are The World - USA For Africa**
14. Whoomp There It Is - Tag Team
*As you are probably painfully aware, Beatles songs are not yet available for online streaming, so this playlist substitutes a live Paul McCartney version
**The original "We Are The World" single is not available for streaming, so the Michael Jackson solo version is substituted in this playlist
bone thugs n harmony that should have been up as one on this list its a classic
Also if you read this you are super-human because even I wouldn't read all of this.
Do They Know It's Christmas? A HUGE hit in sales.
Another Brick In The Wall- Pink Floyd?
I Love Rock in Roll- Joan Jett?
You may not like these but as big hits go these were them.