10 of the Biggest Albums of All Time and How They Became That Way
By Lauren C
Michael Jackson - Thriller - This album is, undoubtedly, the biggest album of all time in countless ways. Selling over 40 million copies, Thriller is above and beyond what anyone even thought was possible for the music industry. It rewrote pop as it was known, and every single track is a master class on pop production and timelessness. It was known globally, and you could go into an event in the smallest country with a population of 100 and hear that album playing.
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours - With its universal themes on heartbreak, love, life, and chaos, Rumours has it all. Painting a frame of reference for the general public to make sense of the world around them, and with its dreamy and easy-to-listen-to vibe, Rumours is one of the biggest and most commonly known and liked albums of all time.
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon - With an incredibly immersive listening experience that flows from song to song and the emotionally poignant and relatable subject matter, this album became an instant classic. The lyrics dug at deep and serious subjects such as greed and madness, and with a creative sound that hadn't been heard before, it's no wonder this album is such a big one.
The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles are one of, if not the most iconic and well known band of all time, and you'd be hard pressed to pull someone off the streets who doesn't know some, if not most, of the songs on this album. They are true classics, and the music that The Beatles were creating at the time was something the world had not yet seen, which helped them shoot to an insane level of fame and success that hasn't faltered since.
Celene Dion - Falling Into You - The pinnacle of this album are Dion's spectacular vocals, which captured listeners attention around the world, and paired with its emotional core and various genres, the album became an instant smash hit and is one of the most successful albums in history.
Shania Twain - Come On Over - This album launched country into mainstream music, and with its unique blends of country, pop, and rock, it was bound to become an instant classic. Shania's music, especially this album, has influenced countless artists to pursue a similar genre of country/pop, and her and this album's impact on the industry won't be forgotten.
Eagles - Their Greatest Hits - Before this album was released, the band's greatest hits were usually listened to when they came on the radio but many didn't feel the need to go out and buy the album. However, this album combined all of those hits together in one place so people could listen to all their favorite songs on one album. This, and the incredible songwriting, music itself, and addictive hooks have made this album into one not many people don't know.
Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV - Blending a multitude of genres, the iconic band cemented their place in rock n' roll history with this album. The seamless blend of rock, blues, and folk left people speechless, not to mention the unmistakable lyricism and artistry behind the music itself.
AC/DC - Back in Black - This album is a true genre definer, and it became the blueprint for hard rock and launched AC/DC into a league of their own. The album was also released as a tribute to the band's late singer, Bon Scott, which helped boost its popularity, as well as features some of the band's (and music's) most iconic riffs.
Taylor Swift - 1989 - With some of the most easily recognizable and universally known pop hits of the 2010s, 1989 is a master class at utilizing throwback pop synths and tying it into contemporary production to create a truly timeless sound that still packs a lyrical punch. Featuring some of the most critically acclaimed and well-known producers of all time, Max Martin and Shellback, 1989 truly will never go out of style.