A fairly mixed bag here, no surprise at the No.1 but several of the others have nothing to do with musical ability. I've got or had 15 of that list but would only rank perhaps 2 or 3 in my all time Top 40...
I read this over the weekend - couple of surprises in the list - similar number owned as you Sooper, between 15 & 20. I assume it's based purely on UK sales, as Thriller is top selling album of all time, I believe, with Dark Side of the Moon second (some way behind though)..... From the BBC.... The fascinating list – compiled by the Official Charts Company – contains much-loved hits and a few surprises. A total of 33 different acts are in the chart – one with three albums, while five acts have two albums including Adele and Michael Jackson. In total the list features 18 bands, 10 female artists and 12 male artists. You can see the Top 40 below, in ascending order. 40. Coldplay - Parachutes please log in to view this image Year released: 2000 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 1 39. Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman Year released: 1988 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 3 38. Michael Bublé - Christmas Year released: 2011 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 3 37. Phil Collins - But Seriously Year released: 1989 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No. 1: 15 36. Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells Year released: 1983 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 1 35. Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters Year released: 2004 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 4 34. Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill please log in to view this image Year released: 1995 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 11 33. Coldplay - X&Y Year released: 2005 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 4 32. Jeff Wayne - The War of the Worlds Year released: 1978 Highest position: 5 Weeks at No.1: 0 31. Keane - Hopes and Fears Year released: 2004 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 5 30. Take That - Beautiful World please log in to view this image Year released: 2006 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 8 29. U2 - The Joshua Tree Year released: 1987 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 2 28. Dido - Life For Rent Year released: 2003 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 10 27. Spice Girls - Spice Year released: 1996 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 15 26. Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head Year released: 2002 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 3 25. Corrs - Talk on Corners Year released: 1997 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 10 24. Kings of Leon - Only by the Night Year released: 2008 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 4 23. Lady Gaga - The Fame please log in to view this image Year released: 2008 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 7 22. David Gray - White Ladder Year released: 1998 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 2 21. Dido - No Angel Year released: 2000 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 7 20. Ed Sheeran - Divide Year released: 2017 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 20 19. Michael Bublé - Crazy Love Year released: 2009 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 1 18. Leona Lewis - Spirit please log in to view this image Year released: 2007 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 8 17. Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water Year released: 1970 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 33 16. The Verve - Urban Hymns Year released: 1997 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 12 15. James Blunt - Back to Bedlam Year released: 2004 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 10 14. Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell Year released: 1977 Highest position: 9 Weeks at No.1: 0 13. Ed Sheeran - X Year released: 2014 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 13 12. Shania Twain - Come on Over Year released: 1997 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 11 11. Simply Red - Stars Year released: 1991 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 12 10. Adele - 25 Year released: 2015 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 13 9. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black Year released: 2006 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 6 8. Fleetwood Mac - Rumours Year released: 1977 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 1 7. Michael Jackson - Bad Year released: 1987 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 5 6. Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms Year released: 1985 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 14 5. Michael Jackson - Thriller please log in to view this image Year released: 1982 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 8 4. Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon please log in to view this image Year released: 1973 Highest position: 2 Weeks at No.1: 0 3. Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory? please log in to view this image Year released: 1995 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 10 2. Adele - 21 please log in to view this image Year released: 2011 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 23 1. The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band please log in to view this image Year released: 1967 Highest position: 1 Weeks at No.1: 28
Off to three gigs this week, really looking forward to seeing these guys, been on my list of bands to see for a few years now....