List of best-selling singles

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This is a list of best-selling singles in the world. The Guinness World Records named the holiday single "White Christmas" (1942) by Bing Crosby as the best-selling single worldwide. According to Guinness, "White Christmas" sold over 50 million copies. The single is known as the "best-selling single of all time". It was released before music charts were created. The song "Candle in the Wind 1997"/"Something About the Way You Look Tonight" (1997) by Elton John, is "the biggest-selling single since UK and US singles charts began in the 1950s". The recording was a tribute to Princess Diana. It sold 33 million copies, making it the third best-selling single of all time.

Best-selling physical singles

15 million physical copies or more

Artist Single Released Sales
(in millions)		 Source
Bing Crosby "White Christmas" 1942 50
Mariah Carey "All I Want for Christmas Is You" 1994 40 [1]
Elton John "Candle in the Wind 1997" 1997 33
Mungo Jerry "In the Summertime" 1970 30[disputed – discuss] [2][3][4]
Bill Haley & His Comets "Rock Around the Clock" 1954 25 [5]
Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You" 1992 20 [6]
Elvis Presley "It's Now or Never" 1960 20 [7][8]
USA for Africa "We Are the World" 1985 20 [9]
The Ink Spots "If I Didn't Care" 1939 19[disputed – discuss] [10]
Baccara "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie" 1977 18[disputed – discuss] [11]
Celine Dion "My Heart Will Go On" 1997 18 [12]
Bryan Adams "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" 1991 15 [13]
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John "You're the One That I Want" 1978 15 [14]
Scorpions "Wind of Change" 1991 15[disputed – discuss] [15]

10–14.9 million copies

Artist Single Released Sales
(in millions)		 Source
The Andrews Sisters "Bei Mir" 1937 14 [16]
Prince Nico Mbarga "Sweet Mother" 1976 13 [17]
Kyu Sakamoto "Sukiyaki" 1963 13 [18]
Trio "Da Da Da" 1982 13[disputed – discuss] [19]
Gene Autry "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" 1949 12.5 [20]
The Beatles "I Want to Hold Your Hand" 1963 12 [7]
Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman "Time to Say Goodbye" 1996 12 [21]
Village People "Y.M.C.A." 1978 12 [22]
Band Aid "Do They Know It's Christmas?" 1984 11.7 [23]
Cher "Believe" 1998 11 [24][25]
Carl Douglas "Kung Fu Fighting" 1974 11 [26][27]
George McCrae "Rock Your Baby" 1974 11 [7]
Mills Brothers "Paper Doll" 1943 11 [7]
Roger Whittaker "The Last Farewell" 1975 11 [28]
Bing Crosby "Silent Night" 1935 10 [29]
ABBA "Fernando" 1976 10 [30]
Roy Acuff "Wabash Cannonball" 1942 10 [7]
Paul Anka "Diana" 1957 10 [31][32]
Toni Braxton "Un-Break My Heart" 1996 10 [33]
George Harrison "My Sweet Lord" 1970 10 [34]
Los del Río "Macarena" 1995 10 [35]
Middle of the Road "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep" 1971 10 [7]
The Monkees "I'm a Believer" 1966 10 [7][36]
Panjabi MC "Mundian To Bach Ke" 1998 10[disputed – discuss] [37]
Patti Page "Tennessee Waltz" 1950 10 [38][39][40]
The Penguins "Earth Angel" 1954 10 [41]
Elvis Presley "Hound Dog" 1956 10 [42]
Procol Harum "A Whiter Shade of Pale" 1967 10 [7]
Britney Spears "...Baby One More Time" 1998 10 [43]

Best-selling digital singles

15 million digital copies or more

Artist Single Released Sales
(in millions)		 Source
Ed Sheeran "Shape of You" 2017 41.5[b] [44][45]
Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee "Despacito" 2017 36.1[b] [44][45]
Rihanna featuring Drake "Work" 2016 32.5[b] [46]
The Weeknd "Blinding Lights" 2019 21.7 [47]
The Chainsmokers and Coldplay "Something Just like This" 2017 21.5[b] [44][45]
Ed Sheeran "Perfect" 2017 21.4[b] [44][45]
Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth "See You Again" 2015 20.9[b] [48]
The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey "Closer" 2016 20.7[b] [49][44]
Adele "Rolling in the Deep" 2011 20.6 [50][51][52]
Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars "Uptown Funk" 2014 20.0[b] [48]
Billie Eilish "Bad Guy" 2019 19.5[b] [53]
Ed Sheeran "Thinking Out Loud" 2014 19.5[b] [48]
Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug "Havana" 2017 19.0[b] [44][45]
Lil Nas X "Old Town Road" 2018 18.4[b] [53]
Carly Rae Jepsen "Call Me Maybe" 2011 18.0 [54]
Adele "Someone Like You" 2011 17.0 [55]
Rihanna "Needed Me" 2016 17.0[b] [46]
Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello "Señorita" 2019 16.1[b] [53]
Drake "God's Plan" 2018 15.3[b] [45]
Rihanna "Love on the Brain" 2016 15.0[b] [46]

10–14.99 million copies

Artist Single Released Sales
(in millions)		 Source
Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell "Blurred Lines" 2013 14.8[b] [56]
Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera "Moves Like Jagger" 2011 14.4 [57]
Kesha "Tik Tok" 2009 14 [58]
Lady Gaga "Poker Face" 2008 14 [59]
Pharrell Williams "Happy" 2013 13.9[b] [60]
Psy "Gangnam Style" 2012 13.5 [61][62]
Maroon 5 "Sugar" 2015 13.5[b] [48]
Post Malone and Swae Lee "Sunflower" 2018 13.4[b] [53]
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz "Thrift Shop" 2012 13.4[b] [56]
Ariana Grande "7 Rings" 2019 13.3[b] [53]
Katy Perry featuring Juicy J "Dark Horse" 2013 13.2[b] [60]
Major Lazer & DJ Snake featuring MØ "Lean On" 2015 13.1[b] [48]
Gotye featuring Kimbra "Somebody That I Used to Know" 2011 13 [63]
Ellie Goulding "Love Me like You Do" 2015 12.6[b] [48]
Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla "One Dance" 2016 12.5[b] [49]
Bruno Mars "Just the Way You Are" 2010 12.5 [64]
Adele "Hello" 2015 12.3[b] [48]
John Legend "All of Me" 2013 12.3[b] [60]
Jason Mraz "I'm Yours" 2008 12.2 [65][66][67][68]
Flo Rida featuring Kesha "Right Round" 2009 12 [69]
Flo Rida featuring T-Pain "Low" 2007 12 [70]
Lady Gaga "Bad Romance" 2009 12 [71]
Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B "Girls Like You" 2018 11.9[b] [45]
Justin Bieber "Love Yourself" 2015 11.7[b] [49]
Tones and I "Dance Monkey" 2019 11.4[b] [53]
Avicii featuring Aloe Blacc "Wake Me Up" 2013 11.1[b] [56]
Sia featuring Sean Paul "Cheap Thrills" 2016 11.1[b] [49]
Meghan Trainor "All About That Bass" 2014 11[b] [60]
Tia Ray "Be Apart" 2018 10.9[b] [45]
Idina Menzel "Let It Go" 2013 10.9[b] [60]
Justin Bieber "Sorry" 2015 10.8[b] [49]
Lukas Graham "7 Years" 2015 10.4[b] [49]
Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber "I Don't Care" 2019 10.3[b] [53]
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper "Shallow" 2018 10.2[b] [53]
Bruno Mars "Grenade" 2010 10.2 [64]
The Chainsmokers featuring Daya "Don't Let Me Down" 2016 10.2[b] [49]
Lorde "Royals" 2013 10 [72]
Bruno Mars "Grenade" 2010 10.2 [64]
Mike Posner "I Took a Pill in Ibiza" 2015 10[b] [49]
Shakira featuring Freshlyground "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" 2010 10 [73]
Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean "Hips Don't Lie" 2006 10 [74]
Lady Gaga featuring Colby O'Donis "Just Dance" 2008 10 [75]

List Of Best-selling Singles Media

Notes

  • a.^  Sales figure includes digital sales.
  • b.^  Sales figure includes 'equivalent track streams'.
  • c.^  Sales figure includes physical sales.
  • d.^  Sales figure includes ringback tone sales not counted by the IFPI.

References

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  2. ↑ Harris, Craig. Ray Dorset – Artist BiographyAllMusic. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  3. ↑ The essential summer mix. 29 July 2006. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/jul/29/culturaltrips.pop. Retrieved 10 February 2019. 
  4. ↑ Nightingale, Laura (7 October 2015). Mungo Jerry celebrates 45 years of In the Summertime at Camberley Theatre. https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/mungo-jerry-celebrates-45-years-10201428. Retrieved 10 February 2019. 
  5. ↑ Barnett, David C.. (We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock (1 July 2000)NPR. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  6. ↑ Geller, Wendy (21 February 2014). It Was 40 Years Ago: Dolly Parton Bids Adieu to Porter Wagoner, Writes 'I Will Always Love You'. Yahoo! Music. http://ramcountry.yahoo.com/post/102051679676/it-was-40-years-ago-dolly-parton-bids-adieu-to. Retrieved 31 July 2015. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 Murrells 1978, p. 395.
  8. ↑ Martin, Douglas (5 December 2009). Aaron Schroeder, Writer of Hit Songs for Elvis Presley, Dies at 83. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/arts/music/06schroeder.html?scp=3&sq=wally%20gold&st=cse&_r=0. Retrieved 3 February 2018. 
  9. ↑ Breznican, Anthony (30 June 2009). The many faces of Michael Jackson. https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-06-26-jackson-faces_N.htm. Retrieved 19 July 2009. 
  10. ↑ Songwriters Friends: The Ink SpotsSongwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  11. ↑ Frank Dostal – In Memoriam. CIAM. 24 April 2017. http://www.ciamcreators.org/frank-dostal-memoriam/. Retrieved 31 December 2017. 
  12. ↑ Rosenberg, Sari (28 February 2018). February 28, 1998: Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" Soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Lifetime. https://www.mylifetime.com/she-did-that/february-28-1998-celine-dions-my-heart-will-go-on-soared-to-no-1-on-the-billboard-hot-100-chart. Retrieved 14 August 2020. 
  13. ↑ Pareles, Jon. Review/Pop; Bryan Adams, More Mr. Nice Guy (8 March 1994). Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  14. ↑ Lachno, James (18 December 2017). The 50 best pop songs written for movies. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/best-pop-songs-written-movies/3-one-want-john-travolta-olivia-newton-john/. Retrieved 21 December 2017. 
  15. ↑ Bienstock, Richard (2 September 2015). "Scorpions' "Wind of Change": The Oral History of 1990's Epic Power Ballad". Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/scorpions-wind-of-change-the-oral-history-of-1990s-epic-power-ballad-63069/. Retrieved 21 July 2019. 
  16. ↑ Sforza, John. Swing It!: The Andrews Sisters Story (2015)University Press of Kentucky. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-8131-4897-7.
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  18. ↑ No Title (in ja). Kasama Tourist. Retrieved 9 December 2020.()
  19. ↑ Laut.de Biography – Trio (in de). Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  20. ↑ Jackson, Kenneth T.. The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives 1 (15 August 1998)Gale. p. 550. ISBN 9780684804927.
  21. ↑ Andrea BocelliDecca Records.
  22. ↑ Glenn Hughes. London. 16 March 2001. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1326570/Glenn-Hughes.html. Retrieved 29 July 2009. 
  23. ↑ McFarlen, Donald. The Guinness Book of World Records, 1989 (1988)Jim Pattison Group. p. 155–156. ISBN 9780806902760.
  24. ↑ Throwback Thursday: 'Believe' by Cher, the song that brought you Auto-Tune [LISTEN]. Music Times (13 March 2014). Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  25. ↑ Napsha, Cheryl. Cher (2001)Infobase Publishing. p. 13. ISBN 978-0-79105-907-4.
  26. ↑ Ellis, James (27 October 2009). Biddu. http://metro.co.uk/2009/10/27/biddu-636450/. Retrieved 17 April 2011. 
  27. ↑ Browne, Malika (20 August 2004). It's a big step from disco to Sanskrit chants, but Biddu has made it. London. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/article2398751.ece. Retrieved 30 May 2011. 
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  29. ↑ Berg, Marita (15 December 2013). Silent Night. Deutsche Welle. https://www.dw.com/en/silent-night/a-17295427. Retrieved 8 October 2020. 
  30. ↑ Tagg, Philip. Fernando the Flute (2000)MMMSP. ISBN 978-0-9701684-1-2. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  31. ↑ Bush, John. Paul Anka – Artist BiographyAllMusic. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  32. ↑ Larkin 2006, "Anka, Paul".
  33. ↑ Pitt, Ivan L.. Economic Analysis of Music Copyright: Income, Media and Performances (2010)Springer. p. 125. ISBN 978-1-4419-6317-8.
  34. ↑ Inglis, Ian. The Words and Music of George Harrison (2010). Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger. p. 23. ISBN 978-0-313-37532-3.
  35. ↑ The Guinness Book of Records 1999 (1998)Guinness World Records Limited. p. 241. ISBN 0-85112-070-9.
  36. ↑ LaBlanc, Michael L.. Contemporary Musicians: Profiles of the People in Music (1989)Gale Research. ISBN 9780810322110.
  37. ↑ Wartofsky, Alona (13 July 2003). Rap's Fresh Heir. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A36325-2003Jul10&notFound=true. Retrieved 23 May 2012. 
  38. ↑ Songwriters Friends: Patti PageSongwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  39. ↑ Patti Page. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  40. ↑ Tennessee Waltz singer Patti Page dies. London. 2 January 2013. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/9776866/Tennessee-Waltz-singer-Patti-Page-dies.html. Retrieved 18 December 2015. 
  41. ↑ Martin, Douglas (14 November 2012). Cleve Duncan, the Voice of 'Earth Angel', Dies. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/15/arts/music/cleve-duncan-1954-hitmaker-with-earth-angel-dies.html. Retrieved 27 August 2014. 
  42. ↑ Tyler, Don. Music of the Postwar Era (2008)ABC-CLIO. p. 226. ISBN 9780313341915.
  43. ↑ Place, Clarissa (20 April 2012). Ten Things About... Britney Spears. http://www.digitalspy.com.au/showbiz/news/a377189/ten-things-about-britney-spears.html. Retrieved 19 November 2012. 
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 44.3 44.4 44.5 IFPI Global Music Report 2018International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. p. 9. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 45.3 45.4 45.5 45.6 45.7 Havana by Camila Cabello (featuring Young Thug) named best-selling single of 2018 (6 March 2019)International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 Kaufman, Gil (January 29, 2021). "Rihanna Wishes Herself a 'Happy #ANTIversary' with Throwback Pics". Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9518130/rihanna-happy-antiversary-pics-video/. Retrieved February 5, 2021. 
  47. ↑ The Weeknd wins 2020's IFPI Global Digital Single Award for Blinding Lights. IFPI (2021-03-09). Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 48.2 48.3 48.4 48.5 48.6 IFPI Global Music Report 2016: State of the IndustryInternational Federation of the Phonographic Industry. p. 7. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 49.3 49.4 49.5 49.6 49.7 IFPI Global Music Report 2017: Annual State of the IndustryInternational Federation of the Phonographic Industry. p. 9. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
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  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 53.2 53.3 53.4 53.5 53.6 53.7 Cirisano, Tatiana (10 March 2020). "Billie Eilish's 'Bad Guy' Named IFPI's Biggest Global Single of 2019". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/9331529/billie-eilish-bad-guy-ifpi-global-single-2019-list. Retrieved 27 March 2020. 
  54. ↑ Coscarelli, Joe (31 July 2015). Carly Rae Jepsen, With a New Album, Is Definitely Changing Her Number. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/02/arts/music/carly-rae-jepsen-with-a-new-album-is-definitely-changing-her-number.html. Retrieved 9 October 2015. 
  55. ↑ Adele: Someone like youBitesize. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 56.2 IFPI Digital Music Report 2014 (18 March 2015)International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. p. 15. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  57. ↑ Goldstein, Jessica. Pharrell and The Voice: Which Musicians Have Benefited the Most From Being TV Judges?. Vulture.com (3 April 2014). Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  58. ↑ "Ke$ha's 'Warrior': The Billboard Cover Story". Billboard. 15 October 2012. http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474664/kehas-warrior-the-billboard-cover-story. Retrieved 28 August 2020. 
  59. ↑ Sobel, Barbara. Lady Gaga's 'Poker Face' Was Number 1 Ten Years Ago Today [Video]. Guardian Liberty Voice (11 April 2019). Retrieved 23 July 2019.
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  61. ↑ IFPI Digital Music Report 2013 (26 February 2013)International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. p. 12. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
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  69. ↑ Flo Rida Has A 'Good Feeling'; International Megastar's Smash Single Certified Platinum, Becoming the Rapper's Sixth Platinum Single in the U.S. (10 January 2012)Atlantic Records. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  70. ↑ Flo Rida "Whistles" to the Top of the Charts (16 August 2012)Atlantic Records. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
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  74. ↑ "Shakira to Release Special U.S. Edition of Her Hit Album She Wolf". Press release. 18 November 2009. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shakira-to-release-special-us-edition-of-her-hit-album-she-wolf-70361922.html. Retrieved 19 July 2015. 
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Bibliography

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