Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 22:44, 1 April 2018

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "List of best-selling girl groups" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

A girl group is a popular music act featuring several female singers who generally harmonize together. Girl groups have been popular at least since the heyday of the Boswell Sisters beginning in the 1930s, but the term "girl group" also denotes the wave of American female pop singing groups who flourished in the late 1950s and early 1960s between the decline of early rock and roll and the British Invasion, many of whom were influenced by doo-wop style. This article covers only girl groups from that era and later.

Sales figures records in most countries are not available before the 1990s, so it is difficult to accurately determine best-selling records, either by country or worldwide. Certification levels have been used for most countries, but certification was not common until the 1970s in the US and UK, and later in other countries. In addition, in many countries certification is for shipments of a record to retailers, rather than actual sales. Complicating matters further are the changes from 2010 onwards as certifications have become based on a combined figure of sales and streaming, instead of sales alone.

As a result, these tables should not be considered definitive lists of the best-selling records by girl groups in each country.

Best-selling girl groups worldwide

Some of this section's listed sources may not be reliable. Please help improve this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. Unreliable citations may be challenged and removed. (August 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Groups with claimed total record sales of more than 20 million.

Notes:

1. Accurate total sales of the Supremes records are unknown – estimates range from 20 million records up to 100 million records.

Best-selling girl group singles

Worldwide

It is extremely difficult to obtain worldwide sales figures for singles due to the lack of verifiable sales reporting in many countries. The best-selling single of all time by a female group is thought to be the 1996 hit "Wannabe" by British group Spice Girls, with estimated sales of 8 million copies worldwide.

Other best-selling singles worldwide by girl groups include "The Ketchup Song (Aserejé)" by Las Ketchup (7 million), and "Don't Cha" by the Pussycat Dolls (6 million).

Australia

Singles certified platinum or more by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Only includes certifications since 1989, when ARIA took over compiling the Australian charts. From November 2014 onwards paid-for audio streams were included in the Australian singles chart and counted towards sales and certifications.

Certifications based on sales only

Certifications based on sales + on-demand digital streaming

France

The biggest-selling single in France by a girl group is believed to be "The Ketchup Song (Aserejé)" by Spanish girl group Las Ketchup, with estimated sales of 1,750,000.

Singles certified diamond (750,000 sales) based on sales only

Singles certified gold (250,000 sales) based on sales only

Certifications based on sales + on-demand digital streaming

Germany

Certifications based on sales only

Certifications based on sales + on-demand digital streaming

• Note: Certification levels in Germany have changed several times over the years – the certification level for a gold single was 250,000 until the end of 2002, 150,000 between 2003 and mid-2014, and 200,000 from mid-2014 onwards. These different levels are reflected in the table above.
• From January 2014 onwards, paid-for audio streams were included in the German singles chart and counted towards sales and certifications.

Japan

The ten biggest-selling girl group singles in Japan based on total sales:

New Zealand

Singles certified platinum or more by Recorded Music NZ. Since November 2014 certifications for singles have included streaming, and therefore cannot be compared to certifications from before this date.

Certifications based on sales only

Certifications based on sales + on-demand digital streaming

South Korea

The ten biggest-selling girl group singles in South Korea based on total sales:

Sweden

There were few certifications awarded in Sweden before 1996, so singles before this date are not represented in this list. There have been three different certification levels since 1996: from 1996 to June 2003 the gold/platinum levels for singles were 15,000/30,000, from July 2003 to September 2010 the levels were 10,000/20,000, and from October 2010 onwards, when streaming was included in the certification levels, the levels have been 20,000/40,000. The tables below reflect these changes in certification levels.

Certifications based on sales only

Certifications based on sales + on-demand digital streaming

Switzerland

United Kingdom

Since July 2014, certifications have included paid-for audio streams so they cannot be compared to sales-only certifications before this date. The ten biggest-selling girl group singles in the United Kingdom:

Physical and digital sales only (before July 2014)

Physical and digital sales + on-demand digital streaming (after July 2014)

United States

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (August 2015)

Sales figures of records in the US were not tracked accurately until May 1991, when Nielsen SoundScan started recording sales of singles and albums electronically at point of sale, rather than relying on figures provided to them by record store staff. As a result there are no reliable sales figures available before this date, and therefore it is not possible to rank the best-selling singles by girl groups in the US in sales order.

Since 2013 certifications have included legal on-demand digital streams – separate figures for the pure sales component of singles released after 2013 are not available so they cannot be compared to sales-only certifications before this date.

Certifications based on sales only

RIAA sales certifications began in the US in 1958 – there are very few records with certifications before this date. Until 1988 a million-seller received a gold certification (and a two million-seller received a platinum certification). From 1989 onwards the levels were revised so that a million-seller received a platinum certification instead, with multi-platinum awards for multiple million sales. However, these pre- and post-1989 certification levels are not currently reflected in the RIAA database.

The following singles have been certified by RIAA as selling one million copies or more in the US.

In addition, the following singles have been stated as selling one million copies or more in the US – however, they have not been certified by the RIAA.

Certifications based on sales + on-demand digital streaming

Best-selling girl group albums

Worldwide

The ten biggest-selling girl group albums worldwide:

Australia

Albums certified platinum or more by ARIA. Only includes certifications since 1997.

Brazil

Certifications according to ABPD. Some of the certification thresholds have changed depending on the amount of sales sold. Check the ABPD for more certifications.

Canada

Certifications according to Music Canada.

Europe

Albums certified platinum or more for more than one million sales in Europe, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

Note: the IFPI Europe Platinum Award was only created in 1996, therefore there are few albums on this list from before that date. No awards are publicly available after 2014.

Germany

Certifications according to the IFPI.

Japan

Sales according to Oricon and Platinum certifications according to the RIAJ. The ten biggest-selling girl group albums in Japan:

Netherlands

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Certifications according to the NVPI.

South Korea

Sales according to Gaon Chart and the Recording Industry Association of Korea. The ten biggest-selling girl group albums in South Korea:

Switzerland

Certifications according to the IFPI.

Taiwan

United Kingdom

Albums certified triple platinum or more by the BPI.

United States

Albums certified platinum or more by the RIAA. The sales figures shown for the quadruple and triple platinum albums are sales recorded by Nielsen SoundScan plus known sales from BMG's Music Club. These do not represent the total sales of the album in the US as they exclude unknown sales figures from Columbia House and other music clubs.

See also

• List of best-selling boy bands
• List of best-selling music artists
• List of best-selling singles
• List of best-selling albums
• List of girl groups

References

1. ^ Spice Girls claimed sales:
   • "Spice Girl Emma Bunton hints at possible reunion". Sky News. April 16, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
   • "My Life as a Spice Girl: Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell (Now Horner) Looks Back at the Beginnings of a Pop Culture Phenomenon". Marie Claire. July 12, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
   • August 5, 2015. "Spice Girls to reunite in 2016 – but without Victoria Beckham". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved March 13, 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
2. The Andres Sisters claimed sales:
   • Lachno, James (January 31, 2013). "Patty Andrews, last surviving member of singing trio the Andrews Sisters, dies aged 94". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
   • Berkvist, Robert (January 30, 2013). "Patty Andrews, Singer With Her Sisters, Is Dead at 94". The New York Times.
3. TLC claimed sales:
   • Stern, Bradley (January 19, 2015). "TLC: Why We Decided to Fund Our Fifth and Final Album Using Kickstarter". Time.com. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
   • Dawn, Randee (June 7, 2017). "TODAY loves the '90s, thanks to TLC and Naughty by Nature performances". Today. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
4. Destiny's Child claimed sales:
   • Waxman, Olivia B. (January 11, 2013). "Beyoncé and Destiny's Child to Release Original Track for First Time in Eight Years". Time. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
   • Hawgood, Alex (January 21, 2017). "The Matriarch Behind Beyoncé and Solange". The New York Times. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
5. Pussycat Dolls claimed sales:
   • "Ashley Roberts confirmed as guest judge for Let It Shine". BBC. September 2, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
   • James, Isobel (December 6, 2015). "Kimberly Wyatt: the selfie generation is really dangerous and I feel like the Pussycat Dolls were part of the problem". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
6. "AKB48、音楽CD総売上5100万枚超え 女性歌手1位/歴代3位に浮上". Oricon (in Japanese). 5 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
7. Savage, Mark (April 29, 2017). "'Did you enjoy being pregnant?' - Bananarama revisit old Smash Hits questions". BBC. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
8. Mansfield, Ken; Terrill, Marshall (2015). Rock and a Heart Place: A Rock 'n' Roller-coaster Ride from Rebellion to Sweet Salvation. ISBN 978-1-4245-4999-3.
9. The Supremes claimed sales:
   • Robinson, Louie (February 1970). "Why Diana Ross Left the Supremes". Ebony.
   • Easlea, Daryl (2008). The Story of the Supremes. V&A Publishing. p. 7. ISBN 978-1-85177-552-1.
10. "The Supremes celebrate 50th anniversary". Euronews. June 17, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
11. "The Spice Girls' 'Wannabe' is 18 years old today". Click Music. 8 July 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
12. "Will Psy single 'Gentleman' do better than these follow-ups?". The Week. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
13. Thee, Marcel. "Pussycat Dolls to Seduce Jakarta On Doll Domination World Tour". Jakarta Globe. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
14. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
15. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2002 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
16. "ARIA Charts – THIS WEEK IN... 1996". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
17. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
18. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2000 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
19. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
20. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2005 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
21. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2017 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
22. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
23. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2016 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
24. "ARIA CHART WATCH #393". auspOp. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
25. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2015 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
26. "Les Meilleures Ventes Tout Temps de 45 T./Singles". InfoDisc. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
27. ^ "Les Certifications – Spice Girls". SNEP. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
28. "Les Certifications – L5". SNEP. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
29. "Les Certifications – Las Ketchup". SNEP. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
30. "Les Certifications – Eternal". SNEP. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
31. "Les Certifications – T L C". SNEP. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
32. "Les Certifications – All Saints". SNEP. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
33. "Les Certifications - SNEP". 1 November 2013.
34. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank". Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
35. Spahr, Wolfgang (7 January 2014). "Streaming Tally Joins Germany's Official Charts". Billboard.
36. ^ "2010年　シングル年間TOP100" [Oricon Single Top 100 2010]. Oricon. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
37. ^ レコード協会調べ　4月度有料音楽配信認定＜略称：4月度認定＞ [Record Association report: April digital music download certifications (Abbreviation: April Certifications)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). May 20, 2011. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
38. レコード協会調べ　2月度有料音楽配信認定 ＜略称：2月度認定＞. RIAJ (in Japanese). February 20, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
39. "AKB48 売上 -フライングゲット". Atwiki (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
40. ^ レコード協会調べ　1月度有料音楽配信認定 ＜略称：1月度認定＞ [Record Association report: January digital music download certifications (Abbreviation: January Certifications)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). January 20, 2014. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
41. "AKB48 売上 - Everyday、カチューシャ". Atwiki (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
42. レコード協会調べ　5月度有料音楽配信認定＜略称：5月度認定＞ [Record Association report: May digital music download certifications (Abbreviation: May Certifications)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). June 20, 2011. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
43. レコード協会調べ　2月度有料音楽配信認定 ＜略称：2月度認定＞ [Record Association report: February digital music download certifications (Abbreviation: February Certifications)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). March 25, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
44. "一般社団法人 日本レコード協会". Archived from the original on 2014-03-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
45. "AKB48 売上 - 恋するフォーチュンクッキー" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
46. レコード協会調べ　2月度有料音楽配信認定 ＜略称：2月度認定＞ [Record Association report: February digital music download certifications (Abbreviation: February Certifications)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). February 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
47. "AKB48 売上 - 真夏のSounds good!". Atwiki (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
48. "AKB48 売上 - さよならクロール" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
49. "AKB48 売上 - Beginner" [AKB48 Sales – Beginner]. Atwiki (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
50. "AKB48 売上 -風は吹いている". Atwiki (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
51. "Oricon Ranking Service 'You Big Tree'" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved July 6, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
52. "Record Association report: March digital music download certifications (Abbreviation: March Certifications)" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. June 20, 2011. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
53. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 3 June 2001". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
54. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 26 January 2003". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
55. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 13 August 1995". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
56. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 10 November 1996". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
57. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 19 January 1997". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
58. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 21 September 1997". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
59. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 26 October 1997". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
60. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 25 October 1998". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
61. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 27 December 1998". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
62. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 6 June 2016". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
63. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 30 May 2016". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
64. Sales references for "Roly-Poly" (sales for "Roly-Poly in Copacabana" remix are included): |-
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – August 2011". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download – 2011". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 2nd Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 3rd Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 4th Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 5th Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 6th Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 7th Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 8th Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 9th Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 10th Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 11th Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "음원 다운로드 300만 이상 곡들 (가온 2월 업데이트) ("List of Songs with More Than Three Million Downloads (Updated by the Gaon Chart as of February 2012)")". Instiz (in Korean). Retrieved 22 July 2015.
65. Greenburg, Zack. "Bigger Than Psy: 2NE1 And The Future Of K-Pop". Forbes. Retrieved 25 January 2013. …the group has sold 27 million digital downloads to date, including the single "I Am the Best [sic]," which moved 4.5 million units and won Song of the Year honors at Asia's Mnet Awards
66. Sales references for "Be My Baby" (sales for Ra.D Mix are included.):
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 47th Week of 2011". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 48th Week of 2011". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download – The 49th Week of 2011". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download – 2011". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download – 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
67. Sales references for "So Cool" - Sales include the yearly charts from 2011 & 2012, and weekly data from 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016:
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download – 2011". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 2nd Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 3rd Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 4th Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 5th Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 6th Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 7th Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 8th Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 9th Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 10th Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download (Domestic) – The 11th Week of 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
68. Sales references for "Because of You":
    • "2010년 가온차트 부문별 Top 100위". gaonchart.co.kr. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 13, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • The download sales for "Because of You" are from 2010 only as Gaon did not begin providing sales information until 2010, nearly two months after the song was originally released.
69. Cumulative sales for "Don't Say Goodbye":
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – 2011 (see #6)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – 2012 (see #350)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – January 2013 (see #390)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – February 2013 (see #335)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – March 2013 (see #310)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – April 2013 (see #313)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – July 2013 (see #382)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – August 2013 (see #388)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – February 2015 (see #309)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – April 2015 (see #370)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – May 2015 (see #347)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – March 2016 (see #325)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
70. Cumulative sales for "Lovey-Dovey":
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – 2012 (see #2)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
71. Cumulative sales for "Cry Cry":
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – 2011 (see #24)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – 2012 (see #140)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
72. Greenburg, Zack O'Malley. "Bigger Than Psy: 2NE1 And The Future Of K-Pop". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
73. "2011 Gaon Download Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
74. Cumulative sales for "The Boys":
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – 2011 (see #10)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    • "Download Chart (Domestic) – 2012 (see #285)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
75. ^ "Sverigetopplistan". (requires search – type artist name into box and click "Sök", then click "Visa" for relevant song to see certifications)
76. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat – År 2003" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2011.
77. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat – År 1987–1998" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-05-21. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
78. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat – År 2000" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2011.
79. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat – År 2001" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2011.
80. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat – År 2002" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 August 2010.
81. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat – År 2007" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 August 2010.
82. Hung, Steffen. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community".
83. ^ Hung, Steffen. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community".
84. Hung, Steffen. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community".
85. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community".
86. "ultratop.be - ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS".
87. Hung, Steffen. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community".
88. ^ Copsey, Rob (19 September 2017). "The UK's Official Chart 'millionaires' revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
89. "The UK's Official Top 20 biggest selling love ballads of all time". Official Charts Company. 11 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
90. Myers, Justin (20 October 2016). "Flashback to 1996: Spice Girls hit Number 1 with Say You'll Be There". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
91. Myers, Justin (17 March 2017). "The Official Top 40 biggest selling singles by Irish acts of the last 20 years". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
92. Myers, Justin (20 December 2013). "Classic Christmas Number 1s: Spice Girls' 2 Become 1". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
93. Myers, Justin (19 October 2017). "Official Charts Flashback 1997: Spice Girls - Spice Up Your Life". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
94. Myers, Justin (5 November 2016). "Girlbands vs Boybands – their biggest songs of the century revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
95. "The Official biggest selling Comic Relief singles revealed". Official Charts Company. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
98. ^ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. (type artist name into "Search BPI Awards" box and press Enter)
99. Phull, Hardeep (February 9, 2017). "How 1991 changed music as we knew it". The New York Post.
100. "RIAA Halves Requirements for Singles Certification" (PDF). Billboard. November 12, 1988. p. 1.
101. Grein, Paul (May 14, 1989). "New Golden Rule: 500,000 Sales Mark for All Singles". Los Angeles Times.
102. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
103. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
104. Roberts, David, ed. (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London, England: Guinness World Records. p. 457. ISBN 978-1-904994-10-7.
105. ^ Roberts (2006). p. 541.
106. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
107. ^ Roberts (2006). p. 542.
108. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
109. Roberts (2006). p. 558.
110. Jackson, John A. (2004). A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul. Oxford University Press. p. 272. ISBN 978-0-19-514972-2.
111. RIAA Gold & Platinum database for Labelle (incorrectly credited to Patti Labelle as solo artist)
112. Roberts (2006). p. 310.
113. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
114. ^ Roberts (2006). p. 498.
115. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
116. ^ Roberts (2006). p. 183.
117. Green, Paul (August 26, 1978). "Platinum Singles Top '76–'77 Years". Billboard. p. 114.
118. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
119. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
120. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
121. Roberts (2006). p. 504.
122. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
123. ^ Roberts (2006). p. 430.
124. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
125. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
126. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
127. Roberts (2006). p. 42.
128. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
129. ^ Roberts (2006). p. 480.
130. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
131. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
132. ^ Roberts (2006). p. 545.
133. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
134. Roberts (2006). p. 478.
135. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
136. Roberts (2006). p. 612.
137. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
138. Roberts (2006). p. 99.
139. "Best-Selling Records of 1994". Billboard. January 21, 1995. p. 57. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
140. ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1995". Billboard. January 20, 1996. p. 56. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
141. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
142. Roberts (2006). p. 520.
143. Lipshutz, Jason (May 1, 2014). "Spice Girls' Top 8 Biggest Billboard Hits". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 3, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
144. "Best-Selling Records of 1996". Billboard. January 18, 1997. p. 61. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
145. ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1997". Billboard. January 31, 1998. p. 76. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
146. Roberts (2006). p. 100.
147. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
148. Roberts (2006). p. 152.
149. ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1998". Billboard. January 30, 1999. p. 75. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
150. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
151. ^ Roberts (2006). p. 158.
152. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
153. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
154. ^ Roberts (2006). p. 105.
155. ^ Roberts (2006). p. 496.
156. ^ Roberts (2006). p. 129.
157. Roberts (2006). p. 104.
158. Roberts (2006). p. 24.
159. Roberts (2006). p. 469.
160. Roberts (2006). p. 493.
161. Roberts (2006). p. 563.
162. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
163. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
164. "Why Spice Girls Wannabe is the catchiest song of all time". BBC. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
165. "Steve Smith: Spice Girls to reunite; Van Halen working on new project". The San Gabriel Valley Tribune. 2014-04-23. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
166. ^ "TLC Reveal Title and Track-listing For New Collection Inspired By Upcoming VH1 Biopic CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story". PRNewswire. September 23, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
167. Sinclair, David. The Prefab Five are back. Are you ready?. The Times. 28 June 2007. Archived 30 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
168. ^ "Who Was The Better Girl Group? TLC Or Destiny's Child". Retrieved 2017-02-13.
169. "Wilson Phillips Reunite To Release Christmas Album, Tour". Retrieved 2010-09-12.
170. "Nicole Scherzinger New Single "Right There" (Featuring 50 Cent) Available Digitally May 17 on Interscope" (Press release). Interscope Records. 2011-05-13. Retrieved 2011-08-31.
171. "20 Years Ago: Salt-N-Pepa Release 'Very Necessary'".
172. "Australian certifications database".
173. "Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos". ABPD.
174. "Fifth Harmony no Brasil: quinteto arrisca no português e se declara ao país". Gshow Globo. June 29, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
175. ^ "Gold/Platinum - Music Canada".
176. ^ "Gold/Platinum - Music Canada".
177. "Gold/Platinum - Music Canada".
178. ^ "Gold/Platinum - Music Canada".
179. "Gold/Platinum - Music Canada".
180. "Gold/Platinum - Music Canada".
181. "Gold/Platinum - Music Canada".
182. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 1997". Archived from the original on 24 December 2013.
183. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 1998". Archived from the original on 24 December 2013.
184. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2001". Archived from the original on 27 November 2013.
185. "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2006". Archived from the original on 16 October 2013.
186. "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 1996". Archived from the original on 24 December 2013.
187. "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards > 2002 Albums". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved 2009-04-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
188. "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards > 2003 Albums". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 2007-10-19. Retrieved 2009-04-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
189. "Bundesverband Musikindustrie: Gold-/Platin-Datenbank". musikindustrie.de.
190. ^ "The all-time best-selling album ranking (List of million-selling albums on the Japanese albums chart, January 1970-July 2010)". August 13, 2010. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
191. ^ "Japanese album certifications" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
192. "Japanese album certifications" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
193. McClure, Steve (9 August 2003). "Japan Decline Continues". Billboard. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
194. "Japanese album certifications" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
195. "Oricon reveals their yearly album ranking for 2012". Tokyohive. December 20, 2012.
196. ^ "Japanese album certifications" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
197. "AKB48's album sells over a million copies for 2nd consecutive time". tokyohive.com. February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
198. ゴールド等認定作品一覧　2014年1月 (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
199. オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」 [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree'] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 12 June 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
200. "2000年　アルバム年間TOP100" [Oricon Album Top 100 2000]. Oricon. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
201. "Japanese album certifications" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
202. "2011年　アルバム年間TOP100" [Oricon Album Top 100 2011]. Oricon. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
203. "Japanese album certifications" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
204. "Dutch certifications". 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
205. Kallen, Stuart (2014). K-Pop: Korea's Musical Explosion. Twenty-First Century Books. p. 7. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
206. 2003년 가요 판매량 순위집계. Music Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on June 5, 2008. Retrieved January 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Invalid |script-title=: missing prefix (help)
207. Total album sales for Twicecoaster: Lane 1: 350,852 (2016) + 42,632 (2017)
     • "2016 Yearly Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 13, 2017.
     • "2017 Yearly Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 11, 2018.
208. Total album sales for Twicecoaster: Lane 2 : 277,716 (2017)+7,698(2018)
     • "2017 Yearly Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 11, 2018.
     • "2018 January Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved February 8, 2018.
209. 1999.06월 - 가요 음반 판매량. Music Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved January 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Invalid |script-title=: missing prefix (help)
210. [정진영의 연예가 빅매치] 핑클vsS.E.S, 애들은 모르는 원조 국민 요정은?. The Fact. January 16, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Invalid |script-title=: missing prefix (help)
211. ":: Korean Record Industry Association :: --2001. 03 kpop albums sales counting". Archived from the original on 2004-10-16.
212. ":: Korean Record Industry Association :: --1999. 09 kpop albums sales counting". Recording Industry Association of Korea. October 1999. Archived from the original on 2009-03-14. Retrieved 2015-04-20.
213. Total album sales for TWICEtagram: 320,389 (2017)+3,023(2018)
     • "2017 Yearly Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 11, 2018.
     • "2018 January Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved February 8, 2018.
214. Total album sales for Merry & Happy : 165,347 (2017)+19,274(2018)
     • "2017 Yearly Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 11, 2018.
     • "2018 January Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved February 8, 2018.
215. Sales references for "The Boys" 2011–2015:
     • South Korea's Gaon chart's 2011 Year End Chart (in Korean) Originally from Gaon Music Chart (2011). Archived on October 6, 2014. Retrieved on October 13, 2014.
     • South Korea's Gaon chart's 2012 Year End Chart (in Korean) Originally from Gaon Music Chart (2012). Archived on October 6, 2014. Retrieved on October 13, 2014.
     • South Korea's Gaon chart's 2013 Monthly Albums Chart – December Originally from Gaon Music Chart (December 2013). Archived on October 13, 2014. Retrieved on October 13, 2014.
     • South Korea's Gaon chart's 2014 Monthly Albums Chart – October Originally from Gaon Music Chart (October 2014). Archived on November 8, 2014. Retrieved on November 8, 2014.
216. "The Official Swiss Charts". Retrieved 2012-09-20.
217. ^ Taiwan releases year-end sales charts; Jolin beatsJay. 2006. p. 1. Archived from the original on 8 October 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2006. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
218. Template:Zh icon MTV 200. S.H.E's newest album, Youth Society. Retrieved 1 June 2014. Since Super Star and Together combined for 580,000 copies, and Super Star sold 300,000+, then it can be assumed that Together sold around 280,000.
219. Template:Zh icon CCTV.com Music. Genesis Archived 2012-07-07 at archive.today. 1 August 2005. Retrieved 6 February 2007.
220. Template:Zh icon Eastday News SHE《奇幻旅程》贏得"滿堂彩" 大辦慶功會. 21 May 2004. Retrieved 10 February 2007.
221. Spice Girls Spice Charts. 2017. p. 4. Retrieved 7 January 2017. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
222. Template:Zh icon The Beijing Times. (Hosted by Sohu.com Music) The voices of these unique songs maintain high standards, S.H.E takes you on a Magical Journey. 8 August 2005. Retrieved 6 February 2007.
223. ^ David, Barry (February 18, 2003). "Shania, Backstreet, Britney, Eminem and Janet Top All-Time Sellers". Music Industry News Network. Archived from the original on July 3, 2003. Retrieved January 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
224. ^ Farber, Jim (October 20, 2013). "After a decade of drought, girl groups are on the rebound". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
225. Rewinding the Charts: In 1997, Spice Girls Powered to No. 1. Billboard magazine. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
226. "RIAA Gold & Platinum database for Wilson Phillips".
227. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
228. "Destiny's '#1's' Bows At The Top". Billboard. November 2, 2005. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
229. Caulfield, Keith (July 6, 2007). "Ask Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
230. Caulfield, Keith (October 22, 2003). "Ask Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
231. "RIAA Gold & Platinum database for The Pointer Sisters".

• Lists of best-selling music artists
• Girl groups
• Lists of musicians
• Lists of women in music