Quiz: What was the best-selling UK album the year you were born?

All about the Official Albums Chart

From musicians with careers spanning decades to new artists emerging onto the ever-evolving music scene, we all have experienced listening to an album that we just can't get enough of. We all have our own favourites across different genres and like to listen to albums in different ways.

Now celebrating its 70th year, the Official Albums Charts has recorded the most popular albums in the UK, based on physical sales, digital downloads and audio and video streams. But what was the biggest album in the UK the year you were born?

Here, BBC Bitesize takes a look back at the history of the charts and every best-selling UK album since its inception according to the Official Albums Chart. Find out what topped the charts the year you were born and how you can celebrate your favourite album on National Album Day 2026.

A black vinyl record partially slid out of a white paper inner sleeve, set against a multi-coloured background — Image caption,
Thousands of albums have been released, but only a select few became the UK's biggest sellers.

History of the Official Albums Chart

In case you didn't know - a music album is usually a collection of songs that are issued together as a vinyl record, CD or, more recently, digital download and streaming platforms

The history of the Official Albums Chart dates back to 1956 - and in 2026 is celebrating its 70th birthday. The charts came four years after the creation of UK’s first singles charts in November 1952.

Originally called the Record Mirror Chart, it was named after British music newspaper Record Mirror who at the time chronicled music in Britain. Through time, the chart has also been called the Melody Maker Chart and the Record Retailer Chart, before becoming known as the Official Albums Chart in 1969.

The first to ever top the Albums Chart was Frank Sinatra’s album, Songs For Swingin Lovers. It made history when it reached number one on the chart on 22 July 1956.

What was the best-selling UK album the year you were born?

How has the Official Albums Chart changed through time?

How we buy and listen to music has changed a lot throughout the generations.

Decades ago, radios, jukeboxes, vinyl and cassettes were used to listen to our favourite songs and musicians. Then came CDs (compact discs), MP3 players and now digital downloads and streaming services.

As time has gone on, album artwork became an important factor in the way music is marketed. And today, social media is a key tool for artists to promote their latest albums and engage with fans worldwide.

As for the Official Charts themselves, since 2006 digital downloads have been included as part of the album charts count. In 2015, streaming was also added to the Official Albums Chart.

According to the Official Charts, chart week counts sales and streams between 00.01 Friday morning through to 23.59 on Thursday evening. Every Friday between 4pm and 5.45pm, The Official Chart is broadcast live on BBC Radio 1.

Biggest selling UK albums of the 1950s

Text reads "1950s" in bold white font, set against a blurred background of a black and white photo of actors Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews in My Fair Lady — Image caption,
The 1950s saw the charts begin

As mentioned, the 50s saw the birth of the first UK Albums Chart – so this is where we kick off our biggest selling albums lists. However, the charts were not born until 1956, so there are no albums listed for the first half of the decade.

In case you're curious, popular artists of the early 1950s included Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Eartha Kitt, Nat King Cole and many more.

1956: Carousel (Original Soundtrack)
1957: The King and I (Original Soundtrack)
1958: My Fair Lady Broadway Cast (Original Soundtrack)
1959: South Pacific (Original Soundtrack)

Biggest selling UK albums of the 1960s

Text reads "1960s" in bold white font, set against a blurred background of a black and white photo of The Beatles, smiling as they step off a plane — Image caption,
The 1960s was a transformative decade

1960: South Pacific (Original Soundtrack)
1961: G.I. Blues by Elvis Presley
1962: West Side Story (Original Soundtrack)
1963: With the Beatles by The Beatles
1964: Beatles for Sale by The Beatles
1965: The Sound of Music (Original Soundtrack)
1966: The Sound of Music (Original Soundtrack)
1967: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles
1968: The Sound of Music (Original Soundtrack)
1969: Abbey Road by The Beatles

Biggest selling UK albums of the 1970s

Text reads "1970s" in bold white font, set against a blurred background of a photo of band ABBA performing on stage at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 — Image caption,
For many, it's hard to believe the 70s was over half a century ago

1970: Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel
1971: Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel
1972: 20 Dynamic Hits by Various Artists
1973: Don't Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player by Elton John
1974: The Singles: 1969-1973 by The Carpenters
1975: The Best of the Stylistics by The Stylistics
1976: Greatest Hits by ABBA
1977: Arrival by ABBA
1978: Saturday Night Fever (Original Soundtrack)
1979: Parallel Lines by Blondie

Biggest selling UK albums of the 1980s

Text reads "1980s" in bold white font, set against a blurred background of a photo of Madonna performing on stage in the 1980s — Image caption,
So many big stars emerged in the 1980s

1980: Super Trouper by ABBA
1981: Kings of the Wild Frontier by Adam and the Ants
1982: Love Songs by Barbra Streisand
1983: Thriller by Michael Jackson
1984: Can't Slow Down by Lionel Richie
1985: Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits
1986: True Blue by Madonna
1987: Bad by Michael Jackson
1988: Kylie by Kylie Minogue
1989: Ten Good Reasons by Jason Donovan

Biggest selling UK albums of the 1990s

Text reads "1990s" in bold white font, set against a blurred background of a photo of band Oasis in front of a festival stage ahead of performing in the 1990s — Image caption,
Britpop, rock and pop megastars dominated the 1990s charts.

1990: …But Seriously by Phil Collins
1991: Stars by Simply Red
1992: Stars by Simply Red
1993: Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell by Meat Loaf
1994: Cross Road by Bon Jovi
1995: Robson & Jerome by Robson & Jerome
1996: Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
1997: Be Here Now by Oasis
1998: Talk on Corners by The Corrs
1999: Come On Over by Shania Twain

Biggest selling UK albums of the 2000s

Text reads "2000s" in bold white font, set against a blurred background of a photo of Amy Winehouse wearing a red dress and performing on stage with back-up singers behind her — Image caption,
The turn of the millennium saw many new artists top the charts

2000: 1 by The Beatles
2001: No Angel by Dido
2002: Escapology by Robbie Williams
2003: Life for Rent by Dido
2004: Scissor Sisters by Scissor Sisters
2005: Back to Bedlam by James Blunt
2006: Eyes Open by Snow Patrol
2007: Back to Black by Amy Winehouse
2008: Rockferry by Duffy
2009: I Dreamed a Dream by Susan Boyle

Biggest selling UK albums of the 2010s

Text reads "2010s" in bold white font, set against a blurred background of a photo of singer Adela singing into the mic on stage — Image caption,
Adele, Ed Sheeran and streaming-era stars defined the 2010s.

2010: Progress by Take That
2011: 21 by Adele
2012:: Our Version of Events by Emeli Sandé
2013: Midnight Memories by One Direction
2014: X by Ed Sheeran
2015: 25 by Adele
2016: 25 by Adele
2017: ÷ by Ed Sheeran
2018: The Greatest Showman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
2019: Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent by Lewis Capaldi

Biggest selling UK albums of the 2020s

Text reads "2020s" in bold white font, set against a blurred background of a photo of musician Harry Styles on stage, with his arms in the air wearing a purple jumpsuit — Image caption,
Who will top the charts as the decade goes on?

As we know, there are still a few years left of the 2020s. So far, we've seen artists from our nations and beyond take the title of the best-selling UK album of the year.

But who will top the chart by the end of the decade? I guess we'll have to wait and see…

2020 Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent by Lewis Capaldi
2021 30 by Adele
2022 Harry's House by Harry Styles
2023 The Highlights by The Weeknd
2024 The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift
2025 The Life of a Showgirl by Taylor Swift

Interesting facts about the charts

Since its inception in the 1950s, so many artists have topped the Official Albums Charts. But only a few hold some remarkable chart records

Singer Robbie Williams holds the title for the most albums at Number 1 for a solo artist. Williams, who originally found fame in boyband Take That, has had 16 Number 1 albums since 1997.

As for the most Number 1 albums from a band, this title is held by The Beatles. The Liverpool band - consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr - have 15 Number 1 albums to their name.

As for the longest-running Number 1 album, both consecutively and non-consecutively, this title is held by the soundtrack for film South Pacific. The romantic musical, first released in 1958, is based on the 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein stage musical.

From November 1958 to March 1960, it consecutively topped the charts for 70 weeks. Between 1960 and 1961, it took the title again, marking a non-consecutive total of 115 weeks.

When is National Album Day 2026?

An annual celebration of the album as an art form, National Album Day was first launched in 2018. Taking place annually, the day encourages music lovers to listen to full albums, discover new music and recognise the creativity and stories behind the body of work.

In 2026, National Album Day will be celebrated on Saturday 17 October. Supported by BBC Radio 2, this year's theme is "icons" and you can celebrate on the day by listening to your favourite album by an icon, or head to your local record shop or online retailer for exclusive National Album Day releases.

This article was written in October 2026