UK best selling singles artists of all time

2004 chart

The best selling singles artists in the UK were documented in a Channel 4 documentary in February 2004. Sir Cliff Richard was shown to have sold more singles than any other artist. The featured artists were surprised by this, including Sir Cliff. He was followed by The Beatles and Elvis Presley. Madonna, at number 4, was the top female artist and The Spice Girls the top female group.

Comedians Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse (as their characters Smashie and Nicey) presented the television show, which took its figures from The Official UK Charts Company.

  1. Cliff Richard (20,969,006)
  2. The Beatles (20,799,632)
  3. Elvis Presley (19,293,118)
  4. Madonna (14,562,856)
  5. Elton John (13,475,063)
  6. Michael Jackson (11,310,958)
  7. Queen (10,334,713)
  8. ABBA (10,004,039)
  9. Paul McCartney (9,781,603)
  10. David Bowie (9,392,410)
  11. Rod Stewart (9,046,492)
  12. The Rolling Stones (8,348,470)
  13. Kylie Minogue (7,994,130)
  14. Stevie Wonder (7,614,227)
  15. Spice Girls (7,507,213)
  16. Whitney Houston (7,184,326)
  17. Shakin' Stevens (7,108,330)
  18. Bee Gees (6,943,851)
  19. George Michael (6,819,419)
  20. Status Quo (6,727,822)
  21. Boney M (6,587,018)
  22. Slade (6,520,171)
  23. Olivia Newton-John (6,493,006)
  24. Blondie (6,456,881)
  25. Boyzone (6,435,711)
  26. Oasis (6,225,785)
  27. UB40 (5,997,222)
  28. Tom Jones (5,892,220)
  29. Celine Dion (5,683,264)
  30. The Police (5,617,175)
  31. Madness (5,564,459)
  32. Diana Ross (5,326,780)
  33. Wham! (5,298,431)
  34. Adam Ant (5,296,965)
  35. The Jam (5,094,055)
  36. Frankie Goes to Hollywood (5,008,067)
  37. Robbie Williams (4,973,227)
  38. Pet Shop Boys (4,913,655)
  39. Phil Collins (4,889,059)
  40. Wet Wet Wet (4,877,328)
  41. Duran Duran (4,846,531)
  42. The Everly Brothers (4,827,957)
  43. The Shadows (4,793,537)
  44. Westlife (4,726,116)
  45. Gary Glitter (4,717,834)
  46. Engelbert Humperdinck (4,710,328)
  47. U2 (4,663,427)
  48. Bryan Adams (4,614,135)
  49. Frank Sinatra (4,597,630)
  50. The Hollies (4,597,450)

2010 chart

A newer chart was shown on VH1 in March 2010. With Cliff Richard still selling more than any other act. There are 4 new artists in the top 40, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Prince and Eminem.

  1. Cliff Richard (21,350,000)
  2. Elvis Presley (20,840,000)
  3. The Beatles (20,800,000)
  4. Madonna (17,000,000)
  5. Elton John (14,725,000)
  6. Michael Jackson (14,030,000)
  7. Rihanna (12,500,000)
  8. Queen (11,900,000)
  9. ABBA (10,040,000)
  10. Paul McCartney (9,910,000)
  11. David Bowie (9,910,000)
  12. Rod Stewart (9,500,000)
  13. Kylie Minogue (9,200,000)
  14. The Rolling Stones (8,990,000)
  15. Stevie Wonder (8,290,000)
  16. Whitney Houston (7,800,000)
  17. Spice Girls (7,780,000)
  18. Oasis (7,645,000)
  19. George Michael (7,475,000)
  20. Shakin' Stevens (7,260,000)
  21. Bee Gees (7,200,000)
  22. Status Quo (7,000,000)
  23. Boyzone (6,750,000)
  24. Blondie (6,745,000)
  25. Slade (6,720,000)
  26. Olivia Newton-John (6,630,000)
  27. Boney M (6,560,000)
  28. Robbie Williams (6,560,000)
  29. Britney Spears (6,420,000)
  30. Tom Jones (6,375,000)
  31. U2 (6,345,000)
  32. UB40 (6,345,000)
  33. Westlife (6,320,000)
  34. Celine Dion (6,140,000)
  35. Mariah Carey (6,140,000)
  36. Police (5,940,000)
  37. Madness (5,850,000)
  38. Dianna Ross (5,675,000)
  39. Wham! (5,660,000)
  40. Prince (5,620,000)
  41. Eminem (5,540,450)
  42. Peter Andre (5,250,000)

References