Mamma mia! Abba tops all-time CD list

Published on 02/10/2012 00:00

Abba’s album of greatest hits is the best-selling compact disc ever in Britain, according to industry figures released to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the compact disc.

The collection, called Gold, is the only CD to ever sell more than four million copies in the UK, half a million more than second place Adele in the all-time charts.

The Swedish group split up in 1982, the year the CD format was launched, but their greatest hits album did not appear for another ten years.

However, since then it has become a staple of millions of record collections, like many of the others on the top 30, from James Blunt and Dido to the Beatles and Coldplay.

The sales figures have been compiled by the Official Charts Company for the music industry body, the BPI, to celebrate the compact disc format’s 30th 
anniversary.

Despite the rise of downloads and file sharing, two-thirds of albums are still sold on CDs, often to older music fans who prefer the physical format complete with a sleeve to read.

However, the list ranges from easy-listening pop, such as David Grey and Michael Buble, to Britpop classics, such as the Verve and Oasis, and edgier rap from Eminem.

It also includes a handful of greatest hits albums including George Michael and the Beatles, and a trio of albums from Robbie Williams, plus one from Take That.

Abba’s album is the earliest release of the top 30 while Adele’s 21, in second place, is the most recent.

The second album from Oasis, What’s the Story Morning Glory, is in third place 17 years after its release in the middle of the band’s Britpop war with Blur.

Those raised on buying music online may not realise how significant the launch of the CD was 30 years ago, when it replaced the scratchy sound of vinyl.

BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor said: “It represented a great leap forward in sound technology, becoming one of the most successful consumer products in history.

“Music fans embraced its sound quality, durability, instant track access and ease of use.

“Even 30 years after its launch, it still remains the leading album format in the British music market.”

The top 30 also includes three albums by Coldplay and three from Robbie Williams. There there are 21 from British artists, including eight of the top ten.

The reason there are not more compilation albums in the list is because a lot of big-selling artists release more than one greatest hits album, so sales are shared round.

While mixed compilations, such as the Now That’s What I Call Music franchise, often top the charts when released, they hit a peak quickly but then stop selling.

The best selling of these is Now 44 at number 102 in the all-time list with 1.4 million albums sold.