The Most Popular Vinyl Record, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the vinyl record you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:54
Choosing the right vinyl record to add to a collection or simply to enjoy on a leisurely afternoon can often feel overwhelming due to the sheer number of classics and new releases out there. To aid in this selection, having a clear, crowd-sourced guide that ranks the most adored vinyls helps enthusiasts make informed choices. It brings a community-driven insight into what's resonating with fellow vinyl lovers.
The value in such a ranking system extends beyond the personal. It acts as a cultural barometer showing trends in music appreciation and the continuing allure of vinyl in the digital age. By participating in this live vote, not only do you contribute to a broader pool of opinions, but you also get a curated list refined by a collective love for music across generations.
What Is the Most Popular Vinyl Record?
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161votes
The Beatles - Abbey Road
The BeatlesThis classic album from the Beatles is considered by many to be one of the greatest albums of all time. With hits like “Come Together” and “Here Comes the Sun”, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the most popular vinyl records ever.The Beatles - Abbey Road is a highly acclaimed vinyl record released by the iconic rock band, The Beatles. It was originally launched on September 26, 1969, in the United Kingdom. Abbey Road is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time, showcasing the band's exceptional songwriting, innovative production techniques, and remarkable harmonies. The record encompasses a variety of musical styles, ranging from rock and pop to blues and psychedelic. It features 17 tracks, including timeless classics like 'Come Together,' 'Here Comes the Sun,' and 'Something.' Abbey Road marked the last recorded album by The Beatles, despite releasing Let It Be afterward, making it an essential piece of their discography.- Release Date: September 26, 1969
- Genre: Rock, Pop, Blues, Psychedelic
- Label: Apple
- Duration: 47:28
- Tracks: 17
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228votes
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
Pink FloydAnother classic album, Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” has been a fan favorite for decades. With its iconic cover art and hits like “Money” and “Us and Them”, it’s no surprise that it’s one of the most popular vinyl records of all time.Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon is a progressive rock concept album released in 1973. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential albums of all time. The album explores various themes such as mental illness, time, and human nature, through rich instrumental compositions and thought-provoking lyrics that resonate with listeners.- Release Date: March 1, 1973
- Genre: Progressive rock
- Label: Harvest
- Duration: 42:59
- Number of Tracks: 10
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329votes
Michael Jackson - Thriller
Michael JacksonMichael Jackson’s “Thriller” is one of the best-selling albums of all time, and it’s no wonder why. With hits like “Billie Jean” and “Beat It”, it’s a classic that continues to be loved by fans today.Michael Jackson's Thriller is the best-selling vinyl record of all time. Released in 1982, it is a landmark album in pop music, blending various genres including pop, R&B, funk, and rock. Thriller solidified Jackson's status as the King of Pop and remains a cultural phenomenon to this day.- Release date: November 30, 1982
- Genre: Pop, R&B, funk, rock
- Label: Epic Records
- Duration: 42:19
- Recording Location: Westlake Recording Studios (Los Angeles)
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417votes
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
Fleetwood MacFleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” is a classic album that has stood the test of time. With hits like “Go Your Own Way” and “Dreams”, it’s one of the most popular vinyl records ever.Fleetwood Mac - Rumours is a critically acclaimed studio album that was released in 1977. It is considered one of the most popular vinyl records of all time. The album features a unique blend of rock, pop, and soft rock, complemented by emotionally charged lyrics. It has a timeless quality that continues to resonate with listeners worldwide.- Release Year: 1977
- Genre: Rock, Pop, Soft Rock
- Label: Warner Bros. Records
- Studio: Criteria Studios, Miami, Florida
- Producers: Fleetwood Mac, Ken Caillat, Richard Dashut
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510votes
Led Zeppelin - IV
Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin’s “IV” is one of the most iconic rock albums of all time. With hits like “Stairway to Heaven” and “Black Dog”, it’s a must-have for any vinyl collector.Led Zeppelin - IV, also known as "Zoso" or "Four Symbols", is the fourth studio album by English rock band Led Zeppelin, released on November 8, 1971. It is considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time, featuring a blend of hard rock, folk, and blues influences. The album's iconic cover art, designed by Barrington Colby, features four symbols representing each band member. Led Zeppelin - IV showcases the band's musical virtuosity and includes some of their most famous tracks, such as "Stairway to Heaven", "Black Dog", and "Rock and Roll".- Release Date: November 8, 1971
- Genre: Rock
- Label: Atlantic
- Length: 42:33
- Chart Performance: Peak position: #2 (US), #1 (UK)
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611votes
Nirvana - Nevermind
NirvanaNirvana’s “Nevermind” is one of the most influential albums of the 90s. With hits like “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Come As You Are”, it’s a classic that continues to be loved by fans today.Nirvana - Nevermind is the second studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released in 1991. It is widely regarded as one of the most influential albums in the history of alternative rock. Nevermind propelled Nirvana to worldwide fame and popularized the grunge genre.- Release Year: 1991
- Genre: Grunge
- Record Label: DGC Records
- Peak Chart Positions: US: #1, UK: #5
- Certifications: Diamond (US), 7x Platinum (UK)
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77votes
The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers
The Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones’ “Sticky Fingers” is a classic album that features hits like “Brown Sugar” and “Wild Horses”. It’s a must-have for any vinyl collector.The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers is the eleventh studio album by the English rock band The Rolling Stones, released in April 1971. It is widely regarded as one of their greatest and most influential albums. The album features a mix of rock and blues, showcasing the band's signature sound.- Release Date: April 1971
- Genre: Rock, Blues
- Label: Rolling Stones
- Length: 46:35
- Producer: Jimmy Miller
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87votes
Prince - Purple Rain
PrincePrince’s “Purple Rain” is a classic album that features hits like “When Doves Cry” and the iconic title track. It’s a timeless classic that continues to be loved by fans today.Purple Rain is the sixth studio album by American musician Prince, released on June 25, 1984. It is a soundtrack album to the 1984 film of the same name, which starred Prince in his acting debut. The album combines elements of rock, pop, R&B, funk, and psychedelia, showcasing Prince's versatile musical talent and captivating performances. It became Prince's most successful and critically acclaimed release, selling over 25 million copies worldwide.- Release Date: June 25, 1984
- Genre: Rock, pop, R&B, funk, psychedelia
- Label: Warner Bros.
- Length: 43:50
- Singles: When Doves Cry, Let's Go Crazy, Purple Rain, I Would Die 4 U
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98votes
David Bowie
David BowieThe Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust” is a classic album that features hits like “Starman” and “Suffragette City”. It’s a must-have for any Bowie fan.David Bowie is the self-titled debut studio album by English musician David Bowie. It was released on 1 June 1967 by Deram Records. The album features a mix of pop, rock, and psychedelic music, showcasing Bowie's diverse musical influences and his early experimentation with different sounds and styles. Despite receiving mixed reviews at the time, the album has since gained a cult following and is regarded as an important stepping stone in Bowie's career.- Release Date: 1 June 1967
- Record Label: Deram Records
- Genre: Pop, rock, psychedelic
- Length: 41:55
- Producer: Mike Vernon
David Bowie in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous left-handed guitarist
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous person from Surrey
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous British singer
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous lyricist
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous Capricorn celebrity
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101votes
The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
The Beach BoysThe Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds” is a classic album that is considered by many to be one of the greatest albums of all time. With hits like “God Only Knows” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, it’s a must-have for any vinyl collector.The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds is a highly influential and iconic album released in 1966. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time and a cornerstone of the psychedelic pop genre. With its lush harmonies, innovative production techniques, and introspective songwriting, Pet Sounds pushed the boundaries of popular music at the time.- Release date: May 16, 1966
- Genre: Psychedelic pop
- Duration: 36:58
- Label: Capitol
- Producer: Brian Wilson
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular vinyl record
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SalesThe number of copies sold is a clear indicator of a vinyl record's popularity.
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DemandThe level of demand for a record can be determined by its sales, but also by the frequency of search queries, streaming numbers, and social media mentions.
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Chart performanceVinyl records that have achieved high chart positions on popular music charts are generally more popular.
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Critical acclaimPositive reviews and accolades from respected music critics can increase a record's popularity.
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LegacyThe lasting impact a record has had on music or its lasting popularity among collectors can also be a factor in its overall popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular vinyl record. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or record is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1587 views
- 178 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each record once every 24 hours. The rank of each record is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular vinyl record
Vinyl records have been around for over a century, and have remained a beloved format for music lovers around the world. Although vinyl records were largely replaced by CDs and digital music in the 1990s, they have made a major comeback in recent years. Many music fans consider vinyl records to be the best way to experience music, with their warm sound and tactile nature adding to the overall listening experience.
With so many vinyl records to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one is the most popular. However, there are a few albums that stand out as fan favorites. From classic rock to modern pop, there is a vinyl record for every music taste. Whether you are a collector or just a casual listener, exploring the world of vinyl records can be a fun and rewarding experience.
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