The Recording Industry Association of America has updated its list of the 100 best-selling albums of all time. Naturally, I have some observations.
Fully 16 percent of the list is made up of “greatest hits”-type records; another six percent are motion picture soundtracks.
In theory, one in 10 Americans owns Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Which seems low, to be honest.
Seven are by Garth Brooks. Seven! Let that sink in for a moment.
Def Leppard, Celine Dion, and Kenny G are on this list. David Bowie, Bob Dylan, and Radiohead aren’t.
No jazz, no blues, no classical, no bluegrass—like walking into a Baskin Robbins and discovering that all 31 flavors are subtle variations of vanilla.
Can we draw any conclusions from the music-buying habits of the American public? Probably not. But we can totally be judgmental. Unless, of course, you’re into Def Leppard, Celine Dion, or Kenny G.
