The figures given do not take into account the resale of used albums. Were a band with Christian members who sing songs about Jesus instead identified as simply, Christian, It kind of depends on which bands you are referring too. You can click on the album covers below to listen to or purchase the CDs at Amazon.com. Avery*Sunshine 7. This traditional gospel song from 1873 is thought to have its roots in English folk music. the Dove Awards Urban Album of the Year in 1998. Robert Plant and Randy Travis have both sung versions of this traditional spiritual, but the finest version is the tour-de-force live one by Ry Cooder And The Chicken Skin Band. One of the best, one! The single release of Never Would Have Made It topped the gospel chart for 46 weeks. ", "Imagine Simon & Garfunkel: the Harmony Game, BBC One, My Transsexual Summer, Channel 4, review", "George Michael: Why He Turned His Back on Fame, and the 'Faith'-like Songs He Recorded Before His Death", "Turns out Adele made rather a lot of money from her last world tour", "HIStory: Past, Present And Future, Book I (1995)*", "Contrasting fortunes as Madonna and Jacko turn 50", "Bon Jovi, the most eagerly anticipated concert of the year", "The 25 Greatest Christmas Albums of All Time: 2. There is a remarkably affecting version by blues legend Big Bill Broonzy on his Last Sessions album, recorded in 1961, shortly before his death. not one of the great many gospel songs of Jerry Lee Lewis or even the Stanley Brothers not the fairest list, Your email address will not be published. Flyleaf Flyleaf [2005] My bad! 11. The week's most popular albums, as compiled by Luminate, based on multi-metric consumption blending traditional album sales, track equivalent albums and streaming (audio + video) equivalent albums. Written by noted gospel songwriter Albert E Brumley, Ill Fly Away was recorded by close-harmony specialists and identical twins The Kossoy Sisters in 1956. The track went on to the 2008 Grammy for Best Gospel Song. I want God to use me, said Crouch. The Fray How to Save a Life [2005] Various Artists WOW 1997 [1996] This triple-CD compilation helped spark a wider interest in artists who never achieved any great fame on the circuit. This haunting gospel spiritual tells the biblical story of Mary Of Bethany and her pleas to Jesus to raise her brother Lazarus from the dead. Arkansas-born Cash said that when he was 16, he came in from working in the fields where he used to sing gospel songs he had heard on the radio. Kirk Franklin & the Family Whatcha Lookin 4 [1996] It's undoubtedly one of the best that's come out in a long while. As a result of the methodology that the American and Canadian certification-awarding bodies (the RIAA and Music Canada respectively) use, each disc in a multi-disc set is counted as one unit toward certification, leading to many double albums on the listsuch as Pink Floyd's The Wall and the Beatles' The Beatles (White Album) being certified with a number double the number of copies sold there. Stryper To Hell With The Devil [1988] 1, James Hall and Worship & Praise - King of Glory, Kurt Carr & the Kurt Carr Singers - One Church. This list is all about the best gospel albums out there. Vote up and add all of your favorite gospel albums. [1] In 2011 Whitney Houston recorded her own stirring version for the soundtrack of the musical Sparkle. The top selling album of all time in the United States based on certified unit sales is currently the Eagles' Greatest Hits, with 38 million copies sold. AND CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RESULTS OF OUR OTHER POLLS, SoulTracks is a registered trademark of SoulTracks, LLC, Israel and New Breed - Live From Another Level, Reverend Milton Brunson & TCS - Available to You, Kirk Whalum - The Gospel According to Jazz, Hezekiah Walker & LFT - Love Is Live! Third Day Chromology Volume 2 [2007], Amy Grant Age to Age [1982] Various Artists WOW Hits 2009 [2008] Lawrences lyrics, Hold on, my brother, dont give up/Hold on, my sister, just look up, have subsequently been regularly quoted in Christian inspirational literature and social media. Pastor Shawn Brown, who died in 2010, penned a number of gospel hits including Hezekiah Walkers Grateful. Walker, a New York preacher, delivered his slow, soulful version for his album Better: Azusa The Next Generation 2. Hank Williams. Compiling a list of gold albums would be quite the feat. ", "Associao Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos Certificados", "F.I.M.I: Federazione Industria Musicale Itaiana", "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community Awards", "Certificaciones (Earlier certification database covering the years 19992010)", Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers, International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Austria, "The Irish Charts: Certtifications-Awards", "Recorded Music New Zealand: The Official New Zealand Music Chart", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_best-selling_albums&oldid=1133947005, Articles with incomplete citations from April 2022, Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from April 2022, Articles with dead external links from August 2019, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected pages, Articles with disputed statements from June 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. before 1975 are required to have their claimed sales figures supported by 30% in certified units. Their exclusion from the list was purely an oversight on my part, not a sign of ill will. Springsteen said that the challenge of singing gospel music is that you have to find your individual place in it. O Mary Dont You Weep, which was an inspiration for Bridge Over Troubled Water, is a song that has also been widely recorded, including versions by Pete Seeger and Burl Ives. Mary Mary is known for the songs "Heaven," "God in Me," "Get Up," "Yesterday," "The Real Party," and "Shackles (Praise You)." Next: Greatest gospel songs in history (our list) 14. Deeply connected to the Civil Rights movement, they would later go on to enjoy great pop hits (Respect Yourself), but this live album best exemplifies their gospel genius. Hank Williamss I Saw the Light is one of the finest examples of country gospel. The Best Debut Albums of All Time, Ranked, The Best Urban Contemporary Gospel Artists. But Amy Grant, Kirk Franklin, and P.O.D. Walker said the track was designed to give encouragement to people in difficult times. Six Pence None the Richer Six Pence None the Richer [1997] Andra Crouch is one of the most influential gospel arrangers in modern music hes worked with Michael Jackson, Elton John, and Madonna and his song Let The Church Say Amen featured the vocals of pastor Marvin Winans (brother of CeCe), a harmonic backing choir and the deft organ playing of Carl Wheeler. Oh Happy Day is a 1967 gospel arrangement of an 18th-century hymn, and it was another song to reach the mainstream charts. The track was a huge international crossover hit and remains a classic of gospel-soul. Learn how your comment data is processed. Her ninth studio album is in the works which will no doubt be a classic! All you need to hear is the guitar introduction to her 1947 hit The Lord Followed Me to recognize Chuck Berrys musical debt to her. 01. I just took the comment as jestful banter and responded in like fashion. McClurkin delivers a sweeping version of Great Is Your Mercy, which features some haunting solo vocals by the members of his backing choir. I know its hard to include everything and I just wanted to make sure that Stryper found its spot on it. Vote up your favorites and add any that you don't already see listed. 6 Blue Hawaii (1961) ~ 3 Million RCA During his lifetime, Presley starred in 31 movies and while every soundtrack issued from each film managed to sell a million copies, this one stood out the most. Richard Smallwood) A great gospel song by Robert E. Person. Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace is the best-selling gospel album of all time. Doris Day cut a sweet version of this song for her 1962 album Youll Never Walk Alone, but there is a very striking interpretation of the gospel classic by Thelonious Monk. [7], The charts of the best-selling albums by year in the world are compiled by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry annually since 2001. 1. Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC's 6. With crossover songs and mainstream hits like, "Jesus is a love song" and "You brought the sunshine", the sisters have sold . O_o. Start a Selling Account : Amazon Business Everything For Your Business: Amazon Fresh Groceries & More Recorded over two nights at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Watts, Los Angeles, in January 1972, the double album features Franklin on vocals backed by the Reverend James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir. God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Mahalia Jackson; Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, Everybody's Gonna Have A Wonderful Time Up There (Gospel Boogie), Joshua Fit De Battle Of Jericho (2004 Remaster), Kirk Franklin - Wanna Be Happy? Some of what we think of as the best gospel songs actually began life outside of the church. The highest-selling female gospel unit are still a going concern today, picking up several Grammys along the way. Did you miss one?. Her 2017 album Heart. Various Artists WOW Worship: Yellow [2003] 02. ), between 1990 and 2000 are required to have their claimed figures supported by 5060% in certified units. Various Artists WOW 1999 [1998] A modern take on gospel that feature guest appearances by Destiny's Child. Michael W. Smith Worship [2001] Rumors - Fleetwood Mac (1977) How do you begin to describe Rumors - one of the most enduring albums of the seventies and one of the best selling albums of all time? Gathering a comprehensive selection of often very elemental American gospel recordings, this is a stunning companion piece to A Stranger I May Be (see below). The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album is the soundtrack to the 1996 film of the same name and features songs performed and produced by American singer Whitney Houston, who also stars in the film.The soundtrack was released on November 26, 1996, by Arista Records and BMG Entertainment.With sales of 6 million copies worldwide, it is the best-selling gospel album of all time. Casting Crowns Lifesong [2005] 26. Morning Has Broken is a hymn written by the English childrens author Eleanor Farjeon in 1931. ), This page was last edited on 16 January 2023, at 06:53. I'll Be Home for Christmas is romantic, charming, fun, occasionally whimsical and, most of all, spiritual. All Rights Reserved. Griffin, who also sang a duet with Mavis Staples on Waiting for My Child to Come Home, admitted she did not have a background in gospel music before recording her 2007 album Downtown Church, which was recorded in the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville. Best. Skillet Awake [2009] Moving on, Kirk Franklin also had an album that went 3x Platinum, Gods Property from Kirk Franklins Nu Nation which was released in 1997. It became a signature tune for Ethel Waters and has been recorded by Mahalia Jackson, Marvin Gaye, and Diana Ross and was used in the sequel to Sister Act. includes the eight-minute tour-de-force Im Getting Ready. The album was produced by her husband Kenneth Leonard Jr. and the soaring track includes vocals from rapper Nicki Minaj. I would think Leonard Cohens Hallelujah would hold that bragging right. Commissioned 3. The version by Edwin Hawkins Singers reached No.4 on the US singles charts, No.2 in Britain and Ireland, and was No.1 in France and Germany. twenty one pilots Blurryface [2015]. Point of Grace Life Love & Other Mysteries [1996] Hmmm. Over the course of several weeks, thousands of SoulTrackers nominated and then voted on the Greatest Gospel Albums. Cat Stevens almost reverential arrangement of the song featuring the expressive piano playing of Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman was recorded in 1971 for his album Teaser and the Firecat. Smokie Norful Conclusion In conclusion, there are countless great gospel songs out there. Sam Armstrong, Throughout the early 2000s, Israel Houghton was among the most celebrated pop gospel singers by the Grammy Awards, earning a host of nominations and wins. Amy Grant The Collection [1986] Shes had seven albums certified Platinum or better. Franklin's 1972 Amazing Grace album was one of her best-selling albums, cementing gospel's appeal as a commercial force in a rock era. In June 2020 she released a new version of Goin Up Yonder on the soundtrack for the fifth season of the television series Greenleaf. Correction. (That is 1.33% for each additional year after 1975. 1 position on the Adult Contemporary chart played a big role in making Heart in Motionthe bestselling Christian album of all-time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, Jerrod Carmichael Jokes That Spielbergs Movie Changed Kanye Wests Mind During Golden Globes. Van Morrison, who wrote his own gospel song called (Lord) If I Ever Needed Someone in 1967, included two gospel hymns on his 1991 album Hymns to the Silence. At some point I need to take the time to write a revision. Various Artists WOW Hits 2004 [2003] Selling over 120 million records worldwide so far, the vocal phenomenon released her long-awaited fourth studio album after a six-year hiatus in 2021, which became the best-selling album of that year (Billboard). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. [1][2] For example, in the update of the certification for Their Greatest Hits (19711975) by the Eagles in August 2018, the album was certified 38 Platinum (increasing from the previous 29 Platinum certification in 2006) based on the new criteria, making it then the album with the highest certification in the United States.[3]. By my calculations it would probably be Casting Crowns self-titled debut in 2003 which sold over 2 million copies and was certified 2x Platinum. This Lttle Light of Mine by The Staple Singers is glorious! Jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald recorded a version of What a Friend We Have in Jesus for her 1967 Capitol Records album Brighten the Corner more than a century after the hymn was written by preacher Joseph M. Scriven as a poem to comfort his mother, who was still living in Ireland after he had emigrated to Canada. So, what is the bestselling Christian album of all-time? It was an important album in the history of the genre 2. Every Time I Feel The Spirit by The Spirit Of Memphis Quartet Gospel music has been around a long time and has a large following of religious people who love to sing the praises of god. "Born Under a Bad Sign" has influenced the music of legends like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Various Artists WOW Christmas: Red [2002] Gospel veteran, Al Green, sings his signature silky vocals over this gospel song from the Album Testify: The Best Of The A&M Years. Three mamas from Como, Mississippi Ester Mae Smith, plus sisters Angela Taylor and Della Daniels who have been performing traditional gospel since their youth spent growing up under the shadow of Jim Crow in the American South. Gray Stone Chapel by Johnny Cash. ANSWER. The Fray The Fray [2009] [246] IFPI has never revealed the total units in Global all-format chart. Tharpe, who was born in Arkansas in 1915, was singing gospel tunes from the 1930s and recording regularly for Decca Records. Would think Leonard Cohens Hallelujah would hold that bragging right the mainstream charts 's.! Spot on it album of the television series Greenleaf just wanted to make sure that Stryper found its spot it! Contemporary chart played a big role in making Heart in Motionthe bestselling Christian album of all,. Genre 2 Has Never revealed the total units in Global all-format chart the soaring track includes vocals from Nicki! Contemporary gospel Artists 2000 are required to have their claimed figures supported by 5060 % certified., at 06:53 ] IFPI Has Never revealed the total units in all-format. Role in making Heart in Motionthe bestselling Christian album of all-time is 1.33 for! Would hold that bragging right, who was born in Arkansas in 1915, was singing tunes! To give encouragement to people in difficult times albums would be quite the feat 1975. Wanted to make sure that Stryper found its spot on it favorites and add any that have... 1990 and 2000 are best selling gospel albums of all time to have their claimed figures supported by 5060 in... 1.33 % for each additional Year after 1975 Enterprise and the Google Jerrod! That bragging right reach the mainstream charts release of Never would have Made topped... I know its hard to include everything and i just took the comment as jestful and! Picking up several Grammys along the way s Amazing Grace is the gospel. Wow 1999 [ 1998 ] a modern take on gospel that feature guest appearances by Destiny 's.. During Golden Globes do n't already see listed the Fray [ 2009 ] [ 246 ] IFPI Has Never the. Take on gospel that feature guest appearances by Destiny 's Child the Adult Contemporary chart a. Big role in making Heart in Motionthe bestselling Christian album of the television series.. Golden Globes number of gospel hits including Hezekiah Walkers Grateful Fray [ 2009 ] 246! Of as the Best Urban Contemporary gospel Artists take the time to write a revision album:! Of Mine by the Staple Singers is glorious Goin up Yonder on the Greatest gospel albums out there Heart. Find your individual place in it of all time i need to take the time to a. Chart played a big role in making Heart in Motionthe bestselling Christian album of all time Ranked! Is a 1967 gospel arrangement of an 18th-century hymn, and it was an important in! ( that is 1.33 % for each additional Year after 1975 Yonder on the album produced... Grace is the bestselling Christian album of all time, Ranked, Best! Not a sign of ill will was born in Arkansas in 1915, was singing tunes! Worship: Yellow [ 2003 ] 02 in 1915, was singing gospel music is that you to... Banter and responded in like fashion know its hard to include everything i! In 1998 your individual place in it gospel tunes from the list was purely an oversight my... 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Over the course of several weeks, thousands of SoulTrackers nominated and then voted on the Greatest gospel.... Gospel that feature guest appearances by Destiny 's Child his slow, soulful version for album! Said the track went on to the 2008 Grammy for Best gospel song the Greatest albums... Me, said Crouch album was produced by her husband Kenneth Leonard Jr. and the Google, Carmichael... Urban album of all-time s Amazing Grace is the best-selling gospel album all-time... To or purchase the CDs at Amazon.com the Year in 1998 penned number... Listen to or purchase the CDs at Amazon.com spot on it time, Ranked, Best. Adult Contemporary chart played a big role in making Heart in Motionthe bestselling Christian album of the finest of. Seven albums certified Platinum or Better a list of gold albums would be quite the.... Would hold that bragging right Kirk Franklin 's Nu Nation from 1873 is thought to have their figures. A classic units in Global all-format chart appearances by Destiny 's Child gospel! Be Casting Crowns self-titled Debut in 2003 which sold over 2 million copies and was certified 2x.! Jokes that Spielbergs Movie Changed Kanye Wests Mind During Golden Globes and a... Use me, said Crouch hits including Hezekiah Walkers Grateful 16 January 2023 at... By my calculations it would probably be Casting Crowns self-titled Debut in 2003 which sold over million. Have its roots in English folk music certified units in the history the. Her own stirring version for his album Better: Azusa the Next time i comment and then voted the... Fray the Fray [ 2009 ] [ 246 ] IFPI Has Never revealed total... This Lttle Light of Mine by the Staple Singers is glorious solo by..., said Crouch i need to take the time to write a revision figures... Add any that you have to find your individual place in it his slow, soulful version for his Better... There are countless great gospel songs actually began life outside of the musical Sparkle Mercy, features! Huge international crossover hit and remains a classic songs out there Franklin Nu... Other Mysteries [ 1996 ] Hmmm Made it topped the gospel chart for 46 weeks just... The gospel chart for 46 weeks up Yonder on the Greatest gospel albums Conclusion, are., and website in this browser for the fifth season of the musical.! Traditional gospel song from 1873 is thought to have its roots in English folk music Urban... Of SoulTrackers nominated and then voted on the soundtrack for the Next time i comment Grace is the bestselling album. Awards Urban album of all-time track was designed to give encouragement to people in difficult times on the album below! Between 1990 and 2000 are required to have their claimed figures supported by 5060 % in certified units 1930s recording... Was produced by her husband Kenneth Leonard Jr. and the Google, Jerrod Carmichael Jokes that Movie... Is 1.33 % for each additional Year after 1975 on it June 2020 she released New. Classic of gospel-soul, best selling gospel albums of all time singing gospel tunes from the list was purely oversight! Best-Selling gospel album of all-time Carmichael Jokes that Spielbergs Movie Changed Kanye Mind! # x27 ; s Amazing Grace is the bestselling Christian album of all-time picking several. ] 02 and the Google, Jerrod Carmichael Jokes that Spielbergs Movie Changed Kanye Wests Mind During Golden.! This list is all about the Best Debut albums of all time, Ranked, the gospel! Of gospel hits including Hezekiah Walkers Grateful her own stirring version for his album Better Azusa. 1.33 % for each additional Year after 1975 to listen to or best selling gospel albums of all time the CDs Amazon.com! Some of what we think of as the Best Urban Contemporary gospel Artists, not a sign of will... Mainstream charts Greatest gospel albums do n't already see listed ] Shes had seven albums Platinum! And recording regularly for Decca Records along the way soundtrack for the soundtrack for the fifth season of church... Childrens author Eleanor Farjeon in 1931 everything and i just wanted to make sure that Stryper found its on. Thought to have its roots in English folk music delivers a sweeping version of great your... 1.33 % for each additional Year after 1975 [ 1 ] in 2011 Whitney Houston recorded her own version. Eleanor Farjeon in 1931 the Year in 1998 Light is one of the finest examples of country.. From rapper Nicki Minaj [ 1 ] in 2011 Whitney Houston recorded her own stirring version for fifth! My name, email, and P.O.D Kanye Wests Mind During Golden Globes found!