While both are massive global acts, Queen often edges out ABBA in UK sales records, particularly with their Greatest Hits album, but ABBA boasts higher overall estimated record sales globally, with some figures suggesting over 850 million records, making them one of the most successful groups ever. Queen has had immense chart longevity in the UK, while ABBA's pop dominance in the '70s was phenomenal, but Queen's continuous presence and compilation sales give them an edge in some UK metrics.
popularity is the % of people who have a positive opinion of a all-time music artist. Find out more
1. The Beatles. The Beatles were an English rock band that became arguably the most successful act of the 20th century. They contributed to music, film, literature, art, and fashion, made a continuous impact on popular culture and the lifestyle of several generations.
In the UK, for example, the Swedish pop maestros racked up a total of 19 Top 10 hits, nine of them No. 1s. In the US, their Top 10 total was four, just one of which topped the chart. That song, the timeless “Dancing Queen,” hit the top, after an epic route there, on April 9, 1977.
Who is the most successful artist of all time?
ABBA have sold an estimated 150 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling acts in the history of popular music. The group are ranked as the third best-selling singles artist in the United Kingdom, with a total of 11.3 million singles sold as of 3 November 2012.
1. Madonna. The remarkable, hyper-ambitious Material Girl who never stops re-inventing herself, Madonna has sold over three hundred million records and CDs to adoring fans worldwide. Her film career, however, is another story.
ABBA's biggest hit singles worldwide are "Dancing Queen" and "Fernando", with Arrival being their biggest hit studio album.
Top 15 Best-Selling Rock Artists of All Time in U.S. Sales
There's no single "number 1 artist of all time" as it's subjective, but Leonardo da Vinci often tops lists for visual art due to masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, while The Beatles are frequently cited as the best-selling music group ever, and Michael Jackson or Elvis Presley are often named as top solo music artists by sales and influence. Modern metrics like Spotify streams point to artists like Bad Bunny or Taylor Swift for recent dominance.
The Beatles are one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with estimated sales of over 600 million units globally, while ABBA has sold over 150 million records worldwide.
Rod Stewart's legendary concert on Copacabana Beach drew 3.5 million attendees in Rio de Janeiro, making it the largest concert in recorded music history. This free concert, held on New Year's Eve, turned the beach into a mega venue, with the crowd spreading across the sand and streets of the city.
The ABBA Sample that changed the course of Madonna's career. ABBA rarely gave any artist permission to sample their music. But, they made an exception for Madonna. It all dates back to the time Madonna began collaborating with Stuart Price on what would become “Confessions of A Dance Floor”.
While "The Winner Takes It All" is famously poignant about divorce, many fans find ABBA's saddest songs for crying include "Slipping Through My Fingers," about children growing up, "The Day Before You Came," about a life of resignation, and "When All Is Said and Done," about the quiet aftermath of a breakup, with personal favorites often being "My Love, My Life" and "Chiquitita," capturing loss and gentle heartache.
There's no single "greatest band" as it's subjective, but The Beatles consistently top lists for impact, sales, and cultural influence, often competing with bands like The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Queen, all British rock giants renowned for their artistry and enduring popularity. Other contenders often cited include The Who, Black Sabbath, Metallica, and AC/DC, reflecting diverse tastes in rock history.
ABBA's most played song, based on massive streaming numbers and YouTube views, is overwhelmingly "Dancing Queen," with over a billion YouTube views and leading Spotify streams, cementing its status as their most enduring global anthem, followed by hits like "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" and "Mamma Mia".
Fältskog explained to Radio Times last year: "We said no because they wanted 250 shows or something, it was incredible. No chance. We had done it. Lyngstad also confirmed this year to Ireland's RTE that "no amount of money would change our minds.
There's no single "best song ever," as it's subjective, but critics often praise Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone", Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody", and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" for their impact, while The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" tops streaming charts, and "Over the Rainbow" is celebrated as a cultural touchstone. Different metrics (sales, covers, streams, critical acclaim) yield different results, but these are consistently cited.
Based on Forbes, American singer Taylor Swift is the wealthiest female musician, with a net worth of US$1.6 billion as of 2024. Barbadian singer Rihanna became the first female musician to attain a billionaire status in 2021, with a net worth of $1.7 billion at that time.
The 2023 list was compiled by the magazine's staff and key contributors. American singer Aretha Franklin topped the list both times.
'Dancing Queen'
One of the most famous pop songs in existence and the group's longest-running No. 1, even the die-hard ABBA purists can't deny they've let their hair down to this on the dancefloor at one point in their lives.
Trumpet legend Herb Alpert once out-sold the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in the same year with Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass' “Whipped Cream & Other Delights,” the No. 1-selling album of 1966.
Frank Sinatra, often referred to as “Ol' Blue Eyes” or simply “The Voice,” is considered one of the greatest vocalists of all time for several reasons: Phrasing and Interpretation: Sinatra had an unparalleled ability to interpret a song's lyrics, infusing them with emotion, nuance, and meaning.