Elvis Presley tops Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra in a new study released by Offline Marketing Company, Oppizi. The study reveals Elvis Presley is the number one US artist to have sold the most physical copies of their music.

One of the most surprising comebacks of the digital age is the rising number of Vinyl LP sales. According to Luminate, 43.5 million LPs were sold in the U.S. last year, up more than 48-fold compared to 2006 when the vinyl comeback began. 

Vinyl LPs have also become increasingly popular as collectors’ items for fans, who listen to music digitally but still want to own a physical object.

Below, the research analyzes the most recent data from Chart Masters, which takes the top US music artists of all time and calculates the number physical single sales units sold.* 

#1 – Elvis Presley 

Physical Singles Sales- 135,210,000 

The King of Rock and Roll tops the list, selling the most physical copies of his music compared with all US artists, with an impressive 135,210,000 units. 

Elvis has over 500 million fans worldwide, being one of the most iconic music legends of the rock and roll era. 

Even so, a recent poll showed that 47% of Americans still consider themselves Elvis Presley fans. Particularly with the resurgence of the recent Elvis biopic, this is likely to spark interest in new fans from the latest generations. 

Elvis’ bestselling single is “It’s Now Or Never”, with 5,42 million units sold. To give some perspective to this number, artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, and the Rolling Stones never reached that type of figure for a unique physical single. 

#2 – Frank Sinatra 

Physical Singles Sales- 95,250,000 

Taking second place is Frank Sinatra, selling 95,250,000 units. 

He is no doubt one of the most outstanding entertainers of all-time, and in the 30s/early 40s, the American music industry was heavily dominated by swing music, where Frank was at the top of his game. 

Three of Sinatra’s songs made No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. These were, Learnin’ the Blues” (1955), “Strangers in the Night” (1966), and “Somethin’ Stupid” (1967). 

However, it is safe to say that “My Way” was his best-selling single of all time, with an impressive 989,000 sales.

#3 – Michael Jackson 

Physical Singles Sales- 79,350,000 

Michael Jackson, also known as the King of Pop, was one of the best-selling music artists of all time. 

His physical single sales figures are 79,350,000, with 27 million vinyl records of Thriller sold. 

It is interesting to point out that Michael Jackson has sold more digital singles than he did physical singes. His digital single sales are 79,930,000, also being the highest number of digital single sales out of the top 10 in the ranking. 

This demonstrates the longevity of his career progressing into the digital age. 

Today, fans continue to collect Michael Jackson vinyl’s, with the likes of “Billie Jean”, “Beat It” and “The Earth Song” being amongst some of the most valuable single vinyl records to own. 

#4 – Madonna 

Physical Singles Sales- 75,210,000 

American singer Madonna has released an impressive 92 singles and 24 promotional singles, selling more than 100 million singles worldwide. 

According to Billboard, Madonna is the most successful solo artist in Hot 100 chart history, and she is the biggest selling singles artist of all time, selling over 17.8million singles during her 30-year career. 

Some of Madonna’s memorabilia is worth thousands of dollars online. In 2008 a record was uploaded to eBay by an Italian seller who did not realise it played Madonna track,

“Like a virgin”. The vinyl ended up being sold for 8100 dollars. 

#5 – Stevie Wonder 

Physical Singles Sales- 65,320,000 

Stevie Wonder placed fifth in the rankings, selling 65,320,000 physical single copies. 

His bestselling single “I Just Called to Say I Love You” is just one of his ten US number-one hits on the pop charts. 

He also has 20 R&B number one hits, selling over 100 million records, 19.5 million of which are albums. 

He is one of the top 60 best-selling music artists with combined sales of singles and albums ever.  

#6 – Whitney Houston 

Physical Singles Sales- 49,520,000 

Whitney Houston is of course one of the most powerful ballad singers of all time, ranking in sixth with the most physical single sales of all time. 

Her first number on hit was “Saving All My Love For You”, selling over 1 million physical copies. 

Whilst “I Will Always Love You”, sold over 20 million copies, it is the best-selling single of all time by any female solo artist.  

It even won her a Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1994 

#7 – Cher 

Physical Singles Sales- 46,220,000 

Known as the Goddess of Pop, Cher has sold over 100 million records worldwide as a solo artist, with 46,220,000 of them being physical copies. 

Cher’s song “Believe” was a commercial success worldwide, topping the record charts in over 23 countries and with sales of over 11 million copies. 

Whilst her physical single sales figures are strong, her digital sales are the lowest in the top ten, with just 9,630,000. 

#8 – Prince 

Physical Singles Sales- 42,210,000 

Prince takes 8^th place in the rankings, with “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” being his bestselling physical single, with 805,000 units sold. 

After releasing his Purple Rain soundtrack in 1984, Prince hit his sales peak, selling 13 million copies and spent six months at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart. 

He has an impressive 7 Grammys, an Oscar for “Purple Rain” and a Golden Globe for “The Song of the Heart” on the Happy Feet soundtrack. 

#9 – Janet Jackson 

Physical Singles Sales- 40,640,000 

Janet Jackon has sold over 40 million certified albums and singles in the United States and is one of the best-selling music artists alongside her brother. 

Her career spans 33 years from 1982 to 2015, and along the way she topped the US charts with 10 singles and 7 albums. 

Her album “janet” was one of the best-selling albums of the 90s, scanning around 7.1 million copies. 

#10 – Billy Joel 

Physical Singles Sales- 36,910,000 

At number 10 is Billy Joel. After releasing 13 studio albums, six live albums, 18 compilation albums, 10 video albums, 61 singles, three promotional singles and 45 music

videos, he has sold over 150 million records worldwide. 

It is safe to say he is a legendary singer-songwriter and pianist and is still currently touring across 3 countries and has 17 upcoming concerts. 

A spokesperson from Offline Marketing Company, Oppizi, says  

“The rise in LP sales is fascinating to witness, as physical copies of music make a comeback. It appears physical goods still hold value for many people, even in the digital age. 

“Of all the music formats, vinyl has the most value. Today, Vinyl records could sell for ten times its original price 20 years from now. 

“Often, music lovers feel like digital downloads make them lose out on any sort of physical interaction with the music they are listening to. More people want to experience purchasing, which is why going to a record store and buying a vinyl is more appealing today. 

“People today are also attracted to buying vinyl records for the album’s art and exclusive copies can be bought and worth a fortune. 

“Therefore, for music artists looking for ways to promote their music, pushing physical copies could be a great way to give fans that desired nostalgic purchasing experience.”