Adele’s 21 led the way with 3.8 million in sales (the biggest-ever selling album in a single year, according to BPI), earning her the top spot on both the UK’s bestselling albums and bestselling singles lists.
Tony Wadsworth, BPI Chairman, stated, “The spine-tingling performance by Adele at The BRIT Awards 2011 fired the starting gun on her incredible and well-deserved year of success. Her achievements are phenomenal – the biggest-selling album this century, the best seller of 2011 by miles, her debut album also made the year-end top five, not to mention her fantastic success overseas.
Led by Adele, Jessie J, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, and others, records by British artists in 2011 achieved both critical and commercial success both at home and around the world. But the challenge of sustaining this performance against a backdrop of chronic piracy means that Government action remains absolutely crucial for British artists and their labels.”
2011’s Bestselling Albums:
1. 21 – Adele
2. Christmas – Michael Buble
3. Doo-Wops & Hooligans – Bruno Mars
4. 19 – Adele
5. Mylo Xyloto – Coldplay
6. Loud – Rihanna
7. Born This Way – Lady Gaga
8. Who You Are – Jessie J
9. + – Ed Sheeran
10. Talk That Talk – Rihanna
2011’s Bestselling Singles:
1. “Someone Like You” – Adele
2. “Moves Like Jagger” – Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera
3. “Party Rock Anthem” – LMFAO/Lauren Bennett/Goonrock
4. “Price Tag” – Jessie J featuring Bob
5. “We Found Love ” – Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris
6. “Give Me Everything” – Pitbull/Ne-Yo/Afrojack/Nayer
7. “Grenade” – Bruno Mars
8. “The A Team” – Ed Sheeran
9. “Rolling in the Deep” – Adele
10. “On the Floor” – Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull
