independent and unofficial
Prince fan community
Welcome! Sign up or enter username and password to remember me
Forum jump
Forums > Prince: Music and More > Prince Sales Figures
« Previous topic  Next topic »
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
Author

Tweet     Share

Message
Thread started 06/28/08 4:13pm

SUPRMAN

avatar

Prince Sales Figures

This is 18 months old.
3121 and Planet Earth aren't listed here.


Ask Billboard
January 17, 2006 , 2:40 PM ET
Keith Caulfield



PRINCE'S TRUST

Hello Keith,

I believe you are the only person who can help me. I've been a huge Prince fan since the "Purple Rain" days and I've always had a big curiosity regarding record sales in general and of Prince's albums in particular.

I would like so much to know how much Prince's catalog albums from the 1980s have sold in the last 15 years. Would it be possible to know the SoundScan-era sales of all of Prince's albums from "1999" through the 1992 "Symbol" album?

I think many of his albums would deserve an upgrade in their certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. (But I'm unsure) if Warner Bros. (Prince's former record label) is willing to do it.

I really hope you can help me on this many-years-old curiosity!

Eduardo Sousa
Coimbra, Portugal

Hello Eduardo,

While some albums clearly needs some upgrading in their gold and platinum status (like the "Grease" soundtrack as noted here last week), it's doubtful that Prince's catalog is lacking in the certification department.

I'm going to provide even more information than you asked for, just to be thorough.

Below is a list of all of Prince's albums that were commercially released, beginning with his 1978 debut "For You." I've provided the U.S. sales of each album during the SoundScan era (the company began tracking sales data in 1991).

Additionally, I've indicated what the release's current gold or platinum status is according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). For further information on about the gold and platinum certification program, please visit the organization's Web site at riaa.com.

Gold indicates 500,000 units shipped to U.S. retailers (minus returns), platinum equals 1 million units shipped. Also, multi-disc or "double albums" abide by different standards for certification, about which RIAA.com has more information.

Also, Prince's new album, "3121," is due out this spring through Universal Records. You can check out the first single and video, "Te Amo Corazon," at his official Web site npgmusicclub.com.

Title (Year of Release; Units Sold Since 1991; Gold/Platinum Certification)

"For You" (1978; 88,000; no certification)
"Prince" (1979; 183,000; platinum)
"Dirty Mind" (1980; 125,000; gold)
"Controversy" (1981; 200,000; platinum)
"1999" (1982; 641,000; 4x platinum)
"Purple Rain" (1984; 2.3 million; 13x platinum)
"Around the World in a Day" (1985; 162,000; 2x platinum)
"Parade" (1986; 230,000; platinum)
"Sign 'O' the Times" (1987; 271,000; platinum)
"Lovesexy" (1988; 68,000; gold)
"Batman" (1989; 111,000; 2x platinum)
"Graffiti Bridge" (1990; 145,000; gold)
"Diamonds and Pearls" (1991; 2.5 million; 2x platinum)
"Symbol Album" (1992; 1.1 million; platinum)
"The Hits/The B-Sides" (1993; 630,000; platinum)
"The Hits 1" (1993; 1.4 million; platinum)
"The Hits 2" (1993; 1.6 million; platinum)
"Come" (1994; 310,000; gold)
"The Black Album" (1994; 261,000; no certification)
"The Gold Experience" (1995; 423,000; gold)
"Chaos and Disorder" (1996; 131,000; no certification)
"Emancipation" (1996; 628,000; 2x platinum)
"Crystal Ball" (1998; 113,000; no certification)
"Newpower Soul" (1998; 214,000; no certification)
"The Vault - Old Friends 4 Sale" (1999; 113,000; no certification)
"Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic" (1999; 487,000; gold)
"The Very Best of Prince" (2001; 1.2 million; platinum)
"The Rainbow Children" (2001; 157,000; no certification)
"N.E.W.S." (2003; 29,000; no certification)
"Musicology" (2004; 2 million; 2x platinum)


Here's a link with a searchable database.
If someone wants to make that more accessible feel free.

http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php wink
[Edited 6/28/08 17:04pm]
I don't want you to think like me. I just want you to think.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #1 posted 06/28/08 4:57pm

daPrettyman

avatar

They counted NPS as a Prince album....hmmm
**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••-
U 'gon make me shake my doo loose!
http://www.twitter.com/nivlekbrad
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #2 posted 06/28/08 5:05pm

SUPRMAN

avatar

daPrettyman said:

They counted NPS as a Prince album....hmmm

Because it is despite the wink, wink, nod, nod.
I don't want you to think like me. I just want you to think.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #3 posted 06/28/08 5:13pm

Paris9748430

Damn, if 113,00 people bought Crystal Ball at 50 bucks a pop, that's a whole lot of cash!!!
JERKIN' EVERYTHING IN SIGHT!!!!!
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #4 posted 06/30/08 7:15am

daPrettyman

avatar

Paris9748430 said:

Damn, if 113,00 people bought Crystal Ball at 50 bucks a pop, that's a whole lot of cash!!!

He actually sold more than that. The copies sold through the website weren't counted toward sales. Only the copies shipped to stores counted toward sales.
**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••-
U 'gon make me shake my doo loose!
http://www.twitter.com/nivlekbrad
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #5 posted 06/30/08 7:37am

simm0061

avatar

daPrettyman said:

Paris9748430 said:

Damn, if 113,00 people bought Crystal Ball at 50 bucks a pop, that's a whole lot of cash!!!

He actually sold more than that. The copies sold through the website weren't counted toward sales. Only the copies shipped to stores counted toward sales.

And only those copies shipped to stores in the USA were counted above, so that doesn't include worldwide sales.

Did most people pay $50...? I only paid $20 for my copy of CB and I got it at midnight the day it was released! shrug
[Edited 6/30/08 7:39am]
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #6 posted 06/30/08 7:47am

Krid

Incredible that 29.000 folks actually bought N.E.W.S. (and more via the internet platform).

That record I have listened to probably - ahmm - two times... And I do listen to jazz quite alot...
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #7 posted 06/30/08 7:54am

daPrettyman

avatar

simm0061 said:

daPrettyman said:


He actually sold more than that. The copies sold through the website weren't counted toward sales. Only the copies shipped to stores counted toward sales.

And only those copies shipped to stores in the USA were counted above, so that doesn't include worldwide sales.

Did most people pay $50...? I only paid $20 for my copy of CB and I got it at midnight the day it was released! shrug
[Edited 6/30/08 7:39am]

I paid the $50 from the website...then bought the 4cd set in stores for $30. I had to have Kamasutra on cd (which I've only listened to once).
**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••-
U 'gon make me shake my doo loose!
http://www.twitter.com/nivlekbrad
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #8 posted 06/30/08 8:04am

daPrettyman

avatar

Krid said:

Incredible that 29.000 folks actually bought N.E.W.S. (and more via the internet platform).

That record I have listened to probably - ahmm - two times... And I do listen to jazz quite alot...

That's another one he sold for $10 on his site and for $20 in the store.
**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••-
U 'gon make me shake my doo loose!
http://www.twitter.com/nivlekbrad
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #9 posted 06/30/08 11:46am

Erika2k8

Damn Purple rain 13x Platinum.. i know that his accomplishments after were great but damn I hope he sells like that again some day
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #10 posted 06/30/08 12:27pm

daPrettyman

avatar

Erika2k8 said:

Damn Purple rain 13x Platinum.. i know that his accomplishments after were great but damn I hope he sells like that again some day

Nobody sells like that anymore.
**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••-
U 'gon make me shake my doo loose!
http://www.twitter.com/nivlekbrad
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #11 posted 06/30/08 1:40pm

Erika2k8

daPrettyman said:

Erika2k8 said:

Damn Purple rain 13x Platinum.. i know that his accomplishments after were great but damn I hope he sells like that again some day

Nobody sells like that anymore.


Correction
Amy Winehouse 2,467,575
Justin Timberlake - "Justified'' 9 million
Alicia Keys - "As I Am" (2007) 6.5 million
and many more
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #12 posted 06/30/08 1:50pm

daPrettyman

avatar

Erika2k8 said:

daPrettyman said:


Nobody sells like that anymore.


Correction
Amy Winehouse 2,467,575
Justin Timberlake - "Justified'' 9 million
Alicia Keys - "As I Am" (2007) 6.5 million
and many more

My point is that there aren't hardly any albums selling over 10 million copies (if any) in today's music industry. Sure, you'll see 6, 7, 8, 9 million copies sold, but nothing hardly over 10 million. We had this discussion a while back here on the org.

BTW, PR has probably sold more than 13 million at this point. That certification date was in May of 1996. I'm sure its up to 15 or 17 million or so by now. Considering that he had a huge jump in popularity in 04. Before that, it had sold 11 million as of July of '94.
**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••-
U 'gon make me shake my doo loose!
http://www.twitter.com/nivlekbrad
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #13 posted 06/30/08 3:38pm

Erika2k8

daPrettyman said:

Erika2k8 said:



Correction
Amy Winehouse 2,467,575
Justin Timberlake - "Justified'' 9 million
Alicia Keys - "As I Am" (2007) 6.5 million
and many more

My point is that there aren't hardly any albums selling over 10 million copies (if any) in today's music industry. Sure, you'll see 6, 7, 8, 9 million copies sold, but nothing hardly over 10 million. We had this discussion a while back here on the org.

BTW, PR has probably sold more than 13 million at this point. That certification date was in May of 1996. I'm sure its up to 15 or 17 million or so by now. Considering that he had a huge jump in popularity in 04. Before that, it had sold 11 million as of July of '94.


I understand. All i am saying is that i feel based on Prince's talent regardless of what anybody else is selling i feel he can go back to selling the way he did with purple rain if not better. Just an opinion
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #14 posted 06/30/08 3:52pm

RodeoSchro

daPrettyman said:

Erika2k8 said:



Correction
Amy Winehouse 2,467,575
Justin Timberlake - "Justified'' 9 million
Alicia Keys - "As I Am" (2007) 6.5 million
and many more

My point is that there aren't hardly any albums selling over 10 million copies (if any) in today's music industry. Sure, you'll see 6, 7, 8, 9 million copies sold, but nothing hardly over 10 million. We had this discussion a while back here on the org.

BTW, PR has probably sold more than 13 million at this point. That certification date was in May of 1996. I'm sure its up to 15 or 17 million or so by now. Considering that he had a huge jump in popularity in 04. Before that, it had sold 11 million as of July of '94.


Also, there are far more people in the demographic that would buy 10 million albums today than there were 24 years ago. An artist would probably have to sell 18 - 20 million copies to have the same sales penetration as Prince and Michael Jackson did.

Which makes what artists like Elvis Presley and the Beatles did even more astounding.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #15 posted 06/30/08 4:13pm

TheSkinMechani
c

Sales figures have always been a bit false to me - I have no proof of course, but I suspect that most sales figures have been somewhat massaged. For example, EMI made no secret of the fact that they badly needed sales of Coldplays new album to go through the roof. Guy Hands, EMI's financier boss described their album "right across the world . . . the most anticipated album of the year".

And lo and behold, it sells by the bucket load, despite the record industry saying that downloads are killing CD sales etc.


I don't know anyone who has bought the album or is remotely interested in Coldplay at all ( I knew someone who bought Parachutes in a sale once). I'm not saying Coldplay (or Prince) don't sell much - but I am highly suspicious of the claims of most 'sales' figures.
[Edited 6/30/08 16:14pm]
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #16 posted 06/30/08 4:14pm

SUPRMAN

avatar

TheSkinMechanic said:

Sales figures have always been a bit false to me - I have no proof of course, but I suspect that most sales figures have been somewhat massaged. For example, EMI made no secret of the fact that they badly needed sales of Coldplays new album to go through the roof. Guy Hands, EMI's financier boss described their album "right across the world . . . the most anticipated album of the year".

And lo and behold, it sells by the bucket load, despite the record industry saying that downloads are killing CD sales etc.


I don't know anyone who has bought the album or is remotely interested in Coldplay at all ( I knew someone who bought Parachutes in a sale once). I'm not saying Coldplay (or Prince) don't sell much - but I am highly suspicious of the claims of most 'sales' figures.
[Edited 6/30/08 16:14pm]


See,
http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ing_albums
I don't want you to think like me. I just want you to think.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #17 posted 06/30/08 4:55pm

viewaskew

Paris9748430 said:

Damn, if 113,00 people bought Crystal Ball at 50 bucks a pop, that's a whole lot of cash!!!


And how many of those suckers are still waiting for their copy?
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #18 posted 07/01/08 7:22am

daPrettyman

avatar

viewaskew said:

Paris9748430 said:

Damn, if 113,00 people bought Crystal Ball at 50 bucks a pop, that's a whole lot of cash!!!


And how many of those suckers are still waiting for their copy?

None. Those 113,000 copies were sold in stores, not via Prince's website.
**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••-
U 'gon make me shake my doo loose!
http://www.twitter.com/nivlekbrad
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Forums > Prince: Music and More > Prince Sales Figures