Remember when Prince said in the 2009 Tavis Smiley inteview, he wanted an audit of Purple Rain because he feels it has surpassed the amount of certification that the RIAA provided... Well I just checked the RIAA certification page and the last time Purple Rain was certified was in 1996 with a total of 13x Platinum in the U.S. alone...

Other artists have had their certifications updated, such as Michael Jackson's Thriller with a recent RIAA certification update as of 2011...

Since 1996 I'm sure Purple Rain has sold a couple more million...

According to Wikipedia the total world wide sales of Purple Rain stand at 24 million...

But how does the RIAA still keep track of the sales if they have not updated the certification on Purple Rain since 1996?

feeluupp said:

Remember when Prince said in the 2009 Tavis Smiley inteview, he wanted an audit of Purple Rain because he feels it has surpassed the amount of certification that the RIAA provided... Well I just checked the RIAA certification page and the last time Purple Rain was certified was in 1996 with a total of 13x Platinum in the U.S. alone...

Other artists have had their certifications updated, such as Michael Jackson's Thriller with a recent RIAA certification update as of 2011...

Since 1996 I'm sure Purple Rain has sold a couple more million...

According to Wikipedia the total world wide sales of Purple Rain stand at 24 million...

But how does the RIAA still keep track of the sales if they have not updated the certification on Purple Rain since 1996?

This is something WARNERS Sale's department should be tracking and Prince's manager should be staying on top of especially being his most successful album to date.

Physical albums get a UPC number that tracks sales/scans. Digital albums get a selection number that tracks sales. The RIAA uses both for certifications. However much has changed since 1996 meaning digital streams now count towards sales as well as individual track sales. 10 digital track sales from an album equates to one album sale, and 1,500 song streams from an album equate to one album sale.

The Purple Rain catalog alone on Spotify has well surpassed 50 million + individual song streams collectively.

If 10 people purchase "Darling Nikki" alla cart off Itunes that counts as one album sale.

My guess is Purple Rain may now be at around 60 million world wide sales.

[Edited 6/21/15 21:35pm]

If PURPLE RAIN was recertified, it would be at 15*PLATINUM.

Recertifications are not automatic. Many albums are undercertified, even for big artists such as Michael Jackson or THE BEATLES...or Prince.

Especially nowadays, there is no reason for a major to pay for certifying an album, nobody cares anymore if an album released in 1996 sold 3 or 4 millions...

But the real reason why Prince's catalog is not recertified (PURPLE RAIN is far from being the only one) is because he is not affiliated to Warner since many years.

Recertifications usually happens by grap, the entire catalog is checked. WB has no interest in it anymore.

If PURPLE RAIN 30 was released, it would have been recertified for sure, with the entire catalog.

The guy above who said that PURPLE RAIN sold 60 millions worldwide is a joker, or a troll. PURPLE RAIN sold no more than 7 millions outside the USA.

20 million copies of Purple Rain sold:


source the Org, 2008


.

.

Year - Album - Worldwide estimated sales = USA estimated sales + International (outside US) estimated sales
.
The 70's + 80's
.
1978 For You 930,000 = 550,000 + 380,000
1979 Prince 1,950,000 = 1,500,000 + 450,000
1980 Dirty Mind 2,015,000 = 1,085,000 + 930,000
1981 Controversy 2,650,000 = 1,550,000 + 1,100,000
1982 1999 6,075,000 = 4,320,000 + 1,755,000
1984 Purple Rain 19,880,000 = 14,480,000 + 5,400,000
1985 Around The World In A Day 4,585,000 = 2,845,000 + 1,740,000
1986 Parade 4,155,000 = 2,105,000 + 2,050,000
1987 Sign Of The Times 4,025,000 = 1,840,000 + 2,185,000
1988 Lovesexy 2,825,000 = 960,000 + 1,865,000
1989 Batman (Soundtrack) 4,790,000 = 2,500,000 + 2,290,000
.
Total 70's + 80's estimated worldwide all-time sales:
53,880,000 = 33,735,000 + 20,145,000
.
The 90's
.
1990 Graffiti Bridge 2,305,000 = 980,000 + 1,325,000
1991 Diamonds & Pearls 6,450,000 = 2,780,000 + 3,670,000
1992 Symbol 2,700,000 = 1,100,000 + 1,600,000
1993 The Hits/The B-Sides 1,000,000 = 650,000 + 350,000
1993 The Hits 1 2,750,000 = 2,000,000 + 750,000
1993 The Hits 2 2,250,000 = 1,750,000 + 500,000
1994 Come 1,000,000 = 500,000 + 500,000
1994 The Black Album 575,000 = 275,000 + 300,000
1995 The Gold Experience 900,000 = 550,000 + 350,000
1996 Chaos & Disorder 350,000 = 150,000 + 200,000
1996 Emancipation 1,200,000 = 700,000 + 500,000
1998 Crystal Ball 275,000 = 125,000 + 150,000
1998 Newpower Soul 425,000 = 225,000 + 200,000
1999 The Vault 250,000 = 125,000 + 125,000
1999 Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic 750,000 = 500,000 + 250,000
.
Total 90's estimated worldwide all-time sales:
23,180,000 = 12,410,000 + 10,770,000
.
The 00's
.
2001 The Very Best Of Prince 2,000,000 = 1,300,000 + 700,000
2001 The Rainbow Children 300,000 = 175,000 + 125,000
2004 Musicology 1,500,000 = 1,000,000 + 500,000 (concert sales NOT included)
.
(add 3121, Planet Earth, Lotus, MPLSound, let's say 1,5 / 2 millions)
.
Total 00's estimated worldwide all-time sales:
3,800,000 = 2,475,000 + 1,325,000
.
Total (Estimated) Career All-Time Album Sales Worldwide:
.
80,860,000 = 48,620,000 + 32,240,000

thedance said:

20 million copies of Purple Rain sold:


source the Org, 2008


.

.

Year - Album - Worldwide estimated sales = USA estimated sales + International (outside US) estimated sales
.
The 70's + 80's
.
1978 For You 930,000 = 550,000 + 380,000
1979 Prince 1,950,000 = 1,500,000 + 450,000
1980 Dirty Mind 2,015,000 = 1,085,000 + 930,000
1981 Controversy 2,650,000 = 1,550,000 + 1,100,000
1982 1999 6,075,000 = 4,320,000 + 1,755,000
1984 Purple Rain 19,880,000 = 14,480,000 + 5,400,000
1985 Around The World In A Day 4,585,000 = 2,845,000 + 1,740,000
1986 Parade 4,155,000 = 2,105,000 + 2,050,000
1987 Sign Of The Times 4,025,000 = 1,840,000 + 2,185,000
1988 Lovesexy 2,825,000 = 960,000 + 1,865,000
1989 Batman (Soundtrack) 4,790,000 = 2,500,000 + 2,290,000
.
Total 70's + 80's estimated worldwide all-time sales:
53,880,000 = 33,735,000 + 20,145,000
.
The 90's
.
1990 Graffiti Bridge 2,305,000 = 980,000 + 1,325,000
1991 Diamonds & Pearls 6,450,000 = 2,780,000 + 3,670,000
1992 Symbol 2,700,000 = 1,100,000 + 1,600,000
1993 The Hits/The B-Sides 1,000,000 = 650,000 + 350,000
1993 The Hits 1 2,750,000 = 2,000,000 + 750,000
1993 The Hits 2 2,250,000 = 1,750,000 + 500,000
1994 Come 1,000,000 = 500,000 + 500,000
1994 The Black Album 575,000 = 275,000 + 300,000
1995 The Gold Experience 900,000 = 550,000 + 350,000
1996 Chaos & Disorder 350,000 = 150,000 + 200,000
1996 Emancipation 1,200,000 = 700,000 + 500,000
1998 Crystal Ball 275,000 = 125,000 + 150,000
1998 Newpower Soul 425,000 = 225,000 + 200,000
1999 The Vault 250,000 = 125,000 + 125,000
1999 Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic 750,000 = 500,000 + 250,000
.
Total 90's estimated worldwide all-time sales:
23,180,000 = 12,410,000 + 10,770,000
.
The 00's
.
2001 The Very Best Of Prince 2,000,000 = 1,300,000 + 700,000
2001 The Rainbow Children 300,000 = 175,000 + 125,000
2004 Musicology 1,500,000 = 1,000,000 + 500,000 (concert sales NOT included)
.
(add 3121, Planet Earth, Lotus, MPLSound, let's say 1,5 / 2 millions)
.
Total 00's estimated worldwide all-time sales:
3,800,000 = 2,475,000 + 1,325,000
.
Total (Estimated) Career All-Time Album Sales Worldwide:
.
80,860,000 = 48,620,000 + 32,240,000

i dont believe the 20 million for PR is accurate, what makes up these numbers? Physical scans? if its just physical scans sound more believable.

[Edited 6/23/15 3:04am]

RODSERLING said:

If PURPLE RAIN was recertified, it would be at 15*PLATINUM.

Recertifications are not automatic. Many albums are undercertified, even for big artists such as Michael Jackson or THE BEATLES...or Prince.

Especially nowadays, there is no reason for a major to pay for certifying an album, nobody cares anymore if an album released in 1996 sold 3 or 4 millions...

But the real reason why Prince's catalog is not recertified (PURPLE RAIN is far from being the only one) is because he is not affiliated to Warner since many years.

Recertifications usually happens by grap, the entire catalog is checked. WB has no interest in it anymore.

If PURPLE RAIN 30 was released, it would have been recertified for sure, with the entire catalog.

The guy above who said that PURPLE RAIN sold 60 millions worldwide is a joker, or a troll. PURPLE RAIN sold no more than 7 millions outside the USA.

absolutely incorrect, no need for name calling. Majors pay for certifications EVERYDAY. 60 million is not out of the question when taking in consideration new digital factors especially since PR spawned 5 Top 40 hits that no other top selling soundtrack has. Purple rain could very easily have surpassed the Bodyguard as the biggest selling soundtrack of all time, worth looking into especially if a remaster is in order.

Doing a bit of research and will come back later to see if I do stand corrected but you cant take any "reported" numbers seriously. Itunes doesnt even share their sales data or any consumer data at that, you are forced to believe whatever numbers THEY tell you.

I will be back here shortly after some exploration.

[Edited 6/23/15 2:57am]

LeonardZelig said:

thedance said:

20 million copies of Purple Rain sold:


source the Org, 2008


.

.

Year - Album - Worldwide estimated sales = USA estimated sales + International (outside US) estimated sales
.
The 70's + 80's
.
1978 For You 930,000 = 550,000 + 380,000
1979 Prince 1,950,000 = 1,500,000 + 450,000
1980 Dirty Mind 2,015,000 = 1,085,000 + 930,000
1981 Controversy 2,650,000 = 1,550,000 + 1,100,000
1982 1999 6,075,000 = 4,320,000 + 1,755,000
1984 Purple Rain 19,880,000 = 14,480,000 + 5,400,000

this totally is not accurate, Purple Rain has sold well over 20 million and i'll be back on this post later this afternoon to explain.

[Edited 6/23/15 2:35am]

PURPLE RAIN sells around 100.000 ex a year in the USA, so the 15 millions figure is already reached, especially when it was revealed last year that Prince sold more than 10 millions albums in the USA since 2000.

But PR is not a good catalogue seller outside the USA. I never saw PURPLE RAIN in any charts, even catalogue charts in any part of the world except in the UK.

22 millions worldwide is a really accurate number.

LeonardZelig said:

RODSERLING said:

If PURPLE RAIN was recertified, it would be at 15*PLATINUM.

Recertifications are not automatic. Many albums are undercertified, even for big artists such as Michael Jackson or THE BEATLES...or Prince.

Especially nowadays, there is no reason for a major to pay for certifying an album, nobody cares anymore if an album released in 1996 sold 3 or 4 millions...

But the real reason why Prince's catalog is not recertified (PURPLE RAIN is far from being the only one) is because he is not affiliated to Warner since many years.

Recertifications usually happens by grap, the entire catalog is checked. WB has no interest in it anymore.

If PURPLE RAIN 30 was released, it would have been recertified for sure, with the entire catalog.

The guy above who said that PURPLE RAIN sold 60 millions worldwide is a joker, or a troll. PURPLE RAIN sold no more than 7 millions outside the USA.

absolutely incorrect, no need for name calling. Majors pay for certifications EVERYDAY. 60 million is not out of the question when taking in consideration new digital factors especially since PR spawned 5 Top 40 hits that no other top selling soundtrack has. Purple rain could very easily have surpassed the Bodyguard as the biggest selling soundtrack of all time, worth looking into especially if a remaster is in order.

Doing a bit of research and will come back later to see if I do stand corrected but you cant take any "reported" numbers seriously. Itunes doesnt even share their sales data or any consumer data at that, you are forced to believe whatever numbers THEY tell you.

I will be back here shortly after some exploration.

[Edited 6/23/15 2:57am]

Major are paying certification only for recent releases, or when their artist is releasing a new album, they check the old catalogue. But when the artist is not theirs anymore, the major has no interest in it. Maybe it's their way to fuck with Prince. Hey, he deserves it well.

RODSERLING said:

LeonardZelig said:

absolutely incorrect, no need for name calling. Majors pay for certifications EVERYDAY. 60 million is not out of the question when taking in consideration new digital factors especially since PR spawned 5 Top 40 hits that no other top selling soundtrack has. Purple rain could very easily have surpassed the Bodyguard as the biggest selling soundtrack of all time, worth looking into especially if a remaster is in order.

Doing a bit of research and will come back later to see if I do stand corrected but you cant take any "reported" numbers seriously. Itunes doesnt even share their sales data or any consumer data at that, you are forced to believe whatever numbers THEY tell you.

I will be back here shortly after some exploration.

[Edited 6/23/15 2:57am]

Major are paying certification only for recent releases, or when their artist is releasing a new album, they check the old catalogue. But when the artist is not theirs anymore, the major has no interest in it. Maybe it's their way to fuck with Prince. Hey, he deserves it well.

although the artist isnt theirs anymore the works still are and PR is one of Warners top selling albums of all time, they should care. especially since none of their current artists but Derulo sells much of anything. WB is still an active label today only due to their rich CATALOG.

LeonardZelig said:

RODSERLING said:

Major are paying certification only for recent releases, or when their artist is releasing a new album, they check the old catalogue. But when the artist is not theirs anymore, the major has no interest in it. Maybe it's their way to fuck with Prince. Hey, he deserves it well.

although the artist isnt theirs anymore the works still are and PR is one of Warners top selling albums of all time, they should care. especially since none of their current artists but Derulo sells much of anything. WB is still an active label today only due to their rich CATALOG.

What they should do or care is another question. I would like too they re certify the entire Prince catalogue, but let's face the fact, even on Prince's fanbase, nobody cares about his number of sales and figures. I'm amazed that nobody already came here with saying "why do you care about his sales ? Good sales doesn't make a good album" or other shits like this.

They prefer opening numerous topic about "what is your favourite song from GRAFFITI BRIDGE" or " what is your favourite Prince haircut" as if anybody ever cared about the opinion from others on such subjective things.

The general audience doesn't care about it too.

WB won't spend a dime for recertifying an album, it would be like throwing money through the windows. Prince said he would ask an audit lol, but why didn't he do it ? Because he too doesn't want to spend money on this.

If Prince did his job in promoting his albums, PURPLE RAIN would be recertified.

[Edited 6/23/15 3:21am]

RODSERLING said:

LeonardZelig said:

although the artist isnt theirs anymore the works still are and PR is one of Warners top selling albums of all time, they should care. especially since none of their current artists but Derulo sells much of anything. WB is still an active label today only due to their rich CATALOG.

What they should do or care is another question. I would like too they re certify the entire Prince catalogue, but let's face the fact, even on Prince's fanbase, nobody cares about his number of sales and figures. I'm amazed that nobody already came here with saying "why do you care about his sales ? Good sales doesn't make a good album" or other shits like this.

They prefer opening numerous topic about "what is your favourite song from GRAFFITI BRIDGE" or " what is your favourite Prince haircut" as if anybody ever cared about the opinion from others on such subjective things.

The general audience doesn't care about it too.

WB won't spend a dime for recertifying an album, it would be like throwing money through the windows. Prince said he would ask an audit lol, but why didn't he do it ? Because he too doesn't want to spend money on this.

If Prince did his job in promoting his albums, PURPLE RAIN would be recertified.

[Edited 6/23/15 3:21am]

Doesnt matter if the general public cares or not. It's the principle and how a business, ran smartly should be run especially if its surviving off of "old" money like WB is.

No need for bashing, we are having a sound debate strictly about SALES & CERTIFICATIONS.

[Edited 6/23/15 3:49am]

LeonardZelig said:

RODSERLING said:

What they should do or care is another question. I would like too they re certify the entire Prince catalogue, but let's face the fact, even on Prince's fanbase, nobody cares about his number of sales and figures. I'm amazed that nobody already came here with saying "why do you care about his sales ? Good sales doesn't make a good album" or other shits like this.

They prefer opening numerous topic about "what is your favourite song from GRAFFITI BRIDGE" or " what is your favourite Prince haircut" as if anybody ever cared about the opinion from others on such subjective things.

The general audience doesn't care about it too.

WB won't spend a dime for recertifying an album, it would be like throwing money through the windows. Prince said he would ask an audit lol, but why didn't he do it ? Because he too doesn't want to spend money on this.

If Prince did his job in promoting his albums, PURPLE RAIN would be recertified.

[Edited 6/23/15 3:21am]

Doesnt matter if the general public cares or not. It's the principle and how a business, ran smartly should be run especially if its surviving off of "old" money like WB is.

No need for bashing, we are having a sound debate strictly about SALES & CERTIFICATIONS.

[Edited 6/23/15 3:49am]

To run smartly a business, you don't spend money for something useless. Nowadays, sales are so low that nobody cares about, you are lucky to be certified platinum. There was a time when certification was a way to promote an album, to create an "hype". This days are really over, especially now with the streaming era, where numbers can often reach the hundred of millions mark.

Nowadays, they only certify when they have access to "free data", like the soundscan numbers. THE VERY BEST OF PRINCE was certified 2 PLATINUM last year, only when it reached 2 millions sales with soundscan. But in fact it already reached that figure maybe years before, in shipments and through music clubs, that still represented something like 5 to 10 % of total sales in the USA.

PURPLE RAIN is another story because it was released before the soundscan era.

In the UK, recertifications are automatic since two years. That's why many Prince's album were re certified in 2014 in this country.

[Edited 6/23/15 4:57am]

RODSERLING said:

LeonardZelig said:

Doesnt matter if the general public cares or not. It's the principle and how a business, ran smartly should be run especially if its surviving off of "old" money like WB is.

No need for bashing, we are having a sound debate strictly about SALES & CERTIFICATIONS.

[Edited 6/23/15 3:49am]

To run smartly a business, you don't spend money for something useless. Nowadays, sales are so low that nobody cares about, you are lucky to be certified platinum. There was a time when certification was a way to promote an album, to create an "hype". This days are really over, especially now with the streaming era, where numbers can often reach the hundred of millions mark.

Nowadays, they only certify when they have access to "free data", like the soundscan numbers. THE VERY BEST OF PRINCE was certified 2 PLATINUM last year, only when it reached 2 millions sales with soundscan. But in fact it already reached that figure maybe years before, in shipments and through music clubs, that still represented something like 5 to 10 % of total sales in the USA.

PURPLE RAIN is another story because it was released before the soundscan era.

In the UK, recertifications are automatic since two years. That's why many Prince's album were re certified in 2014 in this country.

[Edited 6/23/15 4:57am]

I see it as an opportunity to help rebrand them as a label group which they desperately need , not just a "Prince" exercise. They should want to take back the Soundtrack industry using PR Remaster as the catalyst if there is a remaster, ending press story to read " WB Re-issued the PR soundtrack for 30th anniversary making it the top selling soundtrack of all time." Their catalog soundtracks perform VERY well. The Soundtrack industry is booming, WB should want every major Soundtrack released on their label especially to help break out some of their new acts like Fifty Shades of Grey has done for The Weeknd. Whats a few grand spent for a cause?

Also RODSERLING I stand corrected, after reviewing the RIAA Criteria which is quite different than Soundscan, the PR number may not have hit 60 Million its a bit less but certainly more than 20 million but can definitely get there with official music videos on Vevo/Youtube which counts towards RIAA numbers along with a major sales driver. It aint that far behind The BodyGuard.

Thanks for a great debate!

[Edited 6/23/15 12:22pm]

World Wide it is reported to have sold over 22 million...

If it was certified 13x Platinum in 1996... That's almost 20 years without a new certification... How much do you think PR has sold in the past 20 years since being certified??

I would estimate worldwide sales are at least close to 30 million by now since 1996.

feeluupp said:

World Wide it is reported to have sold over 22 million...

If it was certified 13x Platinum in 1996... That's almost 20 years without a new certification... How much do you think PR has sold in the past 20 years since being certified??

I would estimate worldwide sales are at least close to 30 million by now since 1996.

Read my posts above...As of today 15 millions in the USA and a little 7 millions worldwide.

LeonardZelig said:

RODSERLING said:

To run smartly a business, you don't spend money for something useless. Nowadays, sales are so low that nobody cares about, you are lucky to be certified platinum. There was a time when certification was a way to promote an album, to create an "hype". This days are really over, especially now with the streaming era, where numbers can often reach the hundred of millions mark.

Nowadays, they only certify when they have access to "free data", like the soundscan numbers. THE VERY BEST OF PRINCE was certified 2 PLATINUM last year, only when it reached 2 millions sales with soundscan. But in fact it already reached that figure maybe years before, in shipments and through music clubs, that still represented something like 5 to 10 % of total sales in the USA.

PURPLE RAIN is another story because it was released before the soundscan era.

In the UK, recertifications are automatic since two years. That's why many Prince's album were re certified in 2014 in this country.

[Edited 6/23/15 4:57am]

I see it as an opportunity to help rebrand them as a label group which they desperately need , not just a "Prince" exercise. They should want to take back the Soundtrack industry using PR Remaster as the catalyst if there is a remaster, ending press story to read " WB Re-issued the PR soundtrack for 30th anniversary making it the top selling soundtrack of all time." Their catalog soundtracks perform VERY well. The Soundtrack industry is booming, WB should want every major Soundtrack released on their label especially to help break out some of their new acts like Fifty Shades of Grey has done for The Weeknd. Whats a few grand spent for a cause?

Also RODSERLING I stand corrected, after reviewing the RIAA Criteria which is quite different than Soundscan, the PR number may not have hit 60 Million its a bit less but certainly more than 20 million but can definitely get there with official music videos on Vevo/Youtube which counts towards RIAA numbers along with a major sales driver. It aint that far behind The BodyGuard.

Thanks for a great debate!

[Edited 6/23/15 12:22pm]

They would have done all of that with PR, and more, if Prince was involved last year like it was supposed to be. It's Prince's fault, not WB's. He wants his old catalogue to be buried.

IIRC BODYGUARD sold something like 35 millions worldwide, surely more than 30 millions. PURPLE RAIN is far from thOSE numbers. What cold facts have you got to say that ?

There is always a lot ofpuff in inflating album sales figures I guess. I always thought it was about 13 million in the USA and a bout 6 million world wide. It only sold 60,000 copies in New Zealand.

.

I doubt very much if Purple Rain has sold another million since 1996, in fact I would question if it is more than 50,000 a year. You seldom see the album anywhere in New Record stores now. My guess is most new fans inherit, get a 2nd hand copy (My first copy was a tape of it in Feb 1992) rather than buy it outright. Although I did by a CD copy 2 years ago and the people in the shop said they had never sold that album ever.

.

Last year may have seen a spike in sales, had Prince made true on his promises to reissue it remastered, but alas he didn't. I mean if only Taylor Swift and Mariah can ship platinum now, that does not bode well for a hit album from 31 years ago. I mean even Thriller would be lucky to reach 50k a year and maybe the whole MJ back catalogue may shift 250k a year around his anniversaries and birthdays.

.

If you include all the singles and formats with the album sales, maybe 60 million records in total seems doable, remember WDC sold 2 million in the US and at least 1 million more global, LGC and Purple Rain single also sold a million plus each. I would die 4 U at least 500k and a 250k or so of Take me with u, add on the sales of the Satellites, Time, Apollonia 6 and Sheila E (Remember Glamorous life was a Goldsingle), there is close to 60 million singles, albums, eps, tape singles, sheet music and piano rolls of various music from the Purple Rain project.

.

Okay I just realised that Sheila E had very little to do with the Purple Rain project, but the music was Prince and it did come out in 1984, plus she was at the Premiere going on about how much she loved Prince.

[Edited 6/24/15 1:20am]

Adorecream said:

There is always a lot ofpuff in inflating album sales figures I guess. I always thought it was about 13 million in the USA and a bout 6 million world wide. It only sold 60,000 copies in New Zealand.

.

I doubt very much if Purple Rain has sold another million since 1996, in fact I would question if it is more than 50,000 a year. You seldom see the album anywhere in New Record stores now. My guess is most new fans inherit, get a 2nd hand copy (My first copy was a tape of it in Feb 1992) rather than buy it outright. Although I did by a CD copy 2 years ago and the people in the shop said they had never sold that album ever.

.

[Edited 6/24/15 1:20am]

Between 1996 and 2015, PURPLE RAIN sold at least 1.5 millions with soundscan only, and that doesn't count music club sales.

So the 15 millions shipments in the USA is a sure thing.

RODSERLING said:

Adorecream said:

There is always a lot ofpuff in inflating album sales figures I guess. I always thought it was about 13 million in the USA and a bout 6 million world wide. It only sold 60,000 copies in New Zealand.

.

I doubt very much if Purple Rain has sold another million since 1996, in fact I would question if it is more than 50,000 a year. You seldom see the album anywhere in New Record stores now. My guess is most new fans inherit, get a 2nd hand copy (My first copy was a tape of it in Feb 1992) rather than buy it outright. Although I did by a CD copy 2 years ago and the people in the shop said they had never sold that album ever.

.

[Edited 6/24/15 1:20am]

Between 1996 and 2015, PURPLE RAIN sold at least 1.5 millions with soundscan only, and that doesn't count music club sales.

So the 15 millions shipments in the USA is a sure thing.

So we can estimate total world wide sales stand around the 25 million mark?

EyeHatechu said:

Can someone please post AOA and PlecElec's record sales? Not for personal ridicule but just because I wanted to do a comparison.

According to the Global Album Sales Chart

AOA was on the TOP 40 for 3 weeks, fell off the TOP 40 in the 4th week so sales after that were all below 10k.

Plectrum had dismal dismal sales... Fell off the TOP 40 in the second week.

AOA: 173K world wide

Plectrum: 69K world wide

[Edited 6/24/15 13:07pm]

feeluupp said:

RODSERLING said:

Between 1996 and 2015, PURPLE RAIN sold at least 1.5 millions with soundscan only, and that doesn't count music club sales.

So the 15 millions shipments in the USA is a sure thing.

So we can estimate total world wide sales stand around the 25 million mark?

Around 22 millions would be honest.

I think it was a Forbes article (?) where I read Purple Rain sold 26 million. Oh well. I think it may be nearing 30.

But do they count album sales, when the album is retailed at below standard ricing for new releases and hit albums. My guess is that most copies of Purple Rain now retail quite cheaply if new. The CD I bought in 2011 cost me only $8.99. In 1984 a new album cost $12.95 in 1984 dollars (NZ not USA, in 1984 our dollar was worth 45 cents - so the album would have cost about $5.98 US)

.

By 1990 a new album cost $21.95 for tape or Record and $32 to $37 on a CD, these exorbitant rates lasted to around 2000. However by this time, Purple Rain would have been demoted to a Mid range album that cost no more than $14 on tape/vinyl and $23 a CD.

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Starting the mid 2000s, with the arrival of digital copies and the death of Mom and Pop music stores and the rise of barns and chain stores like JB's hifi and the Warehouse (Our walmart) selling chart music along with the "20 greatest merle haggard hits" and "100 Rock and roll hits of the 50s, with tiny print saying they were original artist but recorded in 1988 when the vocal quality was gone", the Price of new albums dropped to $19 - $22 for a few weeks, and then prices dropped to $13 and $10, and now many CD's apart from current chart hits cost under $10 and the Merle Haggard, re recorded motown crap costing 50 cents to $2.

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So I am saying is it fair to count a copy of Purple Rain that costs $5 new, should be counted as a sale when the CD in 1985 would have cost $26.95 which is $50 in todays money?

And then there is the Thriller sales numbers? What are they as I have heard everything from 26 million in the world to 100 million copies alone in the USA and nonsense like that it sold a million copies a week during late 1983 and early 1984.

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Purple Rain seems to be anything from 13.5 million to 40 million.

It's too bad this album hasn't got recertified since 1996... This should be one of the top selling albums in the U.S.