Believe it or not, even though Prince has sold an estimated 100 Million albums world wide, his sales were always low in the U.S. Here are some numbers according to Billboard.com:

In the U.S. the RIAA has calculated Prince has sold 39.5M in the U.S. alone.

TOP SELLING U.S. PRINCE ALBUMS:

1. Purple Rain: 13x Platinum

2. 1999: 4x Platinum

3. Around The World In A Day: 2x Platinum

4. Diamonds & Pearls: 2x Platinum

5. Musicology: 2x Platinum

Top Selling PRINCE ALBUMS as of 1991

2,548,000, "Purple Rain (soundtrack)" (1984)
2,462,000, "Diamonds and Pearls" (1991)
2,047,000, "Musicology" (2004)
1,715,000, "The Hits 2" (1993)
1,618,000, "The Very Best of Prince" (2001)
1,433,000, "The Hits 1" (1993)
1,080,000, "The Love Symbol Album" (1992)

Dumb U.S. fans love us some Purple Rain don't we? Lovesexy was too advanced for our retarded ears.

3rdeyedude said:

Dumb U.S. fans love us some Purple Rain don't we? Lovesexy was too advanced for our retarded ears.

I agree... Which when the U.S. market neglected such classics like Parade, Sign O' The Times and Lovesexy, Europe was always Prince's main focus for touring especially in the late 80's...

Remember in Alex Han's book Posessed, the Lovesexy tour over all was a commercial dissapointment in the U.S with rows and rows of empty seats at the arena...

Many of his "BEST" tours were always in Europe...

[Edited 10/7/15 18:04pm]

[Edited 10/7/15 18:18pm]

Oh no, how will I enjoy Prince's music now knowing he "only" sold 40 million albums in the US and is amongst the top 40 best-selling acts in America although, even that shouldn't matter..

posted earlier, - figures are from 2008?

.

source: "the Org somewhere"..

.

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
.
.
Wikipedia:
.
- 1 billion records or more:
.
The Beatles
Elvis Presley
.
- 500 million to 999 million records:
.
Bing Crosby
Michael Jackson
.
- 200 million to 499 million records:
.
AC/DC
A. R. Rahman (India)
ABBA
Alla Pugacheva (Rusia)
Bee Gees
Bob Marley
Celine Dion
Cliff Richard
The Drifters
Elton John
Herbert von Karajan (Austria)
Julio Iglesias
Led Zeppelin
Madonna
Mariah Carey
Nana Mouskouri (Grecia/Francia)
Pink Floyd
The Rolling Stones
Tino Rossi (Francia)
Wei Wei (China)
.
- 100 million to 199 million records:
.
Adriano Calentano (Italia)
Aerosmith
Backstreet Boys
Barry White
Billy Joel
Bon Jovi
Boney M (Alemania)
The Carpenters
Charles Aznavour
Cher
Chicago
Dave Clark Five
David Bowie
Deep Purple
Depeche Mode
Dire Straits
Dolly Parton
The Eagles
Electric Light Orchestra
Engelbert Humperdnicks (USA/UK)
Fats Domino
Fleetwood Mac
The Four Seasons
Frank Sinatra
Garth Brooks
Genesis
George Michael
Guns N' Roses
Iron Maiden
James Last (Alemania)
The Jackson 5
Janet Jackson
Johnny Hallyday (Francia)
Kenny Rogers
Lionel Richie
Luciano Pavarotti
Michiya Mihashi (Japón)
Mireille Mathieu (Francia)
Modern Talking
Neil Diamond
Olivia Newton-John
Patti Page
Paul McCartney
Perry Como (USA)
Pet Shop Boys
Phil Collins
Prince
Queen
Ricky Nelson
Roberto Carlos
Rod Stewart
Salvatore Adamo (Bélgica)
Status Quo
Stevie Wonder
Teresa Teng (Taiwán)
Tina Turner
Tom Jones
U2
Valeriya (Rusia)
The Ventures
Whitney Houston
The Who
.
.
.
French magazine:
.
1 - Beatles = 346.500.000 (12/2007)
2 - Michael Jackson = 205.500.000 (09/2008)
3 - Pink Floyd = 193.700.000 (02/2008)
4 - Madonna = 188.500.000 (01/2008)
5 - Elvis Presley = 187.000.000
6 - Elton John = 177.200.000 (01/2008)
7 - Queen = 170.100.000 (09/2008)
8 - Rolling Stones = 169.100.000
9 - U2 = 166.400.000 (02/2008)
10 - Led Zeppelin = 165.500.000 (01/2008)
11 - Celine Dion = 163.000.000 (12/2007)
12 - Eagles = 147.800.000 (12/2007)
13 - Mariah Carey = 147.800.000 (12/2007)
14 - Rod Stewart = 140.100.000 (03/2008)
15 - Barbra Streisand= 139.800.000 (02/2008)
16 - Whitney Houston = 134.200.000 (12/2007)
17 - AC/DC = 133.700.000 (11/2007)
18 - Garth Brooks = 131.900.000 (02/2008)
19 - Bruce Springsteen = 130.900.000 (02/2008)
20 - Eric Clapton = 129.000.000 (02/2008)
21 - Billy Joel = 124.500.000 (12/2007)
22 - Bee Gees = 122.100.000 (12/2007)
23 - Phil Collins = 122.000.000 (12/2007)
24 - Bob Dylan = 119.800.000 (12/2007)
25 - Fleetwood Mac = 118.100.000 (12/2007)
26 - Santana - 117.700.000 (03/2008)
27 - Neil Diamond = 117.300.000 (02/2008)
28 - Aerosmith = 113.500.000 (11/2007)
29 - Bon Jovi = 107.200.000 (12/2007)
30 - Simon and Garfunkel = 105.100.000 (03/2008)
31 - ABBA = 104.200.000 (09/2007)
32 - Paul McCartney - 103.700.000 (02/2008)
33 - Dire Straits = 102.800.000 (12/2007)
34 - Metallica - 102.500.000 (01/2008)
35 - Prince = 99.900.000 (02/2008)
36 - Genesis = 98.000.000 (12/2007)
37 - David Bowie = 95.700.000 (12/2007)
38 - Van Halen = 94.000.000 (02/2008)
39 - Guns N' Roses = 93.200.000 (12/2007)
40 - Kenny Rogers = 90.400.000 (02/2008)
41 - The Doors = 89.700.000 (01/2008)
42 - Julio Iglesias = 89.500.000 (03/2008)
43 - Stevie Wonder= 87.100.000 (03/2008)
44 - Bob Marley = 86.600.000 (01/2008)
45 - Backstreet Boys = 85.900.000 (02/2008)
46 - R.E.M. = 83.800.000 (02/2008)
47 - Eminem = 83.400.000 (12/2007)
48 - Neil Young = 79.900.000 (06/2008)
49 - Enya = 78.300.000 (12/2007)
50 - Kenny G = 77.900.000 (03/2008)

Seen this list many many times... Extremely inaccurate figures.

thedance said:

posted earlier, - figures are from 2008?

.

source: "the Org somewhere"..

.

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
.
.
Wikipedia:
.
- 1 billion records or more:
.
The Beatles
Elvis Presley
.
- 500 million to 999 million records:
.
Bing Crosby
Michael Jackson
.
- 200 million to 499 million records:
.
AC/DC
A. R. Rahman (India)
ABBA
Alla Pugacheva (Rusia)
Bee Gees
Bob Marley
Celine Dion
Cliff Richard
The Drifters
Elton John
Herbert von Karajan (Austria)
Julio Iglesias
Led Zeppelin
Madonna
Mariah Carey
Nana Mouskouri (Grecia/Francia)
Pink Floyd
The Rolling Stones
Tino Rossi (Francia)
Wei Wei (China)
.
- 100 million to 199 million records:
.
Adriano Calentano (Italia)
Aerosmith
Backstreet Boys
Barry White
Billy Joel
Bon Jovi
Boney M (Alemania)
The Carpenters
Charles Aznavour
Cher
Chicago
Dave Clark Five
David Bowie
Deep Purple
Depeche Mode
Dire Straits
Dolly Parton
The Eagles
Electric Light Orchestra
Engelbert Humperdnicks (USA/UK)
Fats Domino
Fleetwood Mac
The Four Seasons
Frank Sinatra
Garth Brooks
Genesis
George Michael
Guns N' Roses
Iron Maiden
James Last (Alemania)
The Jackson 5
Janet Jackson
Johnny Hallyday (Francia)
Kenny Rogers
Lionel Richie
Luciano Pavarotti
Michiya Mihashi (Japón)
Mireille Mathieu (Francia)
Modern Talking
Neil Diamond
Olivia Newton-John
Patti Page
Paul McCartney
Perry Como (USA)
Pet Shop Boys
Phil Collins
Prince
Queen
Ricky Nelson
Roberto Carlos
Rod Stewart
Salvatore Adamo (Bélgica)
Status Quo
Stevie Wonder
Teresa Teng (Taiwán)
Tina Turner
Tom Jones
U2
Valeriya (Rusia)
The Ventures
Whitney Houston
The Who
.
.
.
French magazine:
.
1 - Beatles = 346.500.000 (12/2007)
2 - Michael Jackson = 205.500.000 (09/2008)
3 - Pink Floyd = 193.700.000 (02/2008)
4 - Madonna = 188.500.000 (01/2008)
5 - Elvis Presley = 187.000.000
6 - Elton John = 177.200.000 (01/2008)
7 - Queen = 170.100.000 (09/2008)
8 - Rolling Stones = 169.100.000
9 - U2 = 166.400.000 (02/2008)
10 - Led Zeppelin = 165.500.000 (01/2008)
11 - Celine Dion = 163.000.000 (12/2007)
12 - Eagles = 147.800.000 (12/2007)
13 - Mariah Carey = 147.800.000 (12/2007)
14 - Rod Stewart = 140.100.000 (03/2008)
15 - Barbra Streisand= 139.800.000 (02/2008)
16 - Whitney Houston = 134.200.000 (12/2007)
17 - AC/DC = 133.700.000 (11/2007)
18 - Garth Brooks = 131.900.000 (02/2008)
19 - Bruce Springsteen = 130.900.000 (02/2008)
20 - Eric Clapton = 129.000.000 (02/2008)
21 - Billy Joel = 124.500.000 (12/2007)
22 - Bee Gees = 122.100.000 (12/2007)
23 - Phil Collins = 122.000.000 (12/2007)
24 - Bob Dylan = 119.800.000 (12/2007)
25 - Fleetwood Mac = 118.100.000 (12/2007)
26 - Santana - 117.700.000 (03/2008)
27 - Neil Diamond = 117.300.000 (02/2008)
28 - Aerosmith = 113.500.000 (11/2007)
29 - Bon Jovi = 107.200.000 (12/2007)
30 - Simon and Garfunkel = 105.100.000 (03/2008)
31 - ABBA = 104.200.000 (09/2007)
32 - Paul McCartney - 103.700.000 (02/2008)
33 - Dire Straits = 102.800.000 (12/2007)
34 - Metallica - 102.500.000 (01/2008)
35 - Prince = 99.900.000 (02/2008)
36 - Genesis = 98.000.000 (12/2007)
37 - David Bowie = 95.700.000 (12/2007)
38 - Van Halen = 94.000.000 (02/2008)
39 - Guns N' Roses = 93.200.000 (12/2007)
40 - Kenny Rogers = 90.400.000 (02/2008)
41 - The Doors = 89.700.000 (01/2008)
42 - Julio Iglesias = 89.500.000 (03/2008)
43 - Stevie Wonder= 87.100.000 (03/2008)
44 - Bob Marley = 86.600.000 (01/2008)
45 - Backstreet Boys = 85.900.000 (02/2008)
46 - R.E.M. = 83.800.000 (02/2008)
47 - Eminem = 83.400.000 (12/2007)
48 - Neil Young = 79.900.000 (06/2008)
49 - Enya = 78.300.000 (12/2007)
50 - Kenny G = 77.900.000 (03/2008)

I was hoping this thread would show up. Again.

3rdeyedude said:

Dumb U.S. fans love us some Purple Rain don't we? Lovesexy was too advanced for our retarded ears.

True.. Lovesexy deserved better sales in the US.



Those poor Lovesexy sales are shocking. Such an excellent album..

Batman also has more than 2 million albums sold in the US alone ...