Data from September 1993, from Minneapolis Star-Tribune journalist Jon Bream:

Album = Worldwide sales (RIAA certification, US sales with source, some specific countries minimum sales)

For You = 800k
Prince = 1.75m (Us 1xP=1m)
Dirty Mind = 1.8m (US G=500k)
Controversy = 2.3m (US 1xP=1m)
1999 = 5m (US 4xP=4m)
Purple Rain = 14.7m (13xP=13m; Canada=600k, UK=600k, Germany=500k)
Around The World In A Day = 4.35m (US 2xP=2m, but Jon Bream says 3.4m in US)
Parade = 3.5m (US 1xP=1m, J.B. says 1.9m; UK=300k, France=300k, Germany=250k)
Sign Of The Times = 3.75m (US 1xP=1m, J.B. says 1.8m; UK=300k, Germany=250k, France=200k)
Lovesexy = 2.65m (US G=500k, J.B. says 990k; UK=300k, Germany=250k, France=200k)
Batman = 4.6m (US 2xPlatinum; UK=300k, France=300k, Germany=250k, Japan=200k)
Graffiti Bridge = 2m
Diamonds And Pearls = 5.8m (US 2xPlatinum; Warner 2.5 US + 3.3 INT; UK=300k, Germany=250k, Japan=200k, France=450k)
Symbol = 3.45m (US 1.85m, UK=300k)

From Jon Bream data we have

Worldwide sales = 55.5m

Now, some RIAA awards were given some time after 1993, so some data must be added:

1999 from 5m to 5.5m
Purple Rain from 14.7 to a minimum of 17m (this album according to Billboard sold within a year of release 4.5m outside US)

this means more 3m ... new total = 58.5m

Following albums,

The Hits/The B-Sides , global sales above half-million, let's say a maximum of 750k
The Hits 1 + The Hits 2 = at least a combined 2m from US and a probable combined international minimum of at least combined 1.5m
Come, 1m worldwide
The Gold Experience, also 1m worldwide
Emancipation, EMI said 1million triple albums
The Black Album, maybe 750k worldwide (350k in US)
The Crystal Ball, 300k worldwide
New Power Soul, i would say 500k
Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic, no more than 1m
The Very Best Of Prince, 1m (500k in US)

This last sales = estimated 10.8m

1) Total estimated global sales (albums only) = 69.3 = roughly 70m (around 42.5m in US) (minimum number)

And singles?
A quick estimation

When Doves Cry = 3m
Purple Rain, Kiss, Batdance = 2m each
Let's Go Crazy, Gett Off, The Most Beautiful Girl In The World = 1.5m each
I Wanna Be Your Lover, 1999, Thieves In The Temple, Cream = 1m each
Raspberry Beret, Sign Of The Times, Alphabet Street, Sexy MF, 7 = 750k each
Little Red Corvette, U Got The Look, Diamonds And Pearls = 500k

2) Estimated total for more succeful singles = 22m (only in US from RIAA = 9.5m)

3) Estimated total albums+singles Prince sold in carreer = 92m

4) If we count discs inside albums we should add roughly more 12m

5) Total final estimated RECORDS sold by Prince since 1978 = 104m

OK.

Maybe I was too busy smoking crack, but I remember Diamonds & Pearls bein all over the radio. I hardly ever heard Thieves In The Temple. I cant believe that song did better as a single.

Edu said:

In terms of chart performance in the U.S. alone these singles were on there for some time longer than a lot of those mentioned above. I reckon they should be further up the list.

It's okay. I'm just finding something to be picky about.

i may have been too busy snorting crank, but i heard diamonds and pearls a trillion times (i couldn't stand that song even then) and i don't think i EVER heard thieves in the temple on the radio...

Tom said:

Tom said:

I NEVER heard "theives in the temple" on the radio. I heard "diamonds & pearls" on the radio a trillion times, for a while I hated the song with a passion (same with 'my name is prince'), still not to overjoyed to hear it.

Tom said:

I remember Thieves in the Temple being played a lot on the radio when it was out. Once it was done, it was done.

Will Prince ever have a hit album again??