[2025] Best-selling Singles Worldwide: Western Music Physical Sales Ranking
Suddenly, but do you know which is the best-selling single in the world?
Only those who are quite knowledgeable about music history and data could probably answer right away, but if you like music, you’ve likely wondered at least once how much those famous songs actually sold.
This article researches and introduces the world’s best-selling singles in a ranked format.
The ranking is limited strictly to physical sales, so digital sales and streaming play counts are excluded, which naturally makes the lineup centered around older music.
They’re all songs almost everyone has heard at least once, so take this opportunity to check them out!
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Ranking 21st and below (1–10)
Time to Say GoodbyeAndrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman
It is a signature operatic pop song by Italian singer Andrea Bocelli.
Originally released in 1995, it became a hit in 1996 when British soprano Sarah Brightman performed it as a duet with Bocelli.
In Japan, it was featured in a commercial for the Subaru Legacy Lancaster, which boosted its popularity.
YMCAVillage People
They are a six-member group from the United States known for producing hit disco songs.
In Japan, the version covered by Hideki Saijo is famous.
It’s a very upbeat track, and Saijo’s choreography is highly memorable and beloved by people of all ages.
Do They Know It’s Christmas?Band Aid
When it comes to British Christmas songs, Band Aid is the most classic and has become a yearly tradition.
I think it’s wonderful how, roughly once every decade, famous people and artists come together to create a new version of the song.
MacarenaLos Del Rio
I didn’t really feel a distinctive Latin melody; it comes across as a softer track.
The fast-paced, rhythmically chanted lyrics do give it a subtle Latin vibe.
I thought the melody would be easy for newcomers—like younger listeners who are new to Latin music—to get into.
BelieveCher
A pop song by Cher, who is both a singer and an actress.
Released in late 1998 in many countries as the lead single from her 23rd studio album, Believe.
At the 2000 Grammy Awards, it was nominated for Record of the Year and won Best Dance Recording.
The track is famous for its then-unusual heavy use of Auto-Tune, applying full-on pitch-correction effects to the vocals.
Kung Fu FightingCarl Douglas
It’s a smash hit released in 1974 by Jamaican singer Carl Douglas.
Although it initially failed to attract attention and struggled to chart, it gained popularity in discos and ultimately spent three consecutive weeks at number one in the UK.
In the United States, it reached number one on the Hot 100 and also topped the soul chart.
It later hit number one in ten countries.
Rock Your BabyGeorge McCrae
Released in 1974, it became a worldwide hit.
It’s a classic dance track that was reportedly played often in discos.
Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch of KC and the Sunshine Band wrote the song for their group, but due to the vocalist’s range limitations, they decided to offer it to another artist.
Two months after its release, it reached No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from July 13 to July 20, 1974.
It also topped the Soul chart and ranked 38th on Billboard’s year-end chart.