What Is The Greatest Selling Single Of All Time

So, what’s the biggest song of all time? The one that sold more copies than any other? It sounds like a simple question, right? But the answer is way messier than you think.

First, let’s clear up a huge myth. You might guess "Thriller" by Michael Jackson. Nope. "Bohemian Rhapsody"? Wrong again. The actual champion is a song from 1997 that you probably despise or secretly love: "Candle in the Wind 1997" by Elton John.

That’s right. A reworked tribute to Princess Diana sold over 33 million copies worldwide. It’s the physical single king. But wait—does that even count anymore? This is where it gets fun.

The Weirdness of "Sales"

Here’s the punchline: "Greatest selling" is a fantasy. Record companies and chart organizations measure sales differently for every era. In 1997, people bought shiny plastic CDs. Today, they stream.

So, if we count digital streams as "sales," the champion changes. Post Malone’s "Rockstar" or Ed Sheeran’s "Shape of You" have billions of streams. That’s like selling 84 million copies in modern terms. But do we count that?

The answer? Nobody agrees. That’s why this topic is such a delight. It’s a glorious argument where everyone is a little bit right and a little bit wrong.

The "Real" King (If You Like Physical Singles)

Let’s stick with Elton. "Candle in the Wind 1997" was a massive cultural moment. It was released just days after Princess Diana’s death. People bought it like Kleenex.

It sold 1.5 million copies in its first week in the UK alone. That’s one copy for every 40 people. Imagine a song selling that fast today. Impossible.

Even Elton himself called it a "freak of nature." He never plays it live. He says it feels too tied to that tragic week. Quirky fact: The original 1973 version is about Marilyn Monroe. The 1997 version just swapped in Diana’s name. Same tune, different tragedy.

But Hold On... What About Bing Crosby?

Before Elton, there was a Christmas song that sold forever. "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single of the 20th century. It’s sold over 50 million copies globally. But record labels included album sales in that number.

Top 10 Best-Selling Singles of All Time (2025 Verified List)

If you only count the 7-inch vinyl single? Bing is the champ. And the song was so popular that it actually changed the weather. Okay, not literally. But it made people dream of snow.

Funny detail: Irving Berlin, the songwriter, hated Christmas. He wrote the song in 1940 during a heatwave in California. He was just sweating and fantasizing about snow. Relatable, right?

The Digital Era Disrupts Everything

Now we have streaming. "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi had over 6 billion YouTube views. That’s more than the entire population of Earth. If you count one stream as a "sale," it crushes Elton.

But here’s the kicker: Streaming numbers are deceptive. A stream of ten seconds counts as much as a full play. So some songs get gamed by kids on repeat. It’s like voting in a popularity contest where you can vote a million times.

Ed Sheeran’s "Shape of You" is the most streamed song on Spotify. It’s been played over 3 billion times. That’s three billion. If each stream were a one-dollar bill, you’d have more money than the GDP of Portugal. But in reality, Sheeran got a few cents per stream. Ouch.

The Real Fun: It’s All Made Up

The greatest selling single is a title that shifts like sand. Every few years, a new metric gets invented. Billboard now counts remixes, karaoke versions, and TikTok snippets. Madness.

Remember the song "Hallelujah"? No one knows which version sold the most. Jeff Buckley’s, Leonard Cohen’s, or the one from "Shrek"? Shrek’s version (by Rufus Wainwright) is probably the most heard. But sales? Unclear.

ranking of the best-selling singles since 1935 - YouTube

So, if someone says "The greatest selling single is X," ask them: "In what universe?" Are we talking plastic? Digital? Or are we just vibing?

The Weirdest Contender Ever

Let’s talk about a dark horse. "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion. It sold over 15 million physical copies. But here’s the hilarious part: the song is about a sinking ship. People bought it to feel deep emotions while driving to the mall.

Another bizarre one: "We Are the World" by USA for Africa. A charity supergroup. It sold 20 million copies. But the song is legendarily awkward. Bruce Springsteen’s vocal crack is famous. Bob Dylan sounded like he was gargling gravel. Still, it made money for a good cause.

And what about "Macarena"? That dance song from 1996 sold 4 million singles. But people bought it for the dance moves, not the lyrics. The lyrics are about a woman cheating on her boyfriend. Nobody cared.

So Who Wins? You Decide

If you love facts, the answer is Elton John. If you love streams, it’s Ed Sheeran or "Despacito." If you love holiday nostalgia, it’s Bing Crosby.

The beauty is that this debate never ends. It’s a conversation starter. You can argue with your friends over pizza. Bring up "White Christmas" versus "Shape of You." Watch them squirm.

Final quirky fact: The single that sold the least copies to become a "hit"? Probably "Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus. It scraped by with a few thousand sales before exploding. Also, that song invented the mullet. Okay, not really. But it should have.

So next time someone asks "What’s the greatest selling single?" just smile and say: "It depends on who’s counting—and when they stopped counting." Then play "Candle in the Wind" and watch their reaction. Pure gold.