Best-Selling UK Albums of 1994: A Look Back 30 Years Later

Best-Selling UK Albums of 1994: A Look Back 30 Years Later

Best-Selling UK Albums of 1994: A Look Back 30 Years Later

1994 was a standout year in music, but the best selling albums consisted mostly of Compilations and Greatest Hits Albums. Here's a retrospective look at the top-selling albums in the UK that year, featuring highlights and memorable moments.

1. Now That's What I Call Music! 29
Sales: 1,190,000

Now 29 was packed with hit singles that defined 1994. Track highlights include:

  • Whigfield – "Saturday Night": The defining dance anthem of the year.
  • Take That – "Sure": Showcased the evolution of the biggest UK boy band at the time.
  • Corona – "The Rhythm of the Night": A summer classic that ruled the charts and clubs alike.
  • East 17 – "Stay Another Day": A seasonal hit that became a Christmas staple.

2. Bon Jovi – Cross Road
Sales: 1,090,000

A definitive greatest hits collection from Bon Jovi. Track highlights include:

  • "Livin' on a Prayer": The band's iconic anthem.
  • "Always": One of their biggest ballads.
  • "Wanted Dead or Alive": A classic rock song that epitomized Bon Jovi’s larger-than-life image.

3. The Beautiful South – Carry On Up the Charts: The Best Of
Sales: 980,000

This compilation gathered the best of The Beautiful South's quirky, sardonic hits. Track highlights include:

  • "A Little Time": A duet that topped the UK charts.
  • "Perfect 10": An amusing take on body image and relationships.
  • "Song for Whoever": A clever commentary on songwriting and love.

4. Mariah Carey – Music Box
Sales: 890,000

Though released in 1993, Music Box remained a force in 1994. Track highlights include:

  • "Hero": A career-defining ballad.
  • "Without You": A heartfelt cover of Badfinger’s classic.
  • "Dreamlover": A bright, upbeat hit that showed Mariah’s pop charm.

5. Eternal – Always & Forever
Sales: 860,000

Eternal’s smooth R&B hits dominated the airwaves. Track highlights include:

  • "Stay": Their breakout hit.
  • "Just a Step from Heaven": A soaring R&B anthem.
  • "So Good": Another chart hit that cemented their success.

6. Pink Floyd – The Division Bell
Sales: 740,000

The final studio album from Pink Floyd, filled with reflective, ambient rock. Track highlights include:

  • "High Hopes": A poignant, meditative track.
  • "Keep Talking": A song featuring a sampled voice from Stephen Hawking.
  • "Take It Back": A lush track with shimmering guitars.

7. Now That's What I Call Music! 28
Sales: 690,000

Now 28 captured the sound of early 1994, with massive hits across genres. Track highlights include:

  • Ace of Base – "The Sign": One of the year's biggest global hits.
  • D–Ream "Things Can Only Get Better": A feel-good anthem.
  • 2 Unlimited – "No Limit": High-energy Euro-dance.
  • Blur – "Girls & Boys": A defining Britpop anthem.

8. Wet Wet Wet – End of Part One: Their Greatest Hits
Sales: 690,000

This compilation highlighted Wet Wet Wet's hit-making career. Track highlights include:

  • "Love Is All Around": One of the year’s most ubiquitous singles.
  • "Sweet Surrender": A soulful ballad.
  • "Goodnight Girl": Another chart-topping ballad.

9. The Best... Album in the World... Ever! (Rock)
Sales: 670,000

This compilation offered a mix of rock anthems. Track highlights include:

  • Queen – "Bohemian Rhapsody": A timeless epic.
  • Guns N' Roses – "Sweet Child O' Mine": A defining rock anthem of the ‘80s.
  • Dire Straits – "Money for Nothing": Iconic guitar riffs and cutting lyrics.

10. R.E.M. – Monster
Sales: 670,000

With Monster, R.E.M. moved toward a heavier sound. Track highlights include:

  • "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?": A fuzzy, grunge-influenced single.
  • "Crush with Eyeliner": Glam-rock inspired with cutting vocals.
  • "Bang and Blame": A slower, moody track.

11. Blur – Parklife
Sales: 650,000

The defining Britpop album of 1994. Track highlights include:

  • "Parklife": Celebrating British life with a cheeky tone.
  • "Girls & Boys": A disco-punk smash hit.
  • "End of a Century": Melancholic yet catchy.

12. The Love Album
Sales: 630,000

This romantic compilation album brought together love songs from a variety of genres, making it a go-to for sentimental moments.

13. The Beatles – Live at the BBC
Sales: 590,000

A double album of early live recordings from The Beatles. A look into their pre-fame sound and charm.

14. East 17 – Steam
Sales: 590,000

A boy-band favorite featuring their massive seasonal hit. Track highlight:

  • "Stay Another Day": A Christmas ballad that became a classic.

15. The Three Tenors – The Three Tenors in Concert 1994
Sales: 550,000

A classical music highlight, this live concert recording made opera more accessible to the masses.

16. Various Artists – Pure Moods
Sales: 520,000

This ambient compilation featured ethereal tracks from artists like Enigma and Enya. Track highlights include:

  • Enigma – "Return to Innocence": A mystical and spiritual track that became iconic.

17. Jimmy Nail – Crocodile Shoes
Sales: 490,000

Led by the title track, this album from the actor-turned-singer became a surprise hit in the UK.

18. Now That's What I Call Music! 27
Sales: 490,000

Like its successors, Now 27 captured the biggest chart hits from late 1993 into early 1994.

19. Sting – Fields of Gold: The Best of 1984-1994
Sales: 480,000

A retrospective of Sting’s solo work. Track highlights include:

  • "Fields of Gold": A romantic, mellow ballad.
  • "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You": A soaring hit that became a signature Sting track.

20. Enigma – The Cross of Changes
Sales: 460,000

Released in 1993, The Cross of Changes solidified Enigma’s place in the world of ambient and world music. Track highlights include:

  • "Return to Innocence": A deeply spiritual song that became a worldwide hit.
  • "The Eyes of Truth": A hypnotic blend of chanting and electronic beats.
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