The Greatest Showman soundtrack is top album of 2018 with 3.5 million sales globally according to IFPI, the organisation that represents the recorded music industry worldwide. Released alongside the hugely popular film, The Greatest Showman was a global success, topping charts in countries including Australia, Japan, UK and US. The album also reached number one on iTunes in over 60 countries. This is Me, the album’s lead single, charted in the top five in the UK and the top 10 in multiple other countries.
Max Lousada, CEO of Recorded Music, Warner Music Group, said: “At a time when the global possibilities for music feel limitless, it’s fitting that the biggest record of the year defied expectations and took the industry by surprise. This phenomenon was ignited by unique voices and beautifully crafted songs, then amplified by our amazing marketing teams and the power of super passionate fans. It’s been fantastic for everyone at Warner and Atlantic to help The Greatest Showman’s message of tolerance and acceptance cascade across the world.”
Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI, said: “The Greatest Showman soundtrack was the jewel in the crown of a year that reminded us of the powerful role music plays in connecting audiences with the movies they love. Alongside the movie itself, we have seen the soundtrack truly embraced on a global scale.”
South Korean boyband BTS take both the second and third chart positions with the albums LOVE YOURSELF 結 ‘Answer’ released in August 2018, and LOVE YOURSELF 轉 ‘Tear’, released in May 2018.
Moore continued: “BTS’s ongoing phenomenal success is evidenced by them taking both second and third place in the album chart and demonstrates how their music has the power to engage with people all over the world.”
IFPI Top 10 Best Selling Albums 2018
| Rank | Artist and Album | Global album units (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cast of ‘The Greatest Showman’ – The Greatest Showman (OST) | 3.5 |
| 2 | BTS – LOVE YOURSELF結 ‘Answer’ | 2.7 |
| 3 | BTS – LOVE YOURSELF轉 ‘Tear’ | 2.3 |
| 4 | Lady Gaga – A Star Is Born (OST) | 1.9 |
| 5 | Johnny Hallyday – Mon Pays C’est L’amour | 1.7 |
| 6 | Ed Sheeran – ÷ | 1.3 |
| 7 | Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody | 1.2 |
| 8 | P!nk – Beautiful Trauma | 1.2 |
| 9 | Eminem – Kamikaze | 1.0 |
| 10 | Cast of ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again’ – Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (OST) | 0.9 |
(source: IFPI)
The Global Album of 2018 is the third award from IFPI’s annual Global Charts following the announcement that Drake was the Global Artist of the Year 2018 and Havana by Camila Cabello (featuring Young Thug) was the best-selling single of 2018.
The Greatest Showman – Original Movie Soundtrack is a bold and original musical that tells the story of P.T. Barnum – a visionary who rose from nothing to create a mesmerizing spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. Released by 20th Century Fox, The Greatest Showman was directed by Michael Gracey and stars Academy Award-nominee Hugh Jackman alongside Academy Award-nominee Michelle Williams, Zendaya, Zac Efron, and Rebecca Ferguson.
