List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 2008
The highest-selling albums and EPs in the United States are ranked in the Billboard 200, which is published by Billboard magazine. The data are compiled by Nielsen Soundscan based on each album's weekly physical and digital sales.[1] In 2008, 38 albums advanced to the peak position of the chart.
![](../I/Lil_Wayne_cropped.jpg.webp)
Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift's Fearless is her first number-one album and had the longest run among the releases that have reached peak position in 2008, spending 11 non-consecutive weeks beginning with the issue dated November 29 and continuing into the 2009 chart year.[2] She is the only singer to have achieved the longest-running album as a country female recording act in the Billboard 200 history.[3] Swift is now ranked fifth on the list of solo female artists with the longest-running number-one album in Billboard history, tied with veterans Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.[4] Other albums with extended chart runs include Jack Johnson's fifth studio album, Sleep Through the Static, and Metallica's ninth studio album, Death Magnetic; each spent three straight weeks on the chart. Three soundtrack albums topped the chart in 2008: Juno, Mamma Mia! and Twilight.
Hip hop artist Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III is the highest-selling album of 2008 in the US, selling 2.874 million copies since its release.[5][6] The album attained the most sales in a week, netting over one million units after a week of release, a feat previously accomplished in 2005.[7] The second best-selling album of the year is alternative rock band Coldplay's Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends with 2.144 million copies sold, followed by Swift's Fearless with 2.112 million.[6] It is also the best-selling album in digital format, having topped the Billboard Top Digital Albums of 2008.[8] Alternative rock band Radiohead's In Rainbows had the most vinyl albums sold in 2008, amounting to 26,000 units.[5]
Pop singer Madonna scored her seventh number-one album, Hard Candy, making her the female act with the second most number-one albums in the United States. R&B singer Mariah Carey earned her sixth number-one album in 2008 with E=MC², tying her with R&B singer Janet Jackson for third place for most number-one albums by a female act. E=MC² opened at number one on the chart for selling 463,000 copies, outselling Carey's previous albums' debut figures.[9] Neil Diamond achieved the first number one album of his career with Home Before Dark 42 years after his first chart entry.
Chart history
![](../I/Taylor_Swift_at_Yahoo_crop.jpg.webp)
![](../I/Madonna_Live_8_-_1.jpg.webp)
![](../I/Janet_Jackson_4.jpg.webp)
![](../I/Coldplay_-_December_2008.jpg.webp)
![](../I/Radiohead_in_amsterdam.jpg.webp)
† | Indicates best performing album of 2008 |
---|
References
- "Billboard Methodology". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-11-14. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
- Hasty, Katie (2009-03-04). "Taylor Swift Continues Billboard 200 Dominance". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-03-05.
- Bronson, Fred (2009-02-26). "Chart Beat: Al, Taylor Swift, Annie Lennox". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on August 29, 2014. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
- Bronson, Fred (2009-03-05). "Chart Beat: Miley Cyrus, Bill Ray Cyrus, Taylor Swift". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on March 8, 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
- Cohen, Jonathan (2008-12-31). "Lil Wayne Notches Top-Selling Album Of '08". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
- "2008 U.S. Music Purchases Exceed 1.5 Billion; Growth in Overall Music Purchases Exceeds 10%". Market Watch. 2008-12-31. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
- Mayfield, Geoff (2008-06-17). "Lil Wayne Cracks 1 Million With 'Tha Carter III'". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "Top Digital Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- Harris, Chris (2008-04-23). "Mariah Carey's E=MC2 Rockets To Billboard #1, Sets Career Record". MTV. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- "January 5, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Walsh, Chris (2007-12-27). "Groban, Blige Enjoy Huge Weeks On Album Chart". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "January 12, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-01-02). "Blige Topples Groban, Radiohead Debuts Early". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "January 19, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Cohen, Jonathan (2008-01-09). "Radiohead Nudges Blige From Atop Album Chart". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "January 26, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-01-16). "Keys Holds Off Radiohead, 'Juno' At No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "February 2, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-01-23). "Keys Still Atop Album Chart In Slow Sales Week". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "February 9, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-01-30). "'Juno' Unseats Keys From Atop Album Chart". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "February 16, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-02-06). "Keys Notches Fourth Week At No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "February 23, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-02-13). "Digital Sales Propel Johnson To Second No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "March 1, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-02-20). "Johnson Remains No. 1; Winehouse, Hancock Soar". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "March 8, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-02-27). "Johnson's 'Static' Prevails Again On Album Chart". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "March 15, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-03-05). "Janet Dethrones Jack To Top Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "March 22, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-03-12). "Alan Jackson Bests Janet To Top Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "March 29, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Cohen, JOnathan (2008-03-19). "Ross Zooms By 'NOW,' Snoop To Debut At No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "April 5, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-03-26). "Danity Kane Snags Second Straight No. 1 Album". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "April 12, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-04-02). "Day26 Upends Danity Kane To Debut At No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "April 19, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-04-09). "Strait Speeds Past R.E.M. To Debut At No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "April 26, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie; Mayfield, Geoff (2008-04-16). "Leona Lewis Makes Big Splash Atop Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "May 3, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-04-23). "Mariah Debuts At No. 1 After Monster First Week". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "May 10, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-04-30). "Mariah Carey Remains Atop Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "May 17, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-05-07). "Madonna Leads Busy Billboard 200 With 7th No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "May 24, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-05-14). "Diamond Dominates Billboard 200 With First No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "May 31, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-05-21). "Death Cab For Cutie Scores First No. 1 Album". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "June 7, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-05-28). "3 Doors Down Cruises To No. 1 On Album Chart". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- "June 14, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-06-04). "Usher Scores Second Best Sales Debut Of '08". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "June 21, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-06-11). "Disturbed Scores Third Straight No. 1 Album". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "June 28, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-06-18). "Lil Wayne Crushes The Competition To Debut At No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "July 5, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith; Pietroluongo, Silvio (2008-06-18). "Coldplay Headed To No. 1 On Billboard 200, Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-06-25). "Coldplay Cruises To No. 1 On The Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "July 12, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-07-02). "Coldplay Scores Second Week Atop Album Chart". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "July 19, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-07-09). "Lil Wayne Back On Top Of The Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "July 26, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-07-16). "Lil Wayne Remains King Of The Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "August 2, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-07-23). "Nas Dethrones Lil Wayne Atop Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "August 9, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith; Hasty, Katie (2008-07-30). "Miley Trumps Sugarland To Lead Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "August 16, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-08-06). "Sugarland Leapfrogs Miley To Earn First No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "August 23, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-08-13). "'Mamma Mia!' Leaps To No. 1 On The Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "August 30, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2008-08-13). "Jonas Brothers On Track For First No. 1 Album". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-08-20). "Jonas Bros. Score Third-Best Debut Week Of '08". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "September 6, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Cohen, Jonathan (2008-08-27). "Jonas Brothers Begin Second Week At No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "September 13, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-09-03). "Slipknot Edges The Game Atop Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "September 20, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-09-10). "Young Jeezy Nets Second Album Chart-Topper". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "September 27, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Mayfield, Geoff (2008-09-15). "Metallica's 'Magnetic' A Lock To Top Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-09-17). "Metallica Scores Fifth Straight No. 1 Album". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "October 4, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-09-24). "Metallica Edges Ne-Yo, Nelly To Remain No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "October 11, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-10-01). "Metallica Scores Third Week Atop Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- "October 18, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-10-08). "T.I. Debuts Big Atop Billboard 200, Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- "October 25, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-10-15). "T.I. Begins Second Week Atop Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- "November 1, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-10-22). "Kenny Chesney Scores Fifth Chart-Topping Album". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- "November 8, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-10-29). "AC/DC Debuts At No. 1 With 784,000". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- "November 15, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-11-05). "AC/DC Fends Off High Debuts To Remain No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- "November 22, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-11-12). "'Twilight' Bumps AC/DC From Atop Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- "November 29, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Cohen, Jonathan (2008-11-19). "Taylor Swift Soars To No. 1 Debut". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- "December 6, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Cohen, Jonathan (2008-11-26). "Beyonce Starts 'Fierce' Atop Album Chart". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- "December 13, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-12-03). "Kanye Edges GNR, Ludacris For No. 1 Debut". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- "December 20, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-12-10). "Britney's 'Circus' Debuts Atop Album Chart". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- "December 27, 2008". Billboard 200.
- Hasty, Katie (2008-12-17). "Taylor Swift Reclaims Billboard 200 Throne". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-10.