List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 2012
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. In 2012, a total of 32 albums claimed the top position of the chart. One of which, Canadian singer Michael Bublé's album Christmas started its peak in late 2011.[1]
![](../I/Adele_-_Live_2009_(4)_cropped.jpg.webp)
Adele's album 21 was the longest-running number-one album of the year for the second time, staying atop the chart for eleven non-consecutive weeks.[2] Red by Taylor Swift had the second-most weeks at number one with five. Other albums with extended chart runs include Babel by Mumford & Sons, Tuskegee by Lionel Richie, Blown Away by Carrie Underwood, Born and Raised by John Mayer and Uncaged by Zac Brown Band; each spent two weeks on the top position. Throughout 2012, only one act achieved multiple number-one albums on the chart: One Direction with Up All Night and Take Me Home. Swift's album Red sold 1.21 million copies in its first week, making it the album with the highest weekly sales in 2012.[3] 21 was the biggest-selling album of 2012, with 4,410,000 copies sold.[4]
Chart history
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† | Indicates best performing album of 2012 |
Issue date | Album | Artist(s) | Sales | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
January 7 | Christmas | Michael Bublé | 467,000 | [5][6] |
January 14 | 21 † | Adele | 144,000 | [7][8] |
January 21 | 124,000 | [9][10] | ||
January 28 | 104,000 | [11][12] | ||
February 4 | 95,000 | [13][14] | ||
February 11 | 116,000 | [15][16] | ||
February 18 | 122,000 | [17][18] | ||
February 25 | 237,000 | [19][20] | ||
March 3 | 730,000 | [21][22] | ||
March 10 | 297,000 | [23][24] | ||
March 17 | 247,000 | [25][26] | ||
March 24 | Wrecking Ball | Bruce Springsteen | 196,000 | [27][28] |
March 31 | Up All Night | One Direction | 176,000 | [29][30] |
April 7 | The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond | Various artists | 175,000 | [31][32] |
April 14 | MDNA | Madonna | 359,000 | [33][34] |
April 21 | Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded | Nicki Minaj | 253,000 | [35][36] |
April 28 | Tuskegee | Lionel Richie | 129,000 | [37][38] |
May 5 | 114,000 | [39][40] | ||
May 12 | Blunderbuss | Jack White | 138,000 | [41][42] |
May 19 | Blown Away | Carrie Underwood | 267,000 | [43][44] |
May 26 | 120,000 | [45][46] | ||
June 2 | Trespassing | Adam Lambert | 77,000 | [47][48] |
June 9 | Born and Raised | John Mayer | 219,000 | [49][50] |
June 16 | 65,000 | [51][52] | ||
June 23 | 21 † | Adele | 75,000 | [53][54] |
June 30 | Looking 4 Myself | Usher | 128,000 | [55][56] |
July 7 | Believe | Justin Bieber | 374,000 | [57][58] |
July 14 | Living Things | Linkin Park | 223,000 | [59][60] |
July 21 | Fortune | Chris Brown | 134,000 | [61][62] |
July 28 | Uncaged | Zac Brown Band | 234,000 | [63][64] |
August 4 | Life Is Good | Nas | 149,000 | [65][66] |
August 11 | Uncaged | Zac Brown Band | 48,000 | [67][68] |
August 18 | God Forgives, I Don't | Rick Ross | 218,000 | [69][70] |
August 25 | Now 43 | Various artists | 111,000 | [71][72] |
September 1 | Based on a T.R.U. Story | 2 Chainz | 75,000 | [73][74] |
September 8 | Chapter V | Trey Songz | 135,000 | [75][76] |
September 15 | Eye on It | TobyMac | 69,000 | [77][78] |
September 22 | North | Matchbox Twenty | 95,000 | [79][80] |
September 29 | Away from the World | Dave Matthews Band | 266,000 | [81][82] |
October 6 | The Truth About Love | Pink | 280,000 | [83][84] |
October 13 | Babel | Mumford & Sons | 600,000 | [85][86] |
October 20 | 169,000 | [87][88] | ||
October 27 | 96,000 | [89][90] | ||
November 3 | Night Train | Jason Aldean | 409,000 | [91][92] |
November 10 | Red | Taylor Swift | 1,208,000 | [93][94] |
November 17 | 344,000 | [95][96] | ||
November 24 | 196,000 | [97][98] | ||
December 1 | Take Me Home | One Direction | 540,000 | [99][100] |
December 8 | Unapologetic | Rihanna | 238,000 | [101][102] |
December 15 | Girl on Fire | Alicia Keys | 159,000 | [103][104] |
December 22 | Red | Taylor Swift | 167,000 | [105][106] |
December 29 | 208,000 | [107][108] | ||
References
- Caulfield, Keith (2011-11-23). "Michael Buble Bests Nickelback, Rihanna on Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
- Grein, Paul (2012-11-07). "Adele's '21' Goes Diamond - Yahoo! TV". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-10-30). "Taylor Swift's 'Red' Sells 1.21 Million; Biggest Sales Week for an Album Since 2002". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
- Caulfield, Keith (2013-01-03). "Adele's '21' 2012's Best-Selling Album; Gotye Has Top Song". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
- "January 7, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2011-12-28). "Michael Buble's 'Christmas' Spends Fifth Week at No. 1, Adele's '21' Has Best Sales Week Yet". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
- "January 14, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-01-04). "Adele's '21' Claims 14th Week Atop Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
- "January 21, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-01-11). "Adele's '21' Hits 15th Week at No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
- "January 28, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-01-18). "Adele Matches 'Titanic's' No. 1 Run Atop Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-01-18.
- "February 4, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-01-25). "Adele's '21' - Biggest No. 1 Album Since 'Bodyguard'". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
- "February 11, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-02-01). "Tim McGraw Scores Top Billboard 200 Debut, Adele Still No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
- "February 18, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-02-08). "Lana Del Rey Debuts at No. 2 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
- "February 25, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-02-15). "Adele's '21' Hits 20th Week at No. 1, Van Halen Debuts at No. 2". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
- "March 3, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-02-21). "Adele's '21' Hits 21st Week at No. 1; Sells 730,000 Post-Grammys". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
- "March 10, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-02-29). "Adele's '21': Longest-Running No. 1 Album Since 'Purple Rain'". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
- "March 17, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-03-07). "Kid Cudi's WZRD Scores Top Billboard 200 Debut, Adele Still No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
- "March 24, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-03-14). "Bruce Springsteen Squeaks By Adele, Earns Tenth No. 1 Album". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
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- Caulfield, Keith (2012-03-28). "'Hunger Games' Soundtrack Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
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- Caulfield, Keith (2012-03-28). "Madonna Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Lionel Richie at No. 2". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
- "April 21, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-04-11). "Nicki Minaj's 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded' Debuts At No. 1 On Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-04-11.
- "April 28, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-04-18). "Lionel Richie's 'Tuskegee' Hits No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
- "May 5, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-04-25). "Billboard 200: Lionel Richie Holds Off Jason Mraz, Stays At No. 1". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-04-25.
- "May 12, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-05-02). "Jack White Debuts At No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-05-02.
- "May 19, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-05-09). "Carrie Underwood's 'Blown Away' Debuts At No. 1 With Best Country Sales In Months". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
- "May 26, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-05-16). "Carrie Underwood's 'Blown Away' Nabs Second Week at No. 1". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
- "June 2, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-05-23). "Adam Lambert Snags First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-05-23.
- "June 9, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-05-30). "John Mayer Earns Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
- "June 16, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-06-06). "John Mayer's No. 1 for Second Week on Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-06-06.
- "June 23, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-06-13). "Alan Jackson Scores Top Debut on Billboard 200, Adele's Back at No. 1". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
- "June 30, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-06-20). "Usher Scores Fourth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 With 'Looking 4 Myself'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-06-20.
- "July 7, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-06-27). "Official: Justin Bieber's 'Believe' Is Year's Biggest Debut, Bows at No. 1". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-06-27.
- "July 14, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-07-04). "Linkin Park Squeaks By Maroon 5, Hits No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
- "July 21, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-07-11). "Chris Brown's 'Fortune' Album Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 By Chris Brown, Hits No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
- "July 28, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-07-18). "Zac Brown Band, Frank Ocean Debut at Nos. 1 & 2 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-07-18.
- "August 4, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-07-25). "Nas Bows at No. 1 with 'Life is Good'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-07-25.
- "August 11, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-08-01). "Zac Brown Band Reclaims Top Spot on Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
- "August 18, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-08-08). "Rick Ross Scores Fourth No. 1 Album with 'God Forgives, I Don't'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- "August 25, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-08-15). "'Now 43' Scores Franchise's 16th No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
- "September 1, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-08-22). "2 Chainz Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
- "September 8, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-08-29). "Trey Songz Gets First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- "September 15, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-09-05). "TobyMac Earns First No. 1 Christian Album on Billboard 200 Since 1997". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
- "September 22, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-09-12). "Matchbox Twenty Scores First No. 1 Album On Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
- "September 29, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-09-19). "Dave Matthews Band Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
- "October 6, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-09-26). "Pink Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
- "October 13, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-10-03). "Mumford & Sons' 'Babel' Scores Biggest Debut of Year, Bows at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
- "October 20, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-10-10). "Muse's 'The 2nd Law' Leads Seven Top 10 Debuts on Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
- "October 27, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-10-17). "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Score Top Billboard 200 Debut, Mumford Still No. 1". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
- "November 3, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-10-24). "Jason Aldean's 'Night Train' Rolls to No. 1 On Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
- "November 10, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-10-31). "Taylor Swift's 'Red' Sells 1.21 Million; Biggest Sales Week for an Album Since 2002". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
- "November 17, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-11-07). "Taylor Swift Still Rules Billboard 200, Meek Mill Starts at No. 2". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
- "November 24, 2012". Billboard 200.
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- "December 1, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-11-20). "One Direction's 'Take Me Home' Debuts at No. 1 With Year's Third-Biggest Opening". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
- "December 8, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-11-27). "Rihanna Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
- "December 15, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-12-04). "Alica Keys Earns Fifth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
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- "December 29, 2012". Billboard 200.
- Caulfield, Keith (2012-12-19). "Bruno Mars Debuts at No. 2 as Taylor Swift's 'Red' Still Rules". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-12-19.