List of best-selling singles in the United States

This is a list of best selling singles in the United States certified by the Recording Industry Association of America. All of these singles have sold over 2 million copies, meaning they are all multi-platinum singles. For more information on what makes a platinum single or album see RIAA certification. For information the RIAA only certifies a record if that record company asks for certification. It only certifies a particular recording of a song.

10 million and over:

• "White Christmas", Bing Crosby
• "Rock Around The Clock", Bill Haley and His Comets
• "Candle In The Wind 1997" (Princess Diana Tribute), Elton John

Over 8 million:

• "We Are The World", USA for Africa
• "Hung Up", Madonna

Over 7 million:

• "Oh, Pretty Woman", Roy Orbison

Over 5 million: in alphabetical order

• "Hips Don't Lie", Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean
• "I Want to Hold Your Hand", The Beatles

Over 4 million: in alphabetical order

• "Another One Bites the Dust", Queen
• "Ballad of the Green Berets", Sgt Barry Sadler
• "The Chipmunk Song", The Chipmunks
• "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You", Bryan Adams
• "Eye of the Tiger", Survivor
• "Hey Jude", The Beatles
• "Hound Dog"/"Don't Be Cruel", Elvis Presley
• "I Will Always Love You", Whitney Houston
• "I'll Be There", Jackson 5
• "Islands in the Stream", Kenny Rogers& Dolly Parton
• "Let's Get It On", Marvin Gaye
• "Le Freak", CHIC
• "Macarena", Los Del Rio
• "Stayin' Alive", Bee Gees
• "Whoomp! (There It Is)", Tag Team

Over 3 million: in alphabetical order

• "The Boy Is Mine", Brandy & Monica
• "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down", Puff Daddy& Mase
• "Gangsta's Paradise", Coolio
• "How Do I Live", LeAnn Rimes
• "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", Marvin Gaye
• "I'll Be Missing You", Puff Daddy & Faith Evans
• "Love Me Tender"/"Anyway You Want Me" Elvis Presley
• "Smooth", Santana featuring Rob Thomas
• "Sugar, Sugar", The Archies
• "Can't Buy Me Love", The Beatles
• "We Belong Together", Mariah Carey
• "When Doves Cry", Prince

Over 2 million: in alphabetical order

• "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now", McFadden & Whitehead
• "All Shook Up", Elvis Presley
• "Are You Lonesome Tonight?", Elvis Presley
• "Baby Got Back", Sir Mix-a-Lot
• "...Baby One More Time", Britney Spears
• "Bad Girls", Donna Summer
• "Boogie Nights", Heatwave (band)
• "Boogie Oogie Oogie", A Taste Of Honey
• "Car Wash", Rose Royce
• "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?", Rod Stewart
• "Dazzey Duicks", Duice
• "Disco Lady", Johnnie Taylor (the first RIAA-certified two-million seller)
• "Elvira", Oak Ridge Boys
• "Emotion", Samantha Sang
• "Enjoy Yourself", The Jacksons
• "Fantasy", Mariah Carey
• "Heartbreak Hotel", Elvis Presley
• "Hot Child in the City", Nick Gilder
• "Hot Stuff", Donna Summer
• "Grease", Frankie Valli
• "I Love Rock 'N Roll", Joan Jett
• "I Will Survive", Gloria Gaynor
• "If Your Girl Only Knew", Aaliyah
• "Jailhouse Rock", Elvis Presley
• "Jump", Kris Kross
• "Knock On Wood", Amii Stewart
• "Mickey", Toni Basil
• "Mr Big Stuff", Jean Knight
• "Night Fever", Bee Gees
• "One Sweet Day", Boyz II Men & Mariah Carey
• "O.P.P", Naughty By Nature
• "Reunited", Peaches & Herb
• "Shadow Dancing", Andy Gibb
• "Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)", Jacksons
• "Star Wars Title Theme", Meco
• "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear", Elvis Presley
• "Tha Crossroads", Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
• "Too Close", Next
• "Too Much Heaven", Bee Gees
• "Tragedy", Bee Gees
• "Vogue", Madonna
• "We Will Rock You"/"We Are the Champions", Queen
• "Bohemian Rhapsody", Queen
• "Wild Thing", Tone Loc
• "YMCA", Village People
• "You Light Up My Life", Debby Boone
• "You're The One That I Want", Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta

What makes a single?

In music, a single is a song considered commercially viable enough by the artist and record company to be released separately from an album, usually featuring on an album as well.

For more information, see single.

See also

• For information about what makes a platinum album, see RIAA certification
• Lists of best-selling albums

External links

• RIAA Website
• Billboard Magazine - a magazine that publishes weekly music rankings