Gretchen Wilson is a country "artist" that claims to drink whiskey, chew tobacco, and party like no other. Don't feel bad about missing out. There's more than a strong chance she's a fad that will get bowled over when the next Big & Rich-esque act comes along.

she's the unabashedly "redneck girl"

I'd say the list is VERY surprising overall: more country than I would have thought, only one rap, and as Craig mentioned, Evanescence and Maroon 5 holding on like Anna Nicole to a nonagenarian billionaire

Is it possible to talk about "what's going on in music" based upon this list? Was it ever possible?

I've heard about five singles total from those ten albums, and don't care to delve any further than that. "This Love" is a very nice song, and the single in which Eminem emulates Michael Jackson is catchy (though not nearly his best).

Beyond that, I must shake my head. Is this 30-year-old old or out-of-touch?

Eric Berlin
Dumpster Bust: Miracles from Mind Trash

I think these lists will become less and less representative of what is going on in music as time goes on. Bands and labels are more capable of reaching audiences with the internet and it will continue to keep spreading those music fans among the many artists instead of concentrating them on just a few.

I know it has been said many times before, but there will never be another version of the Beatles because nobody will be able to hold that level of an audience with so many choices and outlets for music, not to mention other entertainment options which are eating away at listeners.

Oh, and another thing...

Wouldn't it be great to be Eminem? You put out an album which most agree isn't close to the best work that you have done and you still finish the year with 3.5 million albums sold.

Also keep in mind that Eminem's album was released on November 12, 2004. 3.5 million in a month and a half.

5. "Here for the Party," Gretchen Wilson: 2,931,097

Maybe she is secretly related to Jeff Foxworthy?

I hear she turned to music because she couldn't out-skate or out-box Tonya Harding

I think these must be the top ten in the USA not worldwide.

Not sure Sandra. The article doesn't say. What do you think would be added to the worldwide list?

Craig, it certainly is the U.S list because other than Usher, none of those other Acts would be in the top 10 of the worldwide list for 2004. Certainly none of the Country Acts, and not Ashlee Simpson. Maroon 5 would appear but not in the top 10. Eminem would appear but his Album is too soon to be in the top 10 worldwide, I think. Certainly none of the "NOW" Albums and I believe the world at large is over the last Norah Jones's Album by now.

I did see a worldwide list somewhere a few weeks ago. I will hunt it down for you and be sure to copy and paste it on here for you. As well as provide the source so you can check it out yourself.

Not sure what Acts I would expect in the 2004 list because not many Albums did it for me last yr....

Can't find it Craig. Should I come across it again, I shall let you know. We might have lost our interest in the topic by then anyway. I am absloutely sure though, that your list is U.S sales only.

TOP SALES WORLDWIDE - 2004

In order from 1 thru 40.

Artist
Label - number sold

Yer welcome.

PS: More evidence that the world's taste is as bad and corrupt as America's. (ie. 90% crap)

===================

Usher - Confessions
Arista - 12.450.000 copies (preliminary estimate)

Norah Jones - Feels Like Home
Blue Note - 10.022.000 copies

Evanescence - Fallen
Wind-Up - 7.602.000 copies

Avril Lavigne - Under My Skin
Arista - 7.270.000 (preliminary estimate)

Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk
A&M / Interscope - 7.218.000 copies

Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane
Octone / J Records - 6.920.000 copies (preliminary estimate)

Eminem - Encore
Shady / Interscope - 6.320.000 copies (preliminary estimate)

U2 - How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
Island - 5.810.000 copies(preliminary estimate)

Dido - Life For Rent
Arista - 5.309.000 copies

Guns N'Roses - Greatest Hits
Geffen - 5.179.000 copies

Outkast - Speakerboxxx / The Love Below
Arista - 5.075.000 copies

Anastacia - Anastacia
Epic - 4.935.000 copies

Britney Spears - In The Zone
Jive - 4.830.000 copies

Robbie Williams - Greatest Hits
Chrysalis / Capitol - 4.380.000
copies (preliminary estimate)

Alicia Keys - The Diary Of Alicia Keys
J Records / RCA - 4.324.000 copies

D12 - D12 World
Shady / Interscope - 3.926.000 copies

Green Day - American Idiot
Reprise - 3.840.000 copies (preliminary estimate)

Shania Twain - Greatest Hits
Mercury - 3.700.000 copies (preliminary estimate)

Norah Jones - Come Away With Me
Blue Note - 3.516.000 copies

Destiny's Child - Destiny Fulfilled
Columbia - 3.430.000 copies
(preliminary estimate)

Keane - Hopes And Fears
Island - 3.260.000 copies (preliminary estimate)

Britney Spears - Greatest Hits: My Prerogative
Jive - 3.160.000 copies (preliminary estimate)

Ray Charles - Genius Loves Company
Hear / Liberty / Capitol - 3.120.000 copies (preliminary estimate)

Prince - Musicology
NPG / Columbia - 3.001.000 copies

Nelly - Suit
Fo'Reel / Universal - 2.990.000 copies (preliminary estimate)

Josh Groban - Closer
Reprise - 2.733.000 copies

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Greatest Hits
Warner Bros. - 2.625.000 copies

No Doubt - The Singles 1992 - 2003
Interscope - 2.584.000 copies

Tim McGraw - Live Like You Were Dying
Curb - 2.510.000 copies (preliminary estimate)

Kanye West - The College Dropout
Roc-A-Fella / Def Jam - 2.480.000 copies

Ashlee Simpson - Autobiography
Geffen / Interscope - 2.419.000 copies

George Michael - Patience
Epic - 2.356.000 copies

Joss Stone - The Soul Sessions
Virgin - 2.343.000 copies

Hikaru Utada - Single Collection Vol.1
Toshiba EMI Japan - 2.313.000 copies

Diana Krall - The Girl In The Other Room
Verve - 2.277.000 copies

Hoobastank - The Reason
Island - 2.254.000 copies

Rod Stewart - Stardust...The Great American Songbook III
J Records - 2.250.000 copies

Gretchen Wilson - Here For The Party
Epic Nashville - 2.153.000 copies

Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
Domino - 2.030.000 copies

Sheryl Crow - The Very Best Of
A&M - 2.016.000 copies

I want to know the reason of why 50cent is not included.

Because it was released in February of 2003.

Yes Beno, and I want to know why Cattle Decapitation was not included. I demand and investigation!

A pretty scary list, though I must admit that I'm the lucky(?) owner of 5 of the 40 best selling albums.

50 Cent didn't sell enough albums to make the list. It's the sort of popularity contest based on laid-out cash, not just bluster. :-)

I have the Diana Krall Album, but I guess I could care less about the hit oriented music of the recent. I might add I'm 23...

uhm sorry i am a george michael fan and i know better so whoever made the claim that george michael's patience album sold 2.3 million copies is lying
or maybe i missunderstood
i know that it sold 300k in the united states maybe he/she meant worldwide sales

What??????? usher was the only one who sold over 6 millions... and what about avril lavigne cmon