The UK Albums Chart is a weekly record chart based on album sales from Sunday to Saturday in the United Kingdom; during the 1990s, a total of 216 albums reached number one. Until 1 February 1994, the chart was compiled each week by Gallup – after this date, it was managed by Millward Brown, who expanded the number of sales figures sampled, and extended the use of electronic point of sale machines.[1] From July 1998 onwards, compilation of the chart was overseen by the Chart Information Network, jointly operated by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and the British Association of Record Dealers.[1] Throughout the decade, the chart was based solely on physical album sales, and each week's number one was first announced on Sunday evenings on The Radio 1 Chart Show.[2]
The most successful artist of the 1990s was British band Simply Red, who topped the UK Albums Chart for 19 weeks with four different albums.[3] Stars, their fourth studio album, sold 3.29 million copies in total,[4] and was the biggest-selling album of both 1991 and 1992.[5] Stars was the second biggest-selling album of the decade; it was outsold by Manchester band Oasis's second album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?,[4] which spent 10 weeks at number one during 1995 and 1996,[3] and sold 4.16 million copies.[4] It was the highest-certified album of the 1990s, achieving platinum certification 13 times.[6] Following the album's success, Oasis's follow-up, Be Here Now, sold 663,000 copies in the first four days of its release, making it the fastest-selling album in UK chart history.[7]
The first number-one album of the 1990s was ...But Seriously by Phil Collins[8] – released in 1989, ...But Seriously first reached number one in December of that year, and remained at the top for eight weeks.[9] It stayed at number one for nine weeks during the decade, and was the biggest-selling album of 1990.[3] The final number one of the 1990s was Come On Over by Shania Twain.[10] Like ...But Seriously, Come on Over remained at number one into the following decade,[11] and was the biggest-selling album of its year.[12] In chart terms, the most successful album of the nineties was Spice, the debut album from the Spice Girls, which spent 15 weeks at number one over five separate runs.[3] The Spice Girls' record label, Virgin Records, was the most successful label of the decade – with an artist roster that included the Spice Girls, Phil Collins and Meat Loaf, Virgin topped the albums chart with 19 different albums for a total of 62 weeks.[13]
Number ones
edit| No. | nth album to top the UK Albums Chart |
|---|---|
| re | Return of an album to number one |
| Silver | Silver certification (60,000 units) |
| Gold | Gold certification (100,000 units) |
| Platinum | Platinum certification (300,000 units) |
| † | Best-selling album of the year |
| ‡ | Best-selling album of the decade |
| Contents |
|---|
| ← 1980s • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000s → |
| No. | Artist[a] | Album[a] | Record label[b] | Reached number one (for the week ending)[a] |
Weeks at number one[a] |
Certification (as of 31 December 1999)[c] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | ||||||
| 402 | Phil Collins | ...But Seriously † | Virgin | 2 December 1989 | 8 | 8× Platinum |
| 403 | The Christians | Colour | Island | 27 January 1990 | 1 | Platinum |
| re | Phil Collins | ...But Seriously † | Virgin | 3 February 1990 | 7 | 8× Platinum |
| 404 | Sinéad O'Connor | I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got | Ensign | 24 March 1990 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| 405 | David Bowie | Changesbowie | EMI | 31 March 1990 | 1 | Gold |
| 406 | The Carpenters | Only Yesterday: Richard and Karen Carpenter's Greatest Hits | A&M | 7 April 1990 | 2 | 4× Platinum |
| 407 | Fleetwood Mac | Behind the Mask | Warner Bros. | 21 April 1990 | 1 | Platinum |
| re | The Carpenters | Only Yesterday: Richard and Karen Carpenter's Greatest Hits | A&M | 28 April 1990 | 5 | 4× Platinum |
| 408 | Soul II Soul | Vol. II: 1990 – A New Decade | 10 | 2 June 1990 | 3 | Platinum |
| 409 | Luciano Pavarotti | The Essential Pavarotti | Decca | 23 June 1990 | 1 | 3× Platinum |
| 410 | New Kids on the Block | Step by Step | CBS | 30 June 1990 | 1 | Platinum |
| re | Luciano Pavarotti | The Essential Pavarotti | Decca | 7 July 1990 | 3 | 3× Platinum |
| 411 | Elton John | Sleeping with the Past | Rocket | 28 July 1990 | 5 | 3× Platinum |
| 412 | Prince | Graffiti Bridge | Paisley Park | 1 September 1990 | 1 | Gold |
| 413 | Luciano Pavarotti/Plácido Domingo/José Carreras | In Concert | Decca | 8 September 1990 | 1 | 5× Platinum |
| 414 | George Michael | Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 | Epic | 15 September 1990 | 1 | 4× Platinum |
| re | Luciano Pavarotti/Plácido Domingo/José Carreras | In Concert | Decca | 22 September 1990 | 4 | 5× Platinum |
| 415 | The Charlatans | Some Friendly | Situation Two | 20 October 1990 | 1 | Gold |
| 416 | Paul Simon | The Rhythm of the Saints | Warner Bros. | 27 October 1990 | 2 | 2× Platinum |
| 417 | Elton John | The Very Best of Elton John | Rocket | 10 November 1990 | 2 | 9× Platinum |
| 418 | Madonna | The Immaculate Collection | Sire | 24 November 1990 | 9 | 12× Platinum |
| 1991 | ||||||
| 419 | Enigma | MCMXC a.D. | Virgin | 26 January 1991 | 1 | 3× Platinum |
| 420 | Sting | The Soul Cages | A&M | 2 February 1991 | 1 | Gold |
| 421 | Jesus Jones | Doubt | Food | 9 February 1991 | 1 | Gold |
| 422 | Queen | Innuendo | Parlophone | 16 February 1991 | 2 | Platinum |
| 423 | Oleta Adams | Circle of One | Fontana | 2 March 1991 | 1 | Gold |
| 424 | Chris Rea | Auberge | East West | 9 March 1991 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| 425 | The Farm | Spartacus | Produce | 16 March 1991 | 1 | Gold |
| 426 | R.E.M. | Out of Time | Warner Bros. | 23 March 1991 | 1 | 5× Platinum |
| 427 | Eurythmics | Greatest Hits | RCA | 30 March 1991 | 9 | 6× Platinum |
| 428[d] | Seal | Seal | ZTT | 1 June 1991 | 3 | 2× Platinum |
| re | Eurythmics | Greatest Hits | RCA | 22 June 1991 | 1 | 6× Platinum |
| 429 | Cher | Love Hurts | Geffen | 29 June 1991 | 6 | 3× Platinum |
| 430 | Luciano Pavarotti | Essential Pavarotti II | Decca | 10 August 1991 | 2 | Platinum |
| 431 | Metallica | Metallica | Vertigo | 24 August 1991 | 1 | Platinum |
| 432 | Jason Donovan/London cast | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat | Really Useful/Polydor | 31 August 1991 | 2 | Platinum |
| 433 | Paul Young | From Time to Time – The Singles Collection | Columbia | 14 September 1991 | 1 | 3× Platinum |
| 434 | Dire Straits | On Every Street | Vertigo | 21 September 1991 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| 435 | Guns N' Roses | Use Your Illusion II | Geffen | 28 September 1991 | 1 | Platinum |
| 436 | Bryan Adams | Waking Up the Neighbours | A&M | 5 October 1991 | 1 | 3× Platinum |
| 437 | Simply Red | Stars † | East West | 12 October 1991 | 2 | 12× Platinum |
| 438 | Erasure | Chorus | Mute | 26 October 1991 | 1 | Platinum |
| re | Simply Red | Stars † | East West | 2 November 1991 | 1 | 12× Platinum |
| 439 | Queen | Greatest Hits II | Parlophone | 9 November 1991 | 1 | 5× Platinum |
| 440 | Enya | Shepherd Moons | WEA | 16 November 1991 | 1 | 4× Platinum |
| 441 | Genesis | We Can't Dance | Virgin | 23 November 1991 | 1 | 5× Platinum |
| 442 | Michael Jackson | Dangerous | Epic Records | 30 November 1991 | 1 | 6× Platinum |
| re | Queen | Greatest Hits II | Parlophone | 7 December 1991 | 4 | 5× Platinum |
| 1992 | ||||||
| re | Simply Red | Stars † | East West | 4 January 1992 | 5 | 12× Platinum |
| 443 | Wet Wet Wet | High on the Happy Side | The Precious Organisation | 8 February 1992 | 2 | Platinum |
| re | Simply Red | Stars † | East West | 22 February 1992 | 3 | 12× Platinum |
| 444 | Madness | Divine Madness | Virgin | 14 March 1992 | 3 | 3× Platinum |
| 445 | Bruce Springsteen | Human Touch | Columbia | 4 April 1992 | 1 | Gold |
| 446 | Def Leppard | Adrenalize | Bludgeon Riffola | 11 April 1992 | 1 | Gold |
| 447 | Annie Lennox | Diva | RCA | 18 April 1992 | 1 | 4× Platinum |
| 448 | Right Said Fred | Up | Tug | 25 April 1992 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| 449 | The Cure | Wish | Fiction | 2 May 1992 | 1 | Gold |
| re | Simply Red | Stars † | East West | 9 May 1992 | 1 | 12× Platinum |
| 450 | Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine | 1992 – The Love Album | Chrysalis | 16 May 1992 | 1 | Gold |
| 451 | Iron Maiden | Fear of the Dark | EMI | 23 May 1992 | 1 | Gold |
| 452 | Michael Ball | Michael Ball | Polydor | 30 May 1992 | 1 | Gold |
| 453 | Lionel Richie | Back to Front | Motown | 6 June 1992 | 6 | 4× Platinum |
| 454 | The Orb | U.F.Orb | Big Life | 18 July 1992 | 1 | None |
| 455 | Neil Diamond | The Greatest Hits: 1966–1992 | Columbia | 25 July 1992 | 3 | Platinum |
| 456 | INXS | Welcome to Wherever You Are | Mercury | 15 August 1992 | 1 | Gold |
| re | Genesis | We Can't Dance | Virgin | 22 August 1992 | 1 | 5× Platinum |
| 457 | The Smiths | Best...I | WEA | 29 August 1992 | 1 | Gold |
| 458 | Kylie Minogue | Greatest Hits | PWL International | 5 September 1992 | 1 | Platinum |
| 459 | Mike Oldfield | Tubular Bells II | WEA | 12 September 1992 | 2 | 2× Platinum |
| 460 | Belinda Carlisle | The Best of Belinda, Volume 1 | Virgin | 26 September 1992 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| 461 | ABBA | Gold: Greatest Hits | Polydor | 3 October 1992 | 1 | 18× Platinum |
| 462 | R.E.M. | Automatic for the People | Warner Bros. | 10 October 1992 | 1 | 6× Platinum |
| 463 | Prince and The New Power Generation | Symbol | Paisley Park | 17 October 1992 | 1 | Platinum |
| 464 | Simple Minds | Glittering Prize 81/92 | Virgin | 24 October 1992 | 3 | 3× Platinum |
| 465 | Bon Jovi | Keep the Faith | Jambco | 14 November 1992 | 1 | Platinum |
| 466 | Cher | Greatest Hits: 1965–1992 | Geffen | 21 November 1992 | 1 | 3× Platinum |
| 467 | Erasure | Pop! The First 20 Hits | Mute | 28 November 1992 | 2 | 3× Platinum |
| re | Cher | Greatest Hits: 1965–1992 | Geffen | 12 December 1992 | 6 | 3× Platinum |
| 1993 | ||||||
| 468 | Genesis | The Way We Walk, Volume Two: The Longs | Charisma | 23 January 1993 | 2 | Gold |
| 469 | Little Angels | Jam | Polydor | 6 February 1993 | 1 | Silver |
| 470 | The Cult | Pure Cult: for Rockers, Ravers, Lovers, and Sinners | Beggars Banquet | 13 February 1993 | 1 | Gold |
| 471 | Buddy Holly & The Crickets | Words of Love | PolyGram TV/MCA | 20 February 1993 | 1 | Gold |
| 472 | East 17 | Walthamstow | London | 27 February 1993 | 1 | Platinum |
| re | Annie Lennox | Diva | RCA | 6 March 1993 | 1 | 4× Platinum |
| 473 | Lenny Kravitz | Are You Gonna Go My Way | Virgin | 13 March 1993 | 2 | Platinum |
| 474 | Hot Chocolate | Their Greatest Hits | EMI | 27 March 1993 | 1 | Platinum |
| 475 | Depeche Mode | Songs of Faith and Devotion | Mute | 3 April 1993 | 1 | Gold |
| 476 | Suede | Suede | Nude | 10 April 1993 | 1 | Gold |
| 477 | David Bowie | Black Tie White Noise | Arista | 17 April 1993 | 1 | Gold |
| re | R.E.M. | Automatic for the People | Warner Bros. | 24 April 1993 | 1 | 6× Platinum |
| 478 | Cliff Richard | The Album | EMI | 1 May 1993 | 1 | Gold |
| re | R.E.M. | Automatic for the People | Warner Bros. | 8 May 1993 | 1 | 6× Platinum |
| 479 | New Order | Republic | Centredate Co | 15 May 1993 | 1 | Gold |
| re | R.E.M. | Automatic for the People | Warner Bros. | 22 May 1993 | 1 | 6× Platinum |
| 480 | Janet Jackson | Janet | Virgin | 29 May 1993 | 2 | 2× Platinum |
| 481 | 2 Unlimited | No Limits | PWL Continental | 12 June 1993 | 1 | None |
| 482 | Tina Turner | What's Love Got to Do with It | Parlophone | 19 June 1993 | 1 | Platinum |
| 483 | Jamiroquai | Emergency on Planet Earth | Sony S2 | 26 June 1993 | 3 | Platinum |
| 484 | U2 | Zooropa | Island | 17 July 1993 | 1 | Platinum |
| 485 | UB40 | Promises and Lies | DEP International | 24 July 1993 | 7 | 2× Platinum |
| 486 | Mariah Carey | Music Box | Columbia | 11 September 1993 | 1 | 5× Platinum |
| 487 | Meat Loaf | Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell † | Virgin | 18 September 1993 | 1 | 6× Platinum |
| 488 | Nirvana | In Utero | Geffen | 25 September 1993 | 1 | Gold |
| re | Meat Loaf | Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell † | Virgin | 2 October 1993 | 1 | 6× Platinum |
| 489 | Pet Shop Boys | Very | Parlophone | 9 October 1993 | 1 | Platinum |
| re | Meat Loaf | Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell † | Virgin | 16 October 1993 | 1 | 6× Platinum |
| 490 | Take That | Everything Changes | RCA | 23 October 1993 | 1 | 4× Platinum |
| re | Meat Loaf | Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell † | Virgin | 30 October 1993 | 3 | 6× Platinum |
| 491 | Phil Collins | Both Sides | Virgin | 20 November 1993 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| re | Meat Loaf | Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell † | Virgin | 27 November 1993 | 5 | 6× Platinum |
| 1994 | ||||||
| 492 | Diana Ross | One Woman: The Ultimate Collection | EMI | 1 January 1994 | 1 | 4× Platinum |
| re | Take That | Everything Changes | RCA | 8 January 1994 | 1 | 4× Platinum |
| 493 | Bryan Adams | So Far So Good | A&M | 15 January 1994 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| re | Diana Ross | One Woman: The Ultimate Collection | EMI | 22 January 1994 | 1 | 4× Platinum |
| 494 | Chaka Demus & Pliers | Tease Me | Mango | 29 January 1994 | 2 | Platinum |
| 495 | Tori Amos | Under the Pink | East West | 12 February 1994 | 1 | Platinum |
| 496 | Enigma | The Cross of Changes | Virgin | 19 February 1994 | 1 | Platinum |
| re | Mariah Carey | Music Box | Columbia | 26 February 1994 | 4 | 5× Platinum |
| 497 | Morrissey | Vauxhall and I | Parlophone | 26 March 1994 | 1 | Gold |
| re | Mariah Carey | Music Box | Columbia | 2 April 1994 | 1 | 5× Platinum |
| 498 | Pink Floyd | The Division Bell | EMI | 9 April 1994 | 4 | 2× Platinum |
| 499 | Blur | Parklife | Food | 7 May 1994 | 1 | 4× Platinum |
| 500 | Deacon Blue | Our Town – The Greatest Hits | Columbia | 14 May 1994 | 2 | 2× Platinum |
| 501 | Erasure | I Say I Say I Say | Mute | 28 May 1994 | 1 | Gold |
| 502[d] | Seal | Seal | ZTT | 4 June 1994 | 2 | 2× Platinum |
| 503 | 2 Unlimited | Real Things | PWL | 18 June 1994 | 1 | Gold |
| 504 | The Cranberries | Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? | Island | 25 June 1994 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| 505 | Ace of Base | Happy Nation | London | 2 July 1994 | 2 | 2× Platinum |
| 506 | The Prodigy | Music for the Jilted Generation | XL | 16 July 1994 | 1 | Platinum |
| 507 | The Rolling Stones | Voodoo Lounge | Virgin | 23 July 1994 | 1 | Gold |
| 508 | Wet Wet Wet | End of Part One: Their Greatest Hits | The Precious Organisation | 30 July 1994 | 4 | 4× Platinum |
| 509 | Prince | Come | Warner Bros. | 27 August 1994 | 1 | Gold |
| re | Wet Wet Wet | End of Part One: Their Greatest Hits | The Precious Organisation | 3 September 1994 | 1 | 4× Platinum |
| 510 | Oasis | Definitely Maybe | Creation | 10 September 1994 | 1 | 7× Platinum |
| 511 | Luciano Pavarotti/Plácido Domingo/José Carreras | The Three Tenors in Concert 1994 | Teldec | 17 September 1994 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| 512 | Eric Clapton | From the Cradle | Duck | 24 September 1994 | 1 | Gold |
| 513 | Luther Vandross | Songs | Epic | 1 October 1994 | 1 | Platinum |
| 514 | R.E.M. | Monster | Warner Bros. | 8 October 1994 | 2 | 3× Platinum |
| 515 | Bon Jovi | Cross Road † | Jambco/Mercury | 22 October 1994 | 3 | 6× Platinum |
| 516 | Nirvana | MTV Unplugged in New York | Geffen | 12 November 1994 | 1 | Platinum |
| re | Bon Jovi | Cross Road † | Jambco/Mercury | 19 November 1994 | 2 | 6× Platinum |
| 517 | The Beautiful South | Carry On up the Charts | Go! Discs | 3 December 1994 | 1 | 6× Platinum |
| 518 | The Beatles | Live at the BBC | Parlophone | 10 December 1994 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| re | The Beautiful South | Carry On up the Charts | Go! Discs | 17 December 1994 | 6 | 6× Platinum |
| 1995 | ||||||
| 519 | Celine Dion | The Colour of My Love | Epic | 28 January 1995 | 6 | 5× Platinum |
| 520 | Bruce Springsteen | Greatest Hits | Columbia | 11 March 1995 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| 521 | Annie Lennox | Medusa | RCA | 18 March 1995 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| 522 | Elastica | Elastica | Deceptive | 25 March 1995 | 1 | Gold |
| re | Celine Dion | The Colour of My Love | Epic | 1 April 1995 | 1 | 5× Platinum |
| 523 | The Boo Radleys | Wake Up! | Creation | 8 April 1995 | 1 | Gold |
| re | Bruce Springsteen | Greatest Hits | Columbia | 15 April 1995 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| 524 | Wet Wet Wet | Picture This | The Precious Organisation | 22 April 1995 | 3 | 3× Platinum |
| 525 | Take That | Nobody Else | RCA | 13 May 1995 | 2 | 2× Platinum |
| 526 | Paul Weller | Stanley Road | Go! Discs | 27 May 1995 | 1 | 4× Platinum |
| 527 | Alison Moyet | Singles | Columbia | 3 June 1995 | 1 | Platinum |
| 528 | Pink Floyd | Pulse | EMI | 10 June 1995 | 2 | Gold |
| 529 | Michael Jackson | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | Epic | 24 June 1995 | 1 | 4× Platinum |
| 530 | Bon Jovi | These Days | Mercury | 1 July 1995 | 4 | 4× Platinum |
| 531 | Supergrass | I Should Coco | Parlophone | 29 July 1995 | 3 | Platinum |
| 532 | Black Grape | It's Great When You're Straight... Yeah | Radioactive | 19 August 1995 | 2 | Platinum |
| 533 | Boyzone | Said and Done | Polydor | 2 September 1995 | 1 | 3× Platinum |
| 534 | The Charlatans | The Charlatans | Beggars Banquet | 9 September 1995 | 1 | Gold |
| 535 | Levellers | Zeitgeist | China | 16 September 1995 | 1 | Gold |
| 536 | Blur | The Great Escape | Food | 23 September 1995 | 2 | 3× Platinum |
| 537 | Mariah Carey | Daydream | Columbia | 7 October 1995 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| 538 | Oasis | (What's the Story) Morning Glory? ‡ | Creation | 14 October 1995 | 1 | 14× Platinum |
| 539 | Simply Red | Life | East West | 21 October 1995 | 3 | 5× Platinum |
| 540 | Pulp | Different Class | Island | 11 November 1995 | 1 | 4× Platinum |
| 541 | Queen | Made in Heaven | Parlophone | 18 November 1995 | 1 | 4× Platinum |
| 542 | Robson & Jerome | Robson & Jerome † | RCA | 25 November 1995 | 7 | 5× Platinum |
| 1996 | ||||||
| re | Oasis | (What's the Story) Morning Glory? ‡ | Creation | 13 January 1996 | 6 | 14× Platinum |
| 543 | The Bluetones | Expecting to Fly | Superior Quality | 24 February 1996 | 1 | Platinum |
| re | Oasis | (What's the Story) Morning Glory? ‡ | Creation | 2 March 1996 | 3 | 14× Platinum |
| 544 | Celine Dion | Falling into You | Epic | 23 March 1996 | 1 | 7× Platinum |
| 545 | The Beatles | Anthology 2 | Apple | 30 March 1996 | 1 | Platinum |
| 546 | Take That | Greatest Hits | RCA | 6 April 1996 | 4 | 3× Platinum |
| 547 | Alanis Morissette | Jagged Little Pill † | Maverick | 4 May 1996 | 2 | 10× Platinum |
| 548 | Ash | 1977 | Infectious | 18 May 1996 | 1 | Platinum |
| 549 | George Michael | Older | Virgin | 25 May 1996 | 3 | 6× Platinum |
| 550 | Metallica | Load | Vertigo | 15 June 1996 | 1 | Gold |
| 551 | Bryan Adams | 18 til I Die | A&M | 22 June 1996 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| re | Alanis Morissette | Jagged Little Pill † | Maverick | 29 June 1996 | 1 | 10× Platinum |
| 552 | Crowded House | Recurring Dream | Capitol | 6 July 1996 | 2 | 4× Platinum |
| re | Alanis Morissette | Jagged Little Pill † | Maverick | 20 July 1996 | 8 | 10× Platinum |
| 553 | Suede | Coming Up | Nude | 14 September 1996 | 1 | Platinum |
| 554 | R.E.M. | New Adventures in Hi-Fi | Warner Bros. | 21 September 1996 | 1 | Platinum |
| 555 | Kula Shaker | K | Columbia | 28 September 1996 | 2 | 2× Platinum |
| 556 | Peter Andre | Natural | Mushroom | 12 October 1996 | 1 | Platinum |
| 557 | Simply Red | Greatest Hits | East West | 19 October 1996 | 2 | 6× Platinum |
| 558 | The Beautiful South | Blue Is the Colour | Go! Discs | 2 November 1996 | 1 | 5× Platinum |
| 559 | Boyzone | A Different Beat | Polydor | 9 November 1996 | 1 | 3× Platinum |
| 560 | Spice Girls | Spice | Virgin | 16 November 1996 | 1 | 10× Platinum |
| 561 | Robson & Jerome | Take Two | RCA | 23 November 1996 | 2 | 4× Platinum |
| re | Spice Girls | Spice | Virgin | 7 December 1996 | 8 | 10× Platinum |
| 1997 | ||||||
| 562 | Original cast recording[e] | Evita | Warner Bros. | 1 February 1997 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| 563 | Reef | Glow | Sony S2 | 8 February 1997 | 1 | Gold |
| 564 | Texas | White on Blonde | Mercury | 15 February 1997 | 1 | 6× Platinum |
| 565 | Blur | Blur | Food | 22 February 1997 | 1 | Platinum |
| 566 | Mansun | Attack of the Grey Lantern | Parlophone | 1 March 1997 | 1 | Gold |
| re | Spice Girls | Spice | Virgin | 8 March 1997 | 1 | 10× Platinum |
| 567 | U2 | Pop | Island | 15 March 1997 | 1 | Platinum |
| re | Spice Girls | Spice | Virgin | 22 March 1997 | 4 | 10× Platinum |
| 568 | The Chemical Brothers | Dig Your Own Hole | Virgin | 19 April 1997 | 1 | Platinum |
| 569 | Depeche Mode | Ultra | Mute | 26 April 1997 | 1 | Gold |
| 570 | The Charlatans | Tellin' Stories | Beggars Banquet | 3 May 1997 | 2 | Platinum |
| re | Spice Girls | Spice | Virgin | 17 May 1997 | 1 | 10× Platinum |
| 571 | Michael Jackson | Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix | Epic | 24 May 1997 | 2 | Gold |
| 572 | Gary Barlow | Open Road | RCA | 7 June 1997 | 1 | Platinum |
| 573 | Wu-Tang Clan | Wu-Tang Forever | Loud | 14 June 1997 | 1 | Gold |
| 574 | Hanson | Middle of Nowhere | Mercury | 21 June 1997 | 1 | Gold |
| 575 | Radiohead | OK Computer | Parlophone | 28 June 1997 | 2 | 3× Platinum |
| 576 | The Prodigy | The Fat of the Land | XL | 12 July 1997 | 6 | 3× Platinum |
| re | Texas | White on Blonde | Mercury | 23 August 1997 | 1 | 6× Platinum |
| 577 | Oasis | Be Here Now † | Creation | 30 August 1997 | 4 | 6× Platinum |
| 578 | Ocean Colour Scene | Marchin' Already | MCA | 27 September 1997 | 1 | Platinum |
| re | Oasis | Be Here Now † | Creation | 4 October 1997 | 1 | 6× Platinum |
| 579 | The Verve | Urban Hymns | Hut | 11 October 1997 | 5 | 10× Platinum |
| 580 | Spice Girls | Spiceworld | Virgin | 15 November 1997 | 2 | 5× Platinum |
| 581 | Celine Dion | Let's Talk About Love | Epic | 29 November 1997 | 2 | 6× Platinum |
| re | Spice Girls | Spiceworld | Virgin | 13 December 1997 | 1 | 5× Platinum |
| re | Celine Dion | Let's Talk About Love | Epic | 20 December 1997 | 2 | 6× Platinum |
| 1998 | ||||||
| re | The Verve | Urban Hymns | Hut | 3 January 1998 | 6 | 10× Platinum |
| 582 | James Horner | Titanic: Music from the Motion Picture | Sony Classical | 14 February 1998 | 1 | 3× Platinum |
| re | The Verve | Urban Hymns | Hut | 21 February 1998 | 1 | 10× Platinum |
| re | James Horner | Titanic: Music from the Motion Picture | Sony Classical | 28 February 1998 | 2 | 3× Platinum |
| 583 | Madonna | Ray of Light | Maverick | 14 March 1998 | 2 | 6× Platinum |
| re | Celine Dion | Let's Talk About Love | Epic | 28 March 1998 | 1 | 6× Platinum |
| 584 | James | The Best Of | Fontana | 4 April 1998 | 1 | Platinum |
| 585 | Pulp | This Is Hardcore | Island | 11 April 1998 | 1 | Gold |
| 586 | Robbie Williams | Life thru a Lens | Chrysalis | 18 April 1998 | 2 | 8× Platinum |
| 587 | Massive Attack | Mezzanine | Circa | 2 May 1998 | 2 | Platinum |
| 588 | Catatonia | International Velvet | Blanco y Negro | 16 May 1998 | 1 | 3× Platinum |
| 589 | Garbage | Version 2.0 | Mushroom | 23 May 1998 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| 590 | Simply Red | Blue | East West | 30 May 1998 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| 591 | Boyzone | Where We Belong | Polydor | 6 June 1998 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| re | Simply Red | Blue | East West | 13 June 1998 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| 592 | Embrace | The Good Will Out | Hut | 20 June 1998 | 1 | Platinum |
| 593 | The Corrs | Talk on Corners † | Atlantic | 27 June 1998 | 1 | 9× Platinum |
| 594 | Five | Five | RCA | 4 July 1998 | 1 | Platinum |
| re | The Corrs | Talk on Corners † | Atlantic | 11 July 1998 | 1 | 9× Platinum |
| 595 | Beastie Boys | Hello Nasty | Grand Royal | 18 July 1998 | 1 | Gold |
| 596 | Jane McDonald | Jane McDonald | Focus Music International | 25 July 1998 | 3 | Platinum |
| re | The Corrs | Talk on Corners † | Atlantic | 15 August 1998 | 3 | 9× Platinum |
| re | Boyzone | Where We Belong | Polydor | 5 September 1998 | 2 | 2× Platinum |
| re | The Corrs | Talk on Corners † | Atlantic | 19 September 1998 | 1 | 9× Platinum |
| 597 | Manic Street Preachers | This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours | Epic | 26 September 1998 | 3 | 3× Platinum |
| 598 | Phil Collins | Hits | Virgin | 17 October 1998 | 1 | 6× Platinum |
| 599 | The Beautiful South | Quench | Go! Discs | 24 October 1998 | 2 | 3× Platinum |
| 600 | Robbie Williams | I've Been Expecting You | Chrysalis | 7 November 1998 | 1 | 10× Platinum |
| 601 | U2 | The Best of 1980–1990 & B-Sides | Island | 14 November 1998 | 1 | 5× Platinum |
| 602 | George Michael | Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael | Epic | 21 November 1998 | 8 | 8× Platinum |
| 1999 | ||||||
| re | Robbie Williams | I've Been Expecting You | Chrysalis | 16 January 1999 | 1 | 10× Platinum |
| 603 | Fatboy Slim | You've Come a Long Way, Baby | Skint | 23 January 1999 | 4 | 3× Platinum |
| re | Robbie Williams | I've Been Expecting You | Chrysalis | 20 February 1999 | 1 | 10× Platinum |
| re | The Corrs | Talk on Corners | Atlantic | 27 February 1999 | 3 | 9× Platinum |
| 604 | Stereophonics | Performance and Cocktails | V2 | 20 March 1999 | 1 | 3× Platinum |
| 605 | Blur | 13 | Food | 27 March 1999 | 2 | Platinum |
| re | The Corrs | Talk on Corners | Atlantic | 10 April 1999 | 1 | 9× Platinum |
| re | ABBA | Gold: Greatest Hits | Polydor | 17 April 1999 | 1 | 18× Platinum |
| 606 | Catatonia | Equally Cursed and Blessed | Blanco y Negro | 24 April 1999 | 1 | Platinum |
| re | ABBA | Gold: Greatest Hits | Polydor | 1 May 1999 | 2 | 18× Platinum |
| 607 | Suede | Head Music | Nude | 15 May 1999 | 1 | Gold |
| 608 | Texas | The Hush | Mercury | 22 May 1999 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| re | ABBA | Gold: Greatest Hits | Polydor | 29 May 1999 | 2 | 18× Platinum |
| 609 | Boyzone | By Request | Polydor | 12 June 1999 | 2 | 6× Platinum |
| 610 | Jamiroquai | Synkronized | S2 | 26 June 1999 | 1 | Platinum |
| 611 | The Chemical Brothers | Surrender | Virgin | 3 July 1999 | 1 | Platinum |
| re | Boyzone | By Request | Polydor | 10 July 1999 | 7 | 6× Platinum |
| 612 | Travis | The Man Who | Independiente | 28 August 1999 | 2 | 9× Platinum |
| 613 | Shania Twain | Come On Over † | Mercury | 11 September 1999 | 3 | 11× Platinum |
| 614 | Leftfield | Rhythm and Stealth | Hard Hands | 2 October 1999 | 1 | Gold |
| 615 | Tom Jones | Reload | Gut | 9 October 1999 | 1 | Platinum |
| re | Shania Twain | Come On Over † | Mercury | 16 October 1999 | 3 | 11× Platinum |
| 616 | Steps | Steptacular | EBUL | 6 November 1999 | 3 | 3× Platinum |
| 617 | Celine Dion | All the Way... A Decade of Song | Epic | 27 November 1999 | 1 | 2× Platinum |
| re | Steps | Steptacular | EBUL | 4 December 1999 | 1 | 3× Platinum |
| re | Shania Twain | Come On Over † | Mercury | 11 December 1999 | 5 | 11× Platinum |
| Contents |
|---|
| ← 1980s • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000s → |
By artist
edit
Eight artists spent 12 weeks or more at number one on the album chart during the 1990s.
| Artist | Number ones | Weeks at number one | Albums |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simply Red | 4 | 19 |
• Stars (1991–92, twelve weeks at number one) |
| Spice Girls | 2 | 18 |
• Spice (1996–97, fifteen weeks at number one) |
| Oasis | 3 | 16 |
• Definitely Maybe (1994, one week at number one) |
| Boyzone | 4 | 14 |
• Said and Done (1995, one week at number one) |
| Celine Dion | 4 | 14 |
• The Colour of My Love (1995, seven weeks at number one) |
| Cher | 2 | 13 |
• Love Hurts (1991, six weeks at number one) |
| Luciano Pavarotti[f] | 4 | 12 |
• The Essential Pavarotti (1990, four weeks at number one) |
| George Michael | 3 | 12 |
• Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990, one week at number one) |
By record label
editSix record labels spent 20 weeks or more at number one on the album chart during the 1990s.
| Record label | Number-one albums | Weeks at number one |
|---|---|---|
| Virgin Records | 19 | 62 |
| RCA Records | 10 | 32 |
| Epic Records | 10 | 30 |
| Polydor Records | 8 | 24 |
| Mercury Records | 7 | 24 |
| East West Records | 6 | 21 |
Christmas number ones
edit
In the UK, Christmas number one albums are those that are at the top of the UK Albums Chart on Christmas Day. Typically, this will refer to the album that was announced as number one on the Sunday before 25 December—when Christmas Day falls on a Sunday itself, the official number one is considered by the OCC to be the one announced on that day's chart.[24] During the 1990s, the following albums were Christmas number ones.
| Year | Artist | Album | Record label | Weeks at number one |
Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Madonna | The Immaculate Collection | Sire | 9 | [25] |
| 1991 | Queen | Greatest Hits II | Parlophone | 5 | [26] |
| 1992 | Cher | Greatest Hits: 1965–1992 | Geffen | 7 | [27] |
| 1993 | Meat Loaf | Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell | Virgin | 11 | [28] |
| 1994 | The Beautiful South | Carry On up the Charts | Go! Discs | 7 | [29] |
| 1995 | Robson & Jerome | Robson & Jerome | RCA | 7 | [30] |
| 1996 | Spice Girls | Spice | Virgin | 15 | [31] |
| 1997 | Celine Dion | Let's Talk About Love | Epic | 5 | [32] |
| 1998 | George Michael | Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael | Epic | 8 | [33] |
| 1999 | Shania Twain | Come On Over | Mercury | 11 | [34] |
Notes
edit- ^ a b c d The artist, album, week ending date of reaching number one and number of weeks at number one are those given by the OCC.[9][11][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]
- ^ The record labels are those given by the OCC.[22]
- ^ The certifications are those awarded by the BPI as of 31 December 1999.[6]
- ^ a b Seal released two number-one albums during the 1990s, both of which were eponymously titled.[23]
- ^ Evita is sometimes credited to Madonna & Various Artists.[23]
- ^ The totals for Luciano Pavarotti include two albums co-credited with Plácido Domingo and José Carreras.
References
edit- ^ a b "Key Dates in the History of the Official UK Charts". London: The Official UK Charts Company. 2007. Archived from the original on 10 January 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ "The Official UK Top 40 Albums Chart". London: BBC Radio 1. 2011. Archived from the original on 3 July 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Number 1 Albums – 1990s". London: The Official UK Charts Company. Archived from the original on 9 August 2005. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ a b c "Top 10 Selling Albums of the 1990s in the UK". Evening Chronicle. Newcastle upon Tyne. 16 August 2003.
- ^ Ellen, Barbara (23 March 2003). "The Mother of All Bachelors". The Observer. London: Guardian News and Media. ISSN 0029-7712. OCLC 470355082. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013.
- ^ a b "Certified Awards Search". London: British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ Pickover, Ella (22 November 2010). "Record First-week Sales for Take That". The Independent. London: Independent Print. ISSN 0951-9467. OCLC 240904920. Archived from the original on 25 November 2010.
- ^ "Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive: 13th January 1990". Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
- ^ a b "All the Number One Albums: 1990". London: Official Charts Company. 2011. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ "Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive: 1st January 2000". Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
- ^ a b "All the Number One Albums: 1999". London: Official Charts Company. 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ McLean, Craig (29 May 2003). "Up and Away". The Daily Telegraph. London. ISSN 0307-1235. OCLC 613316876. Archived from the original on 29 February 2016.
- ^ Martland, Peter (1997). Edge, Ruth (ed.). Since Records Began: EMI, the First 100 Years (illustrated ed.). London: Batsford. p. 263. ISBN 9780713462074. OCLC 37740500.
- ^ "All the Number One Albums: 1991". London: Official Charts Company. 2011. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ "All the Number One Albums: 1992". London: Official Charts Company. 2011. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ "All the Number One Albums: 1993". London: Official Charts Company. 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ "All the Number One Albums: 1994". London: Official Charts Company. 2011. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ "All the Number One Albums: 1995". London: Official Charts Company. 2011. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ "All the Number One Albums: 1996". London: Official Charts Company. 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ "All the Number One Albums: 1997". London: Official Charts Company. 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ "All the Number One Albums: 1998". London: Official Charts Company. 2011. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ "Artist Chart History". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ a b "Number 1 Albums – 1990s". London: The Official UK Charts Company. Archived from the original on 9 August 2005. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
- ^ "Christmas No.1s: Albums". London: The Official UK Charts Company. 2007. Archived from the original on 18 December 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
- ^ "Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive: 29th December 1990". London: Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
- ^ "Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive: 28th December 1991". London: Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
- ^ "Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive: 26th December 1992". London: Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
- ^ "Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive: 25th December 1993". London: Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
- ^ "Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive: 31st December 1994". London: Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
- ^ "Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive: 30th December 1995". London: Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
- ^ "Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive: 29th December 1996". London: Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
- ^ "Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive: 27th December 1997". London: Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
- ^ "Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive: 26th December 1998". London: Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
- ^ "Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive: 25th December 1999". London: Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
External links
edit- "Official UK Albums Top 100 at the Official Charts Company". Official Charts. Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- The Official UK Top 40 Albums Chart at BBC Radio 1