Still Winning: Adele’s ’21’ Tops Itunes Year-End Chart For Second Year

Published: Thursday 13th Dec 2012 by Rashad

Despite voluntarily falling out of the public eye in recent months, ‘Skyfall’ singer Adele is still slaying charts with her sophomore effort ’21’ (released February 2011).  Featuring the hits ‘Rolling In the Deep’, ‘Someone Like You’, and ‘Set Fire To The Rain’, the chart topping set blazed through 2011’s competition with repeated record-breaking runs atop the Billboard 200.

Fast forward a year later and it appears she is still finding her name in running with 2012’s biggest sellers. For, today saw Itunes unveil its year-end chart – tallying the year’s most downloaded albums.  Guess who’s number 1….

iTunes Top-Selling Albums of 2012:
1. Adele, 21
2. Taylor Swift, Red
3. Mumford & Sons, Babel
4. One Direction, Up All Night
5. Fun., Some Nights
6. Mumford & Sons, Sigh No More
7. The Lumineers, The Lumineers
8. John Mayer, Born and Raised
9. Maroon 5, Overexposed
10. Jason Aldean, Night Train

iTunes Top-Selling Songs of 2012:
1. Carly Rae Jepsen, “Call Me Maybe”
2. Gotye, “Somebody That I Used to Know”
3. Fun. “We Are Young”
4. Maroon 5 featuring Wiz Khalifa, “Payphone”
5. Nicki Minaj, “Starships”
6. One Direction, “What Makes You Beautiful”
7. Kelly Clarkson, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”
8. Fun., “Some Nights”
9. Flo Rida, “Whistle”
10. Flo Rida featuring Sia, “Wild Ones”

While lacking much direct promotion this year, sales of the album were helped by boosts it received the week of the singer’s Grammy sweep as well as publicity from her pregnancy.  But, with the singer reportedly readying a 2013 follow-up to the blockbuster album, will we see a redo next year?

We’re sure the competition hopes not.

Your thoughts?

Comments 88

Please Post Your Comments & Reviews

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. King B>Rihanna December 13, 2012

    Damn she slayed b****** from her f****** couch with her baby sucking on them tits.
    Best Selling Album of 2012 in the Us(2 years in a row)
    Skyfall went Platinum without any promotion
    Adele really stole everyone shine last year.

    • TAYLOR SWIFT > BEYONCE December 13, 2012

      lol beyonce included 🙂

      • King B>Rihanna December 13, 2012

        Yes we are all know that she stole every one shine last year so you don’t have a point but i should not respond to you because you think Taylor is better than Beyonce so you are highly delusional and full of s***.

  2. Monstarebel December 13, 2012

    Adele & this album can go to Hell the album truly isn’t all that I haven’t listened to it since 2011 TBH the most over hyped album in history…

    BUT YAAAAAAAAAAAAS CONGRATULATIONS TO QUEEN MINAJ FOR HAVING ONE OF THE TOP SELLING SONGS IN 2012 *tears*

    • FOLLOW ME @gdboyratedloud December 13, 2012

      There’s a few good songs on there. Aside from that <<<<<<

      • Monstarebel December 13, 2012

        Right….this album is all hype. But Congratulations to Adele anyways she’s slaying everyones favs at this point

  3. Monstarebel December 13, 2012

    Are any people in the top selling albums black tho??? hmmmm

    • Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 13, 2012

      I was about to say. Florida the only black person and No black person the album chart. OH dear. No RNB anywhere

      • Monstarebel December 13, 2012

        yea but no black artists sold enough albums to make this list. *sigh*

    • Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 13, 2012

      Nicki is there too

    • cruz December 14, 2012

      wow, let’s bring race into it, because that is entirely relevant.

      • BrunoMarsKingOfPop December 14, 2012

        Actually it is! Please go get an education.

      • tell h** December 14, 2012

        @BrunoMarsKingOfPop with your screen name you are the last person to talk about someone getting an education get yours 1st and yes race dose play a factor

  4. FOLLOW ME @gdboyratedloud December 13, 2012

    Adele snatched ALL OF OUR FAVES. We’ll see if it happens again.

    Me personally, I think she’ll have the Keyshia Cole effect. Ppl dont want to hear happy music. I think Adele is in a happy place so her next album wont be like 21.

    We’ll see tho. Im glad she’s influencing our favs. 4 and Unapologetic are proof.

    • Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 13, 2012

      4 was just RNB, Unapolgetic is more Adele. That song with Mikky Ekko is an adele type. 4 was just black rnb. I saw no florence and machine or adele in her LP.

      • ƸӜƷ MC ƸӜƷ December 13, 2012

        ” Unapolgetic is more Adele” The REACH.

    • GURL BYE December 13, 2012

      LOL how is she influencing rihanna?? did you forget rated r…go sit somewhere. Beyonce is the one she’s influencing with that 4closure #DEAL

    • TinaMinaj December 14, 2012

      Influencing Beyonce and Rihanna how exactly?? Rihanna has always been doing what she’s doing and 4 was mostly RnB so…….

    • Career Ender December 14, 2012

      @gdboyratedloud

      you stank breath frito smelling goat is always doing the most when it comes to Bey, stop reaching!

      4 wasn’t enspired by 21 nor is UNPURCHASED

      —–> _/

      • sharon December 14, 2012

        “UNPURCHASED”

        LMAO!!!

      • THE WHOLE WORLD LOVES RIHANNA!!! December 14, 2012

        unapologetic went platnium tho lol and it didnt take a 2 yrs like 4flop

  5. ƸӜƷ MC ƸӜƷ December 13, 2012

    Congrats, ’19’ was much better though but I can’t hate on your success girl. Its funny though, most people’s best work isn’t their highest selling, like Michael’s “Thriller” was NOWHERE near “Bad” or “Off the Wall”, Madonna’s “Ray of Light” or “Like a virgin” is NOWHERE near as good as True Blue, Erotica, Bedtime Stories, and American Life, Mariah’s Music Box is NOWHERE near Daydream, Butterfly, or Emancipation. IDK it’s just my opinion……

    • S****** Blonde December 13, 2012

      Excuse me but Ray of Light is Madonna’s best album, so much better than True Blue, even better than Erotica and Bedtime Stories.

      • ƸӜƷ MC ƸӜƷ December 13, 2012

        Ray of light is my 3rd favorite album by Madonna but Erotica and Bedtime stories >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ray is nowhere near the artistry and brilliance of Erotica or BTS. I love True Blue…..don’t pay it dust people! I loved her during the Ray era though, she was flawless.

      • S****** Blonde December 13, 2012

        Ray is nowhere near the artistry and brilliance of Erotica or BTS.
        That is when you are wrong, those are masterpieces but Ray of Light has been described as one of the best albums in music history, songs like “The Power of Goodbye” and Drowned World are just magical.

      • ƸӜƷ MC ƸӜƷ December 13, 2012

        I”m well aware of the fact that Rey is her most critically acclaimed body of work but I still hold Erotica and BTS higher because I like them better.

        Isn’t it funny though? Ray isn’t my fave album from Madge and Butterfly isn’t your fave from Mimi’s?

      • S****** Blonde December 13, 2012

        Now i undest. you, those are your fav. Madge’s albums but no way those are better than RL, i still think Butterfly is Mariah most mature album, best with The Emancipation of Mimi.

      • ƸӜƷ MC ƸӜƷ December 13, 2012

        I’m sorry for the confusing, I meant to say, Erotica is favorite Madonna album followed by BTS then Ray then TB. I agree about Butterfly and TEOM.

    • Career Ender December 14, 2012

      MDNA is the only album by Madonna tha i know but i havent listened to it. She’s not my cup of tea though

      • RoyalKev December 14, 2012

        ƸӜƷ MC ƸӜƷ

        Great point! I notice that the most commercial albums from artists are usually never favorite.

        For MJ, everytime I listen to “Thriller” I don’t quite understand how it’s his most celebrated work (even though ‘PYT’, ‘Human Nature’ and ‘Beat It’ are timeless and amazing in any lifetime) . Your right, Off The Wall & Bad mop the floor with that album.

        Mariah’s Daydream & Butterfly albums are masterpieces! I never been in love with MC, but those 2 albums will convert anyone into being a lamb. TEOM would be third. All 3 >>>>>> Music Box

        Madonna’s best work for me does happen to be True Blue. Just for ‘Live To Tell’ alone … Don’t look down on me, but I might have just heard that song 5 years ago. Lol. I was like wow! I played it about 50 times one day (it even slays Crazy For You). I know, I’m #Late… I will say that Human Nature & Take A Bow (from Bedtime Stories) are pure gold, but I still think True Blue takes it! I never really understood why her stans seem to cherish the ROL album as much as they do, but they seem to stand unamious on that.

        It’s about right for Whitney and Janet. The Bodyguard is Whitney at her best (followed by that first album, ‘All At Once’ >>>>>>). For Janet it’s the “Janet” album, although I can tell you, her stans will split votes down the middle between RN & TVR (which makes sense). Still Anytime, Anyplace >>>>>>.

        As for Bey, DIL & I Am… are great albums, but give me “4” & the funky “B’day’ allday! ‘Resentment’, ‘Upgrade U’, ‘Get Me Bodied’ >>>>> … All Of “4” >>>>>>>>>>> period!

        I can go on, but I won’t. I totally get your point. I will just add (since Adele is the topic of this post) that I do favor “19” over “21”. Congrats to her for 21’s success though.

        http://www.thepagewithroyalkev.com

      • ƸӜƷ MC ƸӜƷ December 14, 2012

        @Career Ender

        You should try Erotica, Bedtime Stories, True Blue, and Ray of Light first. MDNA isn’t that good…….imo.

        @RoyalKev

        You got everything I was trying to say! I agree with everything except for Beyonce I think DIL and ‘4’ are her best work closely followed by B’Day while IASF (the Sasha Fierce side collecting dust elsewhere). Beyonce really annoyed me with the Sasha Fierce side of IASF…..she was doing brilliantly with the I Am portion!

        I also disagree with the Janet album, although its my 3rd/4th favorite by her I think RN1814 and TVR are much better.

    • sharon December 14, 2012

      Ray Of Light is a good ass album!!

    • sharon December 14, 2012

      But i will agree that off the wall is Mj’s absolute BEST!!

    • RoyalKev December 14, 2012

      @ ƸӜƷ MC ƸӜƷ

      I think people are a little hard on the ‘Sasha’ side of “I Am… Sasha Fierce”. I think people discredit it because SL received such massive exposure. When I first picked up that album SL, Sweet Dreams & Diva were all standouts! It’s a lot of artists trying to recreate that vibe now…

      I understand with Janet, it’s easy to go back & forth between RN and the Janet album.

      http://www.thepagewithroyalkev.com

      • ƸӜƷ MC ƸӜƷ December 14, 2012

        I just hate it when she doesn’t SHOW her talent (voice) when she does songs like “Diva”, “Single ladies”, “Video phone”, etc but “Sweet dreams” is a good song and I like the video.

  6. S****** Blonde December 13, 2012

    Well, looking at the others on the list, Adele deserves that #1 spot.

  7. BitchICan’tEvenSpellWelfare December 13, 2012

    AND she was just nominated for a Golden Globe for “Sky Fall.”

    I just don’t know what to say at this point….

    • Common Sense December 14, 2012

      A baby on one arm and a bag of cheetohs on the other while the rest of the competition hustles like crazy to have a fraction of her success. Adele is slaying like never before.

  8. Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 13, 2012

    No RNB. That genre is dead, I feel sorry for anyone who tries to do that artform

    • Hush December 14, 2012

      That flop Rihanna album is already out of the top 10 after spending only two weeks inside it. ROFL! Talk about “dead.”

      PS: Rita Ora is younger, prettier and more talented than Rihanna can ever dream to be. Haha!

      • FOLLOW ME @gdboyratedloud December 14, 2012

        Reaching??? theres a ton of new releases every week dumbass

    • Career Ender December 14, 2012

      but RIH is the biggest POP STAR in the world according to you, why aint she sustaining like TAYLOR SWIFT

      SYBIL TELL US??????????

  9. reality December 13, 2012

    Ouch Monstarebel is mad as f*** and proves he or she is a bitter hatin b****.

    This is what you call a REIGN Monstarebel! Your fave Rihanna could never. What Adele sold with this album has taken Rihanna 7 to achieve and 21 shits on anything your fave has ever done. You’re just mad that Adele was still selling from her living room nursing her baby.

    • Monstarebel December 13, 2012

      im not trippen…I actually like Adele somewhat I just think her album isn’t all that good…

      • King B>Rihanna December 13, 2012

        but you like unapologetic you are really reaching.

    • sharon December 14, 2012

      U betta slay!!!

      • THE WHOLE WORLD LOVES RIHANNA!!! December 14, 2012

        She slayed beyflops ass

  10. Taylor swift or die December 13, 2012

    LMAOOO NO BLACK PEOPLE IN SIGHT other than flo rida lmao and yall are always on here arguing with one another but ain’t buying s***, black people don’t buy music they download it illegally.

    • ƸӜƷ MC ƸӜƷ December 13, 2012

      Ke$ha, Christina Aguilera, Carly Rae J., Ellie G., Rita Ora, Kreashawn, Nelly F., etc all flopped with their albums and they are non-blacks. What’s your excuse now, racist b****?

      • Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 13, 2012

        But there is still no black person on the album charts.

    • Uhoh12 December 13, 2012

      Taylor swift or die and Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys are the same person.

      Koo-Koo.

    • TinaMinaj December 14, 2012

      o it just proves there is alot of racism and your post is more than enough proof. Why should black people only have to buy black people’s music? Or vice-versa? Pathetic!

    • TAYLOR SWIFT S NUMBER 1 FAN!!! December 14, 2012

      @TAYLOR SWIFT OR DIE
      Dont troll with your dumb comments with Taylor swift in your username!

  11. PRINCE MACHIAVEL December 14, 2012

    Meeeh! Tooo Bad She’s A Talented Boring White With Freakin Yuuuuuuumy Lips, God I Wanna Kiss Her!!!!!!

  12. Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 14, 2012

    The first 2 weeks of Unapologetic, made is the 48Th best selling LP pf 2012. LOL LOL

  13. Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 14, 2012

    Stay
    #11 Ireland
    #12 United Kingdom
    #43 New Zealand
    #46 Sweden
    #68 Lebanon
    #68 Slovakia
    #84 United Kingdom
    #96 Switzerland
    #100 Norway
    #113 Latvia
    #124 Australia
    #133 Nigeria
    #188 Nigeria
    #189 Barbados
    #203 Canada
    #263 France

  14. Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 14, 2012

    Germany:

    Certifications:

    Diamonds – Platinum (300.000)
    Unapologetic – Gold (100.000) NEW!

  15. Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 14, 2012

    Edit : I just heard that diamonds is officially the most spun song on south African radio ever, will have to confirm

    • Common Sense December 14, 2012

      South Africa? LOL wow I can’t even. Stop being so desperate it makes you look tacky as f***.

    • TinaMinaj December 14, 2012

      LMFAO!!! Please stop with those deluded claims!

    • Career Ender December 14, 2012

      it might be, i haven’t listened to radio for a long time

    • sharon December 14, 2012

      GIRRRRRL PLEASE! JUST STOP!! NO ONE GOT TIME FOR DAT!! WE ARE HERE TO PRAISE ADELE FOR HER SLAYAGE!! NOT IRRELEVANT INFO U KEEP THROWING AT US!! GIRL BYE!!!!!

  16. Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 14, 2012

    BTW… Stay is stating WW too…

    Its #40 in NZ and #83 in Australia also Top100 in Sweden, Switzerland and Norway

  17. Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 14, 2012

    France

    Unapologetic:

    #7 (=) 20,571 physical | #8 (-2) 1,489 digital

    = 22,060

    Total: 80,050

  18. Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 14, 2012

    Well, when Man Down was released in France, it became a huge hit and brought Loud back to Top10 for many weeks and added a lot of sales (was it about 100k).

    Ever since than, Rihanna’s sales in France are a lot stronger than before, for both albums and singles!

    • Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 14, 2012

      Man Down was her ‘HIT’ that established her as a huge artist there.

      And its always around #200 there… which means it keeps on selling a lot… And its on course of becoming Rihanna’s biggest selling single there (which right now is OG with around 215K) as its almost 200K alread

  19. Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 14, 2012

    outh Africa

    01 (01) Diamonds : Rihanna [peak : #1 7 weeks]

    Chart Run : 4-1-1-1-1-1-1-1

    http://www.mediaguide.co.za/

    (Her biggest hit here, and who thought she’d ever be able to top WFL I’m amazed tbh)

  20. Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 14, 2012

    Norway:

    1 (1) Diamonds (8 weeks at #1)

    ^^^Just 1 more week to match WFL as her biggest hit there

  21. Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 14, 2012

    and I wanted to post the whole post coz it showed Rihanna’s last 3 albums’ sales in France.

    Loud – +350K
    TTT – +190K
    UA – +80K (so far in just 3 weeks)

  22. Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 14, 2012

    I’m ok with her performing “Diamonds”, in fact, the song has sold just 1,5 million and I want 3 million at least…

  23. Flop Cheeta Whora gave Rob an S** from her 20 guys December 14, 2012

    *LOVEEEEEEE SONG (Feat. Future):

    US: 70.824 copies sold (3 Weeks)
    · #55 digital 41.034 (#102 Hot100)
    · #106 digital 15.726
    · #136 digital 14.064

    *PHRESH OUT OF THE RUNWAY:

    US: 30.765 copies sold (3 Weeks)
    · #195 digital 12.322
    · OUT Top200 digital 2.739
    · #118 digital 15.704

    *POUR IT UP:

    US: 36.334 copies sold (3 Weeks)

    · #143 digital 16.938
    · #192 digital 8.885
    · #185 digital 10.511

    • Common Sense December 14, 2012

      And McDonald’s probably sold another 20 million cheeseburgers yesterday. Garbage sells fast we all know that.

      • sharon December 14, 2012

        lmao yassssss!!

      • Jenna December 14, 2012

        LOOL @COMMON SENSE

      • THE WHOLE WORLD LOVES RIHANNA!!! December 14, 2012

        Her numbers still dont lie!! she is still slaying beyflop!!!

  24. Geezy December 14, 2012

    Congratulations Adele you definitely put the work in and these are the results. It goes to show you don’t have to be on every scene or w**** your life out for the public to like you or buy your product.

  25. sharon December 14, 2012

    This b**** aint doing s***!! She’s probably still in bed sleeping! LMAO!! STILL slaying ERRRBODY!! GWORN ADELE!!! GET THAT F****** MONEY GIRL!!!

  26. JER December 14, 2012

    #neaux1curr

    Yal young girls actin like this happens everyday. Adele’s success is a once in a lifetime experience. Just ask Shania Twain and Alanis Morissette. So you can stop trying to compare 21 to every album before and after. I could easily say 21 is great but it’s a FLOP compared to Come on Over ch…

    • boopboop December 14, 2012

      and the sales of her next album wont match 21, she can ask alanis morisette and norah jones about that. adele is just the latest sensation. come 2013 or 2014 a new flavor of the moment will come along and make her irrelevant.

      • JER December 14, 2012

        LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL i forgot Norah. Grrrrrrrl…………….

  27. Jenna December 14, 2012

    So wheres Rihanna then? Aint even on the singles list damn.

    • THE WHOLE WORLD LOVES RIHANNA!!! December 14, 2012

      she just came out in nov. but she is @ no. 48 with just 3 weeks in

  28. 21st Century Slayer (B_STANNING) December 14, 2012

    Adele are you buying your own music girl so you can stay at number 1?

    Sike Congrats adele

  29. TAYLOR SWIFT S NUMBER 1 FAN!!! December 14, 2012

    Great to see Taylor swift at number 2.. though she does have the best selling alum that was released this year!
    Only been out 7 weeks aswell.

    • BitchICan’tEvenSpellWelfare December 14, 2012

      You know I usually shade Taylor but no shade today- she was nominated for a Golden Globe so congrats TAYLOR SWIFT S NUMBER 1 FAN!!! 🙂

      • TAYLOR SWIFT S NUMBER 1 FAN!!! December 14, 2012

        I know, I’m well happy at the nomination. I guess Adele will win with skyfall though.

  30. MR BLACK MAN December 15, 2012

    Overrated, thank god my fav is MJ. His prime in the 80s when it was alot of big names not 5.

Recommended Posts
..**