On This Day: ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ Finally Falls Off Charts
Source: An artwork issued from the album cover The Dark Side of the Moon released in 1973 is seen during the Pink Floyd exhibition. (Rahman Hassani/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) / Getty
On this day in 1988, Pink Floyd‘s 1973 album Dark Side of the Moon finally dropped off the Billboard Hot 200 Albums chart after a record-breaking 741 weeks.
The band’s eighth studio album had two major consecutive runs on the Hot 200, with 84 weeks between March 17, 1973 to Oct. 19, 1974 and 593 weeks between Dec. 18, 1976 to April 23, 1988. The albums went 15 times platinum, certified by the RIAA. It featured hit singles like Money and Time.
Source: Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon record (MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images)
In honor of Dark Side of the Moon‘s historic run, here are the 10 rock albums with the most weeks spent on the Billboard Hot 200 Albums chart.
10. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Greatest Hits
The first album on the top 10 longest-charting rock albums is a compilation album from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, released on Nov. 16, 1993. The album peaked at No. 5 in February 1994, before peaking at No. 2 following Tom Petty’s death in 2017. The album has been on the chart for 586 weeks and counting
9. Fleetwood Mac – Rumours
Rumours by Fleetwood Mac topped the chart for 31 weeks overall. It’s made many reappearances on the chart, thanks to renewed attention in 2011 thanks to the TV show Glee and again in 2020 due to a viral TikTok video. The album has spent 601 weeks and counting since its release on Feb. 4, 1977.
Source: Jay L. Clendenin / Getty Images
8. Queen – Greatest Hits
Released by Queen on Oct. 26, 1981, Greatest Hits is a compilation album, which had tracks that varied depending on which of the band’s singles were the most successful in the particular territory. It recently peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 200 thanks to a 2020 Walmart vinyl release. It has charted for 615 weeks and counting.
7. AC/DC – Back in Black
Back in Black marked the debut of current AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson, following the death of former frontman Bon Scott in 1980. Released on July 25, 1980, the album has spent 626 weeks on the chart and counting.
6. Nirvana – Nevermind
This grunge-based alternative rock album was the breakout release for Nirvana. Released on Sept. 24, 1991, Nevermind has been on the chart for a total of 690 weeks and counting.
Source: Bill Tompkins / Getty Images
5. Guns ‘N’ Roses – Greatest Hits
If one had to guess what album Guns ‘N’ Roses would have on the list, many would probably think the band’s debut album, Appetite for Destruction, would be here. However, Greatest Hits has been on the charts for 696 weeks and counting. The album was released on March 23, 2004, despite a lawsuit filed by Axl Rose, Duff McKagan and Slash attempting to stop its release by Geffen Records.
4. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits
Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits was released in January of 1976, featuring a shortened single version of I Heard it Through the Grapevine. It’s been on the chart for 714 weeks and counting.
3. Metallica – Metallica
This heavy metal album was the fifth studio album for Metallic; their first to top the Hot 200 charts. Metallica‘s five singles all charted within the Billboard Hot 100, a big reason why this album has been on the chart for 762 weeks and counting. Out of all albums of any genre on the longest-charting albums list, Metallica is the second-highest non-compilation album.
Source: Ron Galella, Ltd. / Getty Images
2. Journey – Journey’s Greatest Hits
Released on Nov. 15, 1988, Journey’s Greatest Hits has charted longer than any other compilation album – aside from Legend by Bob Marley and the Wailers. The album’s success has been bolstered by several reissues over the decades, with 855 weeks on the chart and counting.
1. Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon
Since Oct. 8, 1988, Dark Side of the Moon has reentered the chart for a total of 249 additional weeks. While currently not on the chart, it’s hard to imagine Pink Floyd’s flagship album stalls at 990 weeks without cracking 1,000 weeks for the first time in the Billboard Hot 200‘s history. In total, the album has spent a little over 19 years collectively on the chart.
