List of best-selling singles in France explained

Best-selling singles in France

2 million or more copies

Artist Single Year Sales
J.J. Lionel"La Danse des canards"19812,700,000[2]
Patrick Fiori, Garou and Daniel Lavoie"Belle"19982,200,000[3]
Celine Dion"Pour que tu m'aimes encore"19952,100,000[4]
Elton John"Candle in the Wind 1997"/"Something About the Way You Look Tonight"19972,000,000[5]

1,200,000 copies to 1,800,000 copies

Artist Single Year Sales
John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John"You're the One That I Want"19781,800,000[6]
Kaoma"Lambada"19891,800,000[7]
Laurent Voulzy"Rockollection"19771,800,000[8]
Chanteurs Sans Frontières"Éthiopie"19851,700,000[9]
Christophe"Aline"1965/791,600,000[10]
Les Forbans"Chante"19821,600,000[11]
Florent PagnySavoir Aimer19971,500,000[12]
Ilona Mitrecey"Un Monde parfait"20051,500,000[13]
Philippe D'Avilla, Damien Sargue & Grégori Baquet"Les Rois du monde"20001,500,000[14]
Yannick"Ces soirées-là"20001,500,000[15]
Herbert Léonard"Pour le plaisir"19811,400,000
Hot ButterPopcorn19721,400,000[16]
Johnny HallydayMarie20021,400,000[17]
Patrick Hernandez"Born to Be Alive"19791,400,000[18]
Ricky Martin"(Un, Dos, Tres) Maria"19971,400,000[19]
Stone et ChardenL'avventura19711,400,000[20]
Village People"YMCA"19781,400,000[21]
Wes"Alane"19971,400,000
Jean-Claude Borelly & His OrchestraDolannes Melodie19741,350,000[22]
Las Ketchup"Asereje (The Ketchup Song)"20021,310,000
Bimbo JetEl Bimbo19741,300,000
Irene Cara"Flashdance... What a Feeling"19831,300,000
Marie Myriam"L'oiseau et l'enfant"19771,300,000[23]
Michel Sardou"Dix ans plus tôt"19771,300,000
Peter and Sloane"Besoin de rien, envie de toi"19841,300,000[24]
Sheila"L'école est finie"19631,300,000[25]
Crazy Frog"Axel F"20051,270,000
Alizée"Moi... Lolita"20001,200,000[26]
Barbra Streisand"Woman in Love"19801,200,000[27]
Chagrin d'amour"Chacun fait ce qui lui plait"19811,200,000[28]
LarussoTu m'oublieras19981,200,000[29]
Les Dix CommandementsL'Envie d'aimer20011,200,000
Michel SardouEn Chantant19781,200,000
Nikka CostaOut Here on My Own19811,200,000[30]
OttawanT'es Ok19801,200,000
Richard SandersonReality19811,200,000
Rose LaurensAfrica19831,200,000
The BugglesVideo Killed The Radio Star1979/801,200,000
The ShortsComment ça va19831,200,000
Vanessa ParadisJoe le Taxi19871,200,000[31]

1,000,000 to 1,190,000 copies

Artist Single Year Sales
O-Zone"Dragostea Din Tei"20031,170,000
Star Academy France"La Musique"20011,140,000
Mungo JerryIn the Summertime19701,110,000[32]
Jean-Jacques GoldmanJe te donne19851,100,000
Jean-Luc LahayeFemme que j'aime19821,100,000
Kim CarnesBette Davis Eyes19811,100,000
Lionel LeroyUlysse 3119811,100,000
Michael JacksonBeat It19831,100,000
Noam"Goldorak"19781,100,000
Pop Concerto OrchestraEden Is a Magic World19821,100,000
Ray Parker Jr.Ghostbusters1984/851,100,000
Umberto TozziTi amo19781,100,000
DJ BoBo"Chihuahua"20031,020,000
Annie CordyLa bonne du curé19741,000,000[33]
Charles AznavourLa Mamma19691,000,000[34]
VOF de KunstSuzanne (VOF de Kunst song)19801,000,000[35]
Boney MDaddy Cool19761,000,000
Boney MRivers of Babylon19781,000,000
Bonnie TylerIt's a Heartache1977/781,000,000
Break MachineStreetdance19841,000,000
Chantal GoyaAllons Chanter Avec Mickey19771,000,000
Claude FrançoisLe Téléphone Pleure19741,000,000
Cookie DinglerFemme libérée19841,000,000
Culture ClubDo You Really Want to Hurt Me19831,000,000
David Alexandre WinterOh Lady Mary19691,000,000[36]
Daniel BalavoineL'Aziza19851,000,000
David HallydayTu ne m'as pas laissé le temps19991,000,000[37]
Début de SoiréeNuit de folie19881,000,000
Ennio MorriconeIl était une fois dans l'ouest1968-701,000,000[38]
EuropeThe Final Countdown19861,000,000
FR DavidWords19821,000,000
Green & LejeunePot pour rire mr le président19741,000,000[39]
Hervé VilardNous19781,000,000
ImaginationJust an Illusion19821,000,000
ImagesLes Démons de minuit19861,000,000
JairoLes Jardins du ciel19801,000,000
JeanettePorque te vas19741,000,000[40]
Jermaine Jackson and Pia ZadoraWhen the Rain Begins to Fall1983/841,000,000
Kim WildeCambodia19821,000,000
Les Compagnons de la chanson"Charlie Brown"19451,000,000[41]
Licence IVViens boire un p'tit coup à la maison19871,000,000
Manau"La Tribu de Dana"19981,000,000[42]
Mecano"Hijo de la Luna"19861,000,000[43]
Mecano"Une femme avec une femme"19901,000,000
Michael Jackson"Billie Jean"19831,000,000
Michael Jackson"Thriller"19841,000,000
Michel Sardou"Les Lacs du Connemara"19811,000,000
Michel Sardou"La Maladie d'amour"19731,000,000[44]
Michel Sardou"Le Rire du Sergent"19711,000,000[45]
Mylene FarmerDésenchantée19911,000,000[46]
Pierre BacheletElle est d'ailleurs19801,000,000
Pierre BacheletLes Corons19821,000,000
Philippe LavilIl tape sur des bambous19821,000,000
Ricchi e PoveriSarà perché ti amo19811,000,000
ScorpionsStill Loving You19841,000,000
ShakiraWhenever, Wherever20021,000,000[47]
StéphanieOuragan19861,000,000
Sidney BechetLes Oignons19491,000,000[48]
U.S.A. For AfricaWe Are the World19841,000,000

900,000 to 990,000 copies

Artist Single Year Sales
Carrapicho"Tic Tic Tac"1996980,000[49]
Adriano CelentanoDon't Play That Song1977/78900,000
Andrea BocelliCon te partirò1995`900,000[50]
BibieTout doucement1985900,000
Claude BarzottiLe rital1983900,000
DorothéeHou! la menteuse1982900,000
DorothéeRox et Rouky1981900,000
Ennio MorriconeChi Mai1981900,000
KajagoogooToo Shy1983900,000
Jean-Luc LahayePapa chanteur1985900,000
Julie PietriÈve lève-toi1986900,000[51]
Plastic BertrandÇa plane pour moi1977900,000

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Best-selling single (France). Guinness World Records. 21 March 2023.
  2. Web site: TOP – 1981. 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment. 23 March 2022. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20201101121114/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1981.htm. 1 November 2020. Top-France.fr. 469523661.
  3. Web site: Histoire d'un tube : "Belle" de Notre-Dame de Paris (1998). Charts in France. Pure Charts. 23 March 2022. fr. 23 December 2018.
  4. Web site: Best-selling album (France) . Guinness World Records . 14 January 2024 . 3.
  5. News: "Sì auto e moto ci inseguivano". La Stampa. 31. 23 September 1997. it. 23 March 2022.
  6. Web site: Le couple Travolta-Newton-John reforme. La Libre. 12 April 2012. 12 February 2024. fr.
  7. News: Cinema in guerra a colpi di lambada. La Stampa. 31. 20 March 1990. it. 23 March 2022.
  8. Web site: Parlez-Vous Smash. Billboard. 101 (157). 0006-2510. 26 August 1978. 12 February 2024.
  9. Web site: TOP – 1985. 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment. 23 March 2022. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20220123152503/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1985.htm. 23 January 2022. Top-France.fr. 469523661.
  10. Web site: TOP – 1965. 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment. 12 February 2024. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20220409184631/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1965.htm. 9 April 2022. Top-France.fr. 469523661.
  11. Web site: TOP – 1978. 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment. 23 March 2022. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20200130013454/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1983.htm. 30 January 2020. Top-France.fr. 469523661.
  12. Book: Enjelvin, Géraldine. Savoir Faire Plus: Le Français à l'Université. Routledge. 24 May 2013. 978-1136607936. 23 March 2022.
  13. Web site: Top 100 des singles les plus vendus du 21ème siècle : le récap !. Charts in France. Pure Charts. 23 March 2022. fr. September 20, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141210120626/http://www.chartsinfrance.net/actualite/news-93671.html. December 10, 2014. live.
  14. Web site: "Moi... Lolita", "Ces soirées-là", "Music"... Ces tubes fêtent leurs 20 ans. Charts in France. Pure Charts. fr. August 9, 2020. 23 March 2022.
  15. Web site: Histoire d'un tube : "Ces soirées-là" de Yannick (2000). Charts in France. Pure Charts. fr. July 14, 2018. 23 March 2022.
  16. The Rundown on Barclay Records. Record World. 44. 24 February 1973. 5 June 2023.
  17. Web site: Histoire d'un tube : "Marie" de Johnny Hallyday (2002). chartsinfrance.net. 23 March 2022.
  18. Web site: TOP – 1979. 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment. 23 March 2022. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20210111064458/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1979.htm. 11 January 2021. Top-France.fr. 469523661.
  19. News: Vos tubes de l'été (4) : 'María (Un, dos, tres)'. Pérou. Olivier. Le Point. 23 March 2022. July 10, 2014. French. August 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210827192829/https://www.lepoint.fr/culture/vos-tubes-de-l-ete-4-maria-un-dos-tres-10-07-2014-1844898_3.php. live.
  20. Disc AZ sets the pace in the singles field. Billboard. 8 July 1972. 21 March 2023.
  21. Web site: TOP – 1978. 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment. 23 March 2022. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20210111092235/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1978.htm. January 11, 2021. Top-France.fr. 469523661.
  22. Book: Murrells, Joseph. Million selling records from the 1900s to the 1980s : an illustrated directory. 1985. Arco Pub.. It was an instant hit in France, selling 1,300,000 there alone // Although first released in 1974, for six months it sold 1,350,000 in France, 500,000 in Germany and 200,000 in Benelux. 0668064595. 281.
  23. Web site: TOP – 1977. 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment. 23 March 2022. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20210111054910/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1977.htm. 11 January 2021. Top-France.fr. 469523661.
  24. Web site: TOP – 1984. 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment. 23 March 2022. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20220110103003/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1984.htm. 10 January 2022. Top-France.fr. 469523661.
  25. Carre's Hit Packed Career. Billboard. Google Books. 56. 25 May 1974. 21 March 2023.
  26. Web site: Alizée : ses deux premiers albums sortiront en vinyle le 11 décembre. Charts in France. 23 March 2022. fr. August 22, 2020. PureMédias.
  27. Web site: TOP – 1980. 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment. 23 March 2022. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20210223153814/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1980.htm. 23 February 2021. Top-France.fr. 469523661.
  28. Web site: TOP – 1982. 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment. 23 March 2022. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20200223125220/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1982.htm. 23 February 2020. Top-France.fr. 469523661.
  29. Web site: Larusso chante "Tu m'oublieras" en live, 19 ans après (VIDEO). Charts in France. Pure Charts. 23 March 2022. fr. 5 December 2017.
  30. 1982-09-04 . A Year After 'On My Own': Costa's Success Continues . Billboard . en . Nielsen Business Media, Inc. . 59.
  31. Actes De Presence! - Vanessa Paradis. Music & Media. 20. 15 October 1988. 21 March 2023.
  32. Vogue Turnover Up 100 Percent . . 1 May 1971 . 83 . 18 . F-26 . 0006-2510 .
  33. Web site: TOP – 1975. 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment. 23 March 2022. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20210112081306/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1975.htm. 12 January 2021. Top-France.fr. 469523661.
  34. Book: Murrells, Joseph. Million selling records from the 1900s to the 1980s : an illustrated directory. 1985. Arco Pub.. The first million seller for Aznavour achieved its sale in France alone. 0668064595. 170.
  35. Les Singles / Titres Certifiés "Platine". Info Disc. 23 March 2022.
  36. Book: Murrells, Joseph. Million selling records from the 1900s to the 1980s : an illustrated directory. 1985. Arco Pub.. This disc was released in April 1969 and by September sold 750,000 and the million by November in France, where it was No 1 for five weeks and in the Top Ten for around six months. 0668064595. 295.
  37. Web site: Histoire d'un tube : "Marie" de Johnny Hallyday (2002). chartsinfrance.net. 11 August 2019. 23 March 2022.
  38. RCA in France 50 Percent Up. Billboard. 37. 14 July 1973. 0006-2510. 23 March 2022.
  39. Web site: TOP – 1974. 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment. 23 March 2022. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20210111050835/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1974.htm. 11 January 2021. Top-France.fr. 469523661.
  40. Web site: TOP – 1976. 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment. 23 March 2022. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20210109075136/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1976.htm. 9 January 2021. Top-France.fr. 469523661.
  41. Les Parisiennes Aiment Peer. Billboard. P-S-18. 1 June 1968. 10 April 2023.
  42. Web site: Histoire d'un tube : "La Tribu de Dana" de Manau (1998). Charts in France. Pure Charts. 23 March 2022. fr. 17 June 2018.
  43. Ana Torrooja's French prayers. Music & Media. 29 September 2001. 10. Howell. Llewllyn. 21 March 2023.
  44. Web site: TOP – 1973. 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment. 23 March 2022. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20210828170342/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1973.htm. 28 August 2021. Top-France.fr. 469523661.
  45. Web site: Phonogram Registers 19 Percent Sales increase in 1st 6 Months. Billboard. 52. 0006-2510. 7 October 1972. 30 October 2023.
  46. Web site: Désenchantée. Le Monde. Sylvain. Siclier. 12 April 2006. fr. 23 March 2022.
  47. Sales claim for "Whenever, Wherever" in France:
  48. Vogue 20th Anniversary Special. Billboard. 41. 0006-2510. 7 October 1967. Google Books. Mike. Hennessey. 28 February 2023.
  49. Web site: Zoom sur les tubes de l'été des années 90 : "Macarena", "Alane", "Yakalelo"... (VIDEOS). Charts in France. Pure Charts. 23 March 2022. fr. 30 July 2016.
  50. News: Bocelli, la voe che batte Pavarotti. La Stampa. 29. 1 July 1997. it. 23 March 2022.
  51. French Special - Revolution Within The Record Industry!. Music & Media. 12. 25 April 1987. Machgiel. Bakker. 5 June 2023.

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