History's Best Selling Music of 1979

Revisiting 1979 presents a grand parade of music history, marked by retro grooves and analog innovation and enduring fan favorites. Unrivaled hits including Armed Forces, Spirits Having Flown, and Breakfast in America took top honors in living rooms and storefronts alike. Master craftsmen from industry leaders like Elvis Costello & The Attractions and Bee Gees led the vanguard, engineering high-caliber releases that defined the laid-back, radical spirit of the seventies. Dive into the full historical rankings below to see which standout creations won the day.

1. Armed Forces

   Released in 1979 by Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Columbia Records

   On January 2, 1979, as the world was still shaking off the raw energy of punk, Elvis Costello & The Attractions unleashed their third album, "Armed Forces," upon the United States. Released just a few days after its UK debut, the album arrived at a pivotal moment, showcasing a significant evolution in Costello's sound. It moved away from the stripped-down aggression of his earlier work and embraced a more polished, pop-oriented production. This release marked a deliberate and successful bid for mainstream American attention, solidifying Costello's position not just as a punk provocateur, but as one of the most sophisticated and sharp-witted songwriters of the burgeoning new wave movement.

2. Spirits Having Flown

   Released in 1979 by Bee Gees, RSO Records

   On February 5, 1979, the Bee Gees, already global superstars from the 'Saturday Night Fever' phenomenon, released 'Spirits Having Flown'. This date marks the launch of an album that would not only capitalize on their disco-era success but amplify it to an unprecedented degree. The world was in the grip of Bee Gees fever, and this album arrived as the eagerly awaited next chapter from the biggest band on the planet. It was more than just a follow-up; it was a statement of creative and commercial dominance, a perfectly polished pop record that would define the sound of the late 1970s and produce a string of chart-topping hits that remain iconic to this day.

3. Breakfast in America

   Released in 1979 by Supertramp, A&M Records

   On March 29, 1979, the musical landscape was irrevocably changed with the release of Supertramp's sixth studio album, "Breakfast in America." Dropping at a time when punk was fading and new wave was emerging, the album offered a masterclass in polished, sophisticated pop-rock. Its release date marked the beginning of its journey to becoming a global phenomenon, dominating airwaves and record charts worldwide. The album captured the zeitgeist of the late 1970s, blending cynicism with catchy melodies, and its immediate success cemented Supertramp's status as international superstars, defining their career and the sound of an era.

4. Get The Knack

   Released in 1979 by The Knack, Capitol Records

   Released on June 11, 1979, "Get The Knack" arrived at a pivotal moment in music history. The disco era was beginning to wane, and punk rock's raw energy was being distilled into more commercially accessible new wave and power pop. The Knack, with their skinny ties, mop-top haircuts, and Beatles-esque hooks, were perfectly positioned to capture this zeitgeist. The album's release was preceded by a massive industry buzz, fueled by intense bidding wars between record labels. Capitol Records ultimately signed the band and launched a huge marketing campaign, billing them as the next big thing. The album dropped like a bombshell, rocketing up the charts and defining the sound of the summer of 1979.

5. The B-52's

   Released in 1979 by The B-52's, Warner Bros. Records

   On July 6, 1979, the music world was jolted by a blast of quirky, retro-futuristic energy with the release of the self-titled debut album by The B-52's. Emerging from the vibrant Athens, Georgia music scene, the band offered a sound that was utterly unique, blending surf-rock guitars, kitschy organ sounds, and the distinctive call-and-response vocals of Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson. At a time when punk was raw and disco was slick, this album carved out a new space for party music that was intelligent, eccentric, and infectiously danceable. Its release marked the arrival of a major new wave force, one that celebrated oddity and proved that pop music could be both profoundly silly and artistically brilliant.

6. Highway to Hell

   Released in 1979 by AC/DC, Albert Productions, Atlantic Records

   Released on July 27, 1979, AC/DC's "Highway to Hell" was a pivotal moment for the Australian hard rock band. It was their international breakthrough, the first of their albums to crack the US Top 100, and tragically, the final album to feature lead vocalist Bon Scott before his untimely death in 1980. This date marks the release of a record that catapulted the band from a popular rock act into global superstars, cementing their signature sound of raw, blues-infused hard rock. It was a declaration of intent, a commercially accessible yet uncompromising album that would define their legacy and set the stage for their monumental success in the years to come.

7. Off the Wall

   Released in 1979 by Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Epic Records

   On August 10, 1979, the music world was irrevocably changed with the release of Michael Jackson's fifth studio album, "Off the Wall." This was no mere collection of songs; it was a declaration of artistic independence and a seismic shift in pop music. Coming after his work with The Jacksons, this album marked his true arrival as a solo adult superstar. Released at the peak of the disco era but transcendent of it, "Off the Wall" showcased a level of sophistication, talent, and creative ambition that set a new standard for pop and R&B, catapulting Jackson from a former child star into a global icon whose influence would only grow.

8. In Through the Out Door

   Released in 1979 by Led Zeppelin, Swan Song Records

   On August 15, 1979, the rock world stood still for the release of Led Zeppelin's eighth studio album, "In Through the Out Door." Arriving after a three-year hiatus marked by personal tragedies within the band, including the death of Robert Plant's son, the album was met with monumental anticipation. It was the last studio album released before the death of drummer John Bonham the following year, marking the end of an era for one of rock's most legendary acts. The album immediately shot to number one on the charts in both the US and UK, shipping millions of copies in its first few weeks and reaffirming the band's commercial dominance, even as the musical landscape was shifting towards punk and new wave.

9. Drums and Wires

   Released in 1979 by XTC, Virgin Records

   On August 17, 1979, British band XTC released their third studio album, "Drums and Wires," marking a pivotal moment in their career and the post-punk movement. The album represented a significant sonic evolution, shifting from their earlier quirky, frantic style to a more streamlined, guitar-driven sound. With the addition of guitarist Dave Gregory, the band adopted a two-guitar lineup, which fundamentally changed their dynamic. This release coincided with the rise of new wave, and "Drums and Wires" perfectly captured the era's nervous energy, melodic invention, and lyrical intelligence, establishing XTC as one of the genre's most innovative and important acts.

10. London Calling

    Released in 1979 by The Clash, CBS Records, Epic Records

    On December 14, 1979, the British music scene was irrevocably altered with the UK release of "London Calling" by The Clash. At a time when the initial blaze of punk rock was beginning to fade, this album arrived not as an elegy but as a bold, sprawling declaration of the genre's future. Released as a double album for the price of a single, it was an ambitious statement from a band refusing to be confined by the three-chord thrash that had defined their earlier work. This date marks the moment The Clash transcended their punk roots, delivering a masterpiece that absorbed a vast array of musical styles and addressed complex social and political issues with newfound lyrical maturity, solidifying their legacy as 'the only band that matters.'