History's Best Selling Music of 2000

Revisiting 2000 presents a grand parade of music history, marked by Y2K fever and early digital revolution and enduring fan favorites. Unrivaled hits including Bloodflowers, Two Against Nature, and Parachutes took top honors in living rooms and storefronts alike. Master craftsmen from industry leaders like The Cure and Walter Becker led the vanguard, engineering high-caliber releases that dominated airwaves and playground buzz alike. Dive into the full historical rankings below to see which standout creations won the day.

1. Bloodflowers

   Released in 2000 by The Cure, Fiction Records, Nothing Records

   On February 14, 2000, The Cure released "Bloodflowers," an album that frontman Robert Smith declared would be the final piece of a thematic trilogy alongside their dark masterpieces, *Pornography* (1982) and *Disintegration* (1989). The US release date was poignantly chosen, contrasting the album's somber, melancholic themes of love, loss, and the passage of time with Valentine's Day, a day typically associated with romantic celebration. For fans who had followed the band's journey from gothic pioneers to alternative superstars, this was a monumental event. It was hailed not as a comeback, but as a deliberate and profound return to the sound and emotional depth that had defined their most iconic work, making its release a deeply anticipated moment in the landscape of alternative music at the turn of the millennium.

2. Two Against Nature

   Released in 2000 by Walter Becker, Donald Fagen, Giant Records

   On the unique calendar date of February 29, 2000, a day that only appears every four years, the legendary jazz-rock duo Steely Dan made a monumental return. They released *Two Against Nature*, their first studio album in two decades, following 1980's *Gaucho*. This leap-day release was not just a comeback; it was a triumphant reassertion of their unique musical genius, proving that time had only sharpened their wit and musicianship. The album's release on such a rare date felt symbolic of the band's own rare and meticulous approach to music-making, an event that was both unexpected and perfectly timed.

3. Parachutes

   Released in 2000 by Coldplay, Parlophone, Nettwerk

   On July 10, 2000, British band Coldplay released their debut album, "Parachutes," in the United Kingdom. This date marks a pivotal moment in early 21st-century music, signaling a shift away from the bravado of late-90s Britpop towards a more introspective and emotionally resonant brand of alternative rock. The album's release was not an explosive, immediate global phenomenon but rather the start of a slow burn that would eventually establish Coldplay as one of the biggest bands in the world. "Parachutes" captured the zeitgeist of a new millennium, offering a soundtrack of melancholic optimism that resonated deeply with a generation of listeners, ultimately setting the stage for the band's ascent to stadium-filling superstardom.

4. Music

   Released in 2000 by Madonna, Mirwais Ahmadzaï, William Orbit, Maverick Records, Warner Bros. Records

   On September 18, 2000, pop superstar Madonna released her eighth studio album, "Music," fundamentally altering the landscape of mainstream pop for the new millennium. Coming off the critical and commercial success of 1998's "Ray of Light," which saw her embrace electronica, "Music" pushed her sound even further into experimental territory. The album's release was a major global event, anticipated by fans and critics alike, eager to see the next evolution of the Queen of Pop. It debuted at number one in over 23 countries, including the US and UK, proving that even two decades into her career, Madonna's ability to innovate and dominate the charts was unparalleled.

5. All That You Can't Leave Behind

   Released in 2000 by U2, Island Records, Interscope Records

   On October 30, 2000, Irish rock legends U2 released their tenth studio album, "All That You Can't Leave Behind." The date marked a pivotal moment for the band, representing a deliberate and triumphant return to a more classic rock sound after a decade of experimenting with alternative rock and electronic music. Released at the turn of the millennium, the album captured a sense of optimism and hope. It was a conscious uncoupling from the irony and cynicism of their 90s output, re-embracing the earnest, anthemic songwriting that first made them global superstars. This release was not just another album; it was a powerful statement of identity and a re-connection with their core audience, setting the stage for one of the most successful chapters in their storied career.

6. Lovers Rock

   Released in 2000 by Sade Adu, Sade, Epic Records

   Released on November 13, 2000, "Lovers Rock" marked the triumphant return of Sade after an eight-year hiatus from the music industry. The album's release was a major event, eagerly anticipated by fans who had waited since 1992's "Love Deluxe". In a musical landscape dominated by teen pop and nu-metal, Sade's arrival with "Lovers Rock" was a breath of fresh, sophisticated air. The date signifies the end of a long silence from one of music's most enigmatic and beloved acts, re-establishing their signature sound for a new millennium and proving that their timeless appeal had not waned in their absence.