List of best-selling singles in Germany

Germany is the third largest music market in the world and the second largest in Europe.[1]

This is a list of the best-selling singles in Germany, some of which have been certified by the Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI). Since June 1, 2014, BVMI certifies a single platinum for the download or shipment of 400,000 copies across Germany.[2]

Certifications for singles released in Germany depend upon their release date.

Gold and Platinum certification awards (Timeline)

Certification 1974–1984[3][4] Before January 1, 2003[5] Before June 1, 2014 After June 1, 2014[6]
Silver 500,000 — — —
Gold 1,000,000 250,000 150,000 200,000
Platinum 2,000,000 500,000 300,000 400,000
Diamond — — — 1,000,000

Best-selling singles in Germany

Sortable table
Year Title Artist Certification[7][8] Shipments
(Sales)[9]
1997"Candle in the Wind 1997"Elton John9× Platinum4.5 million[10]
1957"The River Kwai March"Mitch Miller—(4 million)[11]
1997"Time To Say Goodbye"Andrea Bocelli feat. Sarah Brightman11× Gold3 million[12]
2013"Atemlos durch die Nacht"Helene Fischer4× Platinum‡2.4 million[13]
2017"Shape of You"Ed Sheeran6× Platinum‡2.4 million[14]
1997"I'll Be Missing You"Puff Daddy feat. Faith Evans and 1123× Platinum & 3× Gold‡2.25 million
1999"Mambo No. 5"Lou Bega7× Gold‡2.1 million[15]
1958"Der lachende Vagabund"Fred Bertelmann—(2 million)
1963"Junge, komm bald wieder"Freddy Quinn—2 million[16]
1965"Il Silenzio"Nini Rosso—2 million[17]
1971"Butterfly"Danyel Gérard—(2 million)[18]
1967"Massachusetts"Bee Gees—(2 million)[19]
1978"Rivers of Babylon"Boney MPlatinum2 million[20]
1998"My Heart Will Go On"Celine Dion4× Platinum2 million[21]
2017"Despacito"Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee9× Gold+Gold‡2 million
1964"Vergangen vergessen vorüber"Freddy Quinn—(1.8 million)
1994"All I Want for Christmas Is You"Mariah Carey3× Platinum‡1.8 million[22]
2001"In the End"Linkin Park3× Platinum‡1.8 million[23]
1992"Conquest of Paradise"Vangelis3× Platinum1.7 million[24]
2013"Wake Me Up"Avicii11× Gold‡1.65 million[25]
2019“Another Love”Tom Odell11× Gold‡1.65 million[26]
1972“Ich hab’ die Liebe geseh’n”Vicky Leandros—1.5 million
1985"Last Christmas"Wham!3× Platinum‡1.5 million[27]
1998"Flugzeuge im Bauch"Oli. P3× Platinum1.5 million
2000"Last Resort"Papa Roach5× Gold‡1.5 million[28]
2015"Faded"Alan Walker7× Gold‡1.4 million[29]
2017"Perfect"Ed Sheeran7× Gold‡1.4 million[14]
2018"In My Mind"Dynoro & Gigi D'Agostino7× Gold‡1.4 million
2017"Was du Liebe nennst"Bausa7× Gold‡1.4 million[30]
2019“Dance Monkey”Tones and I7× Gold‡1.4 million[31]
2013"Happy"Pharrell Williams9× Gold‡1.35 million[32]
1998"Believe"Cher5× Gold1.25 million[33]
1999"Blue (Da Ba Dee)"Eiffel 655× Gold1.25 million[34]
1991"Smells Like Teen Spirit"Nirvana2× Platinum‡1.2 million[35]
2007"Ein Stern (...der deinen Namen trägt)"DJ Ötzi feat. Nik P.4× Platinum1.2 million
2008"Poker Face"Lady Gaga4× Platinum‡1.2 million
2011"Titanium"David Guetta ft. Sia2× Platinum‡1.2 million
2012"Scream & Shout"Britney Spears4× Platinum‡1.2 million
2012"Radioactive"Imagine Dragons4× Platinum‡1.2 million[36]
2017"Rockstar"Post Malone feat. 21 Savage3× Platinum‡1.2 million
2010"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)"Shakira4× Platinum‡1.2 million
2011"Somebody That I Used to Know"Gotye feat. Kimbra4× Platinum‡1.2 million[37]
2013"I See Fire"Ed SheeranDiamond‡1.2 million[14]
2013"Blurred Lines"Robin Thicke feat. T.I. and Pharrell Williams4× Platinum‡1.2 million
2014"Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)"Omi4× Platinum‡1.2 million
2017"More Than You Know"Axwell & Ingrosso3× Platinum‡1.2 million
2017"Unforgettable"French Montana feat. Swae Lee3× Platinum‡1.2 million
2017"Something Just Like This"The Chainsmokers & Coldplay3× Platinum‡1.2 million
1974“Theo wir fahr’n nach Lodz”Vicky Leandros—1.10 million
1963"Ich will ’nen Cowboy als Mann"Gitte—(1.05 million)
2003"Numb"Linkin Park7× Gold‡1.05 million[23]
2009"Alors on danse"Stromae7× Gold‡1.05 million[38]
2013"Take Me to Church"Hozier7× Gold‡1.05 million[39]
1956"Heimweh"Freddy Quinn—(1 million+)
1958"Heimatlos"Freddy Quinn—(1 million)
1958"La paloma"Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra—(1 million)
1958"Sail Along Sil'vry Moon"Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra—(1 million)
1959"Die Gitarre und das Meer"Freddy Quinn—(1 million)
1960"Unter fremden Sternen"Freddy Quinn—(1 million)
1960"Banjo Boy"Jan and Kjeld—(1 million)
1960"It's Now or Never"Elvis PresleyGold[40]1 million
1960"Marina"Rocco Granata—(1 million)
1960"Ramona"Blue Diamonds—(1 million)
1960"Wir wollen niemals auseinandergehn"Heidi Brühl—(1 million)
1961"La paloma"Freddy Quinn—(1 million)
1961"Weisse Rosen aus Athen"Nana Mouskouri—(1 million)
1961"Wheels"Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra—(1 million)
1962"Tanze mit mir in den Morgen"Gerhard Wendland—(1 million)
1964"Do Wah Diddy Diddy"Manfred Mann—1 million[41]
1964"Liebeskummer Lohnt Sich Nicht"Siw Malmkvist—(1 million)
1965"Yesterday Man"Chris Andrews—(1 million)
1966"Ganz in Weiß"Roy Black—(1 million)
1969"Looky, Looky"GiorgioGold[42]1 million
1969"Dein schönstes Geschenk"Roy Black—(1 million)
1969"Mendocino"Michael Holm—(1 million)
1970"Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep"Middle of the Road—1 million[43]
1970"El Cóndor Pasa"Simon & Garfunkel—1 million[44]
1970"Du"Peter Maffay—(1 million)[45]
1972"Un canto a Galici"Julio Iglesias—1 million[46]
1972"I'd Love You to Want Me"Lobo—1 million[47]
1972"Ich hab dich lieb"Michael Schanze—(1 million)[45]
1975"Una paloma blanca"George Baker Selection—(1 million)
1978"Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord"Boney MGold‡1 million[48]
1978"The Smurf Song"Father AbrahamPlatinum1 million
1978"Y.M.C.A."Village PeopleGold1 million[49]
1979"A Walk in the Park"Nick Straker Band—(1 million)
1979"Sun of Jamaica"Goombay Dance BandPlatinum1 million[50]
1989"Lambada"Kaoma2× Platinum1 million
1993"Over the Rainbow"Israel Kamakawiwoʻole2× Platinum1 million
1993"What's Up?"4 Non Blondes2× Platinum1 million
1994"Cotton Eye Joe"Rednex2× Platinum1 million
1995"Earth Song"Michael Jackson2× Platinum1 million[51]
1995"Gangsta's Paradise"Coolio feat. L.V.2× Platinum1 million[52]
1996"Die längste Single der Welt"Wolfgang Petry2× Platinum1 million
1996"Killing Me Softly"Fugees2× Platinum1 million
1998"Ein Schwein namens Männer"Die Ärzte2× Platinum1 million
1999"Anton aus Tirol"Anton feat. DJ Ötzi2× Platinum1 million
2003"Last Resort"Papa Roach2× Platinum‡1 million[53]
2001"I Believe"Bro'Sis2× Platinum1 million
2002"Der Steuersong"Die Gerd-Show2× Platinum1 million
2002"The Ketchup Song"Las Ketchup2× Platinum1 million
2002"All the Things She Said"t.A.T.u.2× Platinum‡1 million[54]
2012"Lila Wolken"Marteria, Yasha & Miss PlatnumDiamond‡1 million
2013"Take Me to Church"HozierDiamond‡1 million[55]
2013"Timber"Pitbull feat. KeshaDiamond‡1 million
2013"Willst du"AlligatoahDiamond‡1 million
2014"Au Revoir"Mark Forster feat. SidoDiamond1 million
2014"Are You with Me"Lost FrequenciesDiamond1 million
2014"Auf uns"Andreas BouraniDiamond‡1 million
2014"Prayer in C (Robin Schulz Remix)"Lilly Wood and the PrickDiamond‡1 million
2014"Traum"CroDiamond‡1 million
2014"Waves (Robin Schulz Remix)"Mr. ProbzDiamond‡1 million
2015"Ain't Nobody"Felix Jaehn feat. Jasmine ThompsonDiamond‡1 million
2015"Die immer lacht"Stereoact feat. Kerstin OttDiamond‡1 million
2015"Don't Be So Shy" (Filatov & Karas remix)ImanyDiamond‡1 million[56]
2015"Geiles Leben"GlasperlenspielDiamond‡1 million
2015"Hulapalu"Andreas GabalierDiamond‡1 million
2015"Love Yourself"Justin BieberDiamond‡1 million[57]
2015"Photograph"Ed SheeranDiamond‡1 million[14]
2015"See You Again"Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie PuthDiamond‡1 million[58]
2015"So wie du bist"MoTrip feat. LaryDiamond‡1 million
2015"Sugar"Robin Schulz feat. Francesco YatesDiamond‡1 million
2015"Stressed Out"Twenty One PilotsDiamond‡1 million
2015"The Sound of Silence"DisturbedDiamond‡1 million[59]
2016"Can't Stop the Feeling!"Justin TimberlakeDiamond‡1 million[60]
2016"Cheap Thrills"Sia feat. Sean PaulDiamond‡1 million[61]
2016"Don't Let Me Down"The Chainsmokers feat. DayaDiamond‡1 million
2016"Ohne mein Team"Bonez MC & RAF Camora feat. MaxwellDiamond‡1 million
2016"Palmen aus Plastik"Bonez MC & RAF CamoraDiamond‡1 million
2017"Havana"Camila Cabello feat. Young ThugDiamond‡1 million[62]
2017"Old Town Road"Lil Nas XDiamond‡1 million[63]
2017"Señorita"Kay One feat. Pietro LombardiDiamond‡1 million
2017"Thunder"Imagine DragonsDiamond‡1 million[36]
2018"500 PS"Bonez MC & RAF CamoraDiamond‡1 million
2018"Someone You Loved"Lewis CapaldiDiamond‡1 million[64]
2019"Bad Guy"Billie EilishDiamond‡1 million[65]
2019"Blinding Lights"The WeekndDiamond‡1 million[66]
2019"Roller"Apache 207Diamond‡1 million
2020"Heat Waves"Glass AnimalsDiamond‡1 million[67]
2021"Bad Habits"Ed SheeranDiamond‡1 million[14]

† The BVMI also separately certified the Justin Bieber remix Gold.

Notes

  • ‡Certification include on-demand audio and video streams and track sale equivalent

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bundesverband Musikindustrie: Deutschland drittgrößter Musikmarkt weltweit". Musikindustrie.de. 2011-04-13. Archived from the original on 2011-12-31. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
  2. ↑ "Richtlinien für die Verleihung von Gold/Platin Schallplatten und Awards (Guidelines for Gold and Platinum awards)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindstie. Archived from the original on 2010-03-28. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  3. ↑ "Billboard Vol. 86, No. 52". Billboard. 26 December 1974. p. 40. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  4. ↑ Murells, Joseph (1984-12-31). Million selling records from the 1900s to the 1980s: an illustrated directory. Batsford. p. 10. ISBN 9780713438437. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
  5. ↑ "GOLD / PLATIN für Musikprodukte" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindstie. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "Neuer DIAMOND AWARD für die erfolgreichsten Singles und Alben in Deutschland" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindstie. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "Bundesverband Musikindustrie: Gold-/Platin-Datenbank". musikindustrie.de.
  8. ↑ "Highest Gold Platinum certifications as of 2008" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 January 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  9. ↑ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2, illustrated ed.). Barrie & Jenkins. ISBN 0-214-20480-4.
  10. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Elton John)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  11. ↑ Günter Ehnert (2000). Hit Bilanz – Deutsche Chart Singles 1956–1980 (1 ed.). Norderstedt: Verlag populärer Musik-Literatur. p. 445. ISBN 3-922542-24-7.
  12. ↑ Spahr, Wolfgang (17 January 1998). "Bocelli, Polygram, BMG on Top in German Year-End Charts". Billboard. p. 47. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  13. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Helene Fischer)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Ed Sheeran)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  15. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Lou Bega)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  16. ↑ Günter Ehnert (2000). Hit Bilanz – Deutsche Chart Singles 1956–1980 (1 ed.). Norderstedt: Verlag populärer Musik-Literatur. p. 444. ISBN 3-922542-24-7.
  17. ↑ Murrells, Joseph (1985). Million selling records from the 1900s to the 1980s : an illustrated directory. Arco Pub. p. 213. ISBN 0668064595. It sold over 750,000 in Italy and two million in Germany
  18. ↑ "From Musica Capitals of The World - Tokyo". Billboard. 24 July 1971. p. 45. Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via Google Books.
  19. ↑ Günter Ehnert (2000). Hit Bilanz – Deutsche Chart Singles 1956–1980 (1 ed.). Norderstedt: Verlag populärer Musik-Literatur. p. 443. ISBN 3-922542-24-7.
  20. ↑ "Marketing the Music - Matthias Reim" (PDF). Music & Media . 26 October 1991. p. 30. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  21. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Celine Dion)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  22. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Mariah Carey)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  23. 1 2 "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Linkin Park)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  24. ↑ Spahr, Wolfgang (20 January 1996). "Sporting Events And Personalities Giving A Big Boost TO Record Sales For Labels". Billboard. p. 41. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  25. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Avicii)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  26. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Tom Odell)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  27. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Wham)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  28. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Papa Roach)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  29. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Alan Walker)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  30. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Bausa)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  31. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Tones And I)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  32. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Pharrell)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  33. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Cher)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  34. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Eiffel 65)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  35. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Nirvana)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  36. 1 2 "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Imagine Dagons)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  37. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Gotye)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  38. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Stromae)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  39. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Hozier)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  40. ↑ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2, illustrated ed.). Barrie & Jenkins. ISBN 0-214-20480-4. eduardo di.
  41. ↑ "News From The Music Capitals of The World - Cologne". Billboard. 30 January 1965. p. 19. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  42. ↑ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2, illustrated ed.). Barrie & Jenkins. ISBN 0-214-20480-4. Looky Looky.
  43. ↑ "From The Music Capitals of The World - Hamburg". Billboard. 18 September 1971. p. 56. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  44. ↑ "German product now in demand" (PDF). Music Week. 14 February 1975. p. 8. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  45. 1 2 "Butterfly Soars Through Kunze's Creativity" (PDF). Record World. 21 January 1978. p. 24 - Section II (scroll to page 62). Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  46. ↑ "Julio Iglesias was a 'bad singer' at start of his career". CTV News. 24 August 2012. Archived from the original on January 12, 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  47. ↑ "Phonogram's Best Year" (PDF). Billboard. 29 June 1974. p. 67. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  48. ↑ Sampson, Jim (6 January 1979). "Record World International - Germany" (PDF). Record World. p. 51. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  49. ↑ Spahr, Wolfgang (July 28, 1979). "Germany's Metronome Label Booming". Billboard. Vol. 91, no. 30. p. 9. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  50. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Goombay Dance Band)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  51. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Michael Jackson)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  52. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Coolio)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  53. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Papa Roach)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  54. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (t.a.t.u.)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  55. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Hozier)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  56. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Imany)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  57. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Justin Bieber)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  58. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Wiz Khalifa)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  59. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Disturbed)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  60. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Justin Timberlake)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  61. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Sia)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  62. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Camila Cabello)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  63. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Lil Nas X)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  64. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Lewis Capaldi)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  65. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Billie Eilish)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  66. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Weeknd)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  67. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Glass Animals)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.