10 Best-Selling Rock Albums Of The 1980s
8. Synchronicity - The Police (20,000,000)
They were huge at the time, they're still huge today, but The Police only ever released five studio albums during their lifetime.
In contrast, Sting has 15 solo records under his belt. Although, that comparison is definitely a case of quality over quantity.
The Police's final outing as a recording act was 1983's Synchronicity and it's safe to say that they went out with a bang.
Having built up a strong following with prior albums like Outlandos d'Amour and Ghost in the Machine, the band hit their fans with absolutely huge tunes on their way out. King of Pain, Tea in the Sahara, the two title tracks, and the monumental Every Breath You Take.
Never had stalking sounded so sultry.
That single, which sold over a million copies on its own, helped the album to some pretty staggering sales figures. It went Platinum in the band's native UK and eight times Platinum across the pond, leading to estimate sales figures of 20 million around the world.
The Police's legacy was secured with this excellent final album, which goes a long way to washing the taste of some of those Sting releases out of our mouths.