10 Best-Selling Rock Singles Of All Time
9. Journey, 'Don't Stop Believin'' (1981)
Total weeks on the UK Singles Chart: 95
YouTube views to date: 202 million
There is surely not a mainstream or alternative radio station in the world that doesn't receive daily requests for this perennial rock standard. Hailed as the perfect rock song upon its release and finding its way into the karaoke bars, nightclubs and car stereo systems of every decade since, Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'' has enjoyed the kind of success and acclaim usually reserved for Beatles or Stones, rather than a band whose memorable songs you can count on one hand.
The ideal blend of catchy lyrics, squealing guitars and motivational sentiment, the track throws out every trick in the book on the way to that climactic (and, believe it or not, only) chorus.
With a minimum of nine million actual units sold worldwide, the song is not only one of the best selling rock singles ever, but is also purportedly the best selling digital track from the 20th century, with over seven million copies shifted in the United States alone. But, like many big rock single successes, it didn't get there without a little help from its friends.
Though the song has been bolstered by appearances on the soundtrack for The Sopranos and other shows and films, it is the Glee cast cover that really helped sell it, featuring in six episodes (including the first and second-last) throughout the show's six-year run.