The Eagles’ Greatest Hits beats Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ as best-selling album in US history

The Eagles' compilation album Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) has defied critics, charts, logic and even the band’s own doubts to become the biggest-selling album in American music history.

Despite rarely appearing on “greatest albums of all time” lists compiled by publications such as Rolling Stone, Billboard and New Musical Express, the record has continued to dominate sales decades after its release.

The album has gone quadruple platinum and has overtaken other giants of popular music, including Thriller, The Dark Side of the Moon and Abbey Road in US sales.

Critics overlooked the album

Music commentator Sean Brokensha said many critics underestimated the album’s structure and impact.

“I want to disagree with all the critics. I think it’s one of the most magnificently constructed albums of all time,” Brokensha said.

According to him, the songs share a common theme about ordinary people searching for hope.

“It is the story of ordinary people… people who are desperate, people who are on the edge… looking for one last chance at life, one last redemption, a peaceful, easy feeling.”

He said the music reflected the mood of the mid-1970s, a period marked by oil embargoes, terrorism and widespread social frustration.

“This came along as a ray of light.”

The band didn’t want the album

The success of Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) is even more remarkable because members of the Eagles reportedly opposed releasing it.

Former band member John Henley was particularly critical of the project.

“He called it the forced and hideous marriage of art and commerce,” Brokensha said.

The compilation was largely a decision by the record company. It included nine existing songs and added a major track, Desperado.

Yet Brokensha argued the album’s strength lies in the consistency of its songs.

“If you look at every one of those songs, everyone is a hit, and everyone was worthy of being on that album.”

A run of chart dominance

The Eagles were already experiencing major chart success during the period covered by the compilation.

Brokensha noted the band achieved “six consecutive top five singles, four of them got to number one.”

The album also arrived before one of the band’s most famous songs.

Because it focuses on material from 1971 to 1975, it does not include Hotel California, which was released later.

Some listeners may have overlooked the compilation because of that omission.

Beating Thriller for the record

For years, Thriller held the title as the biggest-selling album in the United States.

But sales figures have shifted over time.

“It’s bounced up and down with Thriller,” Brokensha said.

He said the record label eventually confirmed updated sales numbers that pushed Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) ahead.

Still a defining Eagles record

Even without Hotel California, Brokensha believes the compilation stands as one of the strongest albums in the band’s catalogue.

He said every track earns its place.

“I’ve listened to the whole album… I can’t find a weak song.”

While he described Hotel California as a “legend-making song”, he said earlier Eagles classics such as Desperado and Lyin’ Eyes remain just as significant to the band’s legacy.

The album’s enduring success, he said, proves that sometimes popularity reflects something deeper than critical acclaim.

“It was just the kind of music that people needed to hear at the time.”

For more information, listen to Brokensha using the audio player below: