Mark Henderson answered
Bing Crosby's single "White Christmas" has made the most money in the history of pop music. Released in 1942, the song has sold 50 million copies worldwide.
Written by Irving Berlin in 1940, the song reminisces about an old fashioned Christmas, and initially had only moderate success. However, by the end of 1942, the song had reached number one and was frequently requested by soldiers during World War Two.
The song reached number one again in 1945 and 1946, thus becoming the only track to have three separate spells at the top of the U.S charts.
Written by Irving Berlin in 1940, the song reminisces about an old fashioned Christmas, and initially had only moderate success. However, by the end of 1942, the song had reached number one and was frequently requested by soldiers during World War Two.
The song reached number one again in 1945 and 1946, thus becoming the only track to have three separate spells at the top of the U.S charts.
Best selling singles of all time
- Bing Crosby: "White Christmas" 1942, 50 million units sold.
- Elton John: "Candle in the Wind/Something About the Way You Look Tonight." 1997, 33 million units sold.
- Bing Crosby: "Silent Night" 1935, 30 million units sold.
- Bill Haley & His Comets: "Rock Around the Clock" 1954, 25 million units sold.
- Elvis Presley: "It's Now or Never" 1960, 22 million units sold.
- USA for Africa: "We Are the World" 1985, 20 million units sold.
- The Ink Spots: "If I Didn't Care" 1939, 19 million units sold.
- Baccara: "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie" 1977, 18 million units sold.
- Gene Autry: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" 1949, 18 million units sold.
- Celine Dion: "My Heart Will Go On" 1998, 15 million units sold.
