CSPC: David Bowie Popularity Analysis

Along with the busy release schedule of his albums and related singles, David Bowie also published various notable duets and soundtrack songs.

This includes Queen duet Under Pressure, Mick Jagger duet Dancing in the Street as well as Bing Crosby partnership Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy. Those 3 singles combined add for 5 million units sold.

Never considered as a real hit maker, by securing that average hits routine during several decades David Bowie concludes on a huge 43 million physical singles sales.

As a reminder, the weighting is done with a 10 to 3 ratio between one album and one physical single.

Orphan – 2,640,000 equivalent albums

Knock on Wood – 150,000
Alabama Song – 150,000
Under Pressure – 1,900,000
Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy – 700,000
Without You I’m Nothing – 200,000
White Light/White Heat -100,000
This Is Not America – 1,200,000
Dancing in the Street – 2,400,000
Absolute Beginners – 1,100,000
Underground – 300,000
When the Wind Blows – 75,000
The Buddha of Suburbia – 75,000
Arnold Layne – 50,000
Remaining Singles – 400,000