Years 1989 to 1995 were the golden years of the LP to CD replacement. Francis Cabrel was the golden sellers of years 1989 to 1995. Put both facts together and you get the largest selling French compilation of the period.
France best selling albums ever: Babacar by France Gall (1987)
Forrest Gump is the incredible journey of a person living a life reflecting perfectly the US cultural history from the 50s to the 80s. France Gall is the incredible journey of a person living a life reflecting perfectly the French music history from the 60s to the 90s. The difference? France Gall actually existed. During more than 30 years, she touched pretty much every key event that happened in the French music scene.
France best selling albums ever: The Joshua Tree by U2 (1987)
One more international release that needs no presentation. U2 album The Joshua Tree is an absolute classic, the record that turned a good selling band into superstardom.
France best selling albums ever: Ainsi Soit-Je… by Mylène Farmer (1988)
If Mylène Farmer has been able to create controversy during the promotion of her 1986 debut album, that’s her sophomore effort Ainsi Soit-Je, released in April 1988, which made her a superstar.
France best selling albums ever: Mademoiselle Chante… by Patricia Kaas (1988)
Although she was only 20 when this first major single was released, Patricia Kaas was already quite experienced on singing efforts. The various local shows she did increased her reputation and led the artist to meet one of the most successful authors of the 80s, Didier Barbelivien.
France best selling albums ever: Le Grand Bleu Soundtrack by Éric Serra (1988)
Sorry for the pun, but with Eric Serra composed Le Grand Bleu Soundtrack we get into troubled waters. After well over 100 albums studied, this is the very first one full of controversies and debates around its results.
France best selling albums ever: 15 Ans D’Amour by Jacques Brel (1988)
Maybe the most legendary French language singer of all-time, Jacques Brel passed away in October 1978. Call it a cash-in or a celebration, exactly one decade later the set 15 Ans D’Amour was released.
France best selling albums ever: Money For Nothing by Dire Straits (1988)
Out of the dreadful mid-80s sales context in France, Dire Straits was one of the very few acts to surface over the water. With a 1988 booming market, Christmas gifts around the corner and a compilation full of past hits, the British band was poised to do well with Money For Nothing release.
France best selling albums ever: Tracy Chapman by Tracy Chapman (1988)
Different ways, same results. Tracy Chapman debut and eponymous album did just as well in France than it did in both US and UK, both during the promotional campaign and as a catalog item. The song behind those successes is not the same yet.
France best selling albums ever: Hélène by Roch Voisine (1989)
In November 1989, three albums entered the album chart Top 20. Three studio albums. Three solo male albums. Three upcoming million sellers. Phil Collins (…But Seriously, #7), Patrick Bruel (Alors Regarde, #18) have already been studied, the last one is Hélène by Roch Voisine which debuted at #14 on that famous chart.