The Eagles' 'Greatest Hits' album is now the best-selling album of all time

Eagles.
(Image credit: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

The Eagles' greatest hits are now the entire music industry's greatest hits.

Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975, a compilation of Eagles songs like "Take It Easy" and "Tequila Sunrise," is now the best-selling album of all time, reports The Associated Press, with 38 million copies sold.

The Recording Industry Association of America on Monday announced that The Eagles' album, released in 1976, had surpassed Michael Jackson's Thriller, the longtime record holder. Thriller now holds second place, while The Eagles' 1977 album Hotel California is in third place.

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Back in 2007, The Eagles explained that they had never wanted a Greatest Hits album in the first place. "None of us had a say in the decision," lead guitarist Don Felder told the Times Online. Clearly, the decision paid off: The album is now certified 38x platinum.

Bandmate Don Henley, who still tours with the band, said in a statement that the band is "grateful for our families, our management, our crew, the people at radio and, most of all, the loyal fans who have stuck with us through the ups and downs of 46 years. It's been quite a ride."

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Summer Meza, The Week US

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.