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Germany is the third largest music market in the world and the second largest in Europe.[1]

This is a list of the best-selling singles in Germany, some of which have been certified by the Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI). Since June 1, 2014, BVMI certifies a single platinum for the download or shipment of 400,000 copies across Germany.[2]

Certifications for singles released in Germany depend upon their release date.

Gold and Platinum certification awards (Timeline)

Certification 1974–1984[3][4] Before January 1, 2003[5] Before June 1, 2014 After June 1, 2014[6]
Silver 500,000 — — —
Gold 1,000,000 250,000 150,000 200,000
Platinum 2,000,000 500,000 300,000 400,000
Diamond — — — 1,000,000

Best-selling singles in Germany

Sortable table
Year Title Artist Certification[7][8] Shipments
(Sales)[9]
1997 “Candle in the Wind 1997“ Elton John 9× Platinum 4.5 million[10]
1957 “The River Kwai March“ Mitch Miller — (4 million)[11]
1997 “Time To Say Goodbye“ Andrea Bocelli feat. Sarah Brightman 11× Gold 3 million[12]
2017 “Shape of You“ Ed Sheeran 6× Platinum‡ 2.4 million[13]
1997 “I’ll Be Missing You“ Puff Daddy feat. Faith Evans and 112 3× Platinum & 3× Gold‡ 2.25 million
1999 “Mambo No. 5“ Lou Bega 7× Gold‡ 2.1 million[14]
1958 “Der lachende Vagabund” Fred Bertelmann — (2 million)
1963 “Junge, komm bald wieder” Freddy Quinn — 2 million[15]
1965 “Il Silenzio“ Nini Rosso — 2 million[16]
1971 “Butterfly“ Danyel Gérard — (2 million)[17]
1967 “Massachusetts“ Bee Gees — (2 million)[18]
1978 “Rivers of Babylon“ Boney M Platinum 2 million[19]
1998 “My Heart Will Go On“ Celine Dion 4× Platinum 2 million[20]
2017 “Despacito“ Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee 9× Gold+Gold‡ 2 million
1964 “Vergangen vergessen vorüber” Freddy Quinn — (1.8 million)
1994 “All I Want for Christmas Is You“ Mariah Carey 3× Platinum‡ 1.8 million[21]
2001 “In the End“ Linkin Park 3× Platinum‡ 1.8 million[22]
1992 “Conquest of Paradise“ Vangelis 3× Platinum 1.7 million[23]
2013 “Wake Me Up“ Avicii 11× Gold‡ 1.65 million[24]
2019 “Another Love” Tom Odell 11× Gold‡ 1.65 million[25]
1972 “Ich hab’ die Liebe geseh’n” Vicky Leandros — 1.5 million
1985 “Last Christmas“ Wham! 3× Platinum‡ 1.5 million[26]
1998 “Flugzeuge im Bauch” Oli. P 3× Platinum 1.5 million
2000 “Last Resort“ Papa Roach 5× Gold‡ 1.5 million[27]
2015 “Faded“ Alan Walker 7× Gold‡ 1.4 million[28]
2017 “Perfect“ Ed Sheeran 7× Gold‡ 1.4 million[13]
2018 “In My Mind“ Dynoro & Gigi D’Agostino 7× Gold‡ 1.4 million
2017 “Was du Liebe nennst“ Bausa 7× Gold‡ 1.4 million[29]
2019 “Dance Monkey” Tones and I 7× Gold‡ 1.4 million[30]
2013 “Happy“ Pharrell Williams 9× Gold‡ 1.35 million[31]
1998 “Believe“ Cher 5× Gold 1.25 million[32]
1999 “Blue (Da Ba Dee)“ Eiffel 65 5× Gold 1.25 million[33]
1991 “Smells Like Teen Spirit“ Nirvana 2× Platinum‡ 1.2 million[34]
2007 “Ein Stern (…der deinen Namen trägt)“ DJ Ötzi feat. Nik P. 4× Platinum 1.2 million
2008 “Poker Face“ Lady Gaga 4× Platinum‡ 1.2 million
2011 “Titanium“ David Guetta ft. Sia 2× Platinum‡ 1.2 million
2012 “Scream & Shout“ Britney Spears 4× Platinum‡ 1.2 million
2012 “Radioactive“ Imagine Dragons 4× Platinum‡ 1.2 million[35]
2017 “Rockstar“ Post Malone feat. 21 Savage 3× Platinum‡ 1.2 million
2010 “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)“ Shakira 4× Platinum‡ 1.2 million
2011 “Somebody That I Used to Know“ Gotye feat. Kimbra 4× Platinum‡ 1.2 million[36]
2013 “I See Fire“ Ed Sheeran Diamond‡ 1.2 million[13]
2013 “Blurred Lines“ Robin Thicke feat. T.I. and Pharrell Williams 4× Platinum‡ 1.2 million
2014 “Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)” Omi 4× Platinum‡ 1.2 million
2017 “More Than You Know“ Axwell & Ingrosso 3× Platinum‡ 1.2 million
2017 “Unforgettable“ French Montana feat. Swae Lee 3× Platinum‡ 1.2 million
2017 “Something Just Like This“ The Chainsmokers & Coldplay 3× Platinum‡ 1.2 million
1974 “Theo wir fahr’n nach Lodz” Vicky Leandros — 1.10 million
1963 “Ich will ’nen Cowboy als Mann” Gitte — (1.05 million)
2003 “Numb“ Linkin Park 7× Gold‡ 1.05 million[22]
2009 “Alors on danse“ Stromae 7× Gold‡ 1.05 million[37]
2013 “Take Me to Church“ Hozier 7× Gold‡ 1.05 million[38]
1956 “Heimweh“ Freddy Quinn — (1 million+)
1958 “Heimatlos” Freddy Quinn — (1 million)
1958 “La paloma” Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra — (1 million)
1958 “Sail Along Sil’vry Moon” Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra — (1 million)
1959 “Die Gitarre und das Meer” Freddy Quinn — (1 million)
1960 “Unter fremden Sternen” Freddy Quinn — (1 million)
1960 “Banjo Boy” Jan and Kjeld — (1 million)
1960 “It’s Now or Never“ Elvis Presley Gold[39] 1 million
1960 “Marina” Rocco Granata — (1 million)
1960 “Ramona” Blue Diamonds — (1 million)
1960 “Wir wollen niemals auseinandergehn” Heidi Brühl — (1 million)
1961 “La paloma” Freddy Quinn — (1 million)
1961 “Weisse Rosen aus Athen” Nana Mouskouri — (1 million)
1961 “Wheels” Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra — (1 million)
1962 “Tanze mit mir in den Morgen” Gerhard Wendland — (1 million)
1964 “Do Wah Diddy Diddy“ Manfred Mann — 1 million[40]
1964 “Liebeskummer Lohnt Sich Nicht” Siw Malmkvist — (1 million)
1965 “Yesterday Man“ Chris Andrews — (1 million)
1966 “Ganz in Weiß” Roy Black — (1 million)
1969 “Looky, Looky” Giorgio Gold[41] 1 million
1969 “Dein schönstes Geschenk” Roy Black — (1 million)
1969 “Mendocino” Michael Holm — (1 million)
1970 “Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep“ Middle of the Road — 1 million[42]
1970 “El Cóndor Pasa“ Simon & Garfunkel — 1 million[43]
1970 “Du” Peter Maffay — (1 million)[44]
1972 “Un canto a Galici” Julio Iglesias — 1 million[45]
1972 “I’d Love You to Want Me“ Lobo — 1 million[46]
1972 “Ich hab dich lieb” Michael Schanze — (1 million)[44]
1975 “Una paloma blanca” George Baker Selection — (1 million)
1978 “Mary’s Boy Child / Oh My Lord“ Boney M Gold‡ 1 million[47]
1978 “The Smurf Song“ Father Abraham Platinum 1 million
1978 “Y.M.C.A.“ Village People Gold 1 million[48]
1979 “A Walk in the Park“ Nick Straker Band — (1 million)
1979 “Sun of Jamaica“ Goombay Dance Band Platinum 1 million[49]
1989 “Lambada“ Kaoma 2× Platinum 1 million
1993 “Over the Rainbow“ Israel Kamakawiwoʻole 2× Platinum 1 million
1993 “What’s Up?“ 4 Non Blondes 2× Platinum 1 million
1994 “Cotton Eye Joe“ Rednex 2× Platinum 1 million
1995 “Earth Song“ Michael Jackson 2× Platinum 1 million[50]
1995 “Gangsta’s Paradise“ Coolio feat. L.V. 2× Platinum 1 million[51]
1996 “Die längste Single der Welt” Wolfgang Petry 2× Platinum 1 million
1996 “Killing Me Softly“ Fugees 2× Platinum 1 million
1998 “Ein Schwein namens Männer“ Die Ärzte 2× Platinum 1 million
1999 “Anton aus Tirol” Anton feat. DJ Ötzi 2× Platinum 1 million
2003 “Last Resort“ Papa Roach 2× Platinum‡ 1 million[52]
2001 “I Believe“ Bro’Sis 2× Platinum 1 million
2002 “Der Steuersong” Die Gerd-Show 2× Platinum 1 million
2002 “The Ketchup Song“ Las Ketchup 2× Platinum 1 million
2002 “All the Things She Said“ t.A.T.u. 2× Platinum‡ 1 million[53]
2012 “Lila Wolken” Marteria, Yasha & Miss Platnum Diamond‡ 1 million
2013 “Atemlos durch die Nacht“ Helene Fischer Diamond‡ 1 million[54]
2013 “Take Me to Church“ Hozier Diamond‡ 1 million[55]
2013 “Timber“ Pitbull feat. Kesha Diamond‡ 1 million
2013 “Willst du“ Alligatoah Diamond‡ 1 million
2014 “Au Revoir“ Mark Forster feat. Sido Diamond 1 million
2014 “Are You with Me“ Lost Frequencies Diamond 1 million
2014 “Auf uns“ Andreas Bourani Diamond‡ 1 million
2014 “Prayer in C (Robin Schulz Remix)” Lilly Wood and the Prick Diamond‡ 1 million
2014 “Traum“ Cro Diamond‡ 1 million
2014 “Waves (Robin Schulz Remix)” Mr. Probz Diamond‡ 1 million
2015 “Ain’t Nobody“ Felix Jaehn feat. Jasmine Thompson Diamond‡ 1 million
2015 “Die immer lacht” Stereoact feat. Kerstin Ott Diamond‡ 1 million
2015 “Don’t Be So Shy” (Filatov & Karas remix) Imany Diamond‡ 1 million[56]
2015 “Geiles Leben” Glasperlenspiel Diamond‡ 1 million
2015 “Hulapalu” Andreas Gabalier Diamond‡ 1 million
2015 “Love Yourself“ Justin Bieber Diamond‡ 1 million[57]
2015 “Photograph“ Ed Sheeran Diamond‡ 1 million[13]
2015 “See You Again“ Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth Diamond‡ 1 million[58]
2015 “So wie du bist” MoTrip feat. Lary Diamond‡ 1 million
2015 “Sugar“ Robin Schulz feat. Francesco Yates Diamond‡ 1 million
2015 “Stressed Out“ Twenty One Pilots Diamond‡ 1 million
2015 “The Sound of Silence“ Disturbed Diamond‡ 1 million[59]
2016 “Can’t Stop the Feeling!“ Justin Timberlake Diamond‡ 1 million[60]
2016 “Cheap Thrills“ Sia feat. Sean Paul Diamond‡ 1 million[61]
2016 “Don’t Let Me Down“ The Chainsmokers feat. Daya Diamond‡ 1 million
2016 “Ohne mein Team“ Bonez MC & RAF Camora feat. Maxwell Diamond‡ 1 million
2016 “Palmen aus Plastik” Bonez MC & RAF Camora Diamond‡ 1 million
2017 “Havana“ Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug Diamond‡ 1 million[62]
2017 “Old Town Road“ Lil Nas X Diamond‡ 1 million[63]
2017 “Señorita” Kay One feat. Pietro Lombardi Diamond‡ 1 million
2017 “Thunder“ Imagine Dragons Diamond‡ 1 million[35]
2018 “500 PS“ Bonez MC & RAF Camora Diamond‡ 1 million
2018 “Someone You Loved“ Lewis Capaldi Diamond‡ 1 million[64]
2019 “Bad Guy“ Billie Eilish Diamond‡ 1 million[65]
2019 “Blinding Lights“ The Weeknd Diamond‡ 1 million[66]
2019 “Roller“ Apache 207 Diamond‡ 1 million
2020 “Heat Waves“ Glass Animals Diamond‡ 1 million[67]
2021 “Bad Habits“ Ed Sheeran Diamond‡ 1 million[13]

† The BVMI also separately certified the Justin Bieber remix Gold.

Notes

See also

References

  1. ^ “Bundesverband Musikindustrie: Deutschland drittgrößter Musikmarkt weltweit”. Musikindustrie.de. 2011-04-13. Archived from the original on 2011-12-31. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
  2. ^ “Richtlinien für die Verleihung von Gold/Platin Schallplatten und Awards (Guidelines for Gold and Platinum awards)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindstie. Archived from the original on 2010-03-28. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  3. ^ “Billboard Vol. 86, No. 52”. Billboard. 26 December 1974. p. 40. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  4. ^ Murells, Joseph (1984-12-31). Million selling records from the 1900s to the 1980s: an illustrated directory. Batsford. p. 10. ISBN 9780713438437. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
  5. ^ “GOLD / PLATIN für Musikprodukte” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindstie. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  6. ^ “Neuer DIAMOND AWARD für die erfolgreichsten Singles und Alben in Deutschland” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindstie. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  7. ^ “Bundesverband Musikindustrie: Gold-/Platin-Datenbank”. musikindustrie.de.
  8. ^ “Highest Gold Platinum certifications as of 2008” (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 January 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  9. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2, illustrated ed.). Barrie & Jenkins. ISBN 0-214-20480-4.
  10. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Elton John)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  11. ^ Günter Ehnert (2000). Hit Bilanz – Deutsche Chart Singles 1956–1980 (1 ed.). Norderstedt: Verlag populärer Musik-Literatur. p. 445. ISBN 3-922542-24-7.
  12. ^ Spahr, Wolfgang (17 January 1998). “Bocelli, Polygram, BMG on Top in German Year-End Charts”. Billboard. p. 47. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Ed Sheeran)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  14. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Lou Bega)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  15. ^ Günter Ehnert (2000). Hit Bilanz – Deutsche Chart Singles 1956–1980 (1 ed.). Norderstedt: Verlag populärer Musik-Literatur. p. 444. ISBN 3-922542-24-7.
  16. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1985). Million selling records from the 1900s to the 1980s : an illustrated directory. Arco Pub. p. 213. ISBN 0668064595. It sold over 750,000 in Italy and two million in Germany
  17. ^ “From Musica Capitals of The World – Tokyo”. Billboard. 24 July 1971. p. 45. Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via Google Books.
  18. ^ Günter Ehnert (2000). Hit Bilanz – Deutsche Chart Singles 1956–1980 (1 ed.). Norderstedt: Verlag populärer Musik-Literatur. p. 443. ISBN 3-922542-24-7.
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  21. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Mariah Carey)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  22. ^ a b “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Linkin Park)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  23. ^ Spahr, Wolfgang (20 January 1996). “Sporting Events And Personalities Giving A Big Boost TO Record Sales For Labels”. Billboard. p. 41. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  24. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Avicii)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  25. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Tom Odell)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  26. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Wham)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  27. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Papa Roach)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  28. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Alan Walker)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  29. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Bausa)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  30. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Tones And I)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  31. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Pharrell)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  32. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Cher)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  33. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Eiffel 65)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  34. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Nirvana)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  35. ^ a b “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Imagine Dagons)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  36. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Gotye)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  37. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Stromae)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  38. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Hozier)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  39. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2, illustrated ed.). Barrie & Jenkins. ISBN 0-214-20480-4. eduardo di.
  40. ^ “News From The Music Capitals of The World – Cologne”. Billboard. 30 January 1965. p. 19. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  41. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2, illustrated ed.). Barrie & Jenkins. ISBN 0-214-20480-4. Looky Looky.
  42. ^ “From The Music Capitals of The World – Hamburg”. Billboard. 18 September 1971. p. 56. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  43. ^ “German product now in demand” (PDF). Music Week. 14 February 1975. p. 8. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  44. ^ a b “Butterfly Soars Through Kunze’s Creativity” (PDF). Record World. 21 January 1978. p. 24 – Section II (scroll to page 62). Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  45. ^ “Julio Iglesias was a ‘bad singer’ at start of his career”. CTV News. 24 August 2012. Archived from the original on January 12, 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  46. ^ “Phonogram’s Best Year” (PDF). Billboard. 29 June 1974. p. 67. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  47. ^ Sampson, Jim (6 January 1979). “Record World International – Germany” (PDF). Record World. p. 51. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  48. ^ Spahr, Wolfgang (July 28, 1979). “Germany’s Metronome Label Booming”. Billboard. Vol. 91, no. 30. p. 9. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  49. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Goombay Dance Band)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  50. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Michael Jackson)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  51. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Coolio)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  52. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Papa Roach)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  53. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (t.a.t.u.)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  54. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Helene Fischer)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  55. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Hozier)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  56. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Imany)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  57. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Justin Bieber)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  58. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Wiz Khalifa)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  59. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Disturbed)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  60. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Justin Timberlake)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  61. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Sia)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  62. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Camila Cabello)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  63. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Lil Nas X)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  64. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Lewis Capaldi)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  65. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Billie Eilish)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  66. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Weeknd)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  67. ^ “Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Glass Animals)” (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 June 2023.