Best-selling physical single
Who
Bing Crosby
What
50000000 unit(s) sold
Where
Not Applicable ()
When
2012

Bing Crosby’s (USA, 1903–77) “White Christmas” has sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide. The festive favourite was written by Irving Berlin (USA, 1888–1989) in 1940, recorded in 18 minutes on 29 May 1942 and introduced in Berlin’s musical movie Holiday Inn (USA, 1942), starring Crosby and Fred Astaire (USA, 1899–1987). First appearing on a collection of songs from the movie in July 1942, “White Christmas” reached No.1 on the National List of Best-Selling Retail Records chart – a forerunner of the Billboard Hot 100 – in October 1942, where it remained for 11 consecutive weeks. “Candle in the Wind 1997”, Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s (both UK) tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales (UK, 1961-97), has sold 33 million copies worldwide and is regarded as the best-selling single since US and UK singles charts began in the 1950s.