As Taylor Swift enjoys a low-profile period with NFL star boyfriend Travis Kelce, her music continues to break records around the world.
The 35-year-old global pop icon has officially become the top-selling vinyl artist of the last decade in the UK, with her albums Midnights, 1989 (Taylor’s Version), and The Tortured Poets Department claiming three of the top four positions on the official vinyl chart.
According to newly released sales data, Swift’s 2022 album Midnights tops the list with a staggering 129,000 copies sold in the UK. The Tortured Poets Department follows closely at No. 2, while her 2023 re-recorded release of 1989 takes fourth place, highlighting her continued dominance in physical music formats.
Meanwhile, Swift appears to be recharging away from the spotlight. After wrapping her record-breaking Eras Tour, she accepted the iHeartRadio “Tour of the Century” award via a pre-recorded message, reflecting on the enormity of the two-year global journey.
“This tour was absolutely the most challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life. It’s a 3.5 hour show, more shows than I’ve ever done on tour,” Swift shared.
“To the fans, you made these songs from the last couple decades into what they became so that we could do a 3.5 hour setlist. You had the passion and generosity to care about traveling to see us on tour in all these places all over the world. It blows my mind.”
Taylor Swift leads the vinyl revival
Once considered outdated, vinyl has seen a massive resurgence. In 2024, over 6.7 million records were sold in the UK alone, generating £196 million ($247 million). Swift isn’t just part of this trend, she’s leading it.
Top 10 best-selling vinyl releases of the past decade (2015-2025)
- Midnights – Taylor Swift
- The Tortured Poets Department – Taylor Swift
- Harry’s House – Harry Styles
- 1989 (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
- Legacy – David Bowie
- Fine Line – Harry Styles
- Divide – Ed Sheeran
- Blackstar – David Bowie
- When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go – Billie Eilish
- Currents – Tame Impala
Swift‘s post-tour calm appears to be intentional. During her iHeartRadio acceptance speech, she revealed she’s spent the last few months off the road processing everything she and her team accomplished. Her remarks echoed sentiments of growth and gratitude.
Biggest vinyl release by year (2015-2024)
- 2015 – 25, Adele
- 2016 – Blackstar, David Bowie
- 2017 – Divide, Ed Sheeran
- 2018 – Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, Arctic Monkeys
- 2019 – Why Me? Why Not, Liam Gallagher
- 2020 – Disco, Kylie Minogue
- 2021 – Voyage, ABBA
- 2022 – Midnights, Taylor Swift
- 2023 – 1989 (Taylor’s Version), Taylor Swift
- 2024 – The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift
“I’ve been doing a lot of processing since I’ve been off the road these last few months,” she said. “People often say the greatest challenges end up being the most gratifying, and I truly believe that.”
As she quietly celebrates these career milestones with Kelce by her side, fans now wait to see what the next chapter holds for one of the most powerful figures in modern music.
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