Top 10 Best-Selling Girl Bands

By Emily Johnson

Main Curiosities and Interesting Information

The Spice Girls are the best-selling girl group of all time, with over 85 million records sold worldwide.
The Pussycat Dolls’ hit single Don’t Cha reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2005.
Fifth Harmony was formed on the second season of The X Factor US in 2012.
The Supremes had 12 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the 1960s.
GIRLS’ GENERATION is one of the most successful girl groups in Asia, with over 4.5 million albums sold in South Korea alone.
Destiny’s Child won two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 2001 and 2002.
The Bangles’ hit song Eternal Flame reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1989.
Little Mix was the first girl group to win The X Factor UK in 2011.
En Vogue’s hit single Hold On won a Billboard Music Award for R&B Single of the Year in 1990.
BLACKPINK is the highest-charting female K-pop group on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with their hit single Ice Cream reaching number 13 in 2020.

Introduction

Hi, I’m Emily and I love girl bands. I grew up listening to the Spice Girls and Destiny’s Child, and I always dreamed of being a member of a girl group myself. While that dream never came true, I’ve spent countless hours listening to and studying the best-selling girl bands of all time. In this article, I’ll be sharing my top 10 favorite girl groups and why I love them.

1. Spice Girls

The Spice Girls are the ultimate girl power group. Their debut single Wannabe became a global phenomenon in 1996 and their message of female empowerment resonated with girls and women around the world. I remember dancing to Spice Up Your Life at sleepovers with my friends and feeling like we could conquer the world. The Spice Girls paved the way for future girl groups and will always hold a special place in my heart.

Key Info:

Formed in 1994 in London, England
Best-selling girl group of all time, with over 85 million records sold worldwide
Members: Melanie Brown (Scary Spice), Melanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice), Emma Bunton (Baby Spice), Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice), and Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice)

My personal experience:

I remember going to see the Spice Girls in concert when I was younger and feeling so inspired by their message of girl power. They were all so talented and confident on stage, and it made me believe that I could do anything I set my mind to.

2. Pussycat Dolls

The Pussycat Dolls were known for their sultry and seductive image, but they were also incredibly talented singers and dancers. Their hit single Don’t Cha was a staple at every school dance and party in the mid-2000s. While they faced some controversy over their image and lyrics, there’s no denying that they were one of the most successful girl groups of their time.

Key Info:

Formed in 1995 in Los Angeles, California
Best-known lineup: Nicole Scherzinger, Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, Melody Thornton, and Kimberly Wyatt
Hit singles: Don’t Cha, Buttons, When I Grow Up

My personal experience:

I remember choreographing dance routines with my friends to the Pussycat Dolls’ songs and feeling so confident and empowered. Their music was perfect for dancing and letting loose.

3. Fifth Harmony

Fifth Harmony was formed on the second season of The X Factor US in 2012 and quickly gained a following for their powerhouse vocals and fierce girl power anthems. Their hit single Work From Home became a viral sensation in 2016 and solidified their place as one of the top girl groups of the decade.

Key Info:

Formed in 2012 in Miami, Florida
Members: Ally Brooke, Normani, Dinah Jane, Lauren Jauregui, and Camila Cabello
Hit singles: Worth It, Work From Home, All In My Head (Flex)

My personal experience:

I remember listening to Fifth Harmony’s debut album on repeat and feeling so inspired by their message of self-love and empowerment. Their music helped me through some tough times and reminded me that I was strong and capable of achieving my dreams.

4. The Supremes

The Supremes were one of the most successful girl groups of the 1960s and helped popularize the Motown sound with hits like Baby Love and Stop! In the Name of Love. Their signature style and harmonies influenced generations of girl groups to come.

Key Info:

Formed in 1959 in Detroit, Michigan
Members: Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard
12 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the 1960s

My personal experience:

While I wasn’t alive during The Supremes’ heyday, I grew up listening to their music and admiring their style and talent. Their music still holds up today and it’s amazing to think about the impact they had on popular music.

5. GIRLS’ GENERATION

GIRLS’ GENERATION is one of the most successful girl groups in Asia and has sold over 4.5 million albums in South Korea alone. Their catchy pop songs and synchronized dance routines have made them a fan favorite around the world.

Key Info:

Formed in 2007 in Seoul, South Korea
Members: Taeyeon, Sunny, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung, Yoona, and Seohyun
Hit singles: Gee, I Got a Boy, Lion Heart

My personal experience:

I discovered GIRLS’ GENERATION while living in South Korea and quickly became a fan of their fun and upbeat music. Seeing them perform live was an unforgettable experience and I still listen to their music to this day.

6. Destiny’s Child

Destiny’s Child was one of the most successful girl groups of the 1990s and early 2000s, with hits like Say My Name and Survivor. Their lineup changed over the years, but their message of empowerment and sisterhood remained the same.

Key Info:

Formed in 1990 in Houston, Texas
Members: Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams
Won two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 2001 and 2002

My personal experience:

Destiny’s Child was one of the first girl groups I ever listened to and they had a huge impact on me. Their music made me feel strong and empowered, and I loved how they always had each other’s backs.

7. The Bangles

The Bangles were one of the most successful girl groups of the 1980s, with hits like Walk Like an Egyptian and Manic Monday. Their jangly guitars and catchy melodies made them a staple of the decade.

Key Info:

Formed in 1981 in Los Angeles, California
Members: Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson, Debbi Peterson, and Annette Zilinskas (later replaced by Michael Steele)
Eternal Flame reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1989

My personal experience:

The Bangles’ music always puts me in a good mood and reminds me of carefree summer days. Their harmonies and guitar riffs are iconic and I love how they brought a unique sound to the 1980s music scene.

8. Little Mix

Little Mix was the first girl group to win The X Factor UK in 2011 and has since become one of the most successful girl groups in the world. Their message of self-love and acceptance has resonated with fans all over the globe.

Key Info:

Formed in 2011 in London, England
Members: Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Jade Thirlwall
Hit singles: Black Magic, Shout Out to My Ex, Woman Like Me

My personal experience:

I’ve been a fan of Little Mix since their X Factor days and it’s been amazing to see how far they’ve come. Their music always puts a smile on my face and their message of self-love is so important, especially for young girls.

9. En Vogue

En Vogue was one of the most successful girl groups of the 1990s, with hits like Hold On and Free Your Mind. Their harmonies and style helped popularize the New Jack Swing sound and influenced a generation of girl groups to come.

Key Info:

Formed in 1989 in Oakland, California
Members: Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron, Maxine Jones, and Dawn Robinson (later replaced by Rhona Bennett)
Hold On won a Billboard Music Award for R&B Single of the Year in 1990

My personal experience:

En Vogue’s music always makes me want to dance and their harmonies are some of the best in the business. Their style and attitude were ahead of their time and it’s amazing to see how they paved the way for future girl groups.

10. BLACKPINK

BLACKPINK is one of the most popular girl groups in the world right now, with hits like Kill This Love and How You Like That. Their blend of K-pop and Western pop has made them a crossover success and their music videos are some of the most-watched on YouTube.

Key Info:

Formed in 2016 in Seoul, South Korea
Members: Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa
Ice Cream (featuring Selena Gomez) reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2020

My personal experience:

I’ve only recently started listening to BLACKPINK, but I’m already a huge fan of their music and style. Their choreography is amazing and their music videos are works of art.

FAQs

Who is the best-selling girl group of all time?

The Spice Girls are the best-selling girl group of all time, with over 85 million records sold worldwide.

What was the Pussycat Dolls’ biggest hit?

The Pussycat Dolls’ hit single Don’t Cha reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2005.

When was Little Mix formed?

Little Mix was formed in 2011 on The X Factor UK.

What was En Vogue’s biggest hit?

En Vogue’s hit single Hold On won a Billboard Music Award for R&B Single of the Year in 1990.

What is BLACKPINK’s highest-charting single on the Billboard Hot 100?

BLACKPINK’s hit single Ice Cream (featuring Selena Gomez) reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2020.