The Worst Grammy Snubs Of All Time: 9 Best-Selling Albums That Never Won A Grammy Award

On Feb. 15, during the 2016 Grammy Awards, many recording artists will be rewarded for the work they’ve done over the past year. However, not all albums can receive honors, and some of the most commercially successful records of all time have come up short throughout the years. From Nirvana’s “Nevermind” to the Beatles’ “Abbey Road,” here are nine of the biggest albums that never took home a Grammy Award.

1. AC/DC — “Back in Black”

When lead singer Bon Scott died in 1980, it looked like AC/DC would call it quits as a band. However, pushed forward, added singer Brian Johnson and that same year released “Back in Black,” which brought them to new heights of success. Despite receiving no Grammy Awards, “Back in Black” has been certified 22 times platinum in the U.S.; it’s the highest-selling hard rock album of all time, with over 50 million copies worldwide. The album contains the hits “Hells Bells,” “You Shook Me All Night Long” and the title song.

2. Pink Floyd — “The Dark Side of the Moon”

“The Dark Side of the Moon,” released in 1973, is one of the most influential albums of all time and was Pink Floyd’s commercial breakthrough. One hit song on the album is “Money,” and the record went on to make lots of it, selling more than 45 millions copies around the world. “The Dark Side of the Moon” is meant to be played all the way through as the band made it about the different stages of life. It contains several tracks that are still fan favorites, like “Time,” “Us and Them” and “Brain Damage.”

3. Meat Loaf — “Bat Out of Hell”

“Bat Out of Hell” has sold over 43 million albums worldwide and has been hailed as one of the greatest records of all time. However, the 1977 release won no Grammys. But like the singer says, “two out of three ain’t bad.” The album contains four monster singles: “Paradise by the Dashboard Light,” “Bat Out of Hell,” “You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)” and “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad.” “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” has become a staple at karaoke nights all over the world.

4. Led Zeppelin — “Led Zeppelin IV”

It’s hard to believe “Led Zeppelin IV” never took home a Grammy. The 1971 album features arguably the greatest song in rock ’n’ roll history, “Stairway to Heaven,” and includes some of the best material the legendary band ever created. The diverse track list includes “Black Dog,” “Rock and Roll,” “Going to California” and “When the Levee Breaks.” The album went on to sell over 37 million copies around the globe and it ranks near the top of many lists of greatest rock albums.

5. Mariah Carey — “Music Box”

Mariah Carey has taken home five Grammy Awards and been nominated 34 times. However, her highly successful 1993 album “Music Box” never brought the singer one of the golden awards. “Music Box” is her highest-selling record, with over 32 million copies sold around the world. The ballad “Hero” remains one of Carey’s best singles, and “Dreamlover” was also a big hit.

6. The Beatles — “Abbey Road”

Each Beatles album has something special to offer, but one of the most popular records the band put out was 1969’s “Abbey Road.” In 1968, the band received a Grammy for album of the year for “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” In 1970, “Abbey Road” was up for the award but lost to Blood, Sweat & Tears’ self-titled album. “Abbey Road” has an iconic LP cover and features “Come Together,” “Here Comes the Sun,” “Something” and the classic album-closing medley (“You Never Give Me Your Money,” “Carry That Weight,” et al.). The record has sold over 30 million copies around the world and remains one of the best-selling albums in the Beatles catalog.

7. Bruce Springsteen — “Born in the U.S.A.”

The Boss has had a long and successful career and many hit albums. His biggest commercial success came with 1984’s “Born in the U.S.A.” Although the record did not win, it was nominated in 1985 for album of the year, and the hit “Dancing in the Dark” received a record of the year nomination (Lionel Richie’s “Can’t Slow Down” and Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It” took those categories). “Born in the U.S.A.” had seven top 10 hits, including the title track, “Glory Days” and “My Hometown.” The album has sold over 30 million copies, the most of any Springsteen album.

8. Nirvana — “Nevermind”

Nirvana changed music with 1991’s “Nevermind.” It received a Grammy nomination for best alternative music album in 1992 but lost out to R.E.M.’s “Out of Time.” The hit single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was up for best rock song and best hard rock performance in 1993 but did not win; Eric Clapton’s acoustic version of his 20-year-old “Layla” and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Give It Away” won in those categories. Although “Nevermind” didn’t get Grammy accolades, it went on to inspire a movement in rock music and continues to influence hundreds of bands to this day.

9. Pink Floyd — “The Wall”

Despite being one of the most unique rock albums ever made and selling over 30 million copies around the world, Pink Floyd’s rock opera “The Wall” never earned a Grammy. The double album features several of the band’s biggest songs, including “Comfortably Numb,” “Run Like Hell,” “Hey You” and the band’s only No.1 single, “Another Brick in the Wall (Part II).” The 1979 record was turned into a movie in 1982.