According to Universal Music, SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR by TEARS FOR FEARS has sold 10,000,000 copies worldwide. The album sold best in United States (5,000,000 copies), United Kingdom (900,000 copies) and Canada (700,000 copies).
SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR certifications and sales
| Country / region | Sales | Certification / source | Certification date / sales as of | |
Canada |
700,000 | 7x Platinum | 1990 |
CanadaSales: 700,000
Certification / note: 7x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1990
|
France |
100,000 | 1x Gold | 1985 |
FranceSales: 100,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1985
|
Germany |
250,000 | 1x Gold | 1991 |
GermanySales: 250,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1991
|
Hong Kong |
20,000 | 1x Platinum |
Hong KongSales: 20,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
Japan |
219,620 | Oricon charts |
JapanSales: 219,620
Certification / note: Oricon charts
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
Netherlands |
100,000 | 1x Platinum | 1989 |
NetherlandsSales: 100,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1989
|
New Zealand |
30,000 | 2x Platinum |
New ZealandSales: 30,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
Portugal |
15,000 | 1x Silver | 1985 |
PortugalSales: 15,000
Certification / note: 1x Silver
Certification Date / sales as of: 1985
|
United Kingdom |
900,000 | 3x Platinum | 18 February,1986 |
United KingdomSales: 900,000
Certification / note: 3x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 18 February,1986
|
United States |
5,000,000 | 5x Platinum | 15 May, 1995 |
United StatesSales: 5,000,000
Certification / note: 5x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 15 May, 1995
|
| Worldwide sales | 10,000,000 | Universal Music |
Total
Sales: 10,000,000
Source: Universal Music
|
Year-end chart performance for SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR
| Chart 1985 | Rank | Sales |
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) |
6 | |
Canadian Albums (RPM) |
2 | |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
8 | |
European Albums (Music & Media) |
7 | |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) |
24 | |
Japanese Albums (Oricon) |
50 | 158,000 |
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
8 | |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) |
25 | |
UK Albums (Music Week) |
5 | 850,000 |
US Albums (Billboard 200) |
10 | |
| Chart 1986 | Rank | Sales |
European Albums (Music & Media) |
85 | |
UK Albums (Music Week) |
66 | 150,000 |
US Albums (Billboard 200) |
19 |


Canada
France
Germany
Hong Kong
Japan
Netherlands
New Zealand
Portugal
United Kingdom
United States