Record-breaker: Taylor Swift breaks Adele’s biggest album record
ByCox Media Group National Content Desk
Record breaker FILE PHOTO: Fans pose with Taylor Swift's new album 'The Life of a Showgirl' during the midnight release at Target on October 03, 2025 ,in Burbank, California. (Photo by Maya Dehlin Spach/Getty Images) (Maya Dehlin Spach/Getty Images)
Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” beat Adele’s “25″ for the biggest first-week numbers, surpassing 3.5 million equivalent album units, accounting for both sales and streaming, Variety reported.
The record stood since 2015 when Adele sold or streamed 3.482 million albums. She was two months shy of holding on to the title for a decade, Variety noted.
Swift broke the record five days after “The Life of a Showgirl” was released, so she had two more days left to rack up numbers. The opening week ends on Thursday, according to The New York Times.
Adele still has the record for album sales, which removes streaming or other ways people are listening. The “Hello” singer sold 3.378 million albums in its first week. After five days, Swift had just under 3.2 million albums sold.
About 1.2 million were sold on vinyl, the Times said.
This has been the biggest release for Swift. “The Tortured Poets Department” sold 2.61 million in a week last year. She sold 859,000 vinyl versions of that album.
The Times put it into perspective. When Swift started her career in 2006, only about 900,000 vinyl LPs were sold industry-wide that year.
Overall, Swift released at least 27 physical versions of “The Life of a Showgirl” on vinyl, CD and cassette, according to Billboard.
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'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Fans line up for the midnight release of Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Fans line up for the midnight release of Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Exclusive edition merch for Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" is seen at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: A display with exclusive edition merchandise for Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" is seen at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: An exclusive edition vinyl of Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" is seen at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Fans pose during the midnight release of Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Fans line up for the midnight release of Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Exclusive edition signage for Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" is seen at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Four exclusive edition CD variants of Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" is seen at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Exclusive edition signage for Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" is seen at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: A display with exclusive edition merchandise for Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" is seen at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 02: A DJ performs during the Taylor Swift “The Life of A Showgirl” Midnight Release at Target on October 02, 2025 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Target) (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Target)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released BURBANK, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 03: Fans line up at Target for the midnight release of Taylor Swift's new album 'The Life of a Showgirl' on October 03, 2025 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Maya Dehlin Spach/Getty Images) (Maya Dehlin Spach/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Exclusive edition signage for Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" is seen at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 02: A view of the album during the Taylor Swift “The Life of A Showgirl” Midnight Release at Target on October 02, 2025 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Target) (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Target)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released BURBANK, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 03: Fans line up at Target for the midnight release of Taylor Swift's new album 'The Life of a Showgirl' on October 03, 2025 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Maya Dehlin Spach/Getty Images) (Maya Dehlin Spach/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Fans buy Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Fans buy Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Exclusive edition signage for Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" is seen at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: A fan poses during the midnight release of Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: A display with exclusive edition CD variants for Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" is seen at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 02: Guests pose with their albums during the Taylor Swift “The Life of A Showgirl” Midnight Release at Target on October 02, 2025 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Target) (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Target)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: A display with exclusive edition merchandise for Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" is seen at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: A fan poses during the midnight release of Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Fans buy Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 02: A view of signage during the Taylor Swift “The Life of A Showgirl” Midnight Release at Target on October 02, 2025 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Target) (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Target)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 02: Guests sample Starbucks during the Taylor Swift “The Life of A Showgirl” Midnight Release at Target on October 02, 2025 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Target) (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Target)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: A fan holds exclusive edition merchandise for Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Fans buy Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Fans pose during the midnight release of Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Exclusive edition merch for Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" is seen at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 02: Guest poses with their album during the Taylor Swift “The Life of A Showgirl” Midnight Release at Target on October 02, 2025 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Target) (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Target)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 02: Guest poses with their album during the Taylor Swift “The Life of A Showgirl” Midnight Release at Target on October 02, 2025 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Target) (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Target)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Fans buy Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: A display with exclusive edition merchandise for Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" is seen at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)
'The Life of a Showgirl' released NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: A fan wears friendship bracelets while waiting for the release of Taylor Swift's new album, "Life of a Showgirl" at Target on October 02, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) (Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)