Can You Guess the Biggest Selling Single Record in the United States?

Bet you can't guess! OK I will put you out of your misery. It's Elton John's 1997 version of Candle in the Wind - the one he wrote for Princess Diana's funeral.

Here she is in happier times. (This work is in the public domain)
(As an aside, what a terrible tragedy and what a moving day her funeral was. Elton John sang that song and said he would never sing it publicly again and he never did.)

Anyway, is that surprising? It sold over 11 million copies. This has been certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The closest any other record gets is "A Little Less Conversation" by Elvis and "Here Without You" by Three Doors Down (Huh?) with 6 million. However, note that the RIAA only certifies a record if that record company pays for its official certification. Some companies do not consider this important, so some do not request certification unless an artist presses them. Also retroactive certification only goes back to 1958 so that's why you don't see "White Christmas" by Bing Crosy (1942) which is currently listed by the Guinness Book of World Records at 50 million in sales.

Here is the rest of the top ten, all of which sold over 4 million copies:

"Another One Bites the Dust" (Queen)
"Apologize" (Timbaland Presents OneRepublic)
"(Everything I Do) I Do It For You (Bryan Adams)
"Hey Jude" (The Beatles)
"Hound Dog"/"Don't Be Cruel" (Elvis)
"I Will Always Love You" (Whitney Houston)
"Le Freak" (Chic)
For a complete list
CLICK HERE

Any surprises? Which singles do you think are missing?

If you are dying to hear these songs again, we got them all. Check it out!

Candle in the Wind 1997

Elvis

Here Without You

Another One Bites the Dust

Apologize

Everything I Do I Do It For You

Hey Jude

I Will Always Love You

Le Freak

And this last one contains a bonus - the Macarena by Los de Rios which comes in at #12.

President-Elect Obama

After almost two years of campaigning, we probably think we know everything there is to know about our new President. But if we don't, we will have four years to get to know him better and here is a start. Check out what your library has to offer:

Items about President-Elect Obama

Also here is his

VICTORY SPEECH

What did you think about his speech or the 2008 Presidential Campaign overall? Did everyone start campaigning too early? What do you think the future holds for the other candidate? For our Nation?