it's because the number of records bought in the late 1970s was way more than early on in the decade and in the 1960s. I don't know the figures on this, but I reckon that's the reason.

did all right with the record-buying public but I don't think it's one of the Dame's finest. OOAA of course.

I think outsold all bar AFTP and OOT.

...Be Here Now Oasis' biggest seller?

...it's because the record buying public isn't identical to fans, journalists or other groups of people who ponder the historical value of certain albums in an artist's oeuvre.

"Some Girls" is still a fabulous record; it isn't a lesser anything, and you won't find anything approaching a disco lick outside of "Miss You", which is still a fabulous record in its own right anyway.

....buying long playing records was very much a minority sport.

The biggest selling records all come from the era when *everybody* bought records.

..me told!

has always been my favourite Stones album so I am not really surprised. They have better tracks on other albums and some of their other singles are miles better but as a coherent and complete album it was and is my favourite.
Whereas Aja is the biggest selling Steely Dan but possibly my least favourite from original Dan period(although still excellent).

The heart says Led Zep II, the head says Physical Graffitti (released during the music biz equivalent to "peak oil"). I have no idea and not cheating by googling either...

Greatest work and biggest commercial seller have never necessarily been the same thing espesh with rock. I do recall that, unlike musical history may portray nowadays, a lot of critics for example did not 'get' Exile On Main Street at all and slated it, likewise some Led Zep albums at the time weren't popular with a lot of critics, such as Rolling Stone, even though they were possibly the biggest band in the world. I do miss the time when the Stones new releases, during the 70's, out on a Monday once a year was very exciting. And the hit single was a massive thing then too.