Adele’s album `21` tops 2012 global album chart

London: Adele’s hit album ‘21,’ which was released in January 2011, has topped the global albums chart for the second consecutive year by selling 8.3 million copies.

According to International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), Carly Rae Jepsen’s hit ‘Call Me Maybe’ was the best-selling single of 2012, with 12.5 million units sold globally. Adele outsold her nearest rival, Taylor Swift’s ‘Red,’ by about three million copies, the BBC reported. One Direction took the third and fourth spot for the best-selling albums around the world with their first two records ‘Up All Night’ and ‘Take Me Home,’ with 4.5 million and 4.4 million copies sold respectively. Rod Stewart’s ‘Merry Christmas, Baby’ came in at number seven and Grammy winners Mumford and Sons’ ‘Babel’ was at nine. Gotye’s chart buster ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ was the second biggest-selling single globally, with 11.8 million purchases. Psy’s YouTube smash ‘Gangnam Style’ sold 9.7 million copies, with Fun’s ‘We Are Young’ just behind on 9.6 million. Global album sales for 2012 are: 1. Adele - 21 (8.3m units sold) 2. Taylor Swift - Red (5.2m) 3. One Direction - Up All Night (4.5m) 4. One Direction - Take Me Home (4.4m) 5. Lana Del Rey - Born To Die (4.4m) ANI