Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl Shatters Sales Records
Taylor Swift’s new album, The Life of a Showgirl, is rewriting the record books.
Just days after its release, the album has already pulled in over 3 million album sales in the U.S., and selling 2.7 million in the first day. That’s not only Swift’s biggest week ever, it’s also the second-highest U.S. first-week sales since modern tracking began in 1991. The only album to beat it? Adele’s 25, which sold 3.378 million copies in 2015.
In the UK, Showgirl sold 304,000 copies in just three days, topping the first-week numbers of Swift’s previous releases like The Tortured Poets Department and Midnights. It’s already the UK’s fastest-selling album of 2025, with only Ed Sheeran’s Divide (672,000 in 2017) posting a bigger opening week in recent memory.
What’s driving these insane numbers? For one, Swift’s collectible strategy is working. Between eight unique vinyl versions, four new CD variants with acoustic bonus tracks, and multiple box set bundles (yes, one includes a cardigan), fans—aka Swifties—have had plenty of reasons to buy more than once. She’s also holding off on making individual tracks available for purchase, which keeps the focus on full album sales.
Vinyl collectors are showing up in full force: Showgirl sold 1.2 million vinyl copies in the U.S. in a single week, breaking her own previous record of 859,000 set just last year.
Streaming hasn’t been left in the dust either. In its first two days in the U.S., the album’s 12 tracks racked up over 300 million streams, with lead single The Fate of Ophelia pulling more than 48 million plays—before its official music video even dropped on YouTube.
And if dominating the charts wasn’t enough, Swift also claimed the top spot at the box office. Her 89-minute film, Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party Of A Showgirl, took in $46 million worldwide over the weekend. Part documentary, part celebration, the screening included behind-the-scenes footage, commentary from Swift, and the premiere of the Fate of Ophelia music video.
The album itself is a mix of personal love songs and pointed jabs at the industry. Written during off days on the European leg of her Eras Tour, it chronicles her romance with NFL star Travis Kelce, along with cautionary tales about fame and power.
She’s also added a layer of intimacy to the project by releasing eight bonus acoustic tracks, available only through limited-edition CDs on her official site. In an Instagram post, she explained, “I think my favorite moments from the tour were the acoustic surprises... so I went back into the studio... with brand new vocals and production!”
With Showgirl expected to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, Swift is poised to score her 15th chart-topping album—a milestone that would put her ahead of JAY-Z and Drake, and second only to The Beatles.
