Today we are looking at some of the most expensive albums and the stories behind their huge budgets.

We constantly hear about how much money an album has made or how many copies it has sold, but very little about how much it costs to record the album.

In most cases, the cost of making an album is astronomical, and only a handful have ever been truly profitable. 

In the music industry, money talks. And when it comes to making and recording an album, the sky’s the limit as to how much a musician or band is willing to spend to get the perfect sound. 

These ten albums cost a fortune, from hiring top-notch producers and session players to booking world-renowned studios.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy this countdown of the ten most expensive albums ever recorded

At a time when most albums cost around $100,000 to produce, Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk” was an egregious outlier, costing a whopping $1.4 million to make. 

Released in 1979, the double album was the most expensive album ever made at the time of its release, and it remains one of the most costly albums to date. 

The high price tag was due in part to the lengthy amount of time spent recording and the use of an 84-piece orchestra on several tracks. 

“Tusk” became one of Fleetwood Mac’s most successful albums, selling over four million copies worldwide. 

The album was a commercial and critical success, reaching #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over five million copies. 

It was also one of the most expensive albums ever made, with an estimated budget of over $1 million.

Despite its success, Gaucho was met with mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the album’s polished production and nuanced songwriting, while others criticized it for being too slick and formulaic. 

Recorded in just six weeks, the album features an all-star cast of musicians, including Led Zeppelin, Queen, and Kiss members. 

Despite its high price tag, the album was a commercial failure, selling less than half a million copies worldwide. 

However, it has since become a cult classic, beloved by fans for its over-the-top attitude and sense of fun.

The total cost has been estimated at around $8 million, equivalent to over $15 million today. 

The high cost was due to several factors, including the fact that the band was recorded in several studios and used expensive equipment. 

The album was also plagued by delays, which added to the cost. Despite all this, the album was a commercial flop and is generally considered the band’s worst work. 

Shortly after its release, Factory Records declared bankruptcy.

In 1999, country superstar Garth Brooks released an album called Chris Gaines – Greatest Hits. The album cost $5 million to produce. Despite the high price tag, the album was a flop, selling only 1.3 million copies.

In retrospect, it’s not hard to see why the album failed. The concept could have been clearer (Garth Brooks pretending to be a fictional pop singer?).

But in a way, that’s what makes Chris Gaines – Greatest Hits so fascinatingly. Besides being one of the most expensive albums ever made, it’s a cautionary tale about what can happen when an artist gets too ambitious.

Korn’s Untouchables is one of the most expensive albums ever made, costing around $4 million to produce.

That’s not surprising when you consider that it took two years to make and involve some of the most talented producers and engineers. 

The result was an album that sold over 5 million copies worldwide and cemented Korn’s place as one of the most successful metal bands. 

The Beach Boys’ Smile is often cited as one of the most important and influential albums. 

Despite this, the album was notoriously troubled, with the band spending over a year in the studio and going over budget by almost $200,000. 

The end result was an album that was both commercial and critical success, spawning two hit singles and cementing The Beach Boys’ reputation as one of the most innovative and important American bands. 

Many things can make an album successful: great songwriting, killer production values, and of course, a huge budget. 

That last one is something that Def Leppard knew a thing or two about with their album Hysteria. 

Not only did the album go on to sell over 25 million copies, but it also cost a fortune to make, largely due to delays. 

The record took over 3 years and cost around $4.5 million, making it one of the most expensive albums ever.

The album, finally released in 2008 after 14 years of waiting, cost an estimated $13 million to record. That makes it one of the most expensive albums ever made. 

But was it worth the wait? The reviews were mixed, but most fans seemed to enjoy the album. 

And, of course, it’s always nice to have new music from one of your favorite bands.

Michael Jackson’s final studio album, Invincible, is reported to be amongst the most expensive albums ever made. Sony is thought to have shelled out a staggering $30 million on the 2001 album. 

The massive cost of the album was due in part to Jackson’s extensive use of producers, engineers, and musicians.

In addition, Jackson was heavily involved in the album’s production, contributing to the songwriting and arrangement. As a result, Invincible is a testament to Jackson’s artistry and legacy. 

Music can be expensive to produce, but it pays off when it becomes a hit. Check out our next article on the most influential songs ever.