Meat Loaf's debut deemed UK's biggest launch beating James Blunt, Lady Gaga and Spice Girls

Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf has been named the UK’s biggest debut album, beating the likes of Lady Gaga and the Spice Girls.

The 1977 record catapulted its flamboyant American creator, real name Michael Aday, to international fame and inspired sequel albums and a stage musical.

It tops a ranking compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC) for National Album Day, which is ‘celebrating debut albums’ as its theme for 2022.

The singer, whose hits also include I’d Do Anything For Love and Paradise By The Dashboard Light, died on January 20 this year aged 74, with his wife and daughters by his side.

For the chart, the OCC looked at UK sales and streams combined since records began in 1956.

Second place went to James Blunt’s 2004 debut Back To Bedlam – also the biggest debut by a British artist.

Featuring the hit You’re Beautiful, the album spent ten weeks at number one in the UK and was the top album of the year and of the 2000s.

In third place was Leona Lewis with 2007’s Spirit, who also secured the biggest debut by a UK female artist.

Released the year after she won the X Factor, the album includes the number one singles A Moment Like This and Bleeding Love, as well as her chart-topping cover of Snow Patrol’s Run.

Number five went to Lady Gaga’s 2008 album The Fame, while Dido claimed number six with 1999’s No Angel.

At number six were the Spice Girls with their 1996 debut Spice – the highest-ranked album from a group.

Five of the record’s ten tracks went to number one including the enduring hits Wannabe, Say You’ll Be There and 2 Become 1.

Debuts by Keane, Alanis Morissette, Sam Smith and Coldplay complete the top ten.

Steve Wright will announce the top 20 during a special programme on BBC Radio 2 on Saturday October 15 between 1pm and 3pm and will be available on BBC Sounds from Friday, October 14.

He said: “Bat Out Of Hell reaching number one as the UK’s biggest debut album of all-time might be a surprise to some, but it is a truly brilliant debut album and one which reached a whole new audience following the sad passing of Meat Loaf earlier this year.

“You’re in for a treat with the full chart so do tune in for a fantastic nostalgia trip with some of the most brilliant songs you’ll ever hear.”

The UK’s top 20 debut albums:

1. Bat Out Of Hell – Meat Loaf

2. Back To Bedlam – James Blunt

3. Spirit – Leona Lewis

4. The Fame – Lady Gaga

5. No Angel – Dido

6. Spice – Spice Girls

7. Hopes And Fears – Keane

8. Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morissette

9. In The Lonely Hour – Sam Smith

10. Parachutes – Coldplay