Find out who earned what - many of whom are men in cowboy hats, depressingly
Michael Baggs
11:30 12th March 2012

After seeing the countdown of the world's biggest earning music artists of 2011 we have two pressing questions.

No.1: What sort of world do we live in where Lil' Wayne is the fifth biggest earner in music?

No.2: WHEN WILL PEOPLE STOP LISTENING TO SADE?

The countdown is an unusual mix of artists - from leading pop divas to legendary rockers to a few too many US country and western artists for our liking, with Britney Spears rubbing shoulders with the likes of U2, Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney and Paul McCartney. It's an interesting countdown, that's for sure.

Check out the world's biggest earning music artists of 2011 below.

  • No. 25: Paul McCartney. 2011 earnings - $6,726,519

  • No.24: The Beatles. 2011 earnings - $6,743,863

  • No.23: Enrique Iglesias. 2011 earnings - $7,448,670

  • No.22: Rihanna. 2011 earnings - $7,660,833

  • No.21: Brad Paisley. 2011 earnings - $8,602,374

  • No.20: Michael Buble. 2011 earnings - $9,027,177

  • No.19: Tim McGraw. 2011 earnings - $9,335,258

  • No.18: Rascal Flatts. 2011 earnings - $9,639,270

  • No.17: Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band. 2011 earnings - $10,017,031

  • No.16: Britney Spears. 2011 earnings - $10,090,973

  • No.15: Toby Keith. 2011 earnings - $10,413,127

  • No.14: Katy Perry. 2011 earnings - $11,969,426

  • No.13: Elton John. 2011 earnings - $11,973,990

  • No.12: Journey. 2011 earnings - $12,313,822

  • No.11: Glee Cast. 2011 earnings - $12,587,771

  • No.10: Adele. 2011 earnings - $13,081,909

  • No.9: Jason Aldean. 2011 earnings - $13,409,011

  • No.8: Celine Dion. 2011 earnings - $14,261,515

  • No.7: Bon Jovi. 2011 earnings - $15,835,856

  • No.6: Sade. 2011 earnings - $16,382,809

  • No.5: Lil' Wayne. 2011 earnings - $23,178,722

  • No.4: Lady Gaga. 2011 earnings - $25,353,039

  • No.3: Kenny Chesney. 2011 earnings - $29,837,103

  • No.2: U2. 2011 earnings - $32,116,315

  • No.1: Taylor Swift. 2011 earnings - $35,719,902

More about: Taylor Swift

Photo: WENN.com
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