Look, streaming numbers are bizarre. A billion streams sounds made up. 4 billion? That’s mainly incomprehensible. However right here we’re in 2025, and The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” is pushing 5 billion performs on Spotify alone.
These aren’t simply stats although. Behind each billion streams is somebody’s commute playlist, their health club motivation, their heartbreak soundtrack. Possibly yours.
The songs on this record have wormed their method into our collective consciousness whether or not we prefer it or not (and let’s be sincere, a few of these you’re in all probability sick of).
What’s psychological is how diverse this record really is. You’ve acquired Queen from the ’70s sitting subsequent to Billie Eilish. Arctic Monkeys rubbing shoulders with Drake. Songs that have been hits after they dropped, and songs that took a decade to catch fireplace.
Spotify modified the sport when it launched in 2008. Bodily gross sales collapsed. Downloads grew to become a factor your dad and mom did. And out of the blue, the one quantity that mattered was what number of occasions somebody pressed play.
So right here’s what occurred. All of it. The nice, the overplayed, and the “how is that also getting streams?”
The Sound of a Billion Streams
Hear the intro synth hook that began all of it. That is the sound that outlined the streaming period:
The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” – probably the most streamed track on Spotify. (Official Video)
1. The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights”
4.98 billion streams
Almost 5 billion streams. Abel Tesfaye dropped this on the arse-end of 2019 and it grew to become the sound of lockdown, TikTok’s favorite dance problem, and each single ’80s revival playlist that adopted.
The synth work is ridiculous. Throwback however not dated. Nostalgic with out being pastiche. It spent 90 weeks on the Billboard Scorching 100, which is definitely insane when you concentrate on it. Your gran in all probability is aware of this track. Your bizarre uncle who solely listens to prog rock has in all probability heard it in Tesco.
There’s one thing about these opening synths that simply works. Easy as that. Timeless manufacturing, huge hook, and it dropped at precisely the proper second when everybody was caught indoors needing one thing to really feel alive to.
2. Ed Sheeran – “Form of You”
4.50 billion streams
Look, you possibly can hate Ed Sheeran all you need however the numbers don’t lie. 4 and a half billion streams. This marimba-driven earworm was in all places in 2017. Gyms. Weddings. Supermarkets. Your aunt’s Zumba class on Thursday evenings.
The genius of Sheeran has all the time been relatability packaged in extraordinarily catchy melodies. “Form of You” is peak Ed: cheeky lyrics that don’t fairly cross the road, a beat you possibly can’t assist however transfer to, and simply obscure sufficient that everybody initiatives their very own that means onto it. Is it romantic? Sexual? Does it matter when it’s this catchy?
It held the primary spot earlier than “Blinding Lights” knocked it off. Wedding ceremony DJs nonetheless play it. Most likely will for the following decade.
3. The Weeknd & Daft Punk – “Starboy”
4.04 billion streams
Two of music’s most enigmatic acts. One smooth, darkish, impossibly cool collaboration. When this dropped in 2016, it felt like an occasion.
Daft Punk have been mainly retired at that time and The Weeknd was cementing his transition from alt-R&B weirdo to full-blown pop star.
That bassline. These robotic vocals. The video with Abel actually destroying his previous picture. It’s the sort of track that makes you’re feeling cooler simply by listening to it. the vibe: driving at evening, metropolis lights, foremost character power.
Second 4-billion-stream monitor from The Weeknd on this record. Man’s mainly constructed totally different.
4. Lewis Capaldi – “Somebody You Beloved”
4.01 billion streams
Proper, so apparently the world wanted a great cry. Lewis Capaldi delivered. This piano ballad from 2018 grew to become the breakup anthem, the mourning anthem, the “I’m in my emotions at 3am” anthem.
Capaldi’s voice cracks and breaks in all the proper locations. The manufacturing is minimal as a result of it doesn’t have to be something extra.
Typically you simply want a Scottish bloke and a piano to utterly wreck you emotionally. No bells and whistles required.
4 billion individuals (or, extra precisely, so much fewer individuals urgent play billions of occasions) have collectively sobbed to this. That’s psychological.
5. Harry Types – “As It Was”
4.00 billion streams
Unhappy dance music. That’s what that is. Harry Types found out the best way to make you need to transfer whereas concurrently making you need to cry about your ex, your life decisions, or simply basic existential dread.
Dropped in 2022 and instantly grew to become the sound of that particular post-lockdown malaise the place all the pieces felt each thrilling and deeply unsettling.
The synth-pop manufacturing nods to the ’80s with out ripping it off, and Types’ vocals sit in that good zone between weak and assured.
Gen Z claimed him as their very own with this one. He’s not a boyband man anymore. He’s not even only a solo artist. He’s an authorized pop heavyweight who can ship melancholy bangers that rack up 4 billion streams.
6. The Neighbourhood – “Sweater Climate”
The sound that outlined autumn for a era:
3.95 billion streams
This track got here out in 2012. Learn that once more. 2012. It took the higher a part of a decade to interrupt into the highest 10, which tells you all the pieces about how music works now. TikTok discovered it.
Autumn aesthetic accounts claimed it. All of the sudden everybody was posting moody movies with this because the soundtrack.
The alt-pop sound feels completely autumnal. Moody guitars, that bassline, Jesse Rutherford’s vocals dripping with rigorously constructed nonchalance. It’s turn out to be synonymous with cozy season, bisexual lighting, and the particular vibe of being 17 and pretending you’re extra mysterious than you really are.
Gradual-burn success tales like this didn’t actually exist earlier than streaming. Songs simply died. Now they will hibernate for years and get up to billions of streams.
7. Publish Malone & Swae Lee – “Sunflower”
3.92 billion streams
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse wanted a track. Publish Malone and Swae Lee delivered one thing method higher than a typical movie tie-in. This grew to become a complete temper in 2018.
The manufacturing is so laid-back it’s virtually horizontal. Posty’s melodic sensibilities meet Swae Lee’s easy hooks, and in some way it really works each as a blockbuster soundtrack and a standalone summer season anthem. It launched Publish to a wholly new viewers of youngsters who simply needed to be Miles Morales.
Additionally: movie soundtracks are genuinely again. This, “Shallow,” “Skyfall”… seems individuals nonetheless care about theme songs in the event that they’re really good.
8. Drake – “One Dance” ft. Wizkid & Kyla
3.75 billion streams
Drake went full Afrobeats on this 2016 monitor and dominated the complete yr. Wizkid’s function was essential, Kyla’s vocals added texture, and Drake did what Drake does finest: made one thing that sounds easy however is definitely meticulously crafted for optimum playlist penetration.
The hypnotic rhythm made it good background music for all the pieces. Events, sure. But in addition exercises, learning, cooking, current. It’s ambient music that additionally occurs to be a banger. That’s the key, truthfully.
2016 Drake was totally different. This was experimental Drake, world Drake, “I’m going to make dancehall-influenced pop and it’s going to be huge” Drake. He was proper.
9. The Child Laroi & Justin Bieber – “Keep”
3.63 billion streams
Pop-punk’s again however make it fashionable. The Child Laroi introduced the Gen Z angst, Bieber introduced the credibility and fanbase, and collectively they created the sound of summer season 2021. Electrical guitars! Precise devices! Melody that sticks!
It’s nostalgic for emo with out being emo. It’s pop with out being too polished. Bieber’s been intelligent together with his options over the previous few years and this one paid off massively. Laroi acquired launched into the stratosphere, Bieber stayed related, everybody gained.
Additionally it’s only a tune. Typically that’s sufficient.
10. Ed Sheeran – “Good”
3.57 billion streams
Wedding ceremony season’s favorite track. Ed’s again with one other huge ballad. “Good” is mainly what it says on the tin: a romantic, barely sentimental, extraordinarily hummable love track designed to make you consider in soulmates.
It’s been the primary dance at numerous weddings. It’ll be the primary dance at numerous extra. Guitar, strings, Ed’s voice doing that factor the place he sounds concurrently odd and magical. Tacky? Possibly. Efficient? Clearly. The streams communicate for themselves.
Second Ed Sheeran entry within the high 10. Man understands the system and he’s not apologising for it.
The Subsequent 40: From Rock Legends to TikTok Hits
The TikTok Impact
Some songs, like The Neighbourhood’s “Sweater Climate,” grew to become hits years after launch. This fan-made video reveals the precise pattern that despatched it viral:
11-20: The Pop Powerhouses
- Think about Dragons – “Believer” (3.54B): Think about Dragons’ anthemic “Believer” crossed 3.5 billion streams, turning into the soundtrack to each sports activities spotlight reel and motivational exercise video. The thundering drums and defiant lyrics turned it into the last word hype track.
- Glass Animals – “Warmth Waves” (3.49B): Glass Animals broke into the billion-stream membership with “Warmth Waves” at 3.49 billion. This 2020 indie-pop monitor grew to become a pandemic hit, with its dreamlike manufacturing and nostalgic lyrics completely capturing lockdown melancholy.
- Billie Eilish & Khalid – “beautiful” (3.42B): The haunting collaboration between Billie Eilish and Khalid on “beautiful” reached 3.42 billion streams. Sparse, emotional, and devastatingly lovely, it’s the track you take heed to whenever you want a great cry.
- The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey – “Nearer” (3.38B): “Nearer” by The Chainsmokers that includes Halsey sits at 3.38 billion streams. Like it or hate it, this 2016 monitor outlined a selected second in pop music the place EDM drops met storytelling vocals.
- James Arthur – “Say You Received’t Let Go” (3.36B): James Arthur’s romantic ballad “Say You Received’t Let Go” amassed 3.36 billion streams, proving the British singer-songwriter’s endurance post-X Issue.
- Tones and I – “Dance Monkey” (3.31B): Australian artist Tones and I dominated with “Dance Monkey,” reaching 3.31 billion streams. The quirky vocals divided listeners, however the addictive melody saved everybody hitting replay.
- The Chainsmokers & Coldplay – “One thing Simply Like This” (3.29B): The collaboration between The Chainsmokers and Coldplay on “One thing Simply Like This” earned 3.29 billion streams. When EDM meets rock meets pop, you get competition anthem gold.
- Vance Pleasure – “Riptide” (3.23B): Vance Pleasure’s folk-pop gem “Riptide” reached 3.23 billion streams, turning into a type of songs that seems like summer season personified. Launched in 2013, its longevity is spectacular.
- Arctic Monkeys – “I Wanna Be Yours” (3.23B): Arctic Monkeys’ love track “I Wanna Be Yours” hit 3.23 billion streams, gaining a second life years after its 2013 launch because of TikTok romantics.
- Publish Malone ft. 21 Savage – “rockstar” (3.23B): Publish Malone groups up with 21 Savage on “rockstar,” which pulled 3.23 billion streams. The moody lure anthem outlined 2017’s hip-hop sound.
21-30: The Timeless Classics Meet Fashionable Hits
- Coldplay – “Yellow” (3.21B): Coldplay’s breakthrough single “Yellow” reached 3.21 billion streams, proving that songs from 2000 can nonetheless dominate streaming platforms. The British rock band has maintained relevance throughout a number of many years, however “Yellow” stays their calling card.
- Lord Huron – “The Night time We Met” (3.19B): “The Night time We Met” by Lord Huron amassed 3.19 billion streams, largely because of its function in Netflix’s 13 Causes Why. Movie and TV placements stay highly effective streaming catalysts.
- Tom Odell – “One other Love” (3.16B): Tom Odell’s piano-driven “One other Love” crossed 3.16 billion streams, turning into one other slow-burn success story amplified by social media.
- Hozier – “Take Me to Church” (3.14B): Hozier’s highly effective “Take Me to Church” reached 3.14 billion streams, combining gospel influences with rock depth for one thing genuinely distinctive.
- OneRepublic – “Counting Stars” (3.09B): OneRepublic’s “Counting Stars” earned 3.09 billion streams, with its stomping rhythm and anthemic refrain making it inescapable in 2013.
- Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita” (3.09B): The steamy collaboration “Señorita” by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello reached 3.09 billion streams, fuelled by the couple’s real-life romance and sultry music video.
- Harry Types – “Watermelon Sugar” (3.08B): Harry Types’ summer season anthem “Watermelon Sugar” hit 3.08 billion streams, turning into the feel-good monitor of 2020 after we desperately wanted one.
- Ed Sheeran – “{Photograph}” (3.05B): Ed Sheeran’s third entry, “{Photograph},” crossed 3.05 billion streams, solidifying his standing as streaming royalty. The acoustic ballad stays a fan favorite.
- Taylor Swift – “Merciless Summer time” (3.02B): Taylor Swift’s “Merciless Summer time” amassed over 3 billion streams, proving that typically one of the best singles are those that develop on you. Initially a deep reduce from Lover, it grew to become a fan-driven hit years after launch.
- Dua Lipa – “Don’t Begin Now” (3.01B): Dua Lipa’s disco-pop anthem “Don’t Begin Now” reached 3 billion streams, kicking off the disco revival and establishing her as pop’s new queen.
31-40: Hip-Hop Heroes and Pop Icons
- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton – “Can’t Maintain Us” (3.00B): The high-energy “Can’t Maintain Us” hit the three billion mark, remaining Macklemore’s most-streamed monitor with its explosive manufacturing and motivational power.
- Juice WRLD – “Lucid Goals” (2.95B): Juice WRLD’s “Lucid Goals” reached 2.95 billion streams, sampling Sting’s “Form of My Coronary heart” and turning heartbreak into emo-rap gold. The late artist’s affect continues.
- Billie Eilish – “birds of a feather” (2.91B): Billie Eilish’s “birds of a feather” crossed 2.91 billion streams, showcasing her evolution from bed room pop to classy manufacturing whereas sustaining her distinctive sound.
- Coldplay – “Viva la Vida” (2.91B): One other Coldplay traditional, “Viva la Vida,” sits at 2.91 billion streams. The orchestral rock epic from 2008 proves timeless songwriting transcends streaming period boundaries.
- Travis Scott ft. Kendrick Lamar – “GOOSEBUMPS” (2.91B): Travis Scott and Kendrick Lamar’s “GOOSEBUMPS” earned 2.91 billion streams, with its haunting manufacturing and two powerhouse rappers creating one thing atmospheric and addictive.
- Publish Malone – “Circles” (2.91B): Publish Malone’s “Circles” amassed 2.91 billion streams, mixing pop sensibilities together with his signature melancholic model.
- The Weeknd – “Die For You” (2.90B): The Weeknd returns with “Die For You” at 2.90 billion streams, experiencing a large resurgence years after its preliminary 2016 launch.
- Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2.88B): Queen’s epic “Bohemian Rhapsody” reached 2.88 billion streams, making it the oldest track within the high 50. Launched in 1975, it’s streaming proof that legendary music by no means ages.
- Justin Bieber – “Love Your self” (2.86B): Justin Bieber’s acoustic kiss-off “Love Your self” hit 2.86 billion streams, combining petty lyrics with Ed Sheeran’s songwriting for optimum relatability.
- Bruno Mars – “Simply the Approach You Are” (2.86B): Bruno Mars’ romantic traditional “Simply the Approach You Are” reached 2.86 billion streams, establishing him as a contemporary pop icon again in 2010.
41-50: The Remaining Countdown
Virtually there. Ten extra tracks that crossed the two.7 billion threshold.
Ed Sheeran – “Considering Out Loud” (2.86B) – Fourth Ed entry. One other marriage ceremony sluggish dance important. this track even in case you declare you don’t take heed to Ed Sheeran. The manufacturing’s easy, the sentiment’s timeless, and marriage ceremony DJs in all places thank him for it.
Girl Gaga & Bradley Cooper – “Shallow” (2.85B) – A Star Is Born gave us this and the web misplaced its thoughts. Gaga’s versatility on full show: pop star, actress, vocalist who could make you cry in 3 minutes 35 seconds. The climax the place she lets unfastened? Cinema.
Girl Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile” (2.85B) – One of many latest tracks right here and already pushing 3 billion. When two of pop’s most proficient vocalists collaborate, that is what occurs. It’s solely going to climb greater.
Drake – “God’s Plan” (2.84B) – Keep in mind when Drake gave away one million {dollars} within the music video? That helped. However the track itself is traditional Drake: introspective, melodic, quotable. “She say ‘do you like me?’ I inform her ‘solely partly’” grew to become everybody’s relationship standing for about six months.
The Police – “Each Breath You Take” (2.83B) – From 1983. The Police wrote what everybody thinks is a love track however is definitely about obsession and surveillance. Doesn’t matter. Wedding ceremony playlists in all places embrace it. Sting’s in all probability purchased a number of islands with the royalties from this alone.
Avicii – “Wake Me Up” ft. Aloe Blacc (2.82B) – Nation vocals over EDM manufacturing shouldn’t work. Avicii made it work. This genre-blend confused everybody initially after which took over the world. His loss of life in 2018 was devastating. This monitor stays one in every of digital music’s greatest crossover successes.
John Legend – “All of Me” (2.81B) – Written for Chrissy Teigen. Claimed by {couples} in all places. Piano ballad perfection. Legend’s voice sells the sentiment and the lyrics really feel private despite the fact that tens of millions of individuals have utilized them to their very own relationships. That’s the ability.
Think about Dragons – “Thunder” (2.80B) – Third Think about Dragons entry. Extra digital than their earlier stuff however nonetheless huge and anthemic. The “thunder” vocal impact is immediately recognisable and possibly annoying to some individuals however clearly to not the two.8 billion performs value of listeners.
Billie Eilish – “unhealthy man” (2.78B) – That bass. Billie’s deadpan supply. The unconventional construction that in some way grew to become a world smash. 2019’s defining pop monitor got here from a young person recording in her brother’s bed room and it appeared like nothing else on the radio. Nonetheless doesn’t.
Think about Dragons – “Demons” (2.77B) – Three entries for Think about Dragons within the high 50. Say what you need about them (and folks do), they write hooks that tens of millions of individuals need to hear repeatedly. “Demons” is the extra weak aspect of their stadium rock sound and it clearly resonates.
Proper, So What Does This Truly Inform Us?
The Weeknd is streaming’s king with 4 entries. Ed Sheeran’s shut behind, additionally with 4. Billie Eilish managed three regardless of solely actually being round since 2015. Think about Dragons in some way additionally acquired three, which can annoy sure corners of the web however numbers don’t lie.
Rock legends show previous songs don’t simply survive on streaming, they thrive. Queen, The Police, Coldplay… catalogue music works. Most likely as a result of good songwriting doesn’t have an expiry date and algorithms don’t care when one thing was launched, simply whether or not individuals click on on it.
Most tracks are from 2016-2020. That’s when streaming correctly took over because the dominant method individuals listened to music. Earlier than that, Spotify existed however hadn’t reached essential mass. These 5 years symbolize peak streaming adoption and it reveals within the numbers.
Solely two songs cracked 4 billion and “Blinding Lights” has a snug lead. Will something catch it? Possibly finally. Harry Types’ “As It Was” is climbing however it’s acquired a solution to go.
Previous Songs, New Tips
Right here’s what’s wild: you possibly can have Queen subsequent to Billie Eilish, The Police subsequent to Publish Malone, and it makes full sense within the streaming period.
The music business’s shifted to the place 67% of income comes from streaming now. These songs aren’t simply cultural touchstones. They’re proof the sport modified fully.
Radio used to dictate what individuals heard. Now algorithms do, however algorithms are formed by what individuals really select. These 50 songs are the results of billions of particular person choices. No one had to purchase an album or look forward to a selected time slot. They only pressed play. Repeatedly.
TikTok Ruined Every part (Or Saved It, Relies upon Who You Ask)
“Sweater Climate” got here out in 2012 and took a decade to crack the highest 10. Why? TikTok found it. Similar with “Warmth Waves,” “I Wanna Be Yours,” and others. A 15-second video goes viral and out of the blue a track from ages in the past is in all places once more.
Document labels at the moment are obsessive about “viral potential.” Artists make songs questioning in the event that they’ll work on TikTok. Some individuals assume that is ruining music. Others assume it’s democratising discovery. Each issues will be true concurrently.
Both method, it’s modified how music blows up and the way lengthy songs can keep related. The previous mannequin killed songs after their radio run ended. The brand new mannequin? Songs can hibernate for years and get up to a billion streams. Psychological.
What Occurs Subsequent?
“Blinding Lights” will hit 5 billion streams quickly. Most likely throughout the subsequent few months really. Different tracks are racing to affix the 4 billion membership.
Right here’s the present Spotify chart to look at for future record-breakers:
And proper now, somebody’s recording the track that’ll finally high this record. Is perhaps a longtime artist. Is perhaps a child with GarageBand and a great hook. That’s streaming.
These numbers develop consistently. This record will look totally different in a yr. New songs break by, previous songs get rediscovered, and the sport retains evolving.
However for now, these are the 50 most-streamed songs on Spotify, which successfully means these are the most-listened-to songs in human historical past (if we’re counting particular person performs, which is controversial however no matter).
The Final Billion-Streams Playlist
Prepared to listen to all these record-breakers back-to-back? We’ve compiled (virtually) each monitor from this record into one huge Spotify playlist. Press play and expertise music historical past
Be aware: Some older tracks like Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” might not be accessible on Spotify in all areas.
They’re songs that outlined moments for tens of millions of individuals. First dates. Breakups. Highway journeys. On the brink of exit. Coming dwelling at 4am. Understanding. Working by it. No matter “it” is. These tracks have been there.
Some you’ll love. Some you’re in all probability sick of. Some you forgot existed till you noticed them on this record. However they’re all right here as a result of individuals saved urgent play. That’s it. No radio gatekeepers. No report store consumers deciding what will get stocked. Simply billions of individuals selecting what they really needed to listen to.
Did your favourites make it? Are you livid about a few of these decisions? Both method, the numbers are what they’re. Within the streaming period, knowledge tells the story and that is what it says: these 50 songs gained.
Stats from November 2025. Numbers by way of ChartMasters and topic to every day updates as a result of that’s how streaming works.
