As It Was – Harry Styles (2.67 billion streams)
Former One Direction band member Harry Styles holds the distinction of being the newest artist to join the billion stream club on Spotify. His single As It Was has been streamed 2.67 billion times on the platform following its release on April 1, 2022. The song topped the US Billboard Hot 100, setting the record for song that remained number one in the chart the longest by a UK artist at 15 weeks.
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana (1.744 billion streams)
32 years after its release, Nirvana’s grunge-rock classic Smells Like Teen Spirit sits at 1.744 billion streams. Interestingly, Kurt Cobain named the song Smells Like Teen Spirit after misinterpreting graffiti from fellow rocker Kathleen Hanna about (then-girlfriend of drummer Dave Grohl) Tobi Vail, unaware it was about her favorite deodorant, rather than a rebellious statement.
Blinding Lights – The Weeknd (3.798 billion streams)
Blinding Lights by The Weeknd currently sits on top of the Spotify streaming chart as the most streamed song of all time with 3.798 billion plays. The song, only one of two to have broken the three billion streams number, was released in November 2019 and at the time set the record as the longest charting song by a solo artist on the Billboard Hot 100 at 90 weeks.
Shape of You – Ed Sheeran (3.626 billion streams)
As one of the only songs to break the three billion stream mark, the other being The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights, Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You has 3.626 billion streams. Released January 6, 2017, it comes from Sheeran’s album ÷ (Divide), an album that holds the number two spot as Spotify’s most streamed album.
Dance Monkey – Tones and I (2.901 billion streams)
With 2.901 billion streams, Dance Monkey sees Tones and I (Toni Watson) hold the claim as having the highest streamed single by a female artist. The singer saw the single break records in her native Australia when the song topped the ARIA (Australian Singles Chart) for a record 24 weeks, beating a 1943 record set by Bing Crosby’s White Christmas.
Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen (2.249 billion streams)
The oldest song to break the billion mark, Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, currently sits at 2.249 billion in total streams on Spotify. The song was originally released on October 31st 1975. This achievement showcases how influential and popular the song is almost 50 years after its release.
Viva la Vida – Coldplay (1.679 billion streams)
As if holding the distinction of having over a billion streams wasn’t enough, Coldplay’s Viva la Vida holds a record that will never be broken. The song became the first to ever gain one billion streams on Spotify on January 18, 2022. The Spanish translation of the title, Long Live Life, is fitting for a track that will forever hold such an honor.
Wonderwall – Oasis (1.754 billion streams)
Only the second billion-topping single to come from the 1990s, the other being Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit, Oasis’ Wonderwall has 1.754 billion Spotify Streams. Taken from the band’s second album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory and released in October 1995, the single interestingly didn’t even make it to the number one spot in either the US or UK charts.
Sunflower – Post Malone and Swae Lee (2.914 billion streams)
Released on October 19, 2018, Sunflower by Post Malone and Swae Lee gained massive popularity as part of the soundtrack to 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse movie. With 2.914 billion streams, it places Post Malone behind only Ed Sheeran as the artist with the most singles to break the two billion stream number. Malone has three, Sheeran four.
Cold Heart (Pnau Remix) – Elton John and Dua Lipa with Pnau (1.680 billion streams)
As Elton John’s only single to break one billion streams, Cold Heart (Pnau Remix), by John and Dua Lipa, sits at 1.680 billion. The song is a medley of four Elton John songs and its creation was born out of John and Dua’s friendship and communications during the pandemic.
Shallow - Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper (2.217 billion streams)
Lady Gaga was already one of the biggest musical stars on the planet when she landed her breakthrough role as an actress in 2018's A Star is Born. The movie also gave Gaga her most popular song on Spotify with Shallow. Her co-star and director Bradley Cooper performs the heartfelt track along with her.
Bad Guy - Billie Eilish (2.358 billion streams)
Billie Eilish's 2019 single Bad Guy proved to be an especially big success for the young singer-songwriter. As well as being a number one hit in many countries, it was awarded both Song and Record of the Year at the 2020 Grammys. Spotify listeners agree, as they've streamed the track close to 2.4 billion times.
Don't Start Now - Dua Lipa (2.37 billion streams)
Released in 2019, Don't Start Now was the lead single from Dua Lipa's second album, and proved to be one of the English-Albanian singer-songwriter's biggest hits. The upbeat, funky track, which reached no. 2 in the US and UK singles charts and was nominated for three Grammys, has also been credited with sparking a contemporary disco music revival.
Someone You Loved - Lewis Capaldi (2.994 billion streams)
Lewis Capaldi enjoyed his biggest hit with 2018 single Someone You Loved, which famously featured actor Peter Capaldi (to whom the Scottish singer-songwriter is distantly related) in the music video. Named Song of the Year at the Brit Awards and nominated at the Grammys, it was the UK's biggest-selling single of 2019. With 2.994 billion streams, it's the third most listened-to song on Spotify.
Believer - Imagine Dragons (2.684 billion streams)
Given extra publicity by its use in numerous commercials, movie trailers and an episode of TV's Riverdale (as well as a music video featuring 80s action star Dolph Lundgren), Imagine Dragons enjoyed a massive hit with their 2017 song Believer. With 15.4 million digital sales, it's one of the biggest-selling singles ever, and one of the most popular on Spotify at almost 2.7 billion streams.
Lucid Dreams - Juice Wrld (2.342 billion streams)
Before his tragic early death in 2019 aged just 21, Juice Wrld was a central figure in the emo rap scene, and his 2018 song Lucid Dreams proved a quintissential example of this genre. It has been streamed over 2.3 billion times on Spotify; much of the revenue from this has gone to singer-songwriter Sting, as the track samples his song Shape of My Heart.
Lose Yourself - Eminem (1.902 billion streams)
Older fans of legendary rapper Eminem fondly remember Lose Yourself as the theme song to his semi-autobiographical 2002 film 8 Mile. Widely considered one of the best rap songs ever, it won two Grammys and an Oscar, is certified diamond and is officially Eminem's most listened-to track on Spotify today, thanks in part to how heavily-memed the song's lyrics have become.
Mr. Brightside - The Killers (1.875 billion streams)
Released in 2004, Mr. Brightside was the very first single from American indie rock band The Killers. It remains arguably their best-loved song, and is certainly their most popular on Spotify with close to 1.9 billion streams. Numerous publications, websites and radio and TV stations including Rolling Stone, VH1 and NME have named Mr. Brightside one of the best songs of the 21st century.
Closer - The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey (2.647 billion streams)
EDM duo The Chainsmokers teamed up with singer Halsey in 2016 for Closer, which proved to be a massive hit for everyone involved. It marked the first time either artist hit number one and topped the charts in seventeen countries. It's also one of the top 15 most streamed songs on Spotify, having been played close to 2.65 billion times.
One Dance - Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla (2.8 billion streams)
Drake's 2016 single One Dance was a monumental hit. Topping the charts in 15 countries, it stayed at number one in the UK for 15 weeks, the longest time any track has spent in that chart position this century. It was also for a time the most streamed song ever on Spotify, and it's still in the top 10 with 2.8 billion streams.
Heat Waves - Glass Animals (2.665 billion streams)
An unexpectedly big hit during the summer of the 2020 lockdown, British indie-rock band Glass Animals enjoyed their greatest success to date with their single Heat Waves. The song topped the chart in several countries and made the top ten in many others, and has amassed well over two and a half billion Spotify streams, making it the platform's twelfth most streamed track to date.
In The End - Linkin Park (1.695 billion streams)
Nu-metal pioneers Linkin Park's 2001 single In the End proved to be the band's most enduring hit, and has enjoyed renewed popularity - as well as taking on additional poignancy - since the tragic loss of lead singer Chester Bennington. It's been streamed almost 1.7 billion times on Spotify.
Dynamite - BTS (1.732 billion streams)
Arguably the single biggest act to emerge from the K-Pop scene, Korean boy band BTS have skyrocketed to massive popularity worldwide, and their 2020 single Dynamite was the first song they recorded entirely in English. It's the South Korean ensemble's most popular song on Spotify with close to 1.75 billion streams.
Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars (1.809 billion streams)
Soul singer Bruno Mars has a number of songs that rank among the top one hundred most-streamed on Spotify, and the most popular of these is his celebrated 2014 collaboration with producer Mark Ronson, Uptown Funk. Winner of numerous accolades including Record of the Year at the Grammys, the song has been streamed just over 1.8 billion times to date.
7 Rings - Ariana Grande (2.088 billion streams)
After starting out as a teen TV star on Nickelodeon, Ariana Grande surprised many by becoming one of the world's most popular and acclaimed pop singers. Her 2019 single 7 Rings sparked some controversy over accusations of plagiarism, but it still became a massive hit, winning awards from MTV, People's Choice and Teen Choice plus Grammy nominations, and garnering over 2 billion Spotify streams.
Stay With Me - Sam Smith (1.867 billion streams)
English singer-songwriter Sam Smith enjoyed a huge hit with their gospel-infused romantic ballad Stay With Me in 2014, which topped the charts in the UK, Canada and New Zealand whilst reaching number two in the US. It's had close to 1.9 billion streams on Spotify, although there was some controversy over the melody's apparently coincidental similarity to Tom Petty's 1989 song I Won't Back Down.
Do I Wanna Know? - Arctic Monkeys (1.874 billion streams)
After breaking through in their native UK back in 2005, Arctic Monkeys achieved international success with their fifth album AM in 2013, helped significantly by lead single Do I Wanna Know? Nominated for Best Rock Performance at the Grammys, the song has enjoyed close to 1.9 billion Spotify streams.
Lean On - Major Lazer and DJ Snake featuring MØ (1.853 billion streams)
EDM group Major Lazer enjoyed a big hit with Lean On, their 2015 collaboration with DJ Snake and Danish vocalist MØ. Such was the song's popularity that, by November 2015, it was the most streamed track in Spotify history. As of October 2023, it's dropped to a still respectable 68th place with upwards of 1.8 billion streams.
Take Me To Church - Hozier (2.217 billion streams)
The 2013 debut single of Irish singer-songwriter Hozier proved remarkably successful. After building a gradual following, the track enjoyed huge mainstream success in 2014, hitting number one in 12 countries and landing a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year. It's been streamed upwards of 2.2 billion times on Spotify.
All of Me - John Legend (2.142 billion streams)
Soul singer-songwriter John Legend wrote 2013 love song All of Me in tribute to Chrissy Teigen, whom he has since married. The song touched millions, topping the charts in the US and several other countries, and has enjoyed upwards of 2.14 billion streams on Spotify to date.
Riptide - Vance Joy (2.111 billion streams)
By staying in the charts in his native Australia for upwards of 107 weeks, singer-songwriter Vance Joy broke an Aussie record for the longest time spent on the chart by a song with his 2013 single Riptide. An equally big hit internationally, the song has been streamed over 2 billion times on Spotify.
Stressed Out - Twenty One Pilots (2.056 billion streams)
Twenty One Pilots broke into the mainstream in a big way with their 2015 single Stressed Out. First it gave them their first top 10 hit in the US; then it made the top five in many other countries; then it was certified diamond after selling over 10 million copies in the US alone. On Spotify, meanwhile, it's been streamed over 2 billion times.
Say You Won't Let Go - James Arthur (2.495 billion streams)
Since winning British reality TV music contest The X-Factor, singer-songwriter James Arthur has enjoyed plenty of successes, the most notable of which (at least as far as Spotify users are concerned) is his 2016 single Say You Won't Let Go. Topping the charts in his native UK and going multi-platinum in several countries, it's had close to 2.5 billion Spotify streams to date.
Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood (2.409 billion streams)
Released in March 2012, The Neighbourhood's Sweater Weather had clocked up an impressive five million Spotify streams within its first month of being uploaded to the service. Its popularity has not waned since, and at the time of writing the song has been streamed upwards of 2.4 billion times.
Love Yourself - Justin Bieber (2.184 billion streams)
He's the pop star much of the world loves to hate but, regardless of whether or not you're a Belieber, there's no debating the Canadian singer's enduring popularity. His 2015 song Love Yourself has had a particularly big impact, with well over 2 billion streams on Spotify to date.
Let Her Go - Passenger (1.997 billion streams)
Just shy of two billion streams at the time of writing, Passenger's 2012 single Let Her Go became a huge breakthrough hit for the English singer-songwriter. The gentle rock ballad struck a chord with listeners worldwide, topping the charts in several countries and selling over a million copies in the artist's native UK, plus over four million in the US.
Drivers License - Olivia Rodrigo (1.931 billion streams)
After starting out as a Disney Channel star, OIivia Rodrigo surprised many by co-writing and recording one of the biggest hits of 2021 with her debut single drivers license. Winner of Best Pop Solo Performance at the Grammys and a chart-topper in 25 countries, it's not too far off two billion streams on Spotify.
No Role Modelz - J. Cole (1.888 billion streams)
American rapper J. Cole's track No Role Modelz was released in 2014. Although it wasn't a huge chart hit, reaching its peak at 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, it's made a considerably bigger splash on Spotify, where it has been streamed upward of 1.8 billion times at the time of writing.
Señorita - Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello (2.541 billion streams)
Canadian singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes has a few songs among the top 100 most streamed titles on Spotify, and the highest ranking of these is Señorita, his 2019 collaboration with Cuban singer Camila Cabello. It wound up the third biggest selling single of that year, and to date it has been streamed upwards of 2.5 billion times.
Memories - Maroon 5 (1.814 billion streams)
Since emerging in the early 2000s, pop-rock band Maroon 5 have enjoyed continuous success and many hit records. As far as Spotify is concerned, the biggest of these hits is their 2019 single Memories, which has been streamed 1.814 billion times on the platform, as well as going multi-platinum in over 12 countries.
