Top 30 Most Streamed Songs in Spotify History

Top-30-Most-Streamed-Songs-in-Spotify-History

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down the songs that have dominated Spotify as of March 2024. Note that these numbers are subject to change.

#30: “Circles” (2019)
Post Malone

There are a lot of facets to the music of Post Malone. This inability to truly be pigeonholed has assisted the musician on the charts, allowing songs from various genres to succeed, without ever pinning Post Malone down to a single style. “Circles” highlights Malone’s ability as a singer (albeit assisted by auto-tune), presenting a bit more powerful vocalizing to go along with the singer’s already-proven ability to croon and connect with his audience. Said audience has streamed “Circles” more than 2.4 billion times on Spotify, an encouraging validation and victory for one of today’s most popular artists.

#29: “Riptide” (2013)
Vance Joy

Folk music isn’t exactly a genre that, historically speaking, has burned up the Spotify streaming charts. Then again, there’s no rule that says the right folk track CAN’T be a huge hit, so here we are with “Riptide” from Vance Joy. The Australian singer-songwriter certainly seems to know a strong melody when he hears one, and the chorus to “Riptide” is immediately hummable and memorable. Joy’s guitar playing is humble, but allows the song to breathe, while his backing vocals work wonders on that aforementioned chorus. Just over 2.4 billion Spotify users flocked to “Riptide” when it was released, helping break Vance Joy into the mainstream.

#28: “Bohemian Rhapsody” (1975)
Queen

It’s the only classic rock entry on this list, and the only example of older music finding a massive worldwide resurgence. The 2018 biopic of Queen singer Freddie Mercury titled “Bohemian Rhapsody” not only reminded older fans of how much they loved this music, but also exposed Queen to a whole new audience. As a result, this 1975 single from the group has been streamed again and again on Spotify. “Bohemian Rhapsody” has exceeded 2.4 billion streams at the time of this writing, and remains one of Queen’s best known and best-loved tracks.

#27: “Take Me to Church” (2013)
Hozier

The grandiose production of Hozier’s “Take Me to Church” seeks, by design, to replicate the massive beauty often found within large-scale cathedrals. The singer-songwriter’s deep, brooding vocals underline this feeling of gothic menace, while the choral accompaniment lends the song an almost post-punk vibe, a la Joy Division, or even Nick Cave. Spotify’s streaming platform often highlights pop hits of the day, but the success of Hozier proved that more cerebral content can also strike it big. That said, “Take Me to Church” sits alongside comparatively lighter fare with pride, having been streamed over 2.4 billion times.

#26: “Thinking Out Loud” (2014)
Ed Sheeran

Folk, rock and pop collide within this heartfelt pop tune from singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. “Thinking Out Loud” was a single from the man’s second full-length album, and highlights a strong and powerful vocal performance from Sheeran. The live drums have a warm, intimate production kick to them, and this reflects Sheeran’s roots as a busker. There’s a confessional vibe here that also gives the song a universal appeal, thanks largely to that great chorus. And you know what? The listeners seem to agree, having streamed “Thinking Out Loud” over 2.4 billion times on Spotify.

#25: “Photograph” (2015)
Ed Sheeran

Leave it to Ed Sheeran to soften our calloused and jaded hearts with some home movies. Parents from all walks of life will likely be moved to tears while watching the video for Sheeran’s “Photograph,” a clip that includes real footage from the singer’s youth and childhood. The video works wonderfully with the song’s moving and emotional melody and insistent rhythms. Spotify is an audio medium, however, not a visual one, and this means that “Photograph” also works on its own musical merits. The proof? Its 2.4 billion streams (and counting) on the platform.

#24: “Something Just Like This” (2017)
The Chainsmokers & Coldplay

Did the comic book movie revolution impact the decision for “Something Just Like This” to reference Superman, Spider-Man and Batman within its lyrics? Probably, but the song also seemed to resonate with listeners outside of the cross-brand promotional tactic, chalking up 2.4 billion streams on Spotify. Chris Martin’s instantly recognizable vocals lead the charge on “Something Just Like This,” while The Chainsmokers electronic accompaniment lends the song a vibe that’s dance floor friendly. There’s even a cool guitar solo to lift things off at the end, rounding off a very successful musical collab.

#23: “God’s Plan” (2018)
Drake

You can’t please everybody when it comes to the music industry. Critics were fairly split on Drake’s single “God’s Plan” back when it was released in 2018. Some claimed that the tune didn’t really break free from Drake’s established MO of pop/trap rap, but listeners didn’t seem to mind more of the same. The song has been streamed 2.4 billion times on Spotify, while also debuting at number one on the Billboard Top 100 Chart. Did this vindicate “God’s Plan” for Drake? Well, it all depends on whether or not you dig on the man’s sound, but there’s no denying that there are a LOT of people out there paying attention.

#22: “Bad Guy” (2019)
Billie Eilish

Was it 2019’s “Bad Guy” that cemented Billie Eilish as a musician worth watching, following and admiring? Maybe. After all, there’s a lot that feels revelatory and almost dangerous within the song’s provocative lyrics and downright sexy groove. The minimalist production feels like “trap music” without that term’s reductive reputation, allowing Eilish’s intimate vocals to reach out through the speakers and grab the listener. It turns out there’s been a LOT of listeners, too: 2.4 billion Spotify listeners, to be precise. It’s never felt this good to be so bad.

#21: “Lucid Dreams” (2018)
Juice WRLD

It’s clear right from jump street that “Lucid Dreams” isn’t your average pop rap song. Juice WRLD brings an open sensitivity to his vocal approach and a lyrical sensibility to his writing that isn’t afraid to work with some dark metaphors. The auto-tune actually assists the song’s apparition-like shuffle, as Juice WRLD lays bare some personal thoughts to a beat that pumps lifeblood through the speakers. “Lucid Dreams” is approaching 2.5 billion streams on Spotify at the time of this writing, and it’s easy to see why, because the song almost single-handedly shoots holes into this idea of “emo rap” being a dirty word.

#20: “Don’t Start Now” (2019)
Dua Lipa

Fun. That is the first word that could potentially come to mind when describing “Don’t Start Now” from Dua Lipa. This track from 2019 is an unapologetically retro-minded tune that brings the electro and doesn’t fake the funk for a minute. Heck, there’s even some Chic-styled disco guitar and a driving backbeat to make “Don’t Start Now” feel like the best sort of time capsule club tune. There’s strings, synthesizer and a great groove to be had here on “Don’t Start Now,” and it sort of makes sense that this tune has been streamed 2.5 billion times on Spotify.

#19: “Watermelon Sugar” (2020)
Harry Styles

The sophomore album from former One Direction member Harry Styles did a great job at differentiating itself from Styles’ boy band past. A fine example of this differentiation is “Watermelon Sugar,” a song that still possesses a pop soul, sure, but also dabbles with art rock, a la Peter Gabriel or David Bowie. Styles’ voice really works on the track, while the production is modern enough to feel commercial, while also referencing 1960’s bubblegum within its chorus melody. The mixture is odd, but totally works, to the tune of nearly 2.6 billion streams on Spotify.

#18: “Señorita” (2019)
Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

This musical collaboration between Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello was so successful the track was included on different versions of albums from both singers. This speaks to the massive popularity of “Señorita,” a Latin-infused pop song that makes the most out of both Mendes and Cabello’s vocals. The dance floor is the destination when it comes to this jam, and “Señorita” isn’t ashamed to drive home this aim with every insistent beat and groove. Meanwhile, Mendes and Cabello harmonize well on the track, creating pop success to the tune of over 2.6 billion streams on Spotify.

#17: “Say You Won’t Let Go” (2016)
James Arthur

We live in an age where it becomes very difficult to come up with something new when it comes to composing chord phrasings and melodic choices. “Say You Won’t Let Go” from British singer James Arthur was forced to include the Irish rock band The Script as songwriters, when it was revealed that Arthur’s song was composed in too similar a fashion to a song of theirs. Does this little bit of trivia impact the fact that “Say You Won’t Let Go” has been streamed 2.7 billion times on Spotify? Not particularly, but then again, not every hit song drinks from the creative well of originality.

#16: “lovely” (2018)
Billie Eilish & Khalid

It was the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” and its accompanying second season soundtrack that served as the source for this hit from Billie Eilish and Khalid. The performers collaborate on an atmospheric and haunting ballad that feels dramatic, with palpable gravitas. The sentimentality and melancholy of “lovely” never feels forced here, and it’s this authenticity that perhaps resonates with listeners so much that they’ve streamed the track over 2.7 billion times on Spotify. The echoed production enhances the sad string section that occurs near the song’s finale, as well, making “lovely” reverberate in listener’s hearts long after the song has faded away.

#15: “Sweater Weather” (2012)
The Neighbourhood

The California-based alternative rock band The Neighbourhood may currently be on musical hiatus while their lead singer seeks a solo career, but they can always look back on the success of “Sweater Weather.” Partially due to its popularity on TikTok, it has racked up over 2.7 billion streams on Spotify, and it’s easy to see why, right from the opening break-beat on the drums. The ghostly production on the twangy guitar gives “Sweater Weather” a feeling that’s evocative of a film score, while also retaining a rock edge. It’s a moody piece with strong vocals and a diverse array of rhythms to keep things interesting, including an ending coda that drives home “Sweater Weather” as something of a modern classic.

#14: “Closer” (2016)
The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey

Does it matter that there’s six credited songwriters on “Closer?” We’re not sure, but there’s no denying that this hooky pop hit is difficult to forget, once you hear it. The song has been streamed over 2.7 billion times on Spotify, ramming home the fact that its chorus sounds remarkably like other hit songs over the years. Specifically, “Closer” was forced to credit two members of indie rockers The Fray, due to its similarities to that group’s hit “Over My Head (Cable Car).” This controversy seemed to matter little to pop fans at the end of the day, however, and “Closer” continues to rack up Spotify streams on a daily basis.

#13: “Perfect” (2017)
Ed Sheeran

There’s something about some love songs that make them perfect fodder for seemingly endless streams. And “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran is a great one. The song’s subject matter and execution reminds one of Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight,” with its first-person celebration of a significant other. Sheeran’s vocals are intimate and honest on the track, while the melodic songwriting of “Perfect” seems indebted to the doo-wop teen ballads of the 1950s, updated for the modern day. The song feels like the best sort of anachronism, grabbing onto the heartstrings of over 2.8 billion Spotify listeners.

#12: “Heat Waves” (2020)
Glass Animals

The indie rock genre often sees its fair share of crossover success, but Glass Animals took it to another level back in 2020 with their single, “Heat Waves.” Maybe it’s the minimalist electronic backbeat that allows the post-Coldplay pop of Glass Animals to thrive amid the modern Spotify landscape. Maybe it’s the catchy melody over the chorus that connects “Heat Waves” to the group’s indie roots. We’re not sure, but the song possesses a dreamy beauty that’s difficult to resist, and an anthemic vibe that we imagine goes over wonderfully in a live context. In the meantime, “Heat Waves” has been big on Spotify for years now, racking up an impressive 2.8 billion streams.

#11: “Believer” (2017)
Imagine Dragons

It’s a sentiment that’s been echoed in blogs, YouTube videos and on think-pieces throughout the internet, this idea that Imagine Dragons basically just creates music to be used in commercials. This may be true, but the proof is also in the proverbial pudding, since there are a LOT of people that seem to be listening. This is regardless of how many times a song like “Believer” gets licensed out to god-knows-where, but you know what? We totally get it. The song is economically composed, in a way that feels predictable-yet-comforting. The audience knows exactly where this main melody is heading, and they like it, singing along to that infectious chorus all the way to 2.9 billion Spotify streams.

#10: “rockstar” (2017)
Post Malone feat. 21 Savage

There’s a devastatingly hypnotic vibe to this 2017 single from Post Malone, titled “rockstar.” The song, which also features British rapper 21 Savage as a guest, really only hangs its hat upon one convincing melody, and milks that catchiness for all its worth. The end results work best with headphones, as “rockstar” regales listeners with all of the stereotypical habits that go down when musicians become successful. Meanwhile, the minimalist beats tie into the songs’ almost psychedelic feel, making it easy to see why “rockstar” has been streamed 2.9 billion times on Spotify.

#9: “Stay” (2021)
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber

It’s difficult to pin down a proper genre when it comes to “Stay” from The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber. Emo rap? Retro synth-pop? Salty bubblegum? The song feels like all of these and more, hanging from a nostalgic-sounding synth melody, upbeat pop/punk drums and a hooky chorus straight out of the bubblegum playbook…albeit with some cursing thrown into the mix. The collaborative feeling on this 2021 single never feels too one-sided, and its relative brevity practically begs for repeated spins. Audiences responded in droves, too, spinning “Stay” at a rate that’s fast approaching the three billion mark.

#8: “Dance Monkey” (2019)
Tones and I

The success of “Dance Monkey” from Tones and I was a breath of fresh air, particularly in a world where so many pop hits contain an arsenal of producers and songwriters. Instead, this was just Tones and I (a.k.a. Toni Watston) who was responsible for writing this earworm of a track from 2019. “Dance Monkey” possesses an irresistible vocal hook from Tones and I, a chorus that’s impossible to forget, but super fun to sing along with, over and over again. “Dance Monkey” seemed to really resonate with pop fans, too, since the track has amassed over three billion streams on Spotify at the time of this writing.

#7: “One Dance” (2016)
Drake feat. Wizkid & Kyla

Drake’s “One Dance” single from 2016 was a huge success, at least partly due to the guest musicians he has on the track. The Afrobeat influence from Nigeria’s Wizkid fuels the groove, while guest singer Kyla adds a fragile yet quite pretty melody over the chorus. Drake, in the meantime, is his usual charismatic self. His vocals are produced well, his flow feels strong, and his verses fuel the hooks of “One Dance” in a way that melds nicely with the instrumentation. There’s a physicality to the end product of “One Dance,” and Drake’s fans seemed to agree with this short-but-sweet jam, streaming it over three billion times on Spotify.

#6: “As It Was” (2022)
Harry Styles

It seems reasonable to claim that the third solo album from former One Direction member Harry Styles needed to capitalize upon the success of his 2019 album, “Fine Line.” Thankfully, the lead single “As It Was” effectively silenced any criticism of Styles’ success being something of a fluke. The song has been streamed nearly 3.1 billion times on Spotify at the time of this writing, which isn’t too shabby for a song that doesn’t even crack the three minute mark. Then again, who ever said that songs needed to be long to be good? “As It Was” cracks the pop formula code, and is all the better for it.

#5: “Starboy” (2016)
The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk

The electronic pedigree of living legends Daft Punk looms large over this 2016 hit from The Weeknd. “Starboy” glistens like a shiny new synthesizer, fresh out of a 1980s Radio Shack, yet it’s the vocals of The Weeknd that ground the song within the here and now. Over 3.1 billion Spotify streams don’t lie: “Starboy” was a big deal, and it continues to be a big deal years after its initial release. The song just seemed to grab more and more listeners with passing week, jumping Billboard chart spots and leaping straight into the hearts of The Weeknd’s fan base.

#4: “Sunflower” (2018)
Post Malone & Swae Lee

Soundtrack songs can often be big business, with comic book movies being doubly so, most of the time. 2018’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” benefitted from featuring Post Malone and Swae Lee on its soundtrack, just as Post Malone enjoyed additional exposure from being highlighted on the album. The tune has been streamed over 3.2 billion times on Spotify, and offers a warm and melodic sound which grooves along with grace and a mildly funky energy. It’s not too far removed from Post Malone’s established sound, yet also stands apart from the man’s discography in a way that feels refreshing.

#3: “Someone You Loved” (2018)
Lewis Capaldi

“Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi didn’t need any nepotism from the singer’s cousin Peter Capaldi to find chart success. It didn’t hurt that the “Doctor Who” star was featured in the original video, of course, but the song still works just fine on its own. “Someone You Loved” has been streamed over 3.3 billion times on Spotify, connecting with a very receptive audience. Capaldi hasn’t been able, as of yet, to capitalize upon the success of “Someone You Loved” with another single that captures the same sort of melancholic energy. That said, there’s far worse tunes to be known for then this one.

#2: “Shape of You” (2017)
Ed Sheeran

The name Ed Sheeran is one that seems to be synonymous with Spotify success. We’ve seen his brand of earnest, singer-songwriter pop come up again and again when it comes to lists like these, and why not? Sheeran frankly just knows how to connect with his target audience. It doesn’t really matter that “Shape of You” somewhat infamously interpolated the vocal melody of TLC’s “No Scrubs,” because the success of this song speaks for itself. “How successful,” you may ask? Well, how about 3.8 billion streams on Spotify? How does that grab you?

#1: “Blinding Lights” (2019)
The Weeknd

Some musical artists just feel destined to dominate Spotify. The Weeknd certainly belongs in this conversation, anyway, as evidenced by the insane chart success of his 2019 single, “Blinding Lights.” The song feels both retro-inspired and timeless, thanks largely to its crisp, shiny production and the synth-pop backbone of its execution. Both fans and critics alike seemed to flock to “Blinding Lights,” and the song held to a top ten spot on the Billboard singles charts for a full year. Meanwhile, the song has amassed over 4.1 billion streams on Spotify, with no sign of stopping anytime soon.


What’s your go-to jam on Spotify? Let us know in the comments!