From “Old Town Road” to “WAP”: The Most Streamed Songs of the Year on Spotify
In recent years, music streaming has become the primary way for people to listen to their favorite songs. And with the rise of platforms like Spotify, it has become easier than ever for artists to reach a global audience. Each year, Spotify releases their list of the most streamed songs, and it is always interesting to see which songs have captured the attention of listeners around the world. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at some of the most streamed songs of the year on Spotify, from the viral hit “Old Town Road” to the controversial “WAP.”
“Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus was undoubtedly the biggest song of 2019, topping the charts and breaking records left and right. The song first gained popularity on the social media app TikTok, where users would create videos using the song’s catchy hook. This viral success translated into a massive streaming success, as “Old Town Road” became the most streamed song of the year on Spotify with over 1.7 billion streams. Its fusion of country and hip hop elements, along with its infectious beat and clever lyrics, made it a hit with listeners of all ages and backgrounds.
Following closely behind “Old Town Road” was “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish, which secured the second spot on Spotify’s list with over 1.3 billion streams. The song, which was released as part of Eilish’s debut album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”, became an instant hit with its dark and edgy sound. Eilish’s unique vocals and lyrics, combined with the song’s haunting beat, captured the attention of listeners and solidified her as one of the biggest artists of the year.
Another standout on Spotify’s list was “Sunflower” by Post Malone and Swae Lee, which came in at number three with over 1.1 billion streams. The song was originally featured on the soundtrack for the movie “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and quickly gained popularity for its catchy chorus and infectious beat. It became Post Malone’s third song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and solidified his status as one of the top artists of the year.

From "Old Town Road" to "WAP": The Most Streamed Songs of the Year on Spotify
But it wasn’t just American artists dominating the list of most streamed songs on Spotify. K-pop group BTS made their mark with their song “Boy With Luv” featuring Halsey, which came in at number four with over 1 billion streams. The song, which was released as part of their album “Map of the Soul: Persona,” became the most streamed K-pop song on Spotify and further cemented BTS’ global success.
Another notable entry on the list was “Someone You Loved” by Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi, which secured the fifth spot with over 990 million streams. The soulful ballad, which was inspired by a past relationship, became a massive hit and catapulted Capaldi into the international spotlight. Its emotional lyrics and Capaldi’s powerful vocals resonated with listeners, making it one of the most streamed songs of the year.
But perhaps the most controversial song on Spotify’s list was “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion, which came in at number six with over 960 million streams. The song sparked controversy upon its release due to its explicit lyrics and music video, but it also became a viral hit and sparked conversations about female empowerment and sexuality. Despite the controversy, “WAP” became one of the most streamed songs of the year and solidified Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion as dominant female rap artists.
Other notable entries on the list include “Dance Monkey” by Tones and I, “Señorita” by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, and “Someone Like You” by Adele. These songs, along with the others on Spotify’s list, showcase the diversity and global reach of music in today’s streaming era.
In conclusion, the most streamed songs of the year on Spotify reflect the changing landscape of the music industry and the power of streaming platforms in helping artists reach a wider audience. From viral hits to emotional ballads and controversial anthems, these songs have captured the attention of listeners around the world and solidified their place in pop culture history.