The Impact of Streaming: How These 20 Songs Dominated Spotify
In recent years, the music industry has undergone a major transformation with the rise of streaming services. Gone are the days of purchasing physical albums or even downloading digital files. Today, music lovers can access millions of songs with just a few clicks on their preferred streaming platform. And one of the biggest players in this market is Spotify, with over 345 million monthly active users.
But what does this mean for the music industry? How has streaming changed the game for artists and their songs? In this blog post, we will delve into the impact of streaming on the music industry, specifically focusing on 20 songs that have dominated Spotify.
1. “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran
Released in 2017, “Shape of You” quickly became the most streamed song on Spotify with over 2.7 billion streams. This upbeat, catchy tune from Ed Sheeran’s album ÷ (Divide) has been a hit with fans worldwide, and its success on Spotify is a testament to the power of streaming.
2. “One Dance” by Drake ft. WizKid and Kyla
Another song that took the world by storm in 2016 was “One Dance” by Drake. This dancehall-infused track from his album Views has over 2.4 billion streams on Spotify, making it the second most streamed song on the platform.
3. “Rockstar” by Post Malone ft. 21 Savage
Released in 2017, “Rockstar” by Post Malone became an instant hit, topping charts and becoming one of the most streamed songs on Spotify with over 2.3 billion streams. The song’s catchy chorus and Post Malone’s unique rap style have made it a fan favorite.
4. “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran makes another appearance on this list with his romantic ballad “Thinking Out Loud.” Released in 2014, the song has over 2.2 billion streams on Spotify and has become a wedding staple for many couples.
5. “Havana” by Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug
Former Fifth Harmony member Camila Cabello’s solo career took off with her hit song “Havana” in 2017. The Latin-inspired track has over 2.1 billion streams on Spotify and helped establish Cabello as a solo artist to watch.
6. “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee
In 2017, “Despacito” took the world by storm, becoming one of the most streamed songs of all time. The catchy reggaeton track by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee has over 2 billion streams on Spotify and became a global phenomenon.
7. “Closer” by The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey
Electronic duo The Chainsmokers made a splash in 2016 with their hit song “Closer” featuring Halsey. The song has over 1.9 billion streams on Spotify and became a summer anthem for many.
8. “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
Released in 2014, “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars became one of the biggest songs of the decade. Its funky beat and Bruno Mars’ smooth vocals have made it a fan favorite, with over 1.8 billion streams on Spotify.
9. “Lean On” by Major Lazer ft. MØ and DJ Snake
“Lean On” by Major Lazer, MØ, and DJ Snake was a surprise hit in 2015, with its infectious beat and catchy chorus. The song has over 1.7 billion streams on Spotify and became a staple at parties and clubs.
10. “Sunflower” by Post Malone and Swae Lee
From the soundtrack of the movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, “Sunflower” by Post Malone and Swae Lee has become one of the most popular songs on Spotify. Released in 2018, it has over 1.6 billion streams and showcases the power of streaming to promote movie soundtracks.

The Impact of Streaming: How These 20 Songs Dominated Spotify
11. “Sicko Mode” by Travis Scott ft. Drake
Travis Scott and Drake teamed up for the hit song “Sicko Mode” in 2018, and it quickly became a fan favorite, with over 1.6 billion streams on Spotify. Its unique structure and catchy beat have solidified its place as one of the most streamed songs on the platform.
12. “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber’s comeback in 2015 was marked by his hit song “Love Yourself,” which has over 1.5 billion streams on Spotify. The acoustic track showcases Bieber’s growth as an artist and has become a fan favorite.
13. “Sorry” by Justin Bieber
Another hit from Justin Bieber’s album Purpose was “Sorry” in 2015. With over 1.5 billion streams on Spotify, the song became an instant hit with its catchy chorus and danceable beat.
14. “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran’s romantic ballad “Perfect” has become a modern-day wedding classic, with over 1.5 billion streams on Spotify. Released in 2017, the song showcases Sheeran’s songwriting skills and his ability to connect with listeners.
15. “Don’t Let Me Down” by The Chainsmokers ft. Daya
The Chainsmokers make another appearance on this list with their hit song “Don’t Let Me Down” featuring Daya. Released in 2016, the song has over 1.5 billion streams on Spotify and showcases the duo’s ability to blend electronic and pop music.
16. “Faded” by Alan Walker
Norwegian DJ Alan Walker’s breakout hit “Faded” became a global sensation in 2015. With over 1.4 billion streams on Spotify, its dreamy, electronic sound has made it a fan favorite.
17. “All of Me” by John Legend
John Legend’s heartfelt ballad “All of Me” has become a modern-day love song, with over 1.4 billion streams on Spotify. Released in 2013, the song’s soulful vocals and emotional lyrics have resonated with listeners worldwide.
18. “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay
The collaboration between The Chainsmokers and Coldplay in 2017 resulted in the hit song “Something Just Like This.” With over 1.4 billion streams on Spotify, the song’s catchy chorus and uplifting lyrics have made it a fan favorite.
19. “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons
American rock band Imagine Dragons dominated the charts in 2017 with their hit song “Thunder.” With over 1.4 billion streams on Spotify, the song’s powerful beat and anthemic chorus have made it a popular choice for sports events and commercials.
20. “Dance Monkey” by Tones and I
Australian singer Tones and I burst onto the scene in 2019 with her hit song “Dance Monkey.” With over 1.2 billion streams on Spotify, its infectious beat and catchy chorus have made it a global sensation.
These 20 songs are just a small selection of the many hits that have dominated Spotify in recent years. But what do these numbers mean for the music industry? Streaming has allowed for a wider reach and accessibility, giving artists a platform to showcase their music to a global audience. It has also changed the way we consume music, with playlists and algorithms shaping our listening habits.
However, streaming has also faced criticism for its impact on artists’ revenue. With artists earning significantly less from streaming than from physical sales, there are ongoing debates about fair compensation and the sustainability of this model.
In conclusion, the impact of streaming on the music industry is undeniable. These 20 songs dominating Spotify are just a glimpse of the power of streaming to promote and popularize music. And as technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how streaming will shape the future of the music industry.




