JJ’s Streams Of Statistics, Volume 3: The Number Ones

Back once again, with something for the stats fans. 

This time round I’m looking at how Billboard’s Hot 100 #1 song of the year have fared in the streaming age, going all the way back to 1958. The #1 shouldn’t be a surprise.

But, there are a few unexpected turns along the way.

Let’s head straight for the countdown:

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67: “Tossin’ and Turnin’”

Seven million may be more than many songs from the same period. But for a song of the year, it doesn’t cut it. 

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66: “Stranger On The Shore”

The first theme tune to appear. In this case, the fact that it accompanied a long forgotten 1961 BBC children’s drama is unlikely to be driving listens.

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65: “Woolly Bully”

Considering how recognisable this is: And how often I’ve heard it without seeking it out, I thought it would be a lot higher. 

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64: “Shadow Dancing”

This is one accolade Andy managed that his brothers didn’t. Though they did have something to do with it. The fact that this is beaten by all but two of the songs preceding it shows how far his stock has fallen.

To be fair, he is the first act where the record of the year isn’t the song that is now doing the business. “I Just Want To Be Your Everything” has a far more respectable 100 million streams.

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63. “Look Away”

Underperformance?  “Look Away” has the same flaw as Andy Gibb but even more pronounced given Chicago’s longevity. It’s well down their rankings which are headed by “Hard To Say I’m Sorry.”

It’s also the runt of the 80s, the only track from that decade not to have passed 100m. Being hot one year is not a signifier of long term relevance. 

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62.“Candle in the Wind 1997” 

We’re really on a roll when it comes to underperformance. This is the acme of underperformance.  Song of the year, biggest selling single ever but with a very specific set of circumstances that led to it being so huge and then banished from memory.

The original “Candle In The Wind” has just passed 200 million. The people have spoken: and they prefer a sentimental appraisal of Marilyn rather than Diana.

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61.”To Sir With Love”

• A Million Seller.
• A Box Office Hit.
• 90% Tomatometer + 88% Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes.

None of which guarantees ongoing relevance. 

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60. “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)”

Still ranked #21 in Billboard’s Hot 100 All Time 100 Songs at the beginning of this decade. It hasn’t worn its chart dominance well. It’s not even in Rod’s top 10 streaming songs. 

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59. “The Battle Of New Orleans”

Just to rub salt in Rod’s wounds, he’s behind this one.

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58. “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree”

Then there’s this. I believe it’s the only song in this list to be awarded a 1 rating by Stereogum reviewer Tom Breihan. Still way more popular than Rod Stewart, though.

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57. “Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu)”

The very first song of the year and the only one not sung in English. It’s held up pretty well. Especially as Domenico has many cover versions to contend with. 

One of those being by Dean Martin who’s version has nearly double the number of plays. 

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56. “The Way We Were”

Academy Award winner. Redford and Streisand together at last box office hit. Another victim to the 70s moribund streaming performance. Speaking of which…. 

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55. “Silly Love Songs”

First of three appearances by Mr. McCartney. He has enough plaudits to soften the blow of “Silly Love Songs” comparatively lacklustre figures. 

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54. “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”

Another whose record of the year has been surpassed by another of their recordings. “Killing Me Softly” is well ahead as her biggest streaming song. 

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53. “Physical”

Maybe it’s just not the same without the video. ONJ’s back catalogue is dominated by the Grease soundtrack. “Physical” is the best of the rest. Justice for “Magic?” It’s just outside her top 10 tracks with 19m plays. 

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52. “Love Will Keep Us Together”

Saccharine 70s soft rock continues. How and why this outperforms Wings, Roberta Flack and Olivia Newton John I have no idea. Perhaps just that the 70s were weird.

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51. “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)”

I expected this to be a lot higher as a party anthem. It’s figures are distilled by the fact that within their top 10 tracks there’s six different versions of “Macarena.” Combined they add up to over 400 million.  

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50. “Breathe”

First appearance by the 21st Century: a sign that “Breathe” hasn’t kept up with it’s contemporaries. “This Kiss” didn’t have the same impact on release but has overtaken “Breathe” as her biggest streaming song.

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49 “Joy To The World”

Three number ones to choose from and this time the record of the year went to the right hit. Well out in front as their biggest streaming song.

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48. “That’s What Friends Are For”

That this song gives Dionne, Gladys and Stevie their only appearance is a travesty. It was for a good cause though. From an age of superstar charity songs, it didn’t have the same cachet as “We Are The World “but is only 5m behind it. The guaranteed annual Christmas plays of Band Aid keeps that one far ahead.

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47. “Hold On”

Soundly beaten by both sets of parents. In streaming terms they’re reduced to this being the only song that matters; 181 million ahead of their next best. 

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46. “Too Close”

Middle of the pack as far as the 90s go. In Britain it’s best remembered as a hit for Blue but their version is only at 10 million so they’re not stealing too many listens from Next.

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45. “Theme From ‘A Summer Place'”

Top dog in the category of Most Played Instrumental. From a field of two, but you can only beat what’s in front of you. 

Its an impressive performance, beating a lot of more recent hits. I don’t know who is listening, but it’s holding up well.

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44. “Hanging by a Moment”

Sorry guys, but in my mind they’re a faceless generic alternative act. Alternative is ill served in record of the year representation and the fact that “Hanging By A Moment” is beaten by every song that comes after it and quite a number that precede it doesn’t suggest this is the right track to fly the flag. 

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43.”When Doves Cry”

For such an influential and huge act that isn’t reflected in his streaming numbers. His figures are solid rather than spectacular, this is his third biggest song behind “Purple Rain” and “Kiss.” 

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42. “Walk Like an Egyptian”

Another Prince adjacent fact:, “Walk Like An Egyptian” is 30m ahead of “Manic Monday.” Both of which are well behind “Eternal Flame.” Which is not the way it should be.

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41. “Bridge Over Troubled Water”

Another surprise. In streaming terms,, S&Gs biggest songs outperform Prince, And “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is only their fifth ranked, with “Mrs. Robinson” about to hit 700 million. 

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40. “The Sign”

The second most famous Swedish two male / two female act. But the only ones to be Billboard’s year end #1. Then again, ABBA do have eight bigger songs than this on Spotify.

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39. “End of the Road”

The early 90s film tie ins start here. Four of the first five records of the year from that decade are from film soundtracks. Boomerang is arguably the least remembered of those films and the one that contributed least to the songs success.

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38. “Surfin’ USA”

You’ll be glad to know this is faring better than “Kokomo.” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” is the song that racks up the Beach Boys nostalgia plays.

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37. “My Sharona”

The best of the 70s. The lyrics might be problematic, but people are still listening. Just not to anything else by The Knack. They’ve only one other song over one million streams; “Good Girls Don’t.”

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36. “Sugar, Sugar”

The best performance by a fictitious animated group. Proving over 50 years on that a gimmick isn’t just a short term path to success. It does also help to be a bubblegum pop earworm of the highest magnitude.

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35. “Boom Boom Pow”

Every song of the year since “Boom Boom Pow” has over 1 billion streams. Black Eyed Peas don’t come close. Again, the wrong song got the accolade, “I Gotta Feeling” has passed 1.6 billion.

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34. “I Want To Hold Your Hand”

Macca is back. The first flush of Beatlemania still serving them well.

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33. “Bette Davis Eyes”

& 32.“Call Me”

It’s tight in the early 80s new wave Battle Of The Blondes. 18m separates them, which at this level is nothing. Blondie may be the bigger act with a greater chart pedigree but Kim is just about keeping pace.

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31. “Faith”

George is the new Paul McCartney, year end top dog three times. The last of those being the least popular. Though these things are relative with 627m.

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30. “Hey Jude”

They may be kings of the 60s. And “Hey Jude” is doing well for its age, but as we shall see. They aren’t top of the tree for their decade. 

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29. “Bad Day”

One of the ultimate one hit wonders. No other Hot100 entry. “Bad Day” is so overpowering that four of his 10 biggest streaming songs are versions of it.

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28 “Irreplaceable”

As is the way: the wrong song got the award. “Irreplaceable” has less than half the streams of Halo. 

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27. (Everything I Do) I Do It for You”

Arrowing his way to a 1991 #1. But losing out in the Kevin Costner associated film stakes. Perhaps it loses plays as Brits are still put off at the memory it brings up of Kevin’s not exactly accurate accent. 

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26. “We Belong Together”

Obviously, this is not Mariah’s top streaming song. We all know what that is but it’s not the appropriate time of year to name it. From a crowded field of 19 #1s, this is her second biggest song on Spotify. Which is a surprise to me at least.

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25. “Believe”

Age is no barrier to having the biggest hit of your career. It may be the defining example of an auto-tune driven hit but it’s the song that is going to define Cher’s career. 384m plays ahead of her next best; “If I Could Turn Back Time.” 

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24. “I Will Always Love You”

No issues with Costner’s accent this time. I would have thought this is Whitney’s career defining hit. But “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is well past 1 billion.

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23. “California Dreamin’ “

We’re into the billion club with the earliest member from this list. By a long way. It sees off numerous cover versions and has endured in the streaming age in a way that only a select few 60s songs have. 

In chart terms they aren’t a one hit wonder but on streaming it looks that way. “California Dreamin'” is 1 billion streams ahead of all but three other M&P Songs.

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22. Last Night

The general direction of travel is that the more up to date we get, the more streams there are.

Except there’s a dip in 2023. Sure Morgan has passed a billion but not by much. Recency and not having had time to build up the numbers isn’t an issue as shown by the 2024 song of the year being 300m ahead of “Last Night.” 

Country isn’t that well represented. We’ve already seen Faith Hill underperform and although there us one more country adjacent track to come that one is a genre blending giant. 

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21. “Careless Whisper”

One of three songs Wham! have in the billion club. An impressive feat for an 80s act. There’s the obvious festive favourite and the not as obvious straightforward pop of “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go.” Whether happy danceable George or sad reflective George, there’s still a lot of love for them. 

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20. “Low”

Sometimes you get it right first time. Flo Rida’s first Hot100 entry and his biggest track.

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19. “How You Remind Me”

After a brief moment for guitars in 2001/02 with Lifehouse and Nickelback it seems they’ve had their day as consideration for the annual accolade.Nickelback may come in for stick but “How You Remind Me” has stuck around. 

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18. “Thrift Shop”

Another act that has had its share of barbs. A reminder that critical response does not tally with commercial response.

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17. “Tik Tok”

Another to hit paydirt first time out. Kesha does have a credit on one bigger song; the Pitbull led “Timber.”

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16. “Lose Control”

The most recent song in this chart. It set a record with 32 weeks consecutive climbing to reach #1. It took off after that slow start, about to pass 1.5 billion after 19 months.

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15. “Happy”

Your opinion of the Minions may be determined by whether you’re over or under 10 years old. Whether Happy succeeded because of or despite Despicable Me 2 and the babbling yellow irritants is open to conjecture. 

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14. “Yeah!”

The positive affirmation of the title reflected in its popularity.

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13. “Old Town Road”

As I said, Country hasn’t fared that well as song of the year. 

Whereas the out of nowhere country rap of Lil Nas X caught the imagination. The addition of Billy Ray Cyrus may not have seemed like the path to greater glory given he was arguably better known for being father to Miley at that point. 

“Old Town Road” falls victim to different versions splitting its plays. The Billy Ray Cyrus free version is at 1,052,646,052. Combining both would have it in 6th place. 

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12. “In Da Club”

Massive in the 00s and carrying enough of a legacy to keep racking up the numbers.

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11. “Gangsta’s Paradise”

The biggest of the 90s soundtrack behemoths. Bryan Adams and Whitney Houston were bigger names than Coolio and accompanied bigger blockbusters but his track is the one that has transcended the era. 

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10. “Somebody That I Used to Know”

Stealing the thunder of Daniel Powter as a one hit wonder. Though he can point to the fact that he has a 2nd Hot 100 entry with “Eyes Wide Open.” Even if that was at #96. 

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9. “Rolling in the Deep”

One of three Adele tracks to have passed 2 billion streams. She’s more associated with lung busting ballads but everyone needs a break from all that tragedy. 

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8.“Uptown Funk!”

One of five Bruno Mars songs over 2 billion. Whatever you think of “Fat, Juicy And Wet,” there’s always the back catalogue.

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7. “Levitating”

Still waiting for her first Hot 100 #1: “Levitating” is one of two singles to stop at #2. Despite that, she’s still one of the biggest acts of the last decade with five songs passing 2 billion.

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6. “Every Breath You Take”

A real outlier. Proving that ‘old’ songs can still be relevant in the digital age. 

In 2019 it was declared the most performed song by the BMI. An accolade reflected in its streaming performance. The BMI credited a mid 90s resurgence thanks to Puff Daddy. It may have contributed but it doesn’t explain the ongoing success.

I don’t know how to explain it. There’s no movie soundtrack appearance or iconic commercial. It just keeps going in a way that very few songs do. You can say it’s a good song, but there’s nothing that really separates it from the pack. 

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5. “Love Yourself”

& 4. “God’s Plan”

Blame Canada, as the song says. It feels like Bieber and Drake have been around forever. Partly because they’re so prolific, Drake especially. In both cases, they’re here with their second biggest streaming hits. For Bieber it’s “Stay” and for Drake it’s “One Dance.“

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3. “Heat Waves”

The ultimate one hit wonder. In Hot 100 terms. They have racked up 19 entries to the Hot Rock & Alternative chart. Some of those songs have passed 100m streams so its not that they’re all about one song in the same way as Gotye and Daniel Powter.

Though in isolation, the fact Heat Waves is 3 billion ahead of all but one of them does suggest otherwise. Heat Waves is so all pervasive that the slowed down version is their 7th biggest song. 

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2. “Shape of You”

In September 2017, 8 months after release, it became the most streamed song ever, overtaking One Dance by Drake. By December 2018 it breached 2m streams and in December 2021 3 billion.

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1. “Blinding Lights”

The Weeknd
2020
4,683,520,665

The streamer supreme. Bigger, faster, more.

• Racked up 1.6 billion in its first year, the fastest track to 2 billion, taking 15 months. No doubt helped by the 2021 Superbowl halftime show.

• Second song ever to 3 billion, just behind Ed but doing so in 2 years less.
• In January 2023 it took top spot – and is still moving away.

It’s also the equivalent of approximately 57% of the world’s population having listened to it once. 

Or perhaps there’s one person who is listening to the first 30 seconds on repeat.

To game the figures. 

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