These were the 10 most popular songs online in 2017
It’s safe to say we each had a favorite song of 2017. Be it from our favorite artist, someone new or even what will likely end up being a so-called one-hit wonder, the year definitely brought some songs that we just couldn’t stop listening to.
But there was only one song that was streamed more than a billion times (Yes, billion—with a ‘B’) in the U.S. this year. Can you guess which one?
Every year, Nielsen combines on-demand audio and video streams from a variety of platforms—like Spotify, Apple music and YouTube—to create a list of the Top 10 most streamed songs. This year, hip-hop was dominant, with the majority of the most streamed songs coming from that genre. In fact, seven of the year’s 10 most streamed songs were hip-hop tracks.
The most streamed of all those hip-hop songs was Lil Uzi Vert’s “XO Tour Llif3,” which came in at No. 3 with 932.8 million streams. Others that got a lot of listens were Post Malone’s “Congratulations” at No. 4 with 910.6 million streams and Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble,” which was No. 5 with 885.5 million streams.
With 999.6 million streams, Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” took the No. 2 spot, coming SO close, but missing out on that billion-stream milestone by just 306,000 clicks.
Have you guessed No. 1 yet? Here’s a few hints: It’s sung in Spanish, was only the second song ever to be No. 1 on the Hot 100 for 16 consecutive weeks (tied with “One Sweet Day,” by Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men) and the version most of the U.S.—and possibly world—is familiar with features Justin Bieber.
Yup, you got it—“Despacito” by “Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, featuring Justin Beiber, took the No. 1 spot with a mind-blowing 1.3 billion streams in the U.S. If you take the rest of the world into account, you’re looking at a ridiculous number of plays.
“Despacito” is also the most viewed and liked video on YouTube of all time, with the original having more than 4 billion views at the time this story was written! So what makes it popular in the U.S., especially considering it’s not even in English? Well, it’s downright catchy and seriously so fun to dance to. Check out the original (before Bieber joined in) and just try not to dance along:
Oh, and in case you were wondering what you’re singing along to, here are the lyrics when translated to English. But fair warning, the lyrics aren’t quite as fun and innocent as they might sound when sung in Spanish!
Here’s the full Top 10 most streamed songs of 2018, from Nielsen:
10. “iSpy” by Kyle, feat. Lil Yachty — 693,564,000 streams
9. “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” by Cardi B — 724,118,000
8. “Mask Off” by Future — 778,571,000
7. “That’s What I Like” by Bruno Mars — 835,856,000
6. “Bad And Boujee” by Migos, feat. Lil Uzi Vert — 858,123,000
5. “Humble” by Kendrick Lamar — 885,588,000
4. “Congratulations” by Post Malone, feat. Quavo — 910,667,000
3. “Xo Tour Llif3” by Lil Uzi Vert — 932,820,000
2. “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran — 999,694,000
1. “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee, feat. Justin Bieber — 1,322,799,000
Did your go-to jam of 2017 make the list?
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