Since its inception, Spotify has not only revolutionised the way we access music but has also become a barometer for measuring a song's popularity and success. In this article, we will look into the most streamed songs on Spotify since 2012, highlighting the trends that have shaped the music industry's digital age.

Rise of Digital Streaming - The Early Days of Spotify

Starting in the early days, Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" quickly became a streaming sensation, setting the stage for the streaming era. As the years progressed, tracks like "Wake Me Up" by Avicii and "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran dominated the platform, catapulting Spotify's global reach and its ability to fast-track artists to international fame. In more recent years, viral hits have become increasingly prevalent, with songs like "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, and "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran, breaking streaming records and becoming global anthems.

The Social Media Influence

The emergence of social media platforms like TikTok has also played a significant role in influencing streaming numbers, with tracks such as "Dance Monkey" by Tones and I and "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd becoming part of society and shared across various platforms a million times over. The diversity of genres represented among the most-streamed songs on Spotify is a testament to the platform's diverse user base. From hip-hop and reggae to pop and dance music, Spotify, along with the assistance of social media, has been instrumental in promoting a wide range of musical styles and artists. In 2020, the landscape of music streaming saw a significant shift with the release of "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd, a song that not only dominated Spotify charts but also set records across multiple streaming platforms. Its synth-driven melody and nostalgic vibe resonated with millions of listeners worldwide, securing its place as one of the most streamed songs in Spotify's history.

Most Played Songs on Spotify Since 2012

Below, you can see the most streamed songs on Spotify since 2012. This graph highlights the evolution of music streaming preferences among Spotify's global audience, reflecting the tracks that have captured listeners' hearts and dominated streaming charts over the years.

Year	Artist	Song
2012	Gotye feat. Kimbra	"Somebody That I Used to Know"
2013	Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton	"Can't Hold Us"
2014	Pharrell Williams	"Happy"
2015	Major Lazer & DJ Snake feat. MØ	"Lean On"
2016	Drake feat. Wizkid & Kyla	"One Dance"
2017	Ed Sheeran	"Shape of You"
2018	Drake	"God's Plan"
2019	Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello	"Señorita"
2020	The Weeknd	"Blinding Lights"
2021	Olivia Rodrigo	"driver's license"
2022	Harry Styles	"As It Was"
2023	Miley Cyrus	“Flowers”

As we move closer to the present, the impact of global events has also been reflected in the songs that have captured the world's attention. Tracks offering comfort, hope, and a sense of connection have seen a surge in streams over the years, highlighting music's role as a source of solace and unity in challenging times. ^[1]

The Highest-Earning Song on Spotify 2023

Miley Cyrus's career has been marked by a series of evolutions, both in her musical style and public persona. From her early days as a teen idol starring in Disney's "Hannah Montana" to becoming a global pop sensation, her discography reflects a wide range of genres, including pop, rock, and hip-hop influences. On Spotify, several of her songs have stood out for their popularity, streaming success, and impact.

Breakout Hits

Following her era as the beloved "Hannah Montana," Miley Cyrus's career took a dynamic turn, among her standout hits from her early career as a popstar included:

• The Climb: Featured in the "Hannah Montana: The Movie" soundtrack, this song became an anthem for resilience and determination, resonating with a broad audience.

• Party in the U.S.A: A quintessential pop anthem, this track solidified Cyrus's place in the pop music scene and remained a favourite for its catchy melody and feel-good vibes.

The Bangerz Era

The Bangerz Era represents a pivotal shift in Miley Cyrus's career. Her image quickly changed from the sweet girl next door to a symbol of empowerment. Her hits during this breakaway image transformation included:

• We Can't Stop: Marking a significant shift in her career, this song, along with its music video, showcased a more mature and controversial Miley Cyrus.

• Wrecking Ball: Known for its emotional depth and striking music video, "Wrecking Ball" became one of her most streamed songs, highlighting her vocal prowess and artistic range.

A Star is Born

In the wake of her audacious Bangerz Era, a star was born, marking a significant shift towards a more mature artist. This phase of Miley Cyrus's career is characterised by personal growth and self-discovery. Her hits during her more mature period include:

• Malibu: A softer, more introspective track, "Malibu" reflects on her relationship with Liam Hemsworth, showcasing a different side of Miley Cyrus's music.
• Mother's Daughter: An empowering anthem, this song blends pop with elements of electronic music, emphasising themes of freedom and individuality.

The most recent year brought us "Flowers" by the artist. This track not only captivated listeners with its powerful lyrics and captivating melody but also became the most-streamed song by Miley Cyrus on Spotify last year. (2023) ^[2]

The Conclusion – The King of Music Streaming

As Spotify continues to grow and evolve, it remains a crucial platform for artists to reach a global audience and for music lovers to discover new sounds and revisit old favourites. The list of the most streamed songs on Spotify is not just a reflection of musical trends but a testament to the enduring power of music to connect, inspire, and entertain us. This journey through the most streamed songs on Spotify since 2012 reveals how the nature of the music industry has changed since the digital age explosion. It highlights the transformative power of streaming platforms in shaping musical tastes, propelling artists to new heights, and defining the soundtrack of a generation.

References

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Music has endured for millennia and centuries. from the earliest civilizations to the present. Although we cannot pinpoint the actual beginning of music listening, scientists have figured out why we do. To the pulse of the music, we sway and dance as we sing along to the tunes. According to numerous studies, listening to music has a favorable impact on both a person's physical and emotional health.

Aids in concentration

The brain divides the information it takes in from the outside world into smaller chunks as it processes it. A 2007 Stanford University School of Medicine study found that listening to music, particularly classical music, can make it easier for the brain to assimilate and interpret new information.

According to research, the brain may be trained to pay greater attention to events and make predictions as a result of the effects of music.

Effects on the ability to remember

According to a 2017 University of Iowa study, acquiring verbal material through songs may be more advantageous than doing so orally. Undergraduate students participated in this experiment and were split into four groups to listen to various complicated statements.

Participants in two groups heard the sentences read out, whereas the participants in the other two groups heard them sung. The singing groups listened to the sentences once, whereas the speech group members heard them four times.

After the initial part of the phrases had been spoken, they were twice asked to complete them. After the experiment, and again a week later, the subjects took a memory and multiple choice test to assess their memory.

The findings demonstrated that the singing learning approach resulted in noticeably improved memory of what was heard right away and a week later. The results of the music group participants were slightly higher than those of the speech group participants.

Participants in the small group of musicians achieved scores that were marginally better than those of the speech group.

Raises the standard of living

Adding music to a room can make you happier. Ever ponder why those who sing together appear so content? Singing in a group releases the hormone oxytocin, which reduces tension and anxiety and can improve happiness levels.

Parkinson's disease patients' symptoms were reported to be relieved with short-term vibroacoustic therapy in 2009, according to Wilfrid Laurier University researchers in Ontario. In this experiment, 40 patients received 10 minutes of low-frequency vibration at 30 Hz, separated by one minute of rest. Patients' stiffness and tremor decreased, and they were able to walk faster in big steps.

Endorphins, the hormones that make us feel happy, can also be released by music. After lengthy exercise, dancing, laughing, anxiety, and stress, they are released. Endorphins greatly decrease hunger, release stored energy, and aid in fat burning.

Decreases anxiety

There is a lot of evidence to suggest that when one is feeling worried or tense, listening to music might help them relax. Bob Huffman, a music therapist at the University of Michigan with 15 years of experience, claims that music has therapeutic benefits, whether used in individual or group therapy. Although the therapy may not involve physical activity, it can offer comfort to a grieving person. According to Huffman, music's pervasiveness in our lives is what causes it to have such positive impacts.

"Music is a way of communicating our sentiments and emotions when words are often inadequate. And so it brings about healing. Even people who have experienced a serious illness feel less anxious after music therapy. The therapist also explains that music is a way for us to express our feelings and emotions when words are sometimes lacking.