Spotify has become an excellent platform for artists to post their music and track their progress. For some of the world's most elite musicians, they create songs so good, they garner over one billion streams. This shows the reach music has, and why some of the most famous people, including actors around the globe, want to forgotten bands and artists relevant; that has to be earned.
What it can do is provide fans with a place to listen to some of the best tunes ever, even if they are from decades ago. While there are many other platforms available, Spotify has become one of the most accessible, and thus has been home to music streaming for many, many years. This has led to many different songs garnering a plethora of streams, with several making their way into the prestigious billions club.
Whether fans are celebrating some of their favorites, like Taylor Swift, or mourning musicians, such as the King of Pop, songs from various iconic artists and newer artists alike have managed to enter the billions club on Spotify. Some of these songs, however, are better than others. Here are the 10 best that you will find in Spotify's billions club, ranked.
10 Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way
Album: Millennium (1999)
For many people, when they think of boy bands, the first name that comes to mind is the Backstreet Boys. Throughout the course of multiple decades, and over ten album releases, they have defined their genre, demonstrating the power singers can have when they unite. Their success has paved the way for countless other acts, ensuring the genre was strong for the likes of One Direction and others to take over in the future.
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The song "I Want It That Way" comes from their 13x Platinum-selling record Millennium. Also on this record were the tracks "Larger Than Life" and "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely," which also boast respectable streaming numbers on Spotify, but they haven't broken the one billion mark, like "I Want It That Way." Perhaps it's the song's catchy chorus that has helped it achieve such heights. When it plays, you can guarantee the majority of the room will know this tune.
9 Eminem - Without Me
Album: The Eminem Show (2002)
When music pundits speak about the best rappers of all time, it is not uncommon to hear Eminem brought up in that conversation. With over 10 studio albums and a hit movie to his credit, Eminem has built an empire from his beginnings on Detroit's 8 Mile. With almost all of his records being Gold or Platinum certified, he has shown that everything he touches becomes special. There is something about his witty and, at times, serious nature that resonates with audiences everywhere.
The nine Eminem songs with over one billion streams are "Without Me," "Lose Yourself," "Till I Collapse," "The Real Slim Shady," "Mockingbird," "Love the Way You Lie," "Godzilla," "Superman," and "Stan."
If any more proof was needed to cement his legacy in music, Eminem not only has one song with over a billion streams on Spotify, but also eight others. There are a few tracks that are a couple of hundred million streams away from "Without Me," but there is one that could close in on the song, which is "Lose Yourself." Eminem deserves a lot of credit for how universal his music has become, as he has been the soundtrack for many generations.
8 Metallica - Enter Sandman
Album: Metallica (1991)
Since their start in 1981, Metallica has been taking the heavy metal genre by storm. Through Metallica's 11 albums, they have released legendary works such as Kill 'Em All and Master of Puppets. Also in this discography is their self-titled 16x Platinum 1991 record. The band actually has two songs over the one billion mark from this album. One of those is "Nothing Else Matters" and, with 300 million more streams, is "Enter Sandman."
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There is no mistaking when "Enter Sandman" plays, as this song arguably features the band's most recognizable guitar riff. It has been used many times in sports and pop culture, most famously by legendary wrestler The Sandman, and former New York Yankees closer and MLB Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera. There is also a third Metallica song with over one billion streams, the title track from Master of Puppets. With their continued global reach, it wouldn't be surprising to see more achieve this mark as well.
7 Elton John - Cold Heart (Pnau Remix) Feat. Dua Lipa
Album: The Lockdown Sessions (2021)
Transcending music as a pop-culture icon is not easy to do, but Sir Elton John has managed to accomplish this over his decades as an artist. Throughout his career, he has continually released hits and toured worldwide. Elton has also challenged himself, resulting in the creation of not one, but five different collaboration albums. One of those was released during the COVID-19 pandemic and was titled The Lockdown Sessions.
One of the greatest creations from this record was "Cold Heart," which was a remix done by PNAU. It combined four of Elton's biggest songs: "Rocket Man," "Kiss the Bride," "Where's the Shoorah?," and "Sacrifice." They then added Dua Lipa to the track, resulting in one of the greatest collaborations being created. It's no wonder this has over two billion streams, as it not only appeals to a younger audience, but also Elton's core fans who have followed him from the beginning.
6 AC/DC - Thunderstruck
Album: The Razors Edge (1990)
To overcome adversity and remain one of the top rock groups in the world is no easy feat. In fact, many bands have crumbled, but not AC/DC. In their beginnings, they were able to produce so much exceptional work that they became a household name. When their lead singer, Bon Scott, died in 1980, the band replaced him and, within months, released one of the best-selling records ever, Back in Black.
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Over the years, they have continued to build on their success with lead singer Brian Johnson. Their most popular song on Spotify is "Thunderstruck." While two other tracks, "Back in Black" and "Highway to Hell," have slightly more streams, it is "Thunderstruck" that remains the most relevant currently. Their hit "You Shook Me All Night Long" has also reached the impressive mark. Overall, for a band to have four hits with such high streams that represent two singers speaks to why AC/DC has sold out stadiums for decades.
5 The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun
Album: Abbey Road (1969)
On the surface, a decade-long run from 1960-1970 may not seem like a long time for a band considered one of the most influential ever. However, it's what they accomplished in that period that has made them legendary. Within a decade, they produced 12 studio albums, including Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Let it Be, and Abbey Road. Before even hitting play, Abbey Road became iconic for its cover imagery, and it is a scene that fans have recreated countless times.
The album features the iconic track "Come Together," as well as "Here Comes the Sun." While the song is phenomenal, it is surprising that it is the only Beatles' song to reach over one billion streams on Spotify thus far. Of course, part of this is due to the fact that many fans enjoy their work in other forms. If streaming had been available at the time of "Beatlemania," it's possible that they would have garnered one trillion streams, not just a billion.
4 Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
Album: Thriller (1982)
To list all the accomplishments Michael Jackson achieved would take a long time, but there are a few that define his greatness. He is the "King of Pop," a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, and he has the best-selling album in history. Of course, that album is Thriller, which has sold over 70 million copies worldwide. One of the most memorable things this record spawned was the music video for the title track. No one will ever forget the way Michael defined the '80s with his classic interpretation of An American Werewolf in London.
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Surprisingly, that's not the song from the album that has received over one billion streams. However, it could be that fans need to see the music video, which keeps it somewhat less desired in this particular form. Nonetheless, two songs from Thriller have sured the impressive mark, with one being "Beat It" and the other being "Billie Jean." Perhaps the most incredible part is the fact that "Billie Jean" is ahead by nearly 800 million streams, making it undoubtedly Michael's most sought-after track.
3 The Rolling Stones - Paint It, Black
Album: Aftermath (1966)
Having lasted over six decades and producing an astonishing 31 studio albums, the longevity of the Rolling Stones deserves iration. They have created some of the biggest hits in rock and roll history, including "Gimme Shelter," "Beast of Burden," and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." However, if you look on their Spotify, the most popular with over one billion streams is "Paint It, Black," a song from their fourth studio album, Aftermath, the US edition.
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The success of the track makes sense as the song is 2x Platinum in the United States. It has also been used many times in the media, such as in the trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops III, the 2022 film Black Adam, and in the Netflix series Wednesday.
Much like some of the other greats from decades past, it may be the fact that fans listen to their music in other forms that keeps them from having more than one song with over one billion streams. However, with an album arriving as recently as 2023, there's a chance they will put out more work in the future to enhance their stature on the platform.
2 Taylor Swift - Cruel Summer
Album: Lover (2019)
Taylor Swift has become one of the biggest icons in the world as she has excelled in multiple genres, including country and pop. With all of her success, she has been able to perform at the largest stadiums worldwide, as she has staged one of the biggest tours ever, The Eras Tour. Currently, she has eight songs with over one billion streams on Spotify, including a couple with over two billion streams.
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Reaching the two billion benchmark are "Blank Space" and "Cruel Summer." However, "Cruel Summer" is ahead by nearly 800 million streams. In fact, it is very close to hitting the three billion mark, which would be another achievement for the already legendary singer. As Swift's career progresses, it's likely many more songs will reach over one billion. She has made the most of her platforms, and fans follow her wherever they can.
1 Elvis Presley - Can’t Help Falling In Love
Album: Blue Hawaii (1961)
Just as Michael Jackson is the "King of Pop," Elvis Presley is the "King of Rock and Roll." During his incredible career, Elvis sold over 500 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists ever. Along with 24 studio albums, he also produced 38 EPs, 17 soundtrack albums, and many other works. He inspired generations of performers across various forms of media, and is influential in so many different ways.
The song has not only become popular for weddings and dances, but also as one for other artists to cover.
As much as one might think that a song such as "Hound Dog" or "Burning Love" would be an Elvis hit with over one billion streams, it's actually a tune from one of his movie soundtracks. In this case, it's "Can't Help Falling in Love" from Blue Hawaii.
Over the years, the song has not only become popular for weddings and dances, but also as one for other artists to cover. The likes of Celine Dion, Christine McVie, and Twenty One Pilots are among the long list of those who have. The worldwide recognition over decades has helped this Elvis track become his most popular on Spotify.