Over 1 Billion Plays - Rating Spotify's Top 100
Right now, there are roughly 100 songs on Spotify that exceeded the mental number of 1 Billion plays. (Based on the wikipedia list, as of 2.October 2020)
I always kept my distance from the charts, but lately i tried to get atleast a bit more open minded towards pop music. So i thought it would be interesting to give each of them a listen. I gave them a rating out of 10 (how much i liked it, not objectively) and described some brief thoughts.
I'd be really interersted in your 3 favourite and most hated songs, so pls write them in the comments. |
| 100 |  | Twenty One Pilots Blurryface
Song: Ride
Plays: 1.020 bn
Rating: 6/10
- I like the latest album by TWP way more than everything they’ve done before. Chorus is catchy but a bit annoying, i like the outro though |
| 99 |  | Clean Bandit What Is Love?
Song: Rockabye (feat. Sean Paul and Anne-Marie)
Plays: 1.022 bn
Rating: 2/10
- Obnoxious intro, Sean Paul’s constant talking makes me furious, espacially his “Rocka-Rockabye“ in the chorus is ridiculous. Horrible beat too |
| 98 |  | J Balvin Vibras
Song: Mi Gente (feat. Willy William)
Plays: 1.023 bn
Rating: 5/10
- Ahhhh Reggaeton – the end boss for everyone who seeks any form of originality. I don’t hate the song, it just sounds so generic |
| 97 |  | 5 Seconds of Summer Youngblood
Song: Youngblood
Plays: 1.032 bn
Rating: 4.5/10
- Boy band pop song without anything interesting going on, chorus sounds ok actually |
| 96 |  | Zayn Mind of Mine
Song: I don’t wanna live forever (feat. Taylor Swift)
Plays: 1.033 bn
Rating: 5/10
- Kind of same same here. I actually like Taylor Swifts voice, the refrain is pretty bland but not horrible. |
| 95 |  | Sia 1000 Forms Of Fear
Song: Chandelier
Plays: 1.039 bn
Rating: 8.5/10
- Vocals are obviously the star here. Enjoyable song |
| 94 |  | Dua Lipa Dua Lipa
Song: IDGAF
Plays: 1.041 bn
Rating: 6.5/10
- Another artist with a fantastic voice. In terms of writing catchy and danceable pop songs, Dua Lipa is definitely superior to a lot of her competition. Song is good but nothing too special, not her best |
| 93 |  | Imagine Dragons Night Visions
Song: Demons
Plays: 1.041 bn
Rating: 7.5/10
- This and Radioactive are BY FAR the best singles form Imagine Dragons imo. This is an emotional song with decent lyrics and a good vocal performance |
| 92 |  | Charlie Puth Nine Track Mind
Song: We don’t talk anymore (feat. Selena Gomez)
Plays: 1.042 bn
Rating: 2.5/10
- Boring and bland, whats more to say |
| 91 |  | Maroon 5 V
Song: Sugar
Plays: 1.047 bn
Rating: 1/10
- F*ck this |
| 90 |  | Fifth Harmony 7/27
Song: Work From Home
Plays: 1.050 bn
Rating: 5/10
- Ok‘ish pop song. Is it worth a billion plays tho? |
| 89 |  | Adele 25
Song: Hello
Plays: 1.057 bn
Rating: 6/10
- Was never a fan of the chorus compared to her earlier singles. Still an impactful listen |
| 88 |  | Dj Snake Carte Blanche
Song: Taki Taki (feat. Selena Gomez, Ozuna and Cardi B)
Plays: 1.057 bn
Rating: 2/10
- Generic, boring but still highly annoying |
| 87 |  | Lil Nas X 7
Song: Old Town Road (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus)
Plays: 1.060 bn
Rating: 7.5/10
- I can see a lot of people hating this, but i like it a lot. Its just catchy af |
| 86 |  | Vance Joy Dream Your Life Away
Song: Riptide
Plays: 1.060 bn
Rating: 6/10
- Decent and chilled song. Little acoustic action is a welcome alternation |
| 85 |  | The Weeknd Beauty Behind the Madness
Song: The Hills
Plays: 1.062 bn
Rating: 8.5/10
- Maybe my favourite artist in this list. With just a little experimentation this is the most interesting song yet |
| 84 |  | Lauv I Met You When I Was 18 (The Playlist)
Song: I like me better
Plays: 1.061 bn
Rating: 1/10
- Could’ve sworn this was by Ed Sheeran. Never understood why even a single soul on this planet would like these sound effects in the chorus |
| 83 |  | The Weeknd Beauty Behind the Madness
Song: Can’t Feel my Face
Plays: 1.062 bn
Rating: 6.5/10
- Don’t like it as much as his other tracks on this list. Cachty whatsoever |
| 82 |  | Drake Scorpion
Song: In My Feelings
Plays: 1.063 bn
Rating: 3/10
Annoying sample. Drake has the most bored (and boring) voice in the pop music industry |
| 81 |  | XXXTENTACION ?
Song: Moonlight
Plays: 1.066 bn
Rating: 5/10
- Chilled beat, would maybe dig if a I was an angsty 14 yo. No hate though |
| 80 |  | Benny Blanco Friends Keep Secrets
Song: Eastside (feat. Halsey and Khalid)
Plays: 1.066 bn
Rating: 4/10
- There’s really nothing substantial i can say about this |
| 79 |  | Calvin Harris Funk Wav Bounces, Vol. 1
Song: This Is What You Came For (feat. Rihanna)
Plays: 1.067 bn
Rating: 4/10
- Kind of surprised Rihanna is mostly absent on this list. Its fitting that the song who made the cut is one of her most annoying |
| 78 |  | Charlie Puth Voicenotes
Song: Attention
Plays: 1.072 bn
Rating: 5.5/10
- His voice is just not my taste but otherwise not a bad performance |
| 77 |  | Imagine Dragons Night Visions
Song: Radioactive
Plays: 1.075 bn
Rating: 5.5/10
- Back when Imagine Dragons wasn’t the Nickelback of a new generation. This is already pretty bland, but at least not flatout aggravating |
| 76 |  | Dua Lipa Dua Lipa
Song: One Kiss (feat. Calvin Harris)
Plays: 1.083 bn
Rating: 5.5/10
- Don’t like the beat, her voice is saving it though |
| 75 |  | Twenty One Pilots TOPxMM
Song: Heathens
Plays: 1.084 bn
Rating: 6/10
- Forever connected to an abysmal movie. Song is definitely way better |
| 74 |  | OMI Me 4 U
Song: Cheerleader
Plays: 1.086 bn
Rating: 2/10
- This dude can’t sing for shit, lyrics are silly too |
| 73 |  | Wiz Khalifa Laugh Now, Fly Later
Song: See You Again (feat. Charlie Puth)
Plays: 1.087 bn
Rating: 7/10
- Never really cared about this. But you can hear there is some emotion and heart behind it |
| 72 |  | Macklemore and Ryan Lewis The Heist
Song: Can’t Hold Us
Plays: 1.090 bn
Rating: 7/10
- This song was stupidly popular when i was 14 and started to go partying, so i got some memories attached to it. Overplayed but not a bad one, the musical arrangement behind it is actually really good |
| 71 |  | OneRepublic Native
Song: Counting Stars
Plays: 1.092 bn
Rating: 5/10
- The definiton of an overplayed radio pop song. It sound so polished, perfect background noise. But is that what music is made for? |
| 70 |  | Post Malone Stoney
Song: I Fall Apart
Plays: 1.096 bn
Rating: 6/10
- Pretty standard and lowkey, but with enough emotion in the vocals to make it a decent song |
| 69 |  | Post Malone beerbongs and bentleys
Song: Psycho
Plays: 1.098 bn
Rating: 5.5/10
- Nah i don’t feel this one |
| 68 |  | Bruno Mars 24K Magic
Song: That’s What I Like
Plays: 1.112 bn
Rating: 3/10
- Never understood why a big ego talking about his materialistic belongings is appealing to people, but what do i know… |
| 67 |  | Cardi B Invasion of Privacy
Song: I Like It (feat. Bad Bunny and J Balvin)
Plays: 1.114 bn
Rating: 0/10
- Horrible music by a horrible persona |
| 66 |  | Halsey Manic
Song: Without Me
Plays: 1.121 bn
Rating: 2/10
- Musical equivalent to a wall tattoo |
| 65 |  | Shawn Mendes Handwritten
Song: Stitches
Plays: 1.122 bn
Rating: 2/10
- Bruh… |
| 64 |  | Post Malone Hollywood's Bleeding
Song: Circles
Plays: 1.125 bn
Rating: 8/10
- A product of a good beat and a nice melody |
| 63 |  | Justin Bieber Purpose
Song: What Do You Mean?
Plays: 1.126 bn
Rating: 2.5/10
- Just a little advise Justin: If she says she wants you to leave then f*ck off. NO MEANS NO, JUSTIN!!! But seriously, what a stupid song |
| 62 |  | Dua Lipa Future Nostalgia
Song: Don’t Start Now
Plays: 1.127 bn
Rating: 9/10
- Just a great, groovy dance track |
| 61 |  | Major Lazer Major Lazer Essentials
Cold Water (feat. Justin Bieber and MØ)
Plays: 1.133 bn
Rating: 2.5/10
- Never heard this before, will probably never again |
| 60 |  | Avicii True
Song: Wake Me Up (feat. Aloe Blacc)
Plays: 1.134 bn
Rating: 5/10
- Back then this was overplayed af. Not the worst song in the world |
| 59 |  | Justin Timberlake The 20/20 Experience: The Complete Experience
Song: Can’t Stop The Feeling
Plays: 1.135 bn
Rating: 6/10
- Nothing wrong with spreading positive vibes, its definitely a bop |
| 58 |  | Billie Eilish dont smile at me
Song: Lovely (feat. Khalid)
Plays: 1.139 bn
Rating: 5.5/10
- Tasteful, but just a bit too boring |
| 57 |  | Lukas Graham Lukas Graham
Song: 7 Years
Plays: 1.144 bn
Rating: 4.5/10
- May be the only song in the list that I’ve never even heard for a second before. Didn’t miss much, huh. The kind of dramatic ending was ok though |
| 56 |  | Sam Smith The Thrill of It All
Song: Too Good At Goodbyes
Plays: 1.157 bn
Rating: 5.5/10
- A decent ballad by an adequate vocalist |
| 55 |  | Ed Sheeran No. 6 Collaborations Project
Song: I don’t care (feat. Justin Bieber)
Plays: 1.158 bn
Rating: 1.5/10
- Hard not to rate this just out of prejudice. It helps that its as horrible as i imagined |
| 54 |  | Luis Fonsi VIDA
Song: Despacito (feat. Daddy Yankee)
Plays: 1.162 bn
Rating: 6/10
- More meme than song in the meantime. The song itself was always pretty good actually, perhaps just a tiny, tiny, tiny bit overplayed |
| 53 |  | Ariana Grande Thank U, Next
Song: thank u, next
Plays: 1.177 bn
Rating: 5/10
- She has an ok voice, song itself is really nothing special |
| 52 |  | Travis Scott Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight
Song: Goosebumps
Plays: 1.179 bn
Rating: 6/10
- Brrrrrrrr. Decent track |
| 51 |  | Maroon 5 Red Pill Blues
Song: Girls Like You (feat. Cardi B)
Plays: 1.180 bn
Rating: 1/10
- Death by soy-overdosis. Cardi B’s obnoxious “rapping“ bumps this to a solid 1/10 |
| 50 |  | Sia This Is Acting
Song: Cheap Thrills
Plays: 1.200 bn
Rating: 6/10
- Pretty standard pop song, always liked it for some reason |
| 49 |  | Sam Smith In the Lonely Hour
Song: Stay With Me
Plays: 1.201 bn
Rating: 6/10
- The chorus has some strengh and impact behind it |
| 48 |  | Mark Ronson Uptown Special
Song: Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)
Plays: 1.203 bn
Rating: 7/10
- This sets a very different tone and i like that. By far my favourite by Bruno Mars |
| 47 |  | French Montana Jungle Rules
Song: Unforgettable
Plays: 1.206 bn
Rating: 3.5/10
- Whatever |
| 46 |  | Passenger All The Little Lights
Song: Let Her Go
Plays: 1.209 bn
Rating: 6/10
- Ok I always thought this one was not too awful (although cheesy af) |
| 45 |  | Shawn Mendes Illuminate
Song: Treat You Better
Plays: 1.218 bn
Rating: 4.5/10
- I know i am not even remotely the target group of songs like this. So why should i even bother? |
| 44 |  | XXXTENTACION 17
Song: Jocelyn Flores
Plays: 1.231 bn
Rating: 5.5/10
- Same as the one before by this guy. Too emo for me but not horrible |
| 43 |  | Travis Scott Astroworld
Song: Sicko Mode
Plays: 1.231 bn
Rating: 8/10
- Song takes some interesting turns, one of the most atmospheric things on this list |
| 42 |  | Hozier Hozier
Song: Take me To Church
Plays: 1.242 bn
Rating: 7.5/10
- Dramatic and heartfelt song |
| 41 |  | Ariana Grande Thank U, Next
Song: 7 Rings
Plays: 1.261 bn
Rating: 5/10
- Here we go again with the egocentricity. The song is at least kind of interesting |
| 40 |  | Post Malone Stoney
Song: Congratulations
Plays: 1.264 bn
Rating: 5/10
- Kinda boring |
| 39 |  | Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper A Star is Born
Song: Shallow
Plays: 1.268 bn
Rating: 7/10
- Great performance, kinda ironic that in all of Lady Gaga’s eccentric output this song is by far her most played |
| 38 |  | Twenty One Pilots Blurryface
Song: Stressed Out
Plays: 1.271 bn
Rating: 7/10
- Simple but i like it |
| 37 |  | Alan Walker Different World
Song: Faded
Plays: 1.279 bn
Rating: 7/10
- Definitely one of my biggest guilty pleasures in this list. Chorus just works for me |
| 36 |  | DJ Snake Encore
Song: Let Me Love You (feat. Justin Bieber)
Plays: 1.288 bn
Rating: 2.5/10
- At first I was like: melody in the verse is decent, sounds not so bad. Then this tormenting instrumental part… |
| 35 |  | Post Malone beerbongs and bentleys
Song: Better Now
Plays: 1.291 bn
Rating: 6/10
- Another one by the guy who has the most outings in this top 100 (8) - And another neat one |
| 34 |  | John Legend Love in the Future
Song: All Of Me
Plays: 1.292 bn
Rating: 6.5/10
- Great vocals and a nice piano backing it up. Makes a simple but good ballad |
| 33 |  | Marshmello Joytime
Song: Happier
Plays: 1.296 bn
Rating: 4/10
- This sounds not specifically horrible, but its so unfathomable generic |
| 32 |  | Mike Posner At Night, Alone
Song: I Took A Pill In Ibiza
Plays: 1.305 bn
Rating: 4.5/10
- As far away from my musical taste as possible. Doesn’t mean i have to hate it tho |
| 31 |  | Queen A Night at the Opera
Song: Bohemian Rhapsody
Plays: 1.309 bn
Rating: 10/10
- A song of the cerntury. By far the most alien on this list. There’s already said everything about it |
| 30 |  | Kendrick Lamar DAMN.
Song: Humble
Plays: 1.322 bn
Rating: 8/10
- Classic modern rap song, great beat and hook. I just hope his new album will be a bit more ambitious again |
| 29 |  | The Chainsmokers Collage
Song. Don’t Let Me Down (feat. Daya)
Plays: 1.339 bn
Rating: 2/10
- I genuinely like her in the verses. The “music“ behind it is just a joke, what to say |
| 28 |  | Lil Uzi Vert Luv Is Rage 2
Song: XO Tour Llif3
Plays: 1.339 bn
Rating: 5/10
- This is not particulary horrible. Just not my thing in the slightest |
| 27 |  | Justin Bieber Purpose
Song: Sorry
Plays: 1.355 bn
Rating: 5/10
- Objectively not a bad song |
| 26 |  | Imagine Dragons ƎVOLVE
Song: Thunder
Plays: 1.364 bn
Rating: 1/10
- An abomination of a chorus. And the sound/vocal effects… Kill me fast pls |
| 25 |  | Juice WRLD Goodbye & Good Riddance
Song: Lucid Dreams
Plays: 1.382 bn
Rating: 5.5/10
- Genuinely like the beat, the autotune is just a bit too much |
| 24 |  | Luis Fonsi VIDA
Song: Despacito Remix (feat. Justin Bieber)
Plays: 1.387 bn
Rating: 4/10
- Is that really necessary??? Original is much better |
| 23 |  | The Chainsmokers Memories...Do Not Open
Song: Something Just Like This (feat. Coldplay)
Plays: 1.389 bn
Rating: 5/10
- As much as i despise the Chainsmokers, i don’t hate this |
| 22 |  | XXXTENTACION ?
Song: Sad!
Plays: 1.398 bn
Rating: 5/10
- More of the same. His style is getting stale pretty quick for me |
| 21 |  | Major Lazer Peace Is The Mission
Song: Lean On
Plays: 1.400 bn
Rating: 5.5/10
- Don’t hate this as much as i probably should based on how i rated this style of music so far |
| 20 |  | Dua Lipa Dua Lipa
Song: New Rules
Plays: 1.415 bn
Rating: 6.5/10
- Musically, this is not really deviating from a lot on this list. But her performance just elevates it |
| 19 |  | The Weeknd Starboy
Starboy (feat. Daft Punk)
Plays: 1.429 bn
Rating: 6.5/10
- Not my favourite, but another really pleasant one |
| 18 |  | Justin Bieber Purpose
Song: Love Yourself
Plays: 1.447 bn
Rating: 5.5/10
- Very restrained and mellow song with a decent message for once |
| 17 |  | Ed Sheeran x
Song: Photograph
Plays: 1.450 bn
Rating: 4/10
- How is he not suffocating on his own grease? |
| 16 |  | Imagine Dragons ƎVOLVE
Song: Believer
Plays: 1.487 bn
Rating: 1/10
- See ‘Thunder‘. Just hurts my mind |
| 15 |  | Camila Cabello Camila
Song: Havana (feat. Young Thug)
Plays: 1.501 bn
Rating: 4/10
- If you take away her sex appeal there is not too much left unfortunately |
| 14 |  | The Weeknd After Hours
Song: Blinding Lights
Plays: 1.513 bn
Rating: 10/10
- This is it. A catchy, classy and timeless tune |
| 13 |  | James Arthur Back From The Edge
Song: Say You Won’t Let Go
Plays:1.519 bn
Raing: 5/10
- Pretty average |
| 12 |  | Lewis Capaldi Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent
Song: Someone You Loved
Plays: 1.519 bn
Rating: 6.5/10
- Another proper ballad |
| 11 |  | Ed Sheeran ÷
Song: Perfect
Plays: 1.522 bn
Rating: 2/10
- How is he not suffocating on his own grease? [2] |
| 10 |  | Billie Eilish When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
Song: Bad Guy
Plays: 1.543 bn
Rating: 1/10
- I get physically ill with every “duh“, her ASMR singing gives me shivers too. Hard pass on this one |
| 9 |  | Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes
Song: Senorita feat. Camila Cabello
Plays: 1.590 bn
Rating: 3/10
- Puh, this list is getting tough now |
| 8 |  | Drake Scorpion
Song: God’s Plan
Plays: 1.614 bn
Rating: 4.5/10
- Good beat, his voice puts me to sleep tho |
| 7 |  | Ed Sheeran ÷
Song: Thinking Out Loud
Plays: 1.616 bn
Rating: 3/10
- I guess its romantic, still makes me want to vomit |
| 6 |  | Post Malone Hollywood's Bleeding
Song: Sunflower
Plays: 1.657 bn
Rating: 3/10
- Really, really boring one. Don’t like the sound of the vocals too |
| 5 |  | The Chainsmokers Collage
Song: Closer (feat. Halsey)
Plays: 1.859
Rating: 0/10
- Everything i hate in music compressed in one single song. Its an borderline impressive achievement |
| 4 |  | Tones and I The Kids Are Coming
Song: Dance Monkey
Plays: 1.861 bn
Rating: 2/10
- I mean come on, I know its catchy but how on earth can people stand the singing, and even worse let it generate nearly 2 BILLION plays |
| 3 |  | Drake Views
Song: One Dance
Plays: 1.918 bn
Rating: 3/10
- I genuinely don’t get why this is so popular |
| 2 |  | Post Malone beerbongs and bentleys
Song: Rockstar (feat. 21 Savage)
Plays: 2.020 bn
Rating: 4.5/10
- Can’t wrap my head around why exactly this song by Post Malone hit 2 Billion plays |
| 1 |  | Ed Sheeran ÷
Song: Shape Of You
Plays: 2.608 bn
Rating: 5.5/10
- And there it is. This is objectively a good song. Way, way better than his other songs on this list. Still tho, worth 2.6 Billion plays?
Anyway, i weirdly enjoyed doing this a lot. Of course most of these songs are for a much different target group and thats ok. Still, some of these were abyssmal and only a handful i really liked from start to finish. Here are some statistics:
Average Score: 4.8/10
Songs i hated with passion: 21
Songs i didn’t care for: 44
Songs i kinda liked: 27
Songs i loved: 8 |
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