Apple and Spotify reveal most streamed songs of 2021
It comes as Spotify’s Wrapped is set to arrive with more features than ever
Olivia Rodrigo’s breakout track ‘drivers license’ was the most streamed song globally for 2021, with single ‘good 4 u’ being the most played song on both Apple and Spotify in the UK.
The 2021 newcomer also claimed the top spot for most streamed album globally for her debut ‘SOUR’, followed in second by Dua Lipa’s ‘Future Nostalgia’.
British pop singer Lipa also claimed a spot in Spotify’s top five globally streamed songs, with ‘Levitating (feat. DaBaby)’ reaching fifth.
On Apple, K-pop megastars BTS came out on top with their single ‘Dynamite’. It was released in 2020, but the streaming service only launched in South Korea this year.
Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny was the most streamed artist in the world on Spotify for a second year in a row, followed by Taylor Swift, BTS, Drake and Justin Bieber in the top five.
Meanwhile, the music streamer’s anticipated year-end round up, Spotify Wrapped, is set to return this year with a host of new features.
The annual app feature allows listeners to look back on their most listened to artists and songs of the year, with trends and playlists that also covers podcasts.
One new feature, Wrapped Blend, will let listeners compare their Wrapped with a friend, and will come with a new game, video messages from artists, and more, according to TechCrunch.
A live audio chat room app, Spotify Greenroom, is set to arrive this year also, featuring live performances from some artists.
It will also reportedly offer a more cinematic look at the past year of listening with ‘2021: The Movie’, pairing songs with scenes from movies, like opening credits and montages.
For the first time, users will also be able to share their Wrapped results to TikTok, along with other social platforms, in a nod to the video sharing platform’s influence on music charts and trends.
Another feature set to be introduced is Audio Aura, which will show listeners’ top two “moods” rather than genres from the past year, and will be presented visually.