Discover the Top 500 Most-Streamed Songs of the Decade on Apple Music, Featuring Ed Sheeran’s Record-Breaking Hit “Shape of You”
On Saturday, July 5, Apple Music proudly unveiled its list of the 500 most-streamed songs of the past decade, with the remarkable British pop sensation Ed Sheeran taking the top spot. The chart-topping hit “Shape of You,” which dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive 12 weeks, has been streamed more than any other track on the platform in the last ten years. This remarkable achievement places it ahead of runner-up “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd and third-place “God’s Plan” by Drake, highlighting Sheeran’s incredible influence in the music industry. Additionally, “Shape of You” shattered Apple’s record for the most streams on its first day of release, underscoring its immediate popularity.
The remaining positions in the coveted top 10 list showcase a diverse array of artists and genres. Following Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” we find Post Malone and Swae Lee’s infectious track “Sunflower,” along with Posty’s hit “Rockstar” featuring 21 Savage. The list continues with Drake’s “One Dance,” featuring both Wizkid and Kyla, and Travis Scott’s dynamic “Sicko Mode.” Rounding out the list are Sheeran’s romantic ballad “Perfect,” Chris Brown’s catchy “No Guidance,” and Billie Eilish’s iconic “Bad Guy.” Other notable tracks include The Chainsmokers and Halsey’s “Closer” at No. 11, Kendrick Lamar’s powerful “Humble” at No. 15, Ariana Grande’s chart-topping “7 rings” at No. 19, and BTS’ global hit “Dynamite” at No. 34, showcasing the expansive reach of contemporary music.
Drake leads the pack as the artist with the highest number of songs featured in the top 500, with an impressive 27 tracks to his name. Taylor Swift follows closely behind, securing 14 entries that highlight her remarkable impact on the music scene. Interestingly, Mariah Carey stands out as the only artist with a holiday classic making it into this elite list, her timeless hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” achieving a commendable position at No. 100. This diverse representation of artists underscores the varied musical tastes that have emerged over the decade.
To commemorate this milestone, Apple Music has launched a comprehensive playlist that includes all 500 songs in the countdown. This playlist serves as a celebration of the streamer’s remarkable journey over the past 10 years, allowing fans to relive the greatest hits that have defined this era in music.
In addition to the playlist, Apple Music also offered fans an exclusive interview with Ed Sheeran, where he shares insights about the creation and enduring impact of his iconic song “Shape of You.” This track not only served as the lead single from his critically acclaimed album Divide but also won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance in 2018, further solidifying its status in music history.
Reflecting on his monumental success, Sheeran expressed to Zane Lowe, “No one can take away the song. I’ll be able to play it forever … I’m just grateful that I have songs like that, where you could be anywhere in the world and someone gives you a guitar, and you can make someone happy with it.” His heartfelt sentiments illustrate the power of music to connect people across different cultures and experiences.
Be sure to watch the full interview above for an in-depth look at Ed Sheeran’s journey and the story behind one of the most beloved songs of the decade.
