UK Streaming Song of the Year (1952-2024)

UK Streaming: Song of the Year, 1952-2024

These are the most streamed songs in the UK from 1952 to the present. Check out other “songs of the year” lists here. 2024: Noah Kahan “Stick Season” 2023: Miley Cyrus “Flowers” 2022: Harry Styles “As It Was” 2021: Ed Sheeran “Bad Habits” 2020: Joel Corry with MNEK “Head and Heart” 2019: Tones & I “Dance Monkey” 2018: Lewis Capaldi “Someone You Loved” 2017: Ed Sheeran “Shape of You” 2016: James Arthur “Say You Won’t Let Go” 2015: Sia with Sean Paul “Cheap Thrills” 2014: Ed Sheeran “Thinking Out Loud” 2013: Vance Joy “Riptide” 2012: Passenger “Let Her Go” 2011: Adele “Someone Like You” 2010: Eminem & Rihanna “Love the Way You Lie” 2009: Miley Cyrus “Party in the U.S.A.” 2008: Jason Mraz “I’m Yours” 2007: Arctic Monkeys “Fluorescent Adolescent” 2006: The Kooks “Naïve” 2005: Arctic Monkeys “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” 2004: Mario “Let Me Love You” 2003: The Killers “Mr. Brightside” 2002: Eminem “Lose Yourself” 2001: Nickelback “How You Remind Me” 2000: Toploader “Dancing in the Moonlight” 1999: TLC “No Scrubs” 1998: Goo Goo Dolls “Iris” 1997: The Verve “Bitter Sweet Symphony” 1996: Blackstreet with Dr. Dre & Queen Pen “No Diggity” 1995: Oasis “Wonderwall” 1994: The Notorious B.I.G. “Juicy” 1993: Haddaway “What Is Love” 1992: Radiohead “Creep” 1991: Nirvana “Smells Like Teen Spirit” 1990: AC/DC “Thunderstruck” 1989: Billy Joel “We Didn’t Start the Fire” 1988: Fleetwood Mac “Everywhere” 1987: Whitney Houston “I Wanna Dance with Somebody Who Loves Me” 1986: Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” 1985: Bryan Adams “Summer of ‘69” 1984: Wham! “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” 1983: Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This” 1982: Toto (“Africa” 1981: Journey “Don’t Stop Believin’” 1980: Queen “Another One Bites the Dust” 1979: Queen “Don’t Stop Me Now” 1978: Earth, Wind & Fire “September” 1977: Fleetwood Mac “Dreams” 1976: Fleetwood Mac “Go Your Own Way” 1975: Queen “Bohemian Rhapsody” 1974: Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home Alabama” 1973: Dolly Parton “Jolene” 1972: Elton John “Tiny Dancer” 1971: John Denver “Take Me Home, Country Roads” 1970: Elton John “Your Song” 1969: The Beatles “Here Comes the Sun” 1968: Otis Redding “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” 1967: Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” 1966: The Rolling Stones “Paint It Black” 1965: The Four Tops “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” 1964: The Temptations “My Girl” 1963: The Ronettes “Be My Baby” 1962: Solomon Burke “Cry to Me” 1961: Ben E. King “Stand by Me” 1960: Etta James “At Last” 1959: Paul Anka “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” 1958: Chuck Berry “Johnny B. Goode” 1957: Elvis Presley “Jailhouse Rock” 1956: Johnny Cash “I Walk the Line” 1955: Little Richard “Tutti Frutti” 1954: Ray Charles “I Gotta Woman” 1953: Dean Martin “That’s Amore” 1952: Gene Kelly “Singin’ in the Rain” Resources/Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “‘Songs of the Year’ lists” Official Charts (11/3/2022). “Official Charts and BBC Radio 1 and 2 team up to reveal the UK’s Official most-streamed songs of the past 70 years” by George Griffiths Dave’s Music Database: “Spotify: Songs of the Year” Dave’s Music Database: “Streaming: Billion Airs Club” First posted 11/3/2022; last updated 12/31/2024.

Today in Music (1964): Top of the Pops aired for the first time

January 1, 1964 Top of the Pops launched in Britain.

The British music television show Top of the Pops launched on New Year’s Day in 1964. BBC producer Johnnie Stewart created TOTP, inspired by the Radio Luxembourg show Teen and Twenty Disc Club. Each show counted down the hits from the past week. The #1 song was featured every week, but otherwise a song did not generally appear if it had been on the previous week or was heading down the charts. The inaugural show featured The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Hollies, and Dusty Springfield. The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” was the #1 song that week. Each week consisted of performances of some of the most popular music artists and counted down the week’s hit singles. While the show aired live, artists actually mimed to the songs. Over the show’s history, however, there were times when songs were performed at least partially live. Traditionally TOTP aired on BBC 1 on Thursdays, but in 1996 it moved to Fridays and then in 2005 it moved to Sundays on BBC 2. The show was broadcast until July 30, 2006, becoming the world’s longest-running weekly music show. The show also aired an annual look at the best-selling singles of the year on Christmas Day. Even after the show’s cancellation, that tradition continued. Resources: Dave’s Music Database: “History Index” for more important dates in music history Dave’s Music Database: “Music Makers’ Birthdays” BBC.co.uk: Top of the Pops Wikipedia: Top of the Pops First posted 1/1/2012; updated 12/30/2023.

50 years ago: David Bowie’s Career Takes Off – Thanks to Men Landing on the Moon

Space Oddity David Bowie

Writer(s): David Bowie (see lyrics here) Released: July 11, 1969 First Charted: August 16, 1969 Peak: 15 US, 17 CB, 11 GR, 10 HR, 1 CL, 1 CO, 12 UK, 16 CN, 9 AU, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.77 UK, 1.02 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 121.03 video, 284.35 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: July 20, 1969 marked one of the greatest achievements of mankind when American astronauts walked on the moon. The event was televised throughout the world, with an estimated 600 million people watching. In the U.K., the BBC’s coverage included a song called “Space Oddity” by a then fairly-unknown David Bowie. Inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, he crafted a “haunting ballad about alienation” TC in which Major Tom is a “disillusioned astronaut cutting off all contact with the planet Earth.” DT The song was Bowie’s first single with Mercury Records following his split from Deram Records. He’d been releasing music for five years with the King Bees, the Manish Boys, as Davy Jones with the Lower Third, and under the name David Bowie. However, he’d failed to achieve any chart success until “Space Oddity” reached #5 in 1969. A reissue in 1975 went all the way to #1. An early version appeared in Bowie’s Love You Till Tuesday promotional film. The song alluded to the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey and lampooned the British space program. He recorded a new version in anticipation of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The song was produced by Gus Dudgeon (who later worked with Elton John on the similar-themed “Rocket Man”) HL after Tony Visconti said no. Visconti went on to work with Bowie on numerous albums, but thought “Space Oddity” was too gimmicky. TB It ended up celebrated as “one of Bowie’s finest narrative songs.” TB In the U.S., Bowie hit the Billboard Hot 100 with “Changes,” “Starman,” and “The Jean Genie” before “Space Oddity” hit #15 after a 1973 reissue. The 1968 album, Man of Words, Man of Music, from which the song originated, was rechristened Space Oddity and charted in 1972 after Hunky Dory and The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars had introduced American audiences to Bowie. Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for David Bowie TC Toby Creswell (2005). 1001 Songs: The Great Songs of All Time. Thunder’s Mouth Press: New York, NY. Pages 333-4. HL Michael Heatley and Spencer Leigh (1998). Behind the Song: The Stories of 100 Great Pop & Rock Classics. Blandford Books: London, UK. Pages 128-9. LW Alan Lewens (2001). Popular Song – Soundtrack of the Century. Billboard Books: New York, NY. Page 134. SJ Bob Shannon and John Javna (1986). Behind the Hits: Inside Stories of Classic Pop and Rock and Roll. Warner Books, Inc.: New York, NY. Page 36. DT Dave Thompson (2011). 1000 Songs That Rock Your World. Krause Publications: Iola, WI. Page 37. TB Thunder Bay Press (2006). Singles: Six Decades of Hot Hits & Classic Cuts. Outline Press Ltd.: San Diego, CA. Pages 114-5. WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 7/20/2011; last updated 4/13/2023.

50 years ago: The Beatles hit #1 with “All You Need Is Love”

All You Need Is Love The Beatles

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The Top 100 Albums According to the BBC

First posted 3/26/2012; updated 8/3/2020.

BBC: The Top 100 Albums

Over the years, the BBC has released a few best-of album lists. Five of those lists (details about each and links at bottom of page) have been aggregated into this list, unique to the DMDB. Also, check out annual picks for album of the year. 1. The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) 2. U2 The Joshua Tree (1987) 3. Oasis Definitely Maybe (1994) 4. Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IV (1971) 5. The Verve Urban Hymns (1997) 6. R.E.M. Automatic for the People (1992) 7. Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon (1973) 8. The Beatles The Beatles (aka “The White Album”) (1968) 9. Radiohead OK Computer (1997) 10. Michael Jackson Thriller (1982) 11. Simon & Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970) 12. The Beach Boys Pet Sounds (1966) 13. Paul Simon Graceland (1986) 14. Marvin Gaye What’s Going On (1971) 15. Bruce Springsteen Born to Run (1975) 16. Meat Loaf Bat Out of Hell(1977) 17. Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) 18. The Beatles Revolver (1966) 19. Oasis What's the Story Morning Glory (1995) 20. Fleetwood Mac Rumours (1977) 21. The Sex Pistols Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977) 22. Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here (1975) 23. Queen A Night at the Opera (1975) 24. Dire Straits Brothers in Arms (1985) 25. The Beatles Abbey Road (1969) 26. The Smiths The Queen Is Dead (1986) 27. Dido No Angel (1999) 28. Bob Dylan Blood on the Tracks (1975) 29. Coldplay A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) 30. Joni Mitchell Blue (1971) 31. David Bowie The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972) 32. Bob Dylan Blonde on Blonde (1966) 33. Van Morrison Astral Weeks (1968) 34. The Clash London Calling (1979) 35. The Who Who’s Next (1971) 36. Pulp Different Class (1995) 37. Kate Bush Hounds of Love (1985) 38. Velvet Underground & Nico Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) 39. The Jimi Hendrix Experience Electric Ladyland (1968) 40. Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells (1973) 41. Blur Parklife (1994) 42. Carole King Tapestry (1971) 43. George Harrison All Things Must Pass (1970) 44. Eagles Hotel California (1976) 45. The Stone Roses The Stone Roses (1989) 46. Radiohead The Bends (1995) 47. Nirvana Nevermind (1991) 48. Miles Davis Kind of Blue (1959) 49. Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill (1995) 50. Massive Attack Blue Lines (1991) 51. The Beatles Rubber Soul (1965) 52. Blondie Parallel Lines (1978) 53. Keane Hopes and Fears (2004) 54. The Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street (1972) 55. Primal Scream Screamadelica (1991) 56. Paul McCartney & Wings Band on the Run (1973) 57. George Michael Faith (1987) 58. Pink Floyd The Wall (1979) 59. Kylie Minogue Fever (2001) 60. The Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers (1971) 61. U2 Achtung Baby (1991) 62. Madonna True Blue (1986) 63. Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life (1976) 64. Joy Division Closer (1980) 65. The Pixies Doolittle (1989) 66. Abba Arrival (10/11/76) 67. Neil Young Harvest (1972) 68. James Blunt Back to Bedlam (2004) 69. The Jimi Hendrix Experience Are You Experienced? (1967) 70. Leftfield Leftism (1995) 71. Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin II (1969) 72. David Gray White Ladder (2000) 73. Madonna Ray of Light (1998) 74. Jeff Buckley Grace (1994) 75. Spice Girls Spice (1996) 76. Portishead Dummy (1994) 77. The Human League Dare! (1981) 78. David Bowie Let’s Dance (1983) 79. The Rolling Stones Let It Bleed (1969) 80. R.E.M. Out of Time (1991) 81. Roxy Music For Your Pleasure (1973) 82. The Beatles A Hard Day’s Night (1964) 83. Prince & the Revolution Purple Rain (soundtrack, 1984) 84. Love Forever Changes (1967) 85. David Bowie Hunky Dory (1971) 86. Lou Reed Transformer (1972) 87. AC/DC Back in Black (1980) 88. Nick Drake Bryter Layter (1970) 89. John Lennon Imagine (1971) 90. The Who Tommy (1969) 91. Maroon 5 Songs about Jane (2002) 92. The Clash The Clash (1977) 93. Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti (1975) 94. Donald Fagen The Nightfly (1982) 95. Robbie Williams I’ve Been Expecting You (1998) 96. The Band The Band (1969) 97. Frank Sinatra Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! (1956) 98. Prince Sign ‘O’ the Times (1987) 99. Joy Division Unknown Pleasures (1979) 100. Patti Smith Horses (1975) Resources and Related Links: 4/1/2013: BBC Radio 2 “Listeners’ Poll” BBC listeners were polled to determine the top 100 albums of all time. 2006: Stuart Maconie’s “Critical List” BBC radio show in which Maconie presented albums which he suggested every popular music aficionado should have in their collections. 8/28/2006: BBC Radio 2 “Music Club Top 100 Albums” Top 100 ranked list of voters’ favorite #1 albums on the UK Album Chart, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the UK album chart. June 2002: BBC News “Top 50 Albums of Last 50 Years” Ranked list. No commentary. Link goes to an article about the list and includes a dead link which supposedly links to the entire list. 1/24/1998: BBC News “The Music of the Millenium” Top 100 ranked list. No commentary.

Robbie Williams charted with “Angels”

Angels Robbie Williams

Writer(s): Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers, Ray Heffernan (see lyrics here) Released: December 1, 1997 First Charted: December 13, 1997 Peak: 53 US, 25 RR, 10 AC, 21 A40, 4 UK, 18 CN, 40 AU (Click for codes to singles charts.) Sales (in millions): -- US, 1.8 UK, 2.13 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 260.61 video, 309.32 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Robbie Williams first gained fame in the British boy band Take That in the early ‘90s before striking out on his own in 1996. As a solo artist, he has topped the UK singles chart seven times. However, “Angels,” which peaked at #4, is his best-selling single. In a VH1 poll in the UK, this was voted the best song which should have topped the charts. SF At the 2005 Brit Awards, it was voted the best song of the previous 25 years. WK Irish Independent called it an “epic ballad” WK and ShortList’s Dave Fawbert called it a “genuinely brilliant song.” WK Billboard magazine’s Larry Flick praised the song as a “sweet ballad that never gets sappy.” He said “the lyric is thoughtful and ear-grabbing, and his smoky, crisp vocal is a sheer delight. All that and a chorus to kill for.” WK The song is about loved ones who’ve died and come back as guardian angels to offer protection and affection. In 2005, Britons voted it the song they most wanted played at their funerals. WK Detractors referred to Williams as “a glorified cabaret singer” and attacked this song as his attempt at a mainstream song in a Britpop style. SF Williams claimed he wrote the song with collaborator Guy Chambers about his aunt and uncle. He said they were inspired to write the chorus by watching a water fountain while sitting outside a café. However, Irish singer/songwriter Ray Heffernan says he wrote the son in 1996 after his partner had a miscarriage. By chance, he met Williams in a Dublin pub and showed him the song and the two of them recorded a demo of the song. Williams then said and Chambers significantly rewrote the song. Williams’ management paid Heffernan £7,500 (about $10,000 in U.S. dollars) for the rights to the song. Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Robbie Williams SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 10/15/2021.

David Bowie Buddha of Suburbia released

Buddha of Suburbia David Bowie

Released: November 1, 1993 Peak: -- US, 87 UK, -- CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): -- Genre: glam rock/classic rock veteran

Tracks: Song Title (Writers) [time] (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to singles charts. The Buddha of Suburbia [4:29] (11/22/93, 35 UK) Sex and the Church [6:23] South Horizon [5:24] The Mysteries [7:11] Bleed Like a Craze, Dad [5:23] Strangers When We Meet [4:58] Dead Against It [5:47] Untitled No. 1 [5:02] Ian Fish, U.K. Heir [6:29] Buddha of Suburbia (Bowie, Lenny Kravitz, Erdal Kizilcay) [4:20] Songs written by David Bowie and Erdal Kizilcay unless indicated otherwise. Total Running Time: 55:26 The Players: David Bowie (vocals, saxophone, guitar, keyboards) Erdal Kızılçay (keyboards, trumpet, bass, guitar, drums, percussion) Rob Clydesdale, Gary Talor, Isaac Daniel Prevost (drums, bass, guitar on “Bleed Like a Craze, Dad”) Mike Garson (piano on “Bleed Like a Craze, Dad” and “South Horizon”) Lenny Kravitz (guitar on “Buddha of Suburbia”)

Rating: 2.602 out of 5.00 (average of 18 ratings)

About the Album: David Bowie quickly followed his first solo album in six years with this overlooked project which he recorded in just six days. WK Ostensbily recorded as a soundtrack to the four-part British TV miniseries, the title cut was the only song actually featured on the program. “Record-company affiliation difficulties…kept…Buddha of Suburbia…from being released in the U.S. until 1995, when it was slipped out in the wake of his new album, Outside. That's too bad, because The Buddha of Suburbia is an often engaging collection of songs and instrumental passages that recalls many previous Bowie albums, including such disparate efforts as The Man Who Sold the World, Aladdin Sane, and Low. It's not a major effort by any means, but in another context songs like Strangers When We Meet easily could become Bowie favorites.” AMG Notes: There is an alternate album cover featuring Bowie sitting on a cot.

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for David Bowie AMG All Music Guide review by William Ruhlmann WK Wikipedia Other Related DMDB Pages: First posted 2/20/2008; last updated 8/3/2021.