Spotify Wrapped is here, and music lovers can get a breakdown of their top artists, songs, podcasts, genres, and more. Some 574 million people listened to Spotify this year. Thanks to a record-breaking world tour and multiple album re-releases, Taylor Swift easily made it to the top of the global artist top ten list.
Swift earned 26.1 billion global streams since the beginning of the year. However, surprisingly, she is not at the top when it comes to the top global songs of 2023. Though two of her songs are on the list, she is behind Miley Cyrus. Here are the top 10 global songs-
10. Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift
Obviously, Taylor Swift makes an appearance in the top ten with Anti-Hero, securing the tenth spot. This introspective rock track resonated with listeners grappling with self-doubt and ambition.
It’s about Swift’s insecurities and anxieties in life both publicly and privately.
Watch the official video here.
9. Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53 by Bizarrap, Shakira
Bizarrap and Shakira join forces in Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53, claiming the ninth spot. The 45-year-old Colombian star aims at her ex, soccer player Gerard Piqué, who split with her last year.
Almost immediately, the song became a huge hit. Watch the video here.
8. Calm Down by Rema, Selena Gomez
Afrobeats star Rema and pop princess Selena Gomez joined hands for the infectious Calm Down. It has shattered numerous records, including becoming the most-streamed Afrobeats song on Spotify and the first African artist-led track to amass one billion streams on the platform.
Watch Calm Down video here.
7. Creepin by Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, 21 Savage
Metro Boomin collaborates with The Weeknd and 21 Savage in Creepin, claiming the seventh spot. Upon release, the track instantly proved to be the most commercially successful track on the album, Heroes & Villains.
6. Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift may not have claimed the top spot, but her presence is undeniable. Swift makes a second appearance in the top ten with Cruel Summer. The song was originally released in 2019 alongside the rest of the Lover album.
Although Swift had intended for the song to be a single in 2020, the pandemic forced plans to change. As Swift embarked on The Eras Tour, Cruel Summer picked up steam again.
5. Ella Baila Sola by Eslabon Armado, Peso Pluma
Latin music took center stage with Ella Baila Sola by Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma. It became the first regional Mexican song to dominate the Billboard Global 200.
“It’s a song we never expected would be a hit, but it did, thank God. I prayed to God when I wrote this song. I just wanted a song that would surpass my other stuff and he gave me this one, so I always thank God for it. Shoutout to God!”
Eslabon Armado’s frontman and songwriter Pedro Tovar told Billboard in October just after winning hot Latin Song of the Year at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards.
Watch the video here.
4. Seven (feat. Latto) by Jung Kook
BTS member Jung Kook proved his solo prowess with Seven (feat. Latto). The South Korean heartthrob, known for his captivating vocals and charming demeanor made history with this solo, as it became the fastest song to surpass 900 million streams on Spotify.
This is a love song that celebrates the intensity of physical intimacy. The lyrics revolve around the idea that each day of the week offers a unique opportunity to experience love with a special someone.
3. As It Was by Harry Styles
Harry Styles takes the third position with As It Was, proving that his solo career continues to soar. This guitar-driven synth-pop and new wave track.
Fans believe the song is about his relationship with fame and how his life isn’t “the same as it was” since he entered the public eye.
Watch it here.
2. Kill Bill by SZA
SZA’s soulful storytelling captivated listeners with Kill Bill. This passionate track delves into themes of love, power, and vengeance, becoming an instant. Kill Bill is SZA’s second most popular song from her album SOS.
The song title references Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill (2003), in which the main character is shot by her employer and his crew and then seeks revenge. In contrast, Sza’s song replaces the employer with a boyfriend and discusses killing his new girlfriend.
1. Flowers by Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus blossomed with a stunning comeback, claiming the top spot with Flowers. Fans speculated that the song contained multiple references to her relationship with ex-husband, actor Liam Hemsworth.
However, the artist has acknowledged to Vogue magazine that it initially had a different meaning.
“I really wrote it in a different way. The chorus was initially ‘I can buy me flowers, I can write my name in the sand, but I can’t love me any better than you do. The final version, which has been a huge international hit, had a different meaning.“
She added:
“I can buy myself flowers, I can write my name in the sand, I can talk to me for hours and say things you can’t understand, I can take me dancing and I can hold hands. Yes, I can love me better than you can.”
This anthem to self-love smashed records, racking up over 1.6 billion global streams and reminding everyone that Cyrus is a pop powerhouse.
Watch the official video here.
