The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' makes streaming history
One of The Weeknd's biggest hits just passed five billion streams.
The Weeknd’s hit single, 'Blinding Lights', is officially the first song in history to reach five billion streams on Spotify.
Released in November 2019, the track was featured on the singer's fourth album, 'After Hours'. It reached the top spot in several countries.
Only five songs have surpassed the four billion mark on Spotify. Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You' is the second most-streamed song with over 4,5 billion.
The Weeknd's collaboration with Daft Punk, 'Starboy', is in third place with 4,063 billion, followed by Lewis Capaldi's 'Someone You Loved' and 'As It Was' by Harry Styles.
The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, wrote 'Blinding Lights' with Ahmad Balshe, Jason Quenneville, Oscar Holter and Swedish producer Max Martin.
The Weeknd explained the meaning behind the song in a 2020 interview with Esquire.
"Blinding Lights' [is about] how you want to see someone at night, and you’re intoxicated, and you’re driving to this person and you’re just blinded by streetlights," he said.
"But nothing could stop you from trying to go see that person, because you’re so lonely. I don’t want to ever promote drunk driving, but that’s what the dark undertone is.”
The Weeknd released his sixth studio album, 'Hurry Up Tomorrow', earlier this year.
It produced three singles, 'Timeless', 'São Paulo' and 'Cry for Me'.
The album was accompanied by a film starring 'Wednesday' star Jenna Ortega and Irish actor Barry Keoghan.
Other artists making Spotify history in the past week include Swift.
Her new album, 'The Life of a Showgirl,' which Martin also co-produced, is the most pre-saved album on Spotify's Countdown Page in history.
Swift and The Weekend were also the two most-streamed artists in 2024.
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
- 94.2
- Jacaranda FM App
- http://jacarandafm.com
- DStv 858/ OpenView 602
Follow us on social media:
Main image: YouTube/The Weeknd