New study reveals the world’s biggest song

Posted On March 23, 2024March 23, 2024

In a recent IFPI report, it was revealed that we are listening to an average of 20.1 hours of music each week. This means that we’re currently listening to more music than ever before. In turn, this has also meant that more revenue is being generated by music than ever before.

However, increasingly, this capital is being held by the three major labels. As of 2022, their market share consisted of: 31.9% Universal Music Group, 22.1% Sony Music Entertainment, and 16% Warner Music Group. All three saw profits rise recently while artists and independent labels continue to struggle.

Further evidence that there is still enormous amounts of money to be made by those firmly ‘established’ within the music industry recently came to the fore when the RIAA revealed data on the song that recently rose to claim the title of the world’s biggest single release.

Journey released ‘Don’t Stop Believin” in 1981. Initially, it was noted as a kitsch and cheesy rock effort and the lack of critical acclaim, which feels even more apparent today, hampered its chart performance as it only rose to ninth in the US.

Since then, however, thanks to various cover versions, inclusion on shows like Glee, numerous X Factor performances, and the increasing nostalgia for all things 1980s that was propelled by shows such as Stranger Things, the song has continued to grow.

Now, the RIAA has asserted that the song has gone platinum for a record 18th time in the US. It joins Post Malone and Swae Lee’s ‘Sunflower’ on this record-breaking perch, but seeing as though Malone’s 2018 release hasn’t had the same success globally, ‘Don’t Stop Believin” is now officially regarded as the biggest song in the history of music.

Speaking about this achievement on Instagram, Journey’s frontman, Steve Perry, wrote: “To be part of such a moment as this made me reflect on my parents. By that I mean, though I lost them both years ago, I was so happy for them because they are truly the reason this is happening.”

The proud custodian of the single, which now has over 1.8 billion streams on Spotify, continued: “My dad was a singer and both of them were very musical. So on behalf of my Mom and Dad, I thank every one of you for so many years of support. – Sincerely, Steve Perry.”

Luckily for the band, this news also coincides with their forthcoming 50th anniversary tour. However, news of its lucrative commercial achievement is unlikely to sway critical opinions, and Far Out’s own dubious stance on its merits beyond chart success in our ranking of the ten best-selling rock singles of all time remains.

Nevertheless, with TikTok continuing to boost its popularity and streaming figures still continually rising, ‘Don’t Stop Believin” looks like it is only getting bigger.

As for its fellow classic rock competitors for the crown, you can see the list of the ten best-selling songs from the genre below. Awaiting further RIAA data reports; these are presented in alphabetic order presently.

The 10 best-selling rock singles ever:

• ‘(Everything I Do) I Do It For You’ – Bryan Adams
• ‘(We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock’ – Bill Haley & His Comets
• ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ – Queen
• ‘Don’t Stop Believin’’ – Journey
• ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ – The Beatles
• ‘I’m a Believer’ – The Monkees
• ‘My Sweet Lord’ – George Harrison
• ‘Radioactive’ – Imagine Dragons
• ‘Sail’ – Awolnation
• ‘Winds of Change’ – Scorpion

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