Thursday, October 19, 2017
Let’s take a gander at the Top 10 songs on Spotify’s Global Top 200 as Q4 gains velocity and the Grammy race heats up bigtime. How will these smashes affect the nominations process as first-round voting progresses?
- Post Malone f/21 Savage, “rockstar” (Republic): This streaming monster was already massive when Pop radio kicked in and gave it a nitro injection. There’s no telling how huge this Best New Artist Grammy contender, whose sophomore album is due next year, could get; his debut set, Stoney, flew back up to #3 on our most recent SPS chart.
- Dua Lipa, “New Rules” (Warner Bros.) The international superstar’s first U.S. hit—an infectious list of righteous relationship regulations--certainly “Rules.” She’s now Top 20 at Pop radio.
- Camila Cabello f/Young Thug, “Havana” (SYCO/Epic): The first solo hit for the former Fifth Harmony siren is already big and about to get even bigger with a Daddy Yankee remix.
- Sam Smith, “Too Good at Goodbyes” (Capitol): This classic-sounding soul-pop hit’s stamina at the upper reaches of the hip-hop dominated streaming charts is a reminder of Smith’s formidable star power as excitement builds for his second album, due 11/3.
- ZAYN f/Sia, “From Dusk Til Dawn” (RCA): The first of the One Direction lads to go solo continues to excel in the rhythmic lane. The video recently passed the 200m views mark.
- Maroon 5 f/SZA, “What Lovers Do” (222/Interscope): TDE breakout SZA is strongly favored for a Best New Artist Grammy nod; her turn with pop-rock giants M5 marks her first big Top 40 look.
- Logic f/Alessia Cara & Khalid, “1-800-273-8255” (Def Jam): This suicide-hotline anthem isn’t just a pop juggernaut; it’s a cultural phenomenon. What’s more, all three of the artists involved are strongly touted as Best New Artist contenders.
- Ed Sheeran, “Perfect” (Atlantic): Yet another giant from the ginger genius, whose Divide set is one of the year’s biggest stories and who’s considered a lock to collect a pile of Grammy nods.
- Marshmello f/Khalid, “Silence” (RCA): The EDM breakout’s featured guest, Khalid—as we noted above—is expected to make the Best New Artist cut on the strength of his own big hits and compellingly soulful album.
- J Balvin & Willy William, “Mi Gente” (Universal Latin): The biggest global Spanish-language hit since “Despacito” has been gigantic for some time, and Latin Grammy winner Balvin’s dance-floor anthem has gained more ground thanks to a Republic-repped remix with Beyoncé.
How much bigger will the world’s biggest songs become? Stay tuned.