"ISSUES" IS VIRAL #1

We've been watching Republic's Julia Michaels climb the Spotify Viral 50 chart all week, and today she's reached #1 with "Issues."

Meanwhile, the seismic political changes underway in the U.S.A. have kept two key Martin Luther King, Jr. speeches near the top of the chart all week following MLK day. "I Have a Dream" #2 and "We Shall Overcome" #3 sound stirring and chilling in about equal measure on this rainy inauguration day.

The resonance of these historic speeches on a popular streaming platform makes us wonder: Could Spotify and kindred services become an educational tool? Maybe modern history courses could be enhanced by the judicious use of playlists. Just sayin'.

Electro-groove track "Take Me" by indie outfit Miso lands at #4, followed by "All About Me" from The Internet/Columbia's Syd. Former #1 Pink Guy (aka YouTube prankster Filthy Frank) moves down to #6 with "Stfu."

BLYNE and Melisa Whiskey's "Maybe Now" is #7, followed by The Chainsmokers' new one, "Paris." Interscope's Grey f/Bahari holds the #9 spot with "I Miss You." "Sex for Breakfast" by Disruptor/Epic's Life of Dillon rounds out the Top 10. And keep your eye on old-school soul mover "Feeling Alive" by Def Jam's Earl St. Clair, now at #40.

Michaels is #3 on the Global Viral 50, with Pink Guy holding at #2; on the top is "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee (Universal Latino).