Pop music is popular for a reason. The genre can encompass so many different lyrical themes and evoke so many emotions, there’s truly something for everyone. Whether you want to dance, laugh, or cry, some of the greatest songs of all time are pop songs.
But how do we decide which pop songs are the best? We’ve taken to Spotify to discover what the most-streamed pop songs are, so you can listen to the most genre-defining tracks according to popular opinion.
Lucky for you, some of these artists may be touring in 2025, so if you want to experience the best of pop in luxury style, you can register your interest with Seat Unique to be kept in the know about tour announcements and official VIP ticket sales.
Stats have been taken from ChartMasters, and were correct when this article was published.
Buy Pop VIP ticketsMost Streamed Pop Songs In Order
No. 10: “Say You Won’t Let Go” - James Arthur
Streams: 3,121,405,712
James Arthur is an English singer-songwriter who found his fame winning the ninth series of X Factor in 2012. Known for his soulful voice, “Say You Won’t Let Go” is a perfect example of the emotion James can bring to pop music, mixing it with a little folk and R&B. Released in 2016, the song topped the UK Singles Chart and was his big break into the US market.
The song is a romantic ballad about love, vulnerability, and commitment. Blending a soft, acoustic melody with heartfelt vocals, James sings about wanting to stay with his partner “until we’re grey and old.” With such timeless lyrics and beautiful production, it’s no wonder James Arthur has found so much success with this track.
Register your interest in James Arthur VIP ticketsNo. 9: “lovely” - Billie Eilish & Khalid
Streams: 3,132,985,267
Billie Eilish is one of the biggest pop artists right now, and Khalid is also an accomplished pop and R&B singer. It is unsurprising then that when “lovely” was released as part of 13 Reasons Why’s second season soundtrack, audiences immediately fell in love with the song.
“Lovely” is a chamber pop song, featuring beautiful strings and piano instrumentals. Fitting for the themes of the TV show 13 Reasons Why, the lyrics are melancholic and hopeless, the duo singing of depression and feeling trapped inside your own mind. Billie Eilish has had “lovely” on the set list of her past tours, and she will be playing in the UK this summer, so don’t miss out on VIP tickets if you want to experience her incredible voice live!
Buy Billie Eilish VIP ticketsNo. 8: “Dance Monkey” - Tones and I
Streams: 3,193,371,829
“Dance Monkey” is a song that is infamous for its catchy lyrics and electropop vibe. It is the most streamed song by a female artist, and the first by a female artist to reach three billion streams. Perhaps it is the repetitive, memorable lyrics that make the song so addictive. Songwriter Toni Watson has said that the song is about busking, feeling like a ‘dancing monkey’ for her audience.
The music video for the song is equally as interesting, featuring an old man who sneaks out of his retirement home to go and have a dance party with his friends.
No. 7: “Perfect” - Ed Sheeran
Streams: 3,238,211,515
It is unsurprising that Ed Sheeran is the only artist to make it onto this list twice. His songs have become synonymous with pop music since his debut album in 2011, taking the world by storm with his songwriting talent and acoustic guitar. Over a decade later, Ed is still touring his iconic albums around the world.
“Perfect” is a song you might hear as the first dance at a wedding, with lyrics about wanting to make a home with the love interest. While there are so many pop songs about love, Ed Sheeran seems to be a master at romantic songs, shown in this slow and stripped-back ballad.
Buy Ed Sheeran VIP ticketsNo. 6: “Stay” - The Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber
Streams: 3,411,586,125
“Stay” is a more fast-paced offering from the most-streamed pop songs, incorporating electropop, rap, and synth-pop into a perfect summer pop song. Australian rapper The Kid Laroi and popstar Justin Bieber join their voices together for a heartbreak-fuelled banger about regret over lost love.
The song propelled The Kid Laroi into mainstream stardom, garnering nominations and awards from the VMAs, AMAs, Billboard, and more. It was also written with help from producers such as Charlie Puth, Omar Fedi, and Blake Slatkin.
Register your interest in Justin Bieber VIP ticketsNo. 5: “Sunflower” - Post Malone & Swae Lee
Streams: 3,657,705,644
“Sunflower” was originally released as part of the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack, eventually making its way onto Post Malone’s 2019 album Hollywood’s Bleeding. By American rappers Post Malone and Swae Lee, the song was even nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the Grammys.
The song is dreamy and soulful, mixing elements of hip-hop and rap with smooth, R&B vocals. It works perfectly with the vibrant tone of the Spider-Man film, with lyrics about a complicated relationship through the metaphor of a sunflower – symbolising hope and light to match the track’s laid-back vibe.
Buy Post Malone VIP ticketsNo. 4: “As It Was” - Harry Styles
Streams: 3,701,945,451
Harry Styles has exploded in popularity since his debut as a solo artist, becoming one of the defining pop artists of the generation. “As It Was” was Harry’s second number one single as a solo artist, and it is a classic summer hit. It has a light and catchy guitar riff and energetic drums, perfect for listening to in the sun.
Even though the lyrics of the song are about loss and pining after what once was, the composition couldn’t be any more different. It truly takes talent to turn what reportedly could have been a sad ballad and turn it into the synth-pop banger we know today.
Register your interest in Harry Styles VIP ticketsNo. 3: “Someone You Loved” - Lewis Capaldi
Streams: 3,742,339,962
Another song about lost love, but packaged as a much more mournful ballad, “Someone You Loved” was the breakout song for Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi. It is deeply emotional and heart-wrenching, written by Lewis at his piano, and you can tell the lyrics come from the soul.
The best songs are those that evoke an emotion, and the sadness and longing that “Someone You Loved” encapsulates are what has made it the third most-streamed song on Spotify regardless of genre. We hope Lewis Capaldi will be back soon with a new album and tour.
Register your interest in Lewis Capaldi VIP ticketsNo. 2: “Shape Of You” - Ed Sheeran
Streams: 4,168,704,124
The second entry by Ed Sheeran on this list, “Shape Of You” is more of an upbeat, catchy tune than most of his acoustic ballads. From his incredibly successful 2017 album ‘÷’, the track interpolates “No Scrubs” by TLC, giving it that catchy melody in the chorus. The song was almost written for other pop artists like Little Mix, Rihanna, and Rudimental, but now we cannot imagine it being sung by anyone else.
The song won the Grammy award for Best Pop Solo Performance and has been included in many rankings of the top songs of the decade. It doesn’t sound like a typical Ed Sheeran song, but that uniqueness is what makes it so great and is a testament to Ed’s song composition talents.
Buy Ed Sheeran VIP ticketsNo. 1: “Blinding Lights” - The Weeknd
Streams: 4,638,374,012
“Blinding Lights” captivated the world when The Weeknd’s fourth album After Hours was released in 2020. It received universal acclaim, and of course is the most streamed song of all time on Spotify, and the first to surpass four billion streams. Its nostalgic, ‘80s synths and incredibly catchy hook has made it a worldwide hit for the R&B and pop artist.
The Weeknd credits artists like Cocteau Twins and Siouxsie and the Banshees as having an influence on his sound, and that is evident in “Blinding Lights.” It has drumbeats reminiscent of “Beat It” by Michael Jackson and a synth melody that makes it impossible not to dance to.
Register your interest in The Weeknd VIP ticketsGet Pop Tickets
If you’d like to witness the best of pop music live, why not make your experience even more incredible with official VIP tickets? Through Seat Unique, you can book VIP tickets and hospitality packages for the biggest artists and the best venues.
Some of the amazing inclusions you could receive are complimentary food & drinks, access to VIP lounges, fast-track entry, and of course the best seats in the house.
Discover the hottest pop music events in 2025 now at Seat Unique!
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