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Think that I Want To Break Free is well over 1B streams now on Spotify (all versions). So I believe it should be 6 songs over 1B on the streamed artists lists? Queen's next one I think will be Crazy Little Thing Called Love - for some reason, its streaming levels have surged. p.s.: this is a great site - the Lord's 'go to' for sensible and well-researched music sales information.
Yes, I Want To Break is currently on 1,142,064,516 streams, across all versions, on Spotify.
Assuming current popularity levels, yes, Crazy Little Thing Called Love would be the next one to cross 1B.
It's currently on 819,593,362, which lags behind Somebody To Loves total of 888,965,022 but it's last daily total was 836k compared to Somebodys 356k. Just multiplying these totals, Crazy would hit 1B in 216 days and Somebody in 312. Killer Queen is not that far behind Crazy on 814,044,986 and last added 472k and which would hit 1B in 394 days.
I see that the Queen - Elvis gap has been reduced from 50m (last Queen update) to 40m. At this rate, there's a chance..
Hard to believe this is the case. Elvis sales, especially physical sales, have been fierce after the film. Perhaps the best-selling artist on Amazon. In addition, the streams were nice. Yes, Chartmasters apparently no longer counts physical sales, it explains. Elvis' sales have been underestimated and Jackson's and Queen's overestimated. Chartmasters are biased, favoring their own favorites. I read that at one time even the Billboard charts were manipulated and the UK charts as well. That is, official lists.
To be honest, it's a bit tiring to read that there are always users who have their doubts about the estimation process without actually contributing anything constructive.
And why you're coming forward with this accusation now that you've been commenting on here for so long...?
No one that contributes to the site, displays any kind of favouritism, towards any artist, when it comes to sales. We just do not think or work that way.
The truth of the matter is, it's all in your head.
In 2006, MJD claimed that MJ has sold 202 million albums, more albums sold than EP (UK.mix). Now EP has sold more albums than MJ. MJ died in 2009 and his sales skyrocketed. Still, the EP has passed. MJ had not sold 202 million albums in 2006, but approx. 140-150 million. So even then, MJ had to be number one. Do you notice a contradiction?
Yes Mikko, I've noticed many contradictions over the years but that's to be expected, as a lot of it was educated guess work. The passing of time, new technology, new ideas, new methods, new information etc obviously helps to paint a clearer picture, just like it does in say science, with many previous conclusions proving incorrect or out.
Would you not rather this approach, than some kind of religious approach, where we never question anything, never change anything, never update anything, never see fault in our original beliefs, never admit that we maybe got it wrong etc
MJ's mistake of over 50 million is too much. MJ's sales are well documented. I have nothing else.
Who else but you talks about "MJ's mistake"? Of course I mean someone – in contrast to you – who can provide facts. Regional certified shipments are well documented elsewhere, if that's what you mean.
As already written, you've been a user here for years (longer than me) and apparently you still don't understand ChartMasters' philosophy:
It's not about presenting already known information, but rather about estimating as accurately as possible the sales that are NOT covered by certifications, using certified facts PLUS mathematical/statistical methods, which are adequately explained at certain points.
Everyone is free to believe the results as well as to suggest improvements with the aim of obtaining even more precise estimates. But basically your last sentence says everything about your "argumentation" scheme.
There's really no need to say anything more about this.
You're always foaming at the mouth, but you don't understand the essentials. You're talking beside the point. I'm sorry I had to say it. You could also write in a neutral, friendly tone.
You're expecting friendliness from your counterpart and in the same post, you're accusing me of being “foaming at the mouth” while complaining about “contradiction” in general. Find the mistake.
Another thing:
You're obviously confusing the need for objectivity and neutrality. I am not neutral. I have a clear point of view, which I will present again and again at the appropriate time and place. But I remain objective. This means, especially for this forum, that I leave my personal taste in music out of my own evaluation/discussion of the analyzes listed here. Apparently you Mikko can't do that. But it doesn't worry me, because I can easily take the liberty of leaving a discussion if it turns into something personal, as you have urged. And then the pattern repeats itself:
Like with any other discussion, if you Mikko don't have any factual arguments to offer, then you start insulting (also on this point). And that's the moment for me to end the conversation with you.
Keep having fun here.
You talk beside the point all the time. But even if we disagree, we can communicate (write) in a friendly tone. Anyway, at least we can agree to disagree. Kindness and understanding are the keys to democratic thinking.
Given Queen had their 50th anniversary in there, toured the world, and released a rediscovered/recreated song I wouldn't be surprised if the gap is closer to 30m if updated.
I think it's pretty likely that Queen will eventually pass Elvis. Two things could potentially speed it up. If the new Highlander movie is successful, and if there is a Bohemian Rhapsody sequel using the same actors.
While they are not quite streaming the numbers they were a few years ago, they are still posting some very impressive figures, not just for a legacy act but any act, even a contemporary one.
Including all versions of a track on Spotify, Queen currently have
3 over 2B:
Bohemian Rhapsody --- 2,744,542,684
Don't Stop Me Now --- 2,283,447,341
Another One Bites The Dust --- 2,015,815,360
7 over 1B;
Under Pressure --- 1,747,453,280
We Will Rock You --- 1,452,990,372
I Want To Break Free --- 1,249,721,868
Crazy Little Thing Called Love --- 1,001,652,537
10 over 900M:
Somebody To Love --- 960,523,532
Killer Queen --- 913,309,418
We Are the Champions --- 907,768,829
12 over 500M
Radio Ga Ga --- 795,282,317
Love Of My Life --- 608,449,887
30 over 100M
Fat Bottomed Girls --- 475,052,861
The Show Must Go On  --- 446,430,311
You're My Best Friend   --- 373,396,393
Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy --- 360,691,515
A Kind Of Magic --- 300,284,252
I Want It All 262,883,715
Hammer To Fall --- 256,178,234
Thank God It's Christmas --- 255,954,970
Who Wants To Live Forever --- 234,077,756
Keep Yourself Alive --- 163,356,395
Bicycle Race --- 161,020,490
Now I’m Here --- 127,862,232
Seven Seas Of Rhye --- 115,920,382
Save Me --- 114,518,516
Too Much Love Will Kill You --- 113,610,971
Friends Will Be Friends --- 110,839,776
Cool Cat --- 102,740,274
Ay-Oh --- 100,240,198
35 over 90M
I Was Born To Love You --- 98,534,659
One Vision --- 96,792,062
Innuendo --- 95,928,996
These Are The Days Of Our Lives --- 94,017,700
Play The Game --- 93,630,544
I remember Rhapsody having a stiff competition from Don't Stop Believing and Wonderwall. Is this still the case?
Well no
Wonderwall - 2,128,010,349
Don't Stop Believing - 2,113,441,559
So that puts them both beneath Don't Stop Me Now, not to talk of Bo Rhap. All of them are incredibly successful legacy tunes though.
Well, yes and no. BR (2.746B) is still over 600m ahead of Wonderwall (2.136B) and Don't Stop Believing (2.139B), but so far this year, both have been catching it. BR has streamed 270M so far, in 2024, WW 282M and DSB an impressive 374M.
Looking at the year to date streams, for the Top 10 most streamed, Pre 2000 tracks, according to Thomas figures. from the beginning of this year and posted elsewhere, it is apparent though, that BRs popularity has waned a bit, with every other track out streaming it, bar Carey, for obvious reasons, so far in 2024. Other tracks from lower down in Thomas's ranking, have also significantly out streamed it.
JAN 1st 2024 --- TRACK --- TODAY --- SINCE Jan 1st
1,879,000,000 --- Take on Me (4) --- 2,318,483,752 --- 439,483,752
1,812,000,000 --- Every Breath You Take (7) --- 2,247,315,489 --- 435,315,489
1,766,000,000 --- Don't Stop Believin' (8) --- 2,139,802,720 --- 373,802,720
1,956,000,000 --- Don't Stop Me Now (2) --- 2,284,755,996 --- 328,755,996
1,873,000,000 --- Smells Like Teen Spirit (5) --- 2,188,222,802 --- 315,222,802
1,722,000,000 --- Sweet Child O' Mine (10) --- 2,029,077,822 --- 307,077,822
1,732,000,000 --- Another One Bites The Dust (9) --- 2,016,896,413 --- 284,896,413
1,855,000,000 --- Wonderwall (6) --- 2,136,916,852 --- 281,916,852
2,476,000,000 --- Bohemian Rhapsody (1) --- 2,745,548,723 --- 269,548,723
1,918,000,000 --- All I Want for Christmas (3) --- 1,974,517,466 --- 56,517,466
1,485,000,000 --- Iris (20) --- 1,949,814,266 --- 464,814,266
1,333,000,000 --- Have You Ever Seen The Rain (27) --- 1,762,875,252 --- 429,875,252
1,459,000,000 --- Everybody Wants To Rule The World (21) --- 1,845,177,259 --- 386,177,259
1,531,000,000 --- Creep (16) --- 1,910,368,811 --- 379,368,811
The huge popularity of Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls, has always bemused me, especially in the UK. On the UK Rock and Metal Singles chart, since May 2009, it has been at #1 for 172wks. The only other track, even relatively close, is Bohemian Rhapsody, with 109wks. It first hit that chart in 2003, but was off and on over the years. Then, in Jan 2009, it recharted at #20 and has never left the chart since! 825 consecutive weeks. So far this year, it's been at #1 for 28wks.
While BR has dipped in popularity, Queen is the only act on that list with multiple entries (as much as 3!). The fact that ABTT and DSMN has outstreamed it so far in 2024 is also a good sign that gives more consistency to their catalog. I think it's a similar case to MJ where both acts have way to many hits to fit in 1 playlist that their streams are more spread out among various songs rather than a select few songs.
On a side note, I expected more from Wonderwall considering the massive splash Oasis made with their reunion announcement this year, but it seems like the hype has died down a bit recently as well.
It's honestly quite fascinating to see past groups from various genres getting huge resurgence in streams (even if temporarily) this year, from Oasis to Linkin Park to even NSYNC!
The splash Oasis made following their reunion announcement was also more spread out among their catalog, but Wonderwall might catch up some of the competition in the last months of the year. The hype is only 1 and a half month old now.
Wonderwall hasn't been streaming that well against the other top pre 2000 tracks, for the past few years. It was actually the most streamed Pre 2000 track, prior to the Bohemian Rhpasody film, it's now 7th.
With regards to the furore around the reunion, I don't think that will have a huge impact, as it's mainly the UK, that has experienced a surge. WWs daily streams, while good at the moment, are still lower than over 10 other pre 2000 tracks.
Yes, you're right. The reunion is mainly big on the British Isles, where most of their fans live. Their streaming surge reflects that, as it's their whole catalog that grew. Still, WW grows the most in absolute numbers and it has gained some lost ground the last 1 1/2 month, probably mainly in the US, where WW is the biggest of one of the few Oasis-songs people know. I can easily see it pass AOBTT's 2024 streams soon and maybe some other pre-2000 songs as well.
