Pop star Taylor Swift was the UK’s most-streamed artist of 2023, topping the end-of-year charts across Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer. The singer was particularly powerful on Apple’s service, where she set an all-time record for the most listeners for any artist in a single year. But she failed to claim the most-played song on any of the streaming platforms. On Spotify, that honour went to Dave and Central Cee’s summer smash, Sprinter. Meanwhile, Miley Cyrus claimed the crown on Apple and Deezer with her post break-up anthem Flowers. 
Both songs topped the UK charts for 10 weeks earlier this year. Flowers is also the best-selling song of the year to date. The streaming platforms all released their year-end charts alongside features allowing users to see their personal most-played songs. Spotify’s Wrapped feature also categorises listeners by type – telling fans whether they’re a Shapeshifter (quick to move from one artist to the next), or an Alchemist (who creates custom playlists more than typical users). 
On Apple Music’s Replay, super-fans will be told if they’re within the top 100 listeners of their favourite artist. SZA in concert IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES Image caption, R&B star SZA scored huge success with her album SOS and single Kill Bill – and goes into 2024 with nine Grammy nominations Only Spotify provided data for the UK’s most-streamed album – with Taylor Swift’s Midnights topping the charts. It was followed by R&B star SZA’s second album SOS, which featured the massive hit single Kill Bill. Harry Styles’ Harry’s House came third, followed by Arctic Monkeys’ AM – which turned 10 this year – and Taylor Swift’s Lover.
Examining the end-of-year charts from each of the services also uncovered interesting data about their listeners.
Apple’s users lean more towards pop and dance, with tracks like Taylor Swift’s Anti-Hero and Venbee’s Messy In Heaven appearing in the Top 10.
Spotify’s prefer the harder sounds, and delivered big streaming numbers for Dave and Central Cee’s Sprinter, and PinkPantheress’s Boy’s A Liar.
Overall, the range of musical styles that achieved popularity in 2023 – from K-pop to Mexicana – suggests that genre is becoming increasingly irrelevant, as fans are exposed to music from around the world.
Image caption,Nigerian star Rema’s collaboration with Selena Gomez was the most Shazammed song of 2023
Taylor Swift was the most-played artist globally on all three platforms, achieving 26.1 billion streams on Spotify alone since 1 January.
Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny came second, followed by The Weeknd, Drake and Peso Pluma.
Apple also revealed that SZA’s murder ballad Kill Bill had the most-viewed lyrics of 2023; while Rema and Selena Gomez’s Calm Down was the most Shazammed song of the year.
Other streaming services, including YouTube and Amazon Music, have yet to release their figures.
The Official Charts will reveal the overall biggest songs of the year – tallying streams, downloads and physical sales – in January.
