From the moment he launched his solo career, Harry Styles was one of the most famous and successful musicians in the world.
While he was already selling millions and conquering charts, his single “As It Was” changed everything for him, taking him to a new level. Now, that hit has helped him join one of the most exclusive clubs in the music industry as the tune hits a milestone that’s rarely reached by any musician or any song.
“As It Was” has now been streamed three billion times on Spotify. Styles’ smash is one of only six tracks in the history of the platform to make it to that milestone, and the former One Direction member is in fantastic company.
Currently, the most-streamed song of all time on Spotify is “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd. That pop smash recently became the first track to pass four billion streams. It has racked up nearly 50 million more plays since making history not long ago, and it’s in a distant first place, beating the next-biggest hit by hundreds of millions of listens.
Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” ranks as the second-most-streamed hit ever on Spotify. For years, it sat in first place, until it was passed by “Blinding Lights.” That catchy pop cut is nearing the four billion-mark, and will likely become the next to make it to that tier.
In between Sheeran and Styles, three other smash singles have also joined the three-billion-stream club. Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved” is about to hit 3.2 billion plays, while Post Malone’s “Sunflower” isn’t far behind that Scottish star’s breakout smash.
The Weeknd is the only artist who has seen more than one track rack up three billion streams on Spotify. His single “Starboy” is only about 10 million plays ahead of Styles’ “As It Was” with just over three billion clicks.
Next to join this club is “Dance Monkey” by Tones and I. The Australian musician scored the hit of a lifetime several years ago, and now it only needs about 10 million more streams to reach the three billion threshold. It will likely collect those in the coming weeks or months, as it remains a favorite for millions of fans around the world.
“As It Was” served as the lead single from Styles’ third and most recent album Harry’s House. The tune hit No. 1 in almost every country in the world, and it dominated charts for more than a year. It easily became the musician’s biggest win, and it helped him secure the Album of the Year Grammy for Harry’s House.