Digital Songs Explained

The Digital Songs or Digital Song Sales chart (previously named Hot Digital Songs)[1] ranks the best-selling digital songs in the United States, as compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published by Billboard magazine. Although it originally started tracking song sales the week of October 30, 2004,[2] it officially debuted in the issue dated January 22, 2005, and merged all versions of a song sold from digital music distributors.[3] Its data was incorporated in the Hot 100 three weeks later. Since October 2004, digital sales have been incorporated into many of Billboards music singles charts.[4] The decision was based on the dramatic increase of the digital market while commercial single sales in a physical format were becoming negligible.[5]

The first number one song on the Digital Songs chart was "Just Lose It" by Eminem.

The chart's current number one as of the issue dated August 24, 2024 is "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozey.

Song records

Songs with most weeks at number one in sales

BTS – "Dynamite" (2020–21)[6]

BTS – "Butter" (2021)[7]

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber – "Despacito" (2017)

Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus – "Old Town Road" (2019)

Flo Rida featuring T-Pain – "Low" (2007–2008)

Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars – "Uptown Funk" (2015)

The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey – "Closer" (2016)

Pharrell Williams – "Happy" (2014)

Shaboozey – "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" (2024)[8]

The Black Eyed Peas – "Boom Boom Pow" (2009)

The Black Eyed Peas – "I Gotta Feeling" (2009)

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz – "Thrift Shop" (2013)

Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell – "Blurred Lines" (2013)

Justin Timberlake – "Can't Stop the Feeling!" (2016)

Ed Sheeran – "Shape of You" (2017)

Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper – "Shallow" (2018–2019)

Top 10 single-week download sellers

1. Adele – "Hello" (1,112,000) November 14, 2015[9]

2. Flo Rida – "Right Round" (636,000) February 28, 2009

3. Adele – "Hello" (635,000) November 21, 2015[10]

4. Taylor Swift – "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" (623,000) September 1, 2012[11]

5. Kesha – "Tik Tok" (610,000) January 9, 2010

6. Taylor Swift – "I Knew You Were Trouble" (582,000) January 12, 2013[12]

7. Bruno Mars – "Grenade" (559,000) January 8, 2011

8. Katy Perry – "Roar" (557,000) August 31, 2013[13]

9. Taylor Swift – "Shake It Off" (544,000) September 6, 2014[14]

10. Gotye featuring Kimbra – "Somebody That I Used to Know" (542,000) April 28, 2012[15]

Biggest first-week sales

1. Adele – "Hello" (1,112,000) November 14, 2015

2. Flo Rida – "Right Round" (636,000) February 28, 2009

3. Taylor Swift – "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" (623,000) September 1, 2012

4. Katy Perry – "Roar" (557,000) August 31, 2013

5. Taylor Swift – "Shake It Off" (544,000) September 6, 2014

6. Justin Bieber – "Boyfriend" (521,000) April 14, 2012

7. Maroon 5 featuring Wiz Khalifa – "Payphone" (493,000) May 5, 2012

8. The Black Eyed Peas – "Boom Boom Pow" (465,000) April 18, 2009

9. Lady Gaga – "Born This Way" (448,000) February 26, 2011

10. Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea – "Problem" (438,000) May 17, 2014

Biggest jump to number one

Longest climb to number one

Dua Lipa – "Levitating" (2021)

The All-American Rejects – "Dirty Little Secret" (2005–2006)

The Fray – "How to Save a Life" (2006)

Train – "Hey, Soul Sister" (2009–2010)

Lady Gaga featuring Colby O'Donis – "Just Dance" (2008–2009)

Adele – "Set Fire to the Rain" (2011–2012)

Beyoncé – "Cuff It" (2022-2023)

Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin — "I Like It" (2018)

Source:[16]

Biggest drop from number one

Song achievements

Album records

Artist records

Most number-one hits

1. Taylor Swift (29)[29]

2. Nicki Minaj (17)[30]

3. Rihanna (14)[31]

4. Justin Bieber (13) (tie)[32]

4. Drake (13) (tie)[33]

6. BTS (12) (tie)[34]

6. Beyoncé (12) (tie)[35]

6. Eminem (12) (tie)[36]

9. Katy Perry (11)[37]

10. Bruno Mars (9) (tie)[38]

10. Ariana Grande (9) (tie)[39]

Most weeks at number one

1. Taylor Swift (54)[29]

2. BTS (49)[34]

3. Rihanna (40)[31]

4. Katy Perry (37)[37]

5. Justin Bieber (33)[32]

Self-replacement at number one

Simultaneously occupying the top two positions

  1. "Don't Forget About Us"
  2. "All I Want for Christmas Is You"
  1. "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"
  2. "If I Were a Boy"
  1. "I Gotta Feeling"
  2. "Boom Boom Pow"
  1. "Tik Tok"
  2. "Blah Blah Blah" (featuring 3OH!3)
  1. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"
  2. "Ronan"
  1. "Problem" (Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea)
  2. "Fancy" (Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX) (songs switched positions on June 7, 2014)
  1. "Out of the Woods"
  2. "Shake It Off"
  1. "Purple Rain"
  2. "When Doves Cry"
  1. "Shape of You"
  2. "Castle on the Hill"
  1. "I'm the One" (DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne)
  2. "Despacito" (Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber) (songs switched positions on May 27, 2017)
  1. "...Ready for It?"
  2. "Look What You Made Me Do"
  1. "Perfect" (Ed Sheeran duet with Beyoncé)
  2. "River" (Eminem featuring Ed Sheeran)
  1. "Girls Like You" (Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B)
  2. "I Like It" (Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin)
  1. "Shallow" (Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper)
  2. "I'll Never Love Again"
  1. "Shallow" (Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper)
  2. "Always Remember Us This Way"
  1. "Heartless"
  2. "Blinding Lights"
  1. "On"
  2. "My Time"
  1. "The Gambler"
  2. "Islands in the Stream" (Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton)
  1. "Lean on Me"
  2. "Ain't No Sunshine"
  1. "Dynamite"
  2. "Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)" (Jawsh 685 x Jason Derulo x BTS)
  1. "Life Goes On"
  2. "Blue & Grey"
  1. "Life Goes On"
  2. "Dynamite"
  1. "Permission to Dance"
  2. "Butter" (songs switched positions on July 31, 2021)
  1. "My Universe" (Coldplay and BTS)
  2. "Butter"
  1. "Question...?"
  2. "Bigger Than the Whole Sky"
  1. "Hits Different"
  2. "Karma" (Taylor Swift featuring Ice Spice)
  1. "Rich Men North of Richmond"
  2. "Aint Gotta Dollar"
  1. "Rich Men North of Richmond"
  2. "I Want To Go Home"
  1. "Texas Hold 'Em"
  2. "16 Carriages"

Most single-week entries in the top 50

1. Prince (21)

2. BTS (18)

3. Michael Jackson (17)

4. Taylor Swift (16)

5. Rihanna (14)

6. Oliver Anthony Music (13)Source:[42]

Other achievements

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Pitbull, Ke$ha Take 'Timber' to Top of Hot 100. Billboard. Gary. Trust. 2014-01-08. 2014-01-09.
  2. Digital Song Sales Chart - October 30, 2004. Billboard. 2020-05-18.
  3. January 22, 2005. New Mix for Digital Rankings. Billboard. 6. 117. 4. March 22, 2013.
  4. News: Paul. Grein. Week Ending March 17, 2013. Songs: The Great Chart Robbery Of 2013. Yahoo!. Yahoo!. 2013-03-20. 2013-03-21.
  5. Billboard updated album charts . Billboard . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929223841/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?g=Singles&f=Hot+Digital+Tracks&page=2 . dead . September 29, 2007 . 2008-06-02.
  6. Web site: BTS's 'Dynamite' Breaks The All-Time Record For Most Weeks At No. 1 On The Sales Chart. McIntyre. Hugh. April 5, 2021. Forbes. https://archive.today/20210405170824/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2021/04/05/btss-dynamite-breaks-the-all-time-record-for-most-weeks-at-no-1-on-the-sales-chart/. April 5, 2021. live. April 5, 2021.
  7. Web site: BTS's 'Butter' Ties The All-Time Record For The Most Weeks At No. 1 On The Sales Chart. McIntyre. Hugh. December 13, 2021. Forbes. https://web.archive.org/web/20211213215559/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2021/12/13/btss-butter-ties-the-all-time-record-for-the-most-weeks-at-no-1-on-the-sales-chart/. December 13, 2021. live. December 13, 2021.
  8. Shaboozey's 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)' Tops Hot 100 for Sixth Week, Tying 2024's Longest Reign. Trust. Gary. Billboard. August 19, 2024. August 19, 2024.
  9. Gary. Trust. Adele Says 'Hello' to No. 1 Hot 100 Debut; First Song to Sell 1 Million Downloads in a Week. Billboard. 2015-11-02. 2015-11-02.
  10. Gary. Trust. Adele's 'Hello' Tops Hot 100 for Second Week; Ariana Grande, Meghan Trainor Hit Top 10. Billboard. 2015-11-09. 2015-11-09.
  11. Keith. Caulfield. Official: Taylor Swift's 'Never' Song Sells 623,000; Sets Female Digital Record. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012-08-21. 2012-08-21.
  12. Keith. Caulfield. Taylor Swift's 'Red,' 'Les Mis' Soundtrack Lead Billboard 200 Chart. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013-01-03. 2013-01-03.
  13. Keith. Caulfield. Luke Bryan Nets No. 1 Album, Katy Perry's 'Roar' Tops Digital Songs. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013-08-21. 2013-08-21.
  14. Keith. Caulfield. Wiz Khalifa Earns First No. 1 Album On Billboard 200. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2014-08-27. 2014-08-27.
  15. Keith. Caulfield. Lionel Richie's 'Tuskegee' Hits No. 1 on Billboard 200. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012-04-18. 2012-04-18.
  16. Drake's 'In My Feelings' Leads Billboard Hot 100 for Seventh Week, Ariana Grande's 'God Is A Woman' Hits Top 10. Billboard. August 27, 2018. August 27, 2018.
  17. Usher's 'OMG' Stands Pat Atop Hot 100, Miley Tames Top 10. Pietroluongo. Silvio. May 27, 2010. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20130228230824/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958016/ushers-omg-stands-pat-atop-hot-100-miley-tames-top-10. February 28, 2013. live. November 9, 2013.
  18. Web site: Week Ending June 24, 2012. Songs: Elton & The Peas. June 27, 2012. Yahoo Music Chart Watch. March 29, 2021.
  19. Digital Songs of the decade. Billboard.com. 2011-02-05.
  20. Web site: Grein. Paul. Week Ending June 23, 2013. Songs: Miley's Comeback Hit | Chart Watch (NEW) - Yahoo Music. Music.yahoo.com. 2013-06-26. 2013-11-09.
  21. http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/chart-watch-extra-thank-you-daniel-powter.html;_ylt=AvOz23nrwbDCQ7mkzANsEDYPwiUv;_ylu=X3oDMTFmb25kbm9vBG1pdANNdXNpYyBCbG9nIEluZGV4BHBvcwMxMjgEc2VjA01lZGlhQmxvZ0luZGV4;_ylg=X3oDMTFpMm9iMzh1BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANibG9nBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3#more-id Chart Watch Extra: Thank You, Daniel Powter | Chart Watch - Yahoo! Music
  22. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 0006-2510. 117. 51. Mitchell. Gail. Green Day, 50 Cent Come Up Big In Vegas. 2005-12-17. 21.
  23. Flo Rida Topples Single-Week Download Mark . Billboard . 2008-01-12 . 2013-11-09.
  24. Web site: 2012-09-07. Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Adele break World Records with digital music sales. 2020-08-14. Guinness World Records.
  25. Keith. Caulfield. Billboard 200: Lionel Richie Holds Off Jason Mraz, Stays At No. 1. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012-04-25. 2012-04-25.
  26. http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/493385/gotyes-somebody-that-i-used-to-know-roars-to-no-1-on-hot-100 Latest Music News, Band, Artist, Musician & Music Video News | Billboard
  27. Keith. Caulfield. Luke Bryan Scores First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013-03-13. 2013-03-13.
  28. Bill Withers Has Top 2 Best-Selling Songs of the Week. Billboard. Anderson. Trevor. April 14, 2020. April 14, 2020.
  29. Taylor Swift - Chart History. Billboard. April 29, 2024.
  30. Nicki Minaj - Chart History. Billboard. January 17, 2024.
  31. Rihanna - Chart History. Billboard. September 17, 2022.
  32. Justin Bieber - Chart History. Billboard. September 17, 2022.
  33. Drake - Chart History. Billboard. September 17, 2022.
  34. BTS - Chart History. Billboard. June 20, 2023.
  35. Beyoncé - Chart History. Billboard. February 20, 2024.
  36. Post Malone & Morgan Wallen Lead Billboard Hot 100 for Fourth Week, Eminem Debuts at No. 2. Trust. Gary. June 10, 2024. Billboard. June 10, 2024.
  37. Katy Perry - Chart History. Billboard. September 17, 2022.
  38. Bruno Mars - Chart History. Billboard. September 17, 2022.
  39. Ariana Grande - Chart History. Billboard. January 25, 2024.
  40. Web site: Digital Songs: Jan 23, 2010. Billboard.com. May 30, 2014.
  41. Web site: Digital Songs: Sep 22, 2012. Billboard.com. May 30, 2014.
  42. Oliver Anthony Music Had 37% of All Country Track Sales Last Week, Led by 'Rich Men North of Richmond'. Trust. Gary. Caulfield. Keith. August 21, 2023. Billboard. August 21, 2023.
  43. Web site: Fans Make Jackson King of Record Sales . July 2009 .
  44. Web site: Week Ending April 10, 2011. Songs: It's Katy's World. Grein. Paul. April 13, 2011. Yahoo. https://web.archive.org/web/20110420083940/http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74352/week-ending-april-10-2011-songs-its-katys-world/. April 20, 2011. live. June 21, 2021.
  45. Digital Songs Artist of the decade. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20091214163259/http://www.billboard.com/charts-decade-end#/charts-decade-end. December 14, 2009. dead. February 5, 2011.
  46. Adele's 'Hello' Has Biggest Sales Week for a Single Since Elton John's Princess Diana Tribute in 1997. Trust. Gary. Caulfield. Keith. November 4, 2015. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20200709200834/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6752913/adele-hello-biggest-sales-week-elton-john-candle-wind-1997. July 9, 2020. live. June 21, 2021.
  47. Ed Sheeran Debuts Atop Hot 100 With 'Shape of You' & in Top 10 With 'Castle on the Hill'. Trust. Gary. January 17, 2017. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118143148/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7655347/hot-100-ed-sheeran-shape-of-you-debuts-number-one. January 18, 2017. live. June 19, 2021.
  48. Lauren Daigle's 'You Say' Soars to No. 1 on Hot Christian Songs Chart. Asker. Jim. July 25, 2018. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20180725235153/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8467018/lauren-daigle-you-say-no-1-hot-christian-songs-chart. July 25, 2018. live. November 26, 2018.
  49. Billboard. billboardcharts. 1333776166206009345. December 1, 2020. .@BTS_twt has the top 6 best-selling songs of the week. no. January 18, 2023.
  50. Billboard. billboardcharts. 1333829504792399880. December 1, 2020. As "Life Goes On" debuts at No. 1 on the #DigitalSongSales chart, BTS is the first act to rule the chart's entire top six spots simultaneously.. no. January 18, 2023.
  51. Trust . Gary . 2022-10-31 . Taylor Swift Makes History as First Artist With Entire Top 10 on Billboard Hot 100, Led by 'Anti-Hero' at No. 1 . Billboard . en-US . 2022-11-10.