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‘Despacito’ Has Become The Most Streamed Song Of All Time

‘Despacito’ Has Become The Most Streamed Song Of All Time

It's racked up billions of plays since January

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

'Despacito', a single by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, has knocked Justin Bieber's hit 'Sorry' off the top of the list of the most streamed songs of all time. The song, the title of which translates to 'slowly', has been played online more than 4.6 billion times since it was released in January this year.

The song quickly hit the top of the charts in Latin America, but it wasn't until the Justin Bieber version was unveiled in April that it started appearing in UK and US charts.

It has also been noted as the first song to be primarily sung in Spanish that has managed to top the Billboard 100 list since Los del Río's global smash 'Macarena' debuted in 1996.

When the music video was released in April, it became the second quickest to reach a billion views, following Adele's 'Hello'.

Luis was hoping for the track to be a huge success, with Billboard quoting him as wanting "a fun track that had that Latin feel with a melody that I feel very comfortable singing and that will make people just dance."

Justin Bieber's 'Sorry' is still a close second at 4.38 billion listens, while Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You' is in third at 4.07 billion plays.

The head of Universal Music Group, Sir Lucian Grainge has told the BBC: "Streaming has allowed a song with a different beat, from a different culture, in a different language, to become this juggernaut of success and pleasure.

Artists singing Despacito
Artists singing Despacito

Credit: PA

"The industry has predominantly been English-speaking artists for the last 50 years [but] streaming will continue to open up music from Latin America artists globally."

Canadian pop star Bieber has also recently hit headlines with regards to the song.

In one instance, he had a bottle thrown at his head because he refused to do the song live, while on another occasion he did actually sing it, but butchered the lyrics.

But Luis doesn't hold it against the 23-year-old, telling the UK's national broadcaster: "You know, it's not his language. If he was saying he could speak Spanish and he couldn't, I'd be like, 'Hey man'. But I don't think he's ever come out and said he's a Spanish speaker.

"He just wanted to do the song because he loved it. And I think you have to tip your hat to him, because he took the time to phonetically learn the chorus in Spanish."

The Puerto Rican singer believes the catchy melody, easy introduction to the chorus and dance beat combines to make it so popular. But he admits that a song like this is a 'once in a lifetime' and his next track probably won't reach the same heights as 'Despacito'.

Sources: BBC, Billboard

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Luis Fonsi

Topics: Justin Bieber