2024S Global Hit Revealed: Benson Boone’s “Stunning Things” Takes the Crown
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Published on February 20, 2025, at 17:29
The question of which song dominated the global music charts in 2024 has finally been answered, with Benson boone’s “Beautiful Things” emerging as the standout hit.
Summary of Findings
- The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) has declared benson Boone’s “beautiful Things” as the biggest hit of the previous year.
- This 22-year-old American artist’s track was also the most streamed song on Spotify in Norway throughout 2024.
- Popular artists Sabrina Carpenter and Billie Eilish secured the second and fourth spots, respectively, on the IFPI chart.
- The IFPI rankings are based on data from multiple streaming platforms, with Spotify being the leading service in Norway.
- Taylor Swift was recognized as the best-selling artist of 2024 by IFPI.
Chart Confusion at Year-End
As 2024 drew to a close, ther was a brief moment of confusion regarding the year’s biggest hit. Initially,Sabrina Carpenter (25) was announced as the artist behind the global hit with her song “Espresso.” This declaration came during Spotify Wrapped, which is released while the year is still ongoing.
Billie Eilish’s Performance
On the last day of the year, it was confirmed that Billie Eilish (23) had also made a significant impact, although the specifics of her ranking were still being finalized.
global Music Trends: The Rise of “Beautiful Things” and Spotify’s Dominance in Norway
Published on February 21, 2025
Spotify’s Popularity vs. Global Trends
In a surprising twist, the most streamed song on Spotify, Birds Of A Feather
by Billie Eilish, did not secure the title of the biggest international hit when considering all streaming platforms. This revelation highlights the disparity between Spotify’s dominance in Norway and its global standing.
while Spotify remains a leading platform in Norway, its influence wanes on the international stage, where other services like Apple Music and Amazon Music play significant roles.
IFPI’s Global Chart Reveals Top Singles
On February 20, 2025, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) released its annual report detailing the biggest global singles of the previous year. The data encompasses all major streaming services, providing a comprehensive view of music consumption trends.
the standout single of 2024 was Beautiful Things
by Benson Boone, which topped the global charts, showcasing its widespread appeal beyond regional preferences.
Here are the top singles according to the IFPI:
- Benson Boone –
Beautiful Things
- Sabrina Carpenter –
Espresso
- Teddy Swims –
Lose Control
(released 2023) - Billie Eilish –
Birds Of A Feather
- Shaboozey –
A Bar Song (Tipsy)
- Hozier –
To Sweet
- Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen –
I Had Some Help
- Kendrick Lamar –
Not Like Us
- Taylor Swift –
Cruel Summer
(released 2019) - Noah Kahan –
Stick Season
(released 2022)
Benson Boone: A Rising Star in the Music Industry
Impressive Achievements
Victoria Oakley, the CEO of IFPI, remarked, For an artist in global ascent, creating a genuine worldwide hit is an impressive achievement.
Boone’s Breakthrough
Benson Boone first gained recognition through his participation in the American version of “Idol” in 2021, although his time on the show was brief as he withdrew early. Following this, he strategically utilized TikTok to cultivate a dedicated fanbase, showcasing his talent and connecting with audiences.
Check out what happened when Boone performed at the VG-Lista Topp 40 concert in 2022:
Industry trends
In a notable trend, Taylor Swift emerged as the best-selling artist of the previous year, driven by substantial sales and streaming of both new and classic releases. This highlights the competitive landscape of the music industry, where emerging artists like Boone are making their mark.
Benson Boone’s “Stunning Things” Crowned 2024’s Global Hit: An expert’s Take
Time.news sits down with music industry analyst, Dr. Anya Sharma, to dissect Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” winning the IFPI Global Single Award for 2024 and explore the broader music trends shaping the industry.
Time.news: Dr.Sharma, thank you for joining us. Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” has been named the biggest-selling single of 2024 by the IFPI [[1]]. What makes this win meaningful?
Dr. Sharma: It’s a major accomplishment for a relatively new artist. According to Victoria Oakley, the CEO of IFPI, creating a genuine worldwide hit is an impressive achievement [[1]]. This award validates “Beautiful Things'” widespread appeal across diverse global markets and solidifies Boone’s position as a rising star in the music industry.
Time.news: The article mentions some chart confusion at the end of the year, with Sabrina Carpenter initially being touted as the frontrunner. Why does this happen with year-end charts?
Dr. Sharma: That’s a great question. The “confusion” often arises because different platforms and organizations have varying data collection methods and reporting timelines. For example, Spotify wrapped, while incredibly popular, reflects Spotify’s data and listening habits within a specific period but does not encompass all streaming services worldwide.The IFPI Global Single Award, on the other hand, aggregates data from multiple streaming platforms, providing a more comprehensive and accurate view of global popularity.
Time.news: Speaking of streaming platforms, the article highlights Spotify’s dominance in Norway, but notes that Billie Eilish’s most streamed song on Spotify there didn’t translate to global dominance. Can you elaborate on the differences between regional and global music trends?
Dr. Sharma: Absolutely. Spotify’s prevalence varies significantly from country to country. While it may be the leading platform in Norway, services like Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, and local streaming services hold substantial market share in other regions. This is why a song dominating Spotify in one country may not necessarily translate to top performance globally. global hit songs demonstrate widespread appeal across multiple platforms and regions.
Time.news: The list of top singles from the IFPI also included songs released prior to 2024, like Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” and Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season.” What does it mean for older songs to still rank high?
Dr. Sharma: This showcases the enduring power of music and the shift in how we consume it. Streaming has extended the shelf life of songs significantly. A great track can experience a resurgence thanks to TikTok trends,TV show placements,or simply word-of-mouth. “Cruel Summer” especially has been known to have successfull comebacks in the lists.these songs maintain relevance and continue to resonate with audiences even years after their initial release, driven by streaming and social media engagement and the power of the new generations in the music industry.
Time.news: What is the significance of Taylor Swift being named best-selling artist of 2024?
Dr. Sharma: Taylor Swift’s continued reign as the best-selling artist highlights her unparalleled ability to connect with fans and drive both sales and streams. Nonetheless if the song released was one of her own, her massive success demonstrates her powerful brand and the unwavering loyalty, the article emphasizes a competitive landscape where emerging voices can also find their place as Boone did.
Time.news: Any final takeaways for emerging artists looking to replicate Benson Boone’s success?
Dr.Sharma: Definitely. Boone’s story is a testament to the power of strategic self-promotion. Even though he didn’t last much in the American Idol,it served as a spring board for the creator to be known amongst an audience. Following this,he strategically utilized TikTok to cultivate a dedicated fanbase,showcasing his talent and connecting with audiences. Don’t underestimate the power of social media to build your brand and connect with fans. Also, focus on creating authentic, relatable music that can resonate with a global audience across different streaming platforms.
Time.news: Dr. sharma, thank you for your insightful analysis.
Dr. Sharma: My pleasure.