DMN brings you the top 10 songs and albums by sales and streams in the US in the first six months of 2016. The information was shared by BuzzAngle in their mid-year music consumption report. Using this information, DMN will discuss correlations (if any) between the sales and streams of songs and albums.
Top 10 Songs
The information shows a correlation between sales and streams of songs. Six out of the top ten songs by sales were also in the top 10 songs by streams.
But the information also presents something interesting: the number one song by sales — My House by Flo Rida — didn’t even hit the top streamed songs.
Top 10 Albums
When comparing album sales and streams, there were no real correlations. Only three songs in the top albums by sales were also in the top albums by streams. Views by Drake was the number one album by sales and streams.
Also interesting is that the top three streamed albums — Views, Purpose, and Anti — were all in the top albums by sales. But more importantly, those three albums are by global superstars. These artists have such strong fan engagement that they are able to not only get their music fans to stream their album, but purchase it as well.
Then, there’s Adele’s 25 album, the second highest selling album that didn’t even hit the top 10 streamed albums. But the album was largely unavailable on streaming services, as Adele opted against releasing her music on these platforms (until recently).
When looking at the top 10 songs and albums by sales and streams, there are a few corrections between the most popular songs that are streamed and the most popular songs that are sold. There are also certain songs in the top songs (sales and streams) category like One Dance by Drake and Work by Rihanna which may have been the driving force behind getting them a top 10 album (sales and streams).
Perhaps now compare album and song sales with broadcast radio airplay charts and streaming charts.