TOP 25 SINGLES YEAR-TO-DATE: SALES VS. STREAMS

The single has gone through massive changes since its early heyday in the 1950s and ’60s, when it was affectionately referred to as the little record with the big hole. The latest metamorphosis, following its physical-to-digital transformation at the dawn of the 21st century, finds the single splitting in two, so to speak, as listeners make the choice between downloading and streaming.

In the early going, Drake, with five tracks in the Top 25 below and just south of 1.5 billion streams altogether, has emerged as streaming’s dominant figure, while Justin Bieber, with three entries, has shown the acrobatic ability to balance himself between the two spheres.

Interestingly, Lukas Graham, a pop newcomer on Warner Bros. on this hip-hop-centric chart dominated by UMG singles, has the year’s top seller. And some new stars—including G-Eazy, Desiigner and the double-dipping Chainsmokers, all on Sony labels—are racking up serious streams amid the high-end competition.

Study this Top 25 closely; it’s an eye-opener and a sign of things to come during the next six months and beyond.