Tag: recordings

‘Spotify: For the Record’ Takes a Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Success of Spotify Singles

In May, For the Record shared that Spotify Singles collectively hit over 5 billion streams. The premise of the program is simple: We bring an artist into the studio to record a reimagined version of one of their own songs as well as a cover song—an homage to the two-sided 45 record. Spotify Singles has amassed a playlist of more than 650 songs across dozens of genres that features the biggest stars and emerging artists.

To celebrate this monumental milestone, the Spotify: For the Record podcast is taking listeners inside the rooms where those recordings were made for an intimate look at the creative process. In the episode, artists and Spotify employees closely involved with the program share some of the stories behind these successful tracks.

  • Ed Sheeran, English singer-songwriter and the most-followed artist on Spotify, explains the full-circle moment that occurred when cellist Yo-Yo Ma covered his hit song “Shape of You” for Spotify Singles.
  • Jon Batiste, an Oscar-winning American jazz musician, shares his experience recording 2pac‘s “Changes” on the piano.
  • Nina Nesbitt, a Scottish pop singer-songwriter who has participated in two Spotify Singles sessions, explains what it was like to record in legendary spots like London’s Metropolis Studio.  
  • William Garrett, an experienced audio engineer and the Senior Producer for Spotify Singles, shares what it’s like for an artist to reimagine a fresh new take on one of their own classics. He also shares some fun stories about recording with artists like Elton John, Alanis Morissette, and Wilco.
  • Michele Santucci, Recorded Music Lead at Spotify, talks about how the covers allow for a crossover between genres and open up new audiences for the Spotify Singles artists. She also gives a sneak peek of who’s up next for future Spotify Singles recordings. 

Hear these tales and more on “Spotify Singles: The Path to 5 Billion Streams.”

Spotify Singles, 5 Billion Streams Later

Spotify Singles has been home to music you love from creators you adore—recorded in ways you’ve never heard—since 2016. To date, there have been more than 630 recordings from more than 300 artists across all genres. And now Spotify Singles has collectively hit over 5 billion streams

The Spotify Singles program was created to provide artists with the opportunity to re-record one of their existing songs in a fresh new way, as well as cover a song of their choice by one of their own musical heroes. It’s been an outlet for artists to express themselves, engage their fans with new content, and connect with new listeners.