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Quiz: This Week on ‘For the Record’
Tag: Spotify Singles
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.
Get in the Holiday Spirit with Dolly Parton, Jose Mari Chan, Black Pumas, and More
In a year that’s brought unprecedented challenges, Spotify data suggests that listeners may be seeking comfort from holiday music earlier than usual in 2020. While festive playlists usually snowball in December, we’re seeing our most popular holiday playlist, Christmas Hits, streamed at a higher rate in September and October compared to previous years. Many think it’s never too early to crank yuletide tunes, and it shows: Listeners have already streamed more than 6.5 billion minutes of Christmas tracks this year.
In this episode of our podcast, Spotify: For the Record, we look at which songs are making it to the top of our listeners’ Christmas lists. One favorite is “Last Christmas,” which was originally released in 1984 by Wham! To date, there are about 1,200 covers of the hit on Spotify.
In addition to digging into the data, we also get in the spirit by chatting with some iconic artists about their holiday hits, including Dolly Parton, who recently released her first Christmas album in 30 years. In the episode, the country legend joins us to talk about the inspiration behind A Holly Dolly Christmas and what it was like to duet with Michael Bublé in the song “Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas.”
Aside from Parton, we also chat with beloved Filipino artist Jose Mari Chan. Known as “The Father of Christmas Music” in the Philippines, Chan shares the inspiration behind his iconic holiday tunes, which have been a staple of festive celebration in the country for the last three decades.
This episode is no longer available as of November 2021, however you can get more great stories and news delivered audibly by following our podcasts, Spotify: For the Record, Spotify: Mic Check, and Spotify: Discover This.
Céline Dion on Her New Album, ‘Courage,’ and How She Chose the Songs for Her Spotify Singles
You probably know Céline Dion’s iconic song “My Heart Will Go On” from the 1997 movie, Titanic. But what many may not know is that the French-Canadian singer has seen a music career that goes on… and… on.
Céline was discovered at just 12-years-old when her brother, Michel—one of her 13 siblings—sent a tape of her singing to Artist Manager René Angélil. As a teenager, she released several French-language albums throughout the 1980s that gained traction all over the world. She started recording her first English studio album, Unison back in 1990. Since then, she’s created hit songs like “Because You Loved Me,” “Taking Chances,” “Miracle,” and consistently recorded new albums.
This past November, Céline released her latest album, Courage. But she also recorded some personal firsts—two Spotify Singles—including a new take on her own “Imperfections” and a cover of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game.” Listen to them now, only on Spotify.
Can’t get enough of the Canadian creator? We sat down with Céline to get an inside look at her Spotify Singles and new album Courage.
When you were approached to record the Spotify Singles, how did you select your song “Imperfections,” and then the cover of “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak featuring Chris on backing vocals?
I chose “Imperfections” because at first, when the song was proposed to me, it was more simple than the production that ended up on the album. I wanted to kind of give fans a bit of the album, but make it more the way that I heard the song the first time.
I chose “Wicked Game” [for my Spotify Singles] because it’s one of my favorite songs of all time for many, many, many reasons. But also I love the black and white music video for the song, of Chris Isaak and Helena Christensen on the beach. It makes me think the whole world wants to be them.
What should your fans be looking for in your cover that’s different than the original “Wicked Game?”
Sometimes you take a song that’s not yours and you make it your own. But sometimes you decide not to. I’ve loved this song so much for so long that I decided to not change it much, I wanted to just respect the original version, which I still think is perfection.
What are you hoping that Chris Isaak’s reaction is going to be like? What about your fans’?
I hope he’s going to like it. And I hope my fans are going to like it. Obviously I sing for myself because I love it, but at the end of the day, I sing for my fans.
Why are you especially proud of your new album, Courage?
I was so involved in the creation and the creativity of it. I’ve never taken so long to record an album, and the new writers, songwriters, and producers were all phenomenal. It’s the same Celine, but there are some different sounds and I’m trying different things that might be new for fans.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
I don’t really do karaoke much, but I have to admit that during sound check, when I’m trying to get myself comfortable on stage, I like to make people laugh and just laugh myself. So I pick a Cher song, usually “Believe,” to sing during that.
Take a listen to Céline Dion’s Spotify Singles and latest album Courage, below.
Liam Payne, Tori Kelly, Jose Mari Chan and More Record New Takes on Festive Favorites in Spotify Singles: Holiday Playlist
Spotify listeners love streaming festive music this time of year—and who can blame them? Whether they’re searching for holiday classics or new wintertime hits, our playlists have a little bit of something for everyone. One holiday favorite is our Spotify Singles: Holiday Collection, which includes new spins on the songs they know and love from artists we invite to Spotify Studios around the globe.
We’re excited to announce the 2019 additions to our ever-growing Spotify Singles: Christmas Collection: 13 freshly-recorded tracks from artists of all ages and genres, including Liam Payne, The Lumineers, Tori Kelly, Reik, and Adam Lambert.
While Payne has carved out a successful solo career with EDM-inflected bops, when he arrived at the studio in New York City in September, he brought a very different vibe. The xx-year-old “Strip That Down” singer channelled Dean Martin for his own version of the crooner’s classic “Let it Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
American singer-songwriter Tori Kelly may have decided on a song ahead of time, but she chose to come up with the arrangement on the fly while in New York’s Electric Lady studio.
“I’ve always loved the song ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’ but I’ve never actually done my own version of it,” she said. “I thought it would be fun to play around with the chords and use live musicians to bring my version to life.”
Swedish R&B Star Cherrie Releases New Spotify Singles with Fans as Backup
In April, Sweden’s R&B queen Cherrie posted on Instagram that she’d be recording two new Spotify Singles—and she invited fans to be her backup singers. Nearly 300 people responded. Seven were chosen to join Cherrie in the studio to record her brand-new song, “Ledaren,” or “The Leader,” available today on Spotify.
“Seven of my girls hung with me in the Spotify studio and their sick, heavy energy made this song very special,” says Cherrie. “The studio is my favorite place in the world, so I’m glad to have shared my world for a day with my sisters.”
Benjamin Ingrosso Takes Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long” to the Club in New Spotify Singles
Spotify’s studio at our Stockholm headquarters opened just a year ago, but we’ve already seen plenty of talent—including First Aid Kit, Seinabo Sey, Hov1, Lykke Li, Linnea Henriksson, and Lukas Graham—pass through the doors to record covers and new versions of their own hits. This past week, we welcomed our newest Spotify Singles artist, none other than Swedish singer Benjamin Ingrosso.
Recently, Benjamin opened the final show of Sweden’s annual Melodifestivalen song competition—which attracts over 3.6 million TV viewers, or 40 percent of the entire country! He and compatriot Felix Sandman were already a hard act to follow, but all the more so after they teamed up to perform a unique cover of Lionel Richie’s classic “All Night Long.” Many took to social media after the performance to ask Benjamin to release the cover. Little did they know the plan was already in the works.
Now you can make that Melodifestivalen moment last all night long with Benjamin’s new Spotify Single recording of the track. Take a listen to both the cover and original, and see what Benjamin had to say about his cover of choice.
“When I was asked to record a Spotify Single, I knew I wanted to make a timeless cover that felt ‘eighties’ and ‘me’ at the same time,” says Benjamin. “Lionel Richie is a legend, and I think there are many people who have such positive memories of that song. I think I’ve managed to create a more modern version that still has the same party vibe.”
Along with his club-style take of “All Night Long,” Benjamin released a duet version of his track “I’ll Be Fine Somehow” with Norwegian star Julie Bergan. Their two-person harmonies add an extra level of sentimentality to an already emotional song about getting over a breakup.
“When I wrote ‘I’ll Be Fine Somehow,’ I thought about how magical it would sound as a duet and with strings,” says Benjamin. “I had two incredibly fun days with Julie Bergan remaking the song in Spotify’s studio. It’s a song that means a lot to me, and with this new version, more so than ever.”
“Benjamin is an artist I have followed since I was a child, and it was so great to be asked to participate in his Spotify Singles,” says Julie. “I love the new version more and more every time I hear it.”
We hope you do, too.
Cultura Profética trae un sonido soul a las grabaciones de Spotify Singles
La legendaria banda de reggae puertorriqueña, Cultura Profética, se ha mantenido en gran medida lejos de los reflectores desde su álbum de estudio de 2010, La Dulzura. Pero, al igual que sus fanáticos, conocen las recompensas de aplazar el deseo. Su canción con más streams, “Ilegal”, habla de un amor que se cocina a fuego lento. Ésta es la canción que la que la banda eligió para volver al estudio, optando por grabar una interpretación down-tempo de su éxito durante su primera sesión individual de Spotify.
La renovada alineación de la banda (sólo tres de los miembros actuales estaban en la banda original), visitó el estudio de grabación de Spotify en la ciudad de Nueva York a fines del año pasado, para realizar una nueva versión de “Ilegal”, así como un cover del clásico “Love and Happiness” del maestro de R&B Al Green. Hablamos con el líder de la banda, Willy Rodríguez, sobre su elección de canciones y por qué abrazaron un sonido soul. También, obtuvimos un vistazo de lo que viene para Cultura Profética.
“Elegimos ‘Ilegal’ para esta sesión porque es un clásico que adoptaron nuestros fans en nuestros shows en vivo. Han pasado muchos años desde nuestro último álbum y tuvimos que volver a encender esa conexión creativa entre nosotros. Encontramos esa chispa en esta nueva versión, con una melodía modificada y una estética más emocional a través del piano. El resultado fue un sonido muy diferente al que estábamos acostumbrados, pero nos sentimos muy contentos”.
“Escogimos un clásico de Al Green para nuestra segunda canción porque, aunque venimos del reggae, estamos muy inclinados hacia el soul. Queríamos honrar el original de Al Green mientras le dábamos un giro a esta canción, una nueva energía que ayudó a lograr un sonido diferente”.
“Ponemos toda nuestra pasión en cada canción. Aunque hicimos cada una con un estilo diferente, se sienten como parte de un todo, hay un hilo común. Estamos acostumbrados a hablar sobre temas sociales en nuestras canciones, pero también somos románticos de corazón”.
“Esta sesión ha sido importante para nosotros, para lo que planeamos hacer en el nuevo álbum. Nos conectamos como grupo y nos sentimos muy felices de ver cómo todo fluyó de forma natural”.
Cultura Profética Brings New Soul to Spotify Singles Recordings
Legendary Puerto Rican reggae band Cultura Profética has largely kept out of the spotlight since their 2010 studio album, La Dulzura. But like their fans, they know what it’s like to postpone desire: their top-streamed song, “Ilegal,” speaks to the slow burn of a love that takes its time. This is the track the band chose to return to in the studio, opting to record a down-tempo rendition of the hit in their first-ever Spotify Single session.
The band’s renewed lineup (only three of the current members were in the original band) visited Spotify’s New York City recording studio at the end of last year to perform a recently released re-imagining of “Ilegal,” as well as a cover of the classic “Love and Happiness” from R&B master Al Green. We spoke with front man Willy Rodriguez about the band’s song choices and adding soul to their sound. We also got a glimpse of what’s on the horizon for the group.
“We chose ‘Ilegal’ for this session because it’s a cultural classic. It’s been many years since our last album, and we had to re-spark that creative connection. We found it in this new version with a changed melody and more emotional aesthetic through the piano. The result was a very different sound from what we were used to, but something we were very happy with.”
“We chose a classic by Al Green for our second song because, although we come from reggae, we are very inclined toward soul. We wanted to honor Al Green’s original while giving this song a twist, a new energy that helped to achieve a new sound.”
“We put all our passion into each song. Although we made each with a different style, they’re still part of a whole—there is a common thread. We are used to talking about social issues in our songs, but we are also romantics at heart.”
“This session has been important for us, for what we plan to do on the new album. We connected as a group and we felt very happy to see how everything flowed naturally.”
Relive Your Year in Music With Spotify Wrapped 2018
From the first song you streamed at 12:01 a.m. on January 1 to the year’s hottest Spotify Single and everything in between, much of your year has been defined by what you listened to. Whether you celebrated your country’s football win with the sounds of “We Are the Champions,” or paid musical tribute to the legendary Aretha Franklin, your highs and lows are neatly recorded. So as you reflect on the past year, Spotify’s Wrapped is here to look back—and listen—with you.
Back by popular demand, Wrapped allows you to rediscover and share the music and podcasts that formed your personal soundtrack in 2018. Enter the site to enjoy a customized, interactive experience based on the music you’ve listened to this year.
For example, you can guess, then check, how many total minutes you streamed. Explore the number of new artists you discovered, your most-played songs and artists, and your top genres—and then share your results to your Instagram, Twitter and Facebook feeds with your personal Wrapped share card. Spotify Premium users will get to go a little deeper, with access to additional insights about their year in listening.
This year, we are also giving some Premium users a chance to take part in our global campaign by offering them the chance to see their share cards up in lights. If your Wrapped share card is worthy, submit it when prompted through the Wrapped site where it could be featured on billboards in key iconic locations around the world, including NYC’s Times Square, London’s Piccadilly Circus, and more.
Additionally, a number of our Premium fans within the U.S. received an exclusive early-access sneak peek of their Wrapped 2018 top artist in the form of a custom-made personalized puzzle. Once completed, the puzzle revealed whom they spent quality time with this year. Top artists included Halsey, Lana Del Rey, and others.
After previewing their Wrapped, users will also be able to enjoy Tastebreakers, a personalized playlist that introduces you to new music from genres and artists you don’t normally explore—but ones that your personal taste profile hints that you’ll like.
And the fun doesn’t stop there. With the launch of 2018 Artist Wrapped, we’re tipping our hats to artists too—giving them access to their own individualized Wrapped microsite. Artists and their teams can enjoy facts about fan listening throughout the year, including most popular songs by month, total fan hours streamed, how many fans they’ve gained this year, and more. By logging in to Spotify for Artists, any artist can discover how their music connected with fans across the globe—as long as they had music on Spotify and at least three listeners before October 31.
Who was your top artist of 2018? To find out, go to spotify.com/2018. The site is rolling out across markets in the coming days. Then, relive the best of your favorite artists and albums in a personalized playlist, or browse through the most-streamed songs and artists this year here.
Whether your top genre of 2018 was hip-hop, alternative rock, country, or ASMR, all we can say is: That’s a wrap.
*In all markets except the Middle East and North Africa
‘Bells Will Be Ringing’: It’s Christmas Singles Time
It’s holiday season—don’t fight it!—and we’re once again unwrapping a playlist of festive covers. Spotify Singles: Christmas Collection features 15 new tracks recorded by an eclectic mix of artists in our studios in Nashville, London, and New York City.
Included in the mix is John Legend singing the Jackson 5’s “Give Love On Christmas Day,” Meghan Trainor performing “White Christmas,” Nina Nesbitt crooning “Oh Holy Night,” and the classic “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” getting a jazz spin from Tony Bennett and Diana Krall.
“‘White Christmas’ has always held a special place in my heart because I sang it with my high school jazz band back in Cape Cod,” says Trainor. “It was nerve-wracking to perform for my peers, but when everyone reacted so loudly I realized I would remember that moment for the rest of my life. I will also always remember seeing this little green light in the audience and it was actually my mom recording the whole thing. She’s the best.”
Spotify Singles: 1 Billion Streams (And Counting)
At Spotify, we realized that helping you discover new music wasn’t enough: We wanted to have a hand in the creation of the next great hit. That’s why we created Spotify Singles, as a nod to the good ‘ol days of 45’s, b-sides, and CD singles. Recording these tracks also opens up the opportunity for artists from across genres to join us in our uniquely inspiring Studio to record a new take on one of their top songs, as well as a cover by their own favorite musician or group.
Now, in under two years, we have hours of exclusive content from 185 (and counting!) of your favorite artists that you can’t hear anywhere else. And thanks to you, those 380 singles have been streamed, collectively, one billion times.
That’s pretty impressive from our point of view—but we’ll let the numbers speak for themselves.
Listen as your favorite artists perform their Spotify Singles recordings in the Complete Spotify Singles playlist.
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