Table of Contents
Introduction
The world of music is not only about artistic expression but also about achieving extraordinary feats. From albums that sell millions of copies to songs that dominate streaming platforms, musicians continually break records, setting benchmarks that redefine the industry. Here are 10 remarkable world records in music history, showcasing some of the most groundbreaking achievements.
25 Interesting Music World Records
1. Best-Selling Album of All Time
Michael Jackson’s Thriller Michael Jackson’s Thriller remains the best-selling album in history, with over 66 million copies sold worldwide since its release in 1982. This iconic record cemented Jackson’s legacy and transformed the music industry.
2. Most Streamed Song in 24 Hours
BTS’s Butter In 2021, BTS broke the record for the most-streamed song on Spotify within 24 hours with Butter, which accumulated over 100 million streams in its first day. This record highlights the power of digital streaming platforms in modern music consumption.
3. Longest-Running No.1 Song on the Billboard Hot 100
Lil Nas X’s Old Town Road Lil Nas X’s Old Town Road, featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, holds the record for the longest consecutive No.1 run on the Billboard Hot 100, spending 19 weeks at the top in 2019.
4. Best-Selling Single of All Time
Bing Crosby’s White Christmas Bing Crosby’s White Christmas, released in 1942, holds the record for the best-selling single of all time, with over 50 million copies sold globally. This holiday classic remains beloved across generations.
5. Most Grammy Awards Won
Georg Solti The late conductor Sir Georg Solti holds the record for the most Grammy Awards, winning 31 during his illustrious career. His work in classical music is regarded as some of the finest ever recorded.
6. Youngest Solo Artist to Write and Perform a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 Song
Billie Eilish Billie Eilish became the youngest solo artist to write and perform a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit with bad guy in 2019. She achieved this milestone at just 17 years old, showcasing her extraordinary talent.
7. Oldest Female Artist to Reach No.1 on the UK Singles Chart
Kate Bush Kate Bush broke the record for the oldest female artist to reach No.1 on the UK Singles Chart with her 1985 song Running Up That Hill, which returned to the top of the charts in 2022 following its feature in Stranger Things.
8. Most Viewed YouTube Video in 24 Hours
BLACKPINK’s How You Like That In 2020, BLACKPINK set the record for the most-viewed video in 24 hours on YouTube with their hit How You Like That, amassing over 86 million views. This achievement demonstrates the global appeal of K-pop.
9. Most Successful Virtual Concert
Travis Scott in Fortnite Travis Scott set the record for the most successful virtual concert in 2020 when over 12 million people attended his in-game performance in Fortnite. This event showcased the potential of virtual spaces in redefining concert experiences.
10. Longest Concert by Multiple Artists
18 Days The world record for the longest concert by multiple artists was set in 2017 in Canada, lasting 18 days. This marathon event featured continuous performances without a break, drawing attention to the stamina and dedication of the musicians involved.
11. Highest-Grossing Concert Tour
Ed Sheeran’s Divide tour became the highest-grossing concert tour of all time, earning over $776 million from 2017 to 2019
12. Most Simultaneous Top 10 Hits on the Billboard Hot 100
In 2021, Drake broke the record for the most simultaneous top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with nine songs in the top 10 from his album Certified Lover Boy
13. Most Streamed Artist on Spotify
Drake is the most-streamed artist on Spotify, with over 101.6 billion streams across his catalog. He has consistently been a top performer on the platform since its early days, maintaining his position ahead of artists like Taylor Swift and Bad Bunn
14. Longest Concert by a Solo Artist
Canadian musician Chilly Gonzales set the world record for the longest solo concert, performing for 27 hours, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds
15. Most Weeks at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 by a Songwriter
Mariah Carey holds the record for the most weeks at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 by a songwriter, with 87 weeks across her career.
16. Most Albums Sold by a Female Artist
Madonna holds the record for the best-selling female artist of all time, with more than 300 million records sold worldwide.
17. Largest Orchestra
In 2019, the largest orchestra ever assembled was in St. Petersburg, Russia, with 8,097 musicians playing together.
18. Most Viewed Music Video on YouTube
The children’s song Baby Shark Dance holds the record for the most-viewed YouTube video, with over 13 billion views as of 2024.
19. Longest Time Between No.1 Hits
Cher holds the record for the longest time between No.1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with 28 years between Believe (1999) and Dark Lady (1974).
20. Most Downloaded Song of All Time
Adele’s Rolling in the Deep holds the record for the most downloaded song of all time, with over 20 million downloads globally.
21. First Music Video to Reach 1 Billion Views on YouTube
PSY’s Gangnam Style was the first video to reach 1 billion views on YouTube, achieving this milestone in December 2012.
22. Most Grammy Awards for a Female Artist
Beyoncé holds the record for the most Grammy Awards won by a female artist, with 32 Grammys as of 2023.
23. Most Concerts Performed by a Solo Artist
Bruce Springsteen holds the record for the most concerts performed by a solo artist, with over 3,500 shows throughout his career.
24. Fastest-Selling Digital Album
Adele’s album 25 holds the record for the fastest-selling digital album in U.S. history, with 3.38 million copies sold in its first week.
25. Most No.1 Singles on the Billboard Hot 100
The Beatles hold the record for the most No.1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, with 20 chart-topping hits.
Additional Reading
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