Revealed: The potential streaming revenue from 2023’s top albums
A new study has revealed the potential revenue earned from Spotify streams for 2023’s top albums so far.
The music industry experts at Music Industry How To have analyzed Spotify streaming data to rank the top-performing albums of 2023 so far by revenue earned. To note, the albums analyzed may not have been released in 2023, however, they are the top performing so far this year. Revenue earned was calculated by multiplying streams from each song in an album by the average payment per stream (approximately $0.004).
Topping both the national charts currently, as well as this list for total streams, taking first place with over 23 billion Spotify streams and earning over $9.2 million ($9,228,499 potentially) from streams, is the 2021 release, The Highlights by The Weekend. The most streamed song from the album, Blinding Lights, originally released as a 2019 single, has earned roughly $1,468,012 with over 3.6 billion Spotify streams.
Second place goes to Ed Sheeran’s 2017 album ÷ (Divide). Divide has accumulated over 13 billion Spotify streams, equating to almost $5 million ($5,389,556 potentially). The top-streamed song from the album, Shape of You, has earned potentially $1,416,179 from the over 3.5 billion Spotify streams it has racked up.
Curtain Call 2 by Eminem, takes the third spot, released in 2022, Curtain Call 2 is third on this list for total steams, earning over $4.5 million ($4,503,696 potentially) from the album’s 11 billion Spotify streams. Originally released in 2010, Love The Way You Lie, featuring Rihanna, is the most streamed song included on the album, earning potentially $488,554 from the over 1.2 billion Spotify streams racked up.
Eminem also takes fourth place with his 2005 release Curtain Call – The Hits, despite being almost two decades old, this album has seen a resurgence in the charts, currently sitting at seventh in the national charts. This album has racked up over 10 billion Spotify streams, equating to over $4.1 million ($4,112,797 potentially). The top-streamed song from the album, Lose Yourself, originally released as a 2002 single, has earned roughly $724,233 from over 1.8 billion Spotify streams.
Queen takes fifth place with their 1981 compilation album release Greatest Hits. Despite being over four decades old, the album has seen a recent resurgence and is currently sitting within the top 20 on the national charts. With a little over 10 billion Spotify streams, Queen have earned almost $4.1 million ($4,097,906 potentially). Initially released within their 1975 album A Night at the Opera, Bohemian Rhapsody is the top-streamed song from the album, earning roughly $871,854 from over 2.1 billion Spotify streams.
In sixth place is Olivia Rodrigo’s 2021 album Sour. With almost 10 billion Spotify streams, this album has earned nearly $4 million ($3,954,628 potentially) and is set to grow in streams after Rodrigo announced her sophomore album.
The remainder of the top ten features the 2017 release Diamonds by Elton John in seventh place. The greatest hits compilation album has earned potentially $3,632,250 from Spotify streams.
Eighth place goes to the 2013 release, AM by Arctic Monkeys, earning potentially $2,816,270 from Spotify streams.
Harry Styles’ 2022 album Harry’s House is in ninth place, currently earning potentially $2,342,310 from Spotify streams as Harry Styles recently ended his latest tour of the album, titled Love on Tour.
Lewis Capaldi’s 2019 album Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent is rounding out the list in tenth place, earning $2,243,310 potentially from Spotify streams.
Interestingly, if an artist were to have an album in the top ten, they could expect an average earning of potentially $4.2 million from the roughly 10.5 billion Spotify streams.
Extended Results:
| Rank | Row Labels | Artist | Spotify Streams | Approx. Earned |
| 1 | The Highlights | The Weeknd | 23,071,248,670 | $9,228,499 |
| 2 | Divide | Ed Sheeran | 13,473,890,532 | $5,389,556 |
| 3 | Curtain Call 2 | Eminem | 11,259,239,478 | $4,503,696 |
| 4 | Curtain Call – The Hits | Eminem | 10,281,991,816 | $4,112,797 |
| 5 | Greatest Hits | Queen | 10,244,765,469 | $4,097,906 |
| 6 | Sour | Olivia Rodrigo | 9,886,569,007 | $3,954,628 |
| 7 | Diamonds | Elton John | 9,080,624,806 | $3,632,250 |
| 8 | AM | Arctic Monkeys | 7,040,675,743 | $2,816,270 |
| 9 | Harrys House | Harry Styles | 5,855,775,082 | $2,342,310 |
| 10 | Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent | Lewis Capaldi | 5,607,653,670 | $2,243,061 |
| 11 | 1989 | Taylor Swift | 5,587,111,786 | $2,234,845 |
| 12 | 50 Years – Don’t Stop | Fleetwood Mac | 5,566,598,241 | $2,226,639 |
| 13 | Gold – Greatest Hits | ABBA | 4,832,902,061 | $1,933,161 |
| 14 | SOS | SZA | 4,769,121,951 | $1,907,649 |
| 15 | Midnights | Taylor Swift | 4,521,150,468 | $1,808,460 |
| 16 | I Will Always Love You – The Best of Whitney Houston | Whitney Houston | 4,373,485,826 | $1,749,394 |
| 17 | Rumours | Fleetwood Mac | 4,036,240,621 | $1,614,496 |
| 18 | Time Flies: 1994-2009 | Oasis | 3,918,691,565 | $1,567,477 |
| 19 | = | Ed Sheeran | 3,915,114,901 | $1,566,046 |
| 20 | Elvis – 30 Number 1 Hits | Elvis | 3,433,333,506 | $1,373,333 |
| 21 | Starboy | The Weeknd | 3,157,993,296 | $1,263,197 |
| 22 | Heroes and Villains | Metro Boomin | 2,600,984,589 | $1,040,394 |
| 23 | Did You Know Theres A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd | Lana Del Ray | 404,348,866 | $161,740 |
| 24 | Trustfall | P!nk | 307,537,915 | $123,015 |
A spokesperson for Music Industry How To commented on the findings, saying:
“The findings highlight the remarkable success achieved by several albums, showcasing the immense popularity and appeal they have garnered among listeners worldwide.”
“This study shows the power of music to captivate audiences and the ability of certain albums to resonate deeply with a diverse range of listeners. The results emphasize the continued importance of streaming platforms in shaping the success of modern-day music and the significant impact these albums have made within the industry.”
This study was conducted by music industry experts, Music Industry How To
*Source https://www.
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