If you're streaming music on Spotify, chances are you're listening to Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud." On Monday (Oct. 12), the streaming service announced that the massive x single is its first ever to reach 500 million plays.
Accoridng to TIME, "Thinking Out Loud," the soft, romantic ballad that was the second single from Sheeran's 2015 album x, is the most-streamed song in Spotify's history, reaching over 500 million plays.
The massive streaming success of "Thinking Out Loud" comes from the song's status as a major romantic anthem, soundtracking weddings all across the country.
Earlier this year, Spotify announced that "Thinking Out Loud" was the most popular track for first dances in 2015, besting classics such as Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" and Etta James' "At Last." Overall, "Thinking Out Loud" was the third most popular wedding song, following "All of Me" by John Legend and Bruno Mars' "Marry You."
The status is something that Sheeran is all-too familiar with by this point.
Chuffed to hear that 'Thinking Out Loud' has had half a billion plays on Spotify. Being the first artist to hit that milestone is amazing. Thanks to all the people who use this as a wedding song, soundtrack to a date, and as a way to woo someone into a ‘Netflix and chill’ situation,” Sheeran said in a statement, following the success of "Thinking Out Loud."
Sheeran doesn't have just one popular track on Spotify. He's the third-most popular artist across the entire service. He trails Eminem and Calvin Harris for the distinguish of being heavily played. According to Spotify, roughly one-quarter of its users have Sheeran in at least one playlist.
