Global InformationWorld Digital Song Sales information
The World Digital Song Sales chart (formerly World Digital Songs) is a weekly record chart compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published by Billboard magazine. Established in 2010—its first issue was dated January 23[1]—as one of 21 genre-specific song charts launched by Billboard that year, it originally ranked the 25 best-selling digital singles in the World Music genre,[2] but was reduced to 15 entries in November 2021,[3] and then 10 entries, effective the issue dated October 28, 2023.[4]
Hawaiian singer-songwriter and musician Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's recording of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was the first song to rank at number one on the chart. It has dominated the ranking for most of its existence, spending 358 cumulative weeks at the top,[5] including a 116-week run at number one from the chart's inception[1] until April 2012.[6] The song has appeared on 748 issues of the chart,[7][8] excluding one issue for the week dated June 25, 2022.[9] Another notable chart-topper is Psy's "Gangnam Style", which stands in second place for most weeks at number one with a total of 50 weeks between 2012 and 2014,[10] and for total weeks on the chart, with 381.[11] Over the years, many other K-pop artists have appeared on the chart, with some reaching the top position. BTS, who earned their first number-one on the chart with "Fire" in 2016, have achieved a record 37 number-one singles.[12] Blackpink has accumulated nine number-one singles, the most of any female artist on the chart.[13]
The current number-one song on the chart, as of the issue dated May 18, 2024, is "Not Today" by BTS.[7]
- ^ a b "World Digital Song Sales, January 23, 2010". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ Trust, Gary (April 6, 2010). "Digital Genre Charts Launch". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ "World Digital Song Sales (The week of November 20, 2021)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ "World Digital Song Sales (Week of October 28, 2023)". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ "World Digital Song Sales (Week of August 27, 2022)". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
- ^ "World Digital Song Sales (Week of April 7, 2012)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
- ^ a b "World Digital Song Sales (May 18, 2024)". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Rowley, Glenn (May 20, 2020). "Google Doodle Honors Israel Kamakawiwo'ole For Asian Pacific American Heritage Month". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 23, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
Since it first topped the chart back in 2011, the late singer's famous cover of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' has spent a record 541 weeks on the World Digital Song Sales chart, including 332 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1.
- ^ "World Digital Song Sales (Week of June 25, 2022)". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
- ^ "Psy | Chart History: World Digital Song Sales – Gangnam Style". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ "Psy Chart History: World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
- ^ "BTS Chart History: World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ "Blackpink Chart History: World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2022.