The UK now has itself a new most-streamed song in Spotify history… except it’s not new at all, it came out all the way back in 2003.
Yes, it’s official – ‘Mr Brightside’ has now topped the music platform’s all-time streaming charts.
To some, this may be shocking – and borderline criminal – information, but to all those who find themselves eagerly-awaiting the point in the night when DJs at nightclubs, wedding receptions, or general family functions inevitably end up blasting out The Killers’ smash-hit single, then this probably isn’t news at all.
If anything, rather than being annoyed by the fact, you’re probably a happy contributor to the more than 1.8 billion Spotify streams the song now has globally.
Taken from the American indie rockers’ debut studio album, Hot Fuss – which was released in June 2004, and shot straight to the top of the UK album charts – ‘Mr Brightside’ is undeniably one of the band’s most well-known songs.
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If we’re honest, it’s probably the most well-known, isn’t it?
The lyrics of the song are said to depict a true story of lead singer Brandon Flowers’ jealousy and paranoia when he walked into a bar in his Las Vegas hometown and found his girlfriend cheating on him.
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“I was asleep and I knew something was wrong,” Flowers said in an interview with the BBC back in 2001, “I have these instincts. I went to the Crown and Anchor, a bar in Vegas, and my girlfriend was there with another guy.”
Mr Brightside by The Killers is now officially the UK’s most-streamed song of all time / Credit: YouTube
The song has already topped a couple of lists and claimed quite a few accolades in its time.
These include being named ‘song of the decade’ by UK radio stations Absolute Radio and XFM, as well as being chosen as Rolling Stone’s 48th best song of the 21st century, and ranking ninth in Total Guitar magazine’s ‘Greatest Guitar Riffs of the 21st Century’ round up.
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But the title of the UK’s official most-streamed song of all time on Spotify is one we’re sure the band will be shouting about for a long time.
20 years of Mr. Brightside. Sounds as good as the first time we played it every time we play it. pic.twitter.com/gVXJqCl7Kx
Mr Brightside’s current most-streamed crown comes after the song also previously broke chart records back in 2021 by spending a whopping 260 non-consecutive weeks in the Top 100 of the UK’s singles chart.
The news that’s presumably made The Killers’ – and their bank balances’ – day comes as Spotify celebrates in 15th anniversary this month, and has revealed what are the biggest artists and songs during that period in the UK to mark the occasion, Music Week reports.
Elsewhere on Spotify’s roundup lists, Ed Sheeran took the crown as the most-streamed UK male artist on of the last 15 years on the platform, while Dua Lipa claimed the female-equivalent title.
Featured Image – YouTube
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Oasis’ Wonderwall on the brink of becoming UK number one for first time ever 30 years after initial release
Emily Sergeant
Could Wonderwall FINALLY become UK number one for the first time ever?
England may no longer be in the running to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being knocked out in the Semi Finals by Argentina, who claimed a 2-1 win when the two teams faced off in Atlanta on Wednesday night (15 July), but it looks like that hasn’t harmed Wonderwall’s trajectory to the top of the Official UK Charts.
Oasis’ most-streamed song of all time – and arguably their most famous – is currently sitting right at the top of Spotify’s Global charts, meaning it is in the race to become the official UK number one later today.
Despite the fact it never reached number one when it was first released back in 1996 as part of the band’s second studio album, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, the song has always had such cultural significance here in Manchester.
But after being adopted by the fans of the England men’s national football team during this World Cup, and belted out after every Three Lions victory this tournament, the song has taken on a whole new life.
Wonderwall was described at the time by the band’s lead guitarist and songwriter, Noel Gallagher, as being about ‘an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself’ – with the song’s title inspired by George Harrison’s solo album Wonderwall Music.
Sure, it has nothing to do with football (but neither did Sweet Caroline, let’s be real), but it’s an absolute anthem and one that’s become a symbol this year for the belief that football may have just been coming home after 60 years.
Win or lose, Wonderwall remains.
Unfortunately, while Wonderwall is in pole position as it stands, it’s up against some fierce footballing competition with the likes of Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds’ enduring anthem, Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home), hot on its heals.
Standing between both of them – and chart glory – is, of course, Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s record-breaking duet, Rein Me In, which looks to retain the top spot as it eyes a 17th non-consecutive week at the summit.
It’s also expected that The Beatles’ iconic 1968 hit, Hey Jude, will also find its way into the Top 40 in honour of the tournament’s star player Jude Bellingham.
So, will Wonderwall reign supreme then? Will the Gallagher brothers have another reason to celebrate tonight after the success of last year’s historic Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour? We’ll have to wait and see.
You can tune into the Official Chart Show on BBC Radio 1 from 4pm today.
JD to host exclusive Josh Baker set at massive World Cup watch party in Manchester
Danny Jones
JD x JB: The well-known British and Manchester-founded sports fashion brand is teaming up with local artist Josh Baker for an exclusive pop-up set at a massive World Cup screening in the city centre tonight.
The two Manchester icons are teaming up at an otherwise sold-out Castlefield Bowl, getting the matchday vibes going ahead of the England vs Argentina game this evening.
With all eyes on the semi-final, keeping nerves steady will be a tall task, but Baker will be helping play his part in getting the energy up ahead of kick-off.
No matter what happens with the scoreline, it’s set to be a proper party atmosphere beforehand.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Da0FDI3tp3I/?hl=en
Fresh off the plane from his White Isle residency over in Ibiza, the 30-year-old Manc musician will be taking to the stage from 6:15pm at none other than Castlefield Bowl, where nearly 9,000 people will be watching the big game.
In case you missed it, after wrapping up Sounds of the City ’26, the Bowl is now being taken over for Road to Victory’s outdoor fan zone.
Doors will be open from 5:30pm ahead of the 8pm kick-off, and you’ll want to get down there with plenty of time to make sure you get a good view of the action – and by that, we mean both the game and Josh’s exciting set.
Better still, not only are those at the venue in for a night of amazing music and incredible vibes, but they’ll be cheering on Thomas Tuchel’s men straight after, in a crucial clash that could see England reach a second consecutive final in the last two major tournaments.
There’ll be plenty of entertainment before, during and after the breaks.
We will, of course, be keeping our fingers crossed for you and the boys tonight; the only thing we’re certain of is that the man himself will deliver on the night.
We had the honour of chatting with JB ahead of the BRITs back in February, and he’s only looking to bigger and better things this year.
For those looking to go along for this special one-off, once again, tickets to the event are already sold out, so your only chance is to sign up for the waiting list HERE. Fingers crossed for you and a result at full-time!
Last but not least, keep your eyes peeled on the JD Sports Instagram page and their other socials for all other updates ahead of the huge night. We can feel it: it’s coming home…
Emily Sergeant -
12th October 2023 
