Downloading was hailed by many as the future of the music industry in the early aughts. And for a few years, it looked like it was. As recently as 2014, digital downloads accounted for 37% of U.S. music industry revenue – the largest share.
This share has since shrunk to 12% as of the first half of 2018, according to the Recording Industry Association of America, due primarily to the stunning rise of digital streaming. Yet music downloading still has its proponents – those who value the benefits of “owning” their favorite songs, even if only in digital form.
The most downloaded songs of 2018 largely mirror the year’s most popular songs, as measured by Billboard. Artists such as Drake, Imagine Dragons, and Post Malone all have multiple hits on the list – a testament to their support among fans.
R&B/hip hop – the nation’s most popular genre – is by far the most popular for digital downloads. It isn’t the only genre represented, however. In addition to Imagine Dragons, rock bands Portugal. The Man, Bad Wolves, and Maroon 5 all have songs on the list, though the latter’s contribution – “Girls Like You” – features 26-year-old rapper Cardi B, highlighting the convergence of multiple genres in the realm of pop. Even the most successful songs performed by country acts feature strong pop and R&B influences, including Kane Brown’s “Heaven” and “Meant to Be” by singer Bebe Rexha and country music duo Florida Georgia Line.
While digital downloads may eventually join compact discs and cassette tapes in the graveyard of past audio formats, this year’s most downloaded songs prove that a great pop song can do well on any platform.
Click here to see the most downloaded songs this year.
Click here to see our methodology.
25. Natural
> Artist: Imagine Dragons
> Peak position on Hot 100: 13
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 19
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24. Bad At Love
> Artist: Halsey
> Peak position on Hot 100: 5
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 33
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23. Zombie
> Artist: Bad Wolves
> Peak position on Hot 100: 54
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 15
22. Say Something
> Artist: Justin Timberlake Featuring Chris Stapleton
> Peak position on Hot 100: 9
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 16
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21. Let You Down
> Artist: NF
> Peak position on Hot 100: 12
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 28
20. No Tears Left To Cry
> Artist: Ariana Grande
> Peak position on Hot 100: 3
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 27
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19. Feel It Still
> Artist: Portugal. The Man
> Peak position on Hot 100: 4
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 45
18. Nice For What
> Artist: Drake
> Peak position on Hot 100: 1
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 25
17. Better Now
> Artist: Post Malone
> Peak position on Hot 100: 3
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 31
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16. You Make It Easy
> Artist: Jason Aldean
> Peak position on Hot 100: 28
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 20
15. Heaven
> Artist: Kane Brown
> Peak position on Hot 100: 15
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 27
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14. Never Be The Same
> Artist: Camila Cabello
> Peak position on Hot 100: 6
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 37
13. Finesse
> Artist: Bruno Mars & Cardi B
> Peak position on Hot 100: 3
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 23
12. Psycho
> Artist: Post Malone Featuring Ty Dolla $ign
> Peak position on Hot 100: 1
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 39
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11. In My Feelings
> Artist: Drake
> Peak position on Hot 100: 1
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 22
10. The Middle
> Artist: Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
> Peak position on Hot 100: 5
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 40
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9. Rockstar
> Artist: Post Malone Featuring 21 Savage
> Peak position on Hot 100: 1
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 41
8. Whatever It Takes
> Artist: Imagine Dragons
> Peak position on Hot 100: 12
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 27
7. I Like It
> Artist: Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin
> Peak position on Hot 100: 1
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 34
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6. Girls Like You
> Artist: Maroon 5 Featuring Cardi B
> Peak position on Hot 100: 1
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 27
5. God’s Plan
> Artist: Drake
> Peak position on Hot 100: 1
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 36
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4. Thunder
> Artist: Imagine Dragons
> Peak position on Hot 100: 4
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 52
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3. Meant To Be
> Artist: Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
> Peak position on Hot 100: 2
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 52
2. Havana
> Artist: Camila Cabello Featuring Young Thug
> Peak position on Hot 100: 1
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 46
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1. Perfect
> Artist: Ed Sheeran
> Peak position on Hot 100: 1
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 57
Methodology
To determine the most downloaded songs of 2018, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed sales data for songs across all genres as compiled by Nielsen Music. Data on each song’s Hot 100 chart performance comes from Billboard. Hot 100 chart performance is based on physical and digital sales, radio play, and online streaming in the United States.
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