Ed Sheeran had a laid-back year in 2019, by his standards. But his music continued to pump solidly across the U.K.
The English singer and songwriter was the most played artist of 2019, according to new data published this week by Phonographic Performance Ltd. (PPL), with fellow Brits Calvin Harris and Sam Smith close behind.
It’s the fourth time in five years Sheeran has taken the top honor.
PPL’s Most Played Charts are based on music usage and airplay data supplied by the organization’s licensees, including music both on radio and TV and at all live locations including clubs, shops, pubs and other premises.
Homegrown artists dominate the top 10, snagging eight spots. Just two internationals crack the top tier, with Pink at No. 5 and Maroon 5 at No. 10.
It’s a similar story on PPL’s Most Played Tracks Chart of 2019, with Calvin Harris & Rag ‘n’ Bone Man’s “Giant” taking top spot, ahead of “Nothing Breaks Like A Heart” by former Brit Award winning male artist of the year Mark Ronson featuring Miley Cyrus, and “Dancing With A Stranger” by Sam Smith and Normani, respectively.
Sheeran appears on the Most Played Tracks list at No. 4 with “Don’t Care,” his chart-topping collaboration with Justin Bieber.
Sheeran seems to have the Midas Touch, though everything he touches turns to platinum. Last December, the Brit was crowned the top recording artist in the U.K. for the decade, during which time he earned the most No. 1s (12) across its singles and albums charts, and enjoyed a longer chart reign than another other artist (79 weeks). Also, he was named 2017’s Global Recording Artist of the Year by the IFPI.
PPL’s Most Played Tracks Chart of 2019
1. Giant – Calvin Harris & Rag ‘n’ Bone Man
2. Nothing Breaks Like A Heart – Mark Ronson Feat. Miley Cyrus
3. Dancing With A Stranger – Sam Smith & Normani
4. I Don’t Care – Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber
5. Just You And I – Tom Walker
6. Higher Love – Kygo & Whitney Houston
7. Sweet But Psycho – Ava Max
8. Someone You Loved – Lewis Capaldi
9. Don’t Call Me Up – Mabel
10. Walk Me Home – P!nk
PPL’s Most Played Artist Chart of 2019
1. Ed Sheeran
2. Calvin Harris
3. Sam Smith
4. Jess Glynne
5. P!nk
6. George Ezra
7. Rita Ora
8. Little Mix
9. Coldplay
10. Maroon 5
