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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, we check out research into the top ten most popular Netflix soundtracks on Spotify.
Forget the popcorn, silence your phone, and grab your headphones, because we’re diving into the irresistible world of Netflix soundtracks. You know them, you love them, you listen to them on repeat even after binge-watching the show ten times (no judgment). These are the musical backdrops that elevate our favorite dramas, comedies, and documentaries, turning mere pixels on a screen into emotional rollercoasters that leave us singing in the shower and humming at work.
But which Netflix soundtracks reign supreme on Spotify? Which iconic tunes have wormed their way into our playlists and dominated our end-of-year wrap-ups? Fear not, audiophiles and binge-watchers, because this blog post is your ultimate guide to the most popular Netflix soundtracks on Spotify. We’ll be digging into the data, unearthing hidden gems, and revisiting beloved classics, all while delving into the reasons why these soundtracks capture our hearts (and eardrums) like no others.
The research, conducted by digital headphones magazine Headphonesty, analysed every official soundtrack on Spotify from a Netflix original film or series to determine the most streamed soundtracks and their estimated royalties. To ensure fair comparisons, the analysis focused on the top 10 most streamed songs from each soundtrack, as the number of tracks in each soundtrack varied.
The analysis revealed that Purple Hearts, based on the novel of the same name by Tess Wakefield, takes the crown as the most streamed Netflix soundtrack on Spotify. The series currently has more than 238 million streams on Spotify, earning an estimated £458,454 in royalties.
The most streamed song on the soundtrack is ‘Come Back Home’, with more than 103 million streams alone. Purple Hearts taking the top spot could be attributed to the film’s lead actress, Sofia Carson. The famous actress and singer, who catapulted into fame after starring in Disney’s Descendants franchise, sings all eight songs on the soundtrack.
Purple Hearts blends romance, music, and military drama into a potent cocktail of emotions to tell the story of Cassie, a struggling singer-songwriter, and Luke, a troubled Marine about to be deployed. With finances at rock bottom and health insurance a distant dream, Cassie agrees to a marriage of convenience with Luke, hoping to reap the benefits of his military status.
But what starts as a calculated arrangement soon takes an unexpected turn. As Cassie and Luke navigate the challenges of married life, their initial indifference melts away, revealing sparks of genuine connection and simmering emotions. Their journey is complicated by conflicting ideals, past traumas, and the ever-present shadow of Luke’s impending deployment.
Tick, Tick…BOOM! ranks as the second most popular Netflix soundtrack, with more than 214 million streams on Spotify. The musical, starring Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson, has earned an estimated £413,660 in royalties in total. The most popular song on the soundtrack is ‘30/90’, with more than 68 million streams alone.
Based on the autobiographical work of the late, great Jonathan Larson, it’s a story that burns like a supernova, illuminating the dark corners of artistic struggle and the relentless march of time.
Andrew Garfield embodies Jon, a struggling composer on the precipice of his 30th birthday. The ticking clock is a constant reminder of his unfulfilled aspirations, echoing in the empty promises of Broadway producers and the doubts that whisper in his ear. We see his frayed nerves, his bursts of manic creativity, and the quiet moments of despair that threaten to extinguish his artistic fire.
But Jon is not alone. He’s surrounded by a kaleidoscope of New York creatives, each navigating their own artistic labyrinths. Susan, his dancer girlfriend, yearns for escape from the drudgery of teaching ballet to wealthy children. Michael, his best friend, traded acting for a more lucrative career, leaving Jon grappling with the “what ifs” of artistic compromise.
The research revealed that Bridgerton Season Two (Covers) places third. Season two of Bridgerton is split into two different albums: the covers, featuring covers of popular songs such as Material Girl and Wrecking Ball, and the soundtrack, featuring music from Kris Bowers. The covers album ranks as the third most popular soundtrack from a Netflix original, with more than 133 million streams, equating to £257,238 in royalties.
This time, the spotlight shifted from Daphne’s whirlwind debutante season to the stoic eldest brother, Anthony Bridgerton, and his quest for a wife. But as always in the world of the Ton, love stories are rarely straightforward, and Anthony’s carefully constructed plans soon crumble like a meringue in the summer heat.
Enter Kate Sharma, a sharp-witted, independent beauty who arrives from India with her younger sister and immediately clashes with the formidable Viscount. Their initial sparring matches are a delight to watch, a delicious blend of intellectual jousting and fiery passion barely concealed beneath societal decorum. Anthony, accustomed to bending women to his will, finds himself surprisingly challenged by Kate’s strength and unwavering principles.
But amidst the witty banter and passionate encounters, darker themes lurk. Anthony’s pursuit of Kate is haunted by the tragic loss of his first love, a burden that colors his every decision. Kate, too, carries the weight of responsibility for her sister’s future, sacrificing her own desires for societal expectations. This emotional depth adds a layer of complexity to the romance, making their eventual connection all the more poignant.
Don’t Look Up ranks as the fourth most streamed soundtrack from a Netflix original. The 2021 sci-fi comedy film features a star-studded cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence and Meryl Streep, and its soundtrack has over 86 million streams on Spotify, earning £167,177 in royalties. The soundtrack features Ariana Grande and Kid Cudi on the song ‘Just Look Up’, the most streamed song, with more than 72 million streams alone.
In the face of existential dread, what do you do? Look away? Scroll aimlessly on your phone? Make a TikTok montage of the impending apocalypse? “Don’t Look Up” throws humanity’s impending annihilation into a satirical blender, pulverizing apathy, political posturing, and pop culture into a darkly hilarious, scathingly accurate cocktail.
Leonardo DiCaprio channels every ounce of exhausted, exasperated energy into Dr. Randall Mindy, an astronomer who stumbles upon a comet hurtling towards Earth. Jennifer Lawrence embodies Kate Dibiasky, his equally stressed-out grad student, as they embark on a Sisyphean task of alerting the world to the looming destruction.
But the world, much like today’s media landscape, is preoccupied with cat videos, celebrity scandals, and the latest reality TV drama. President Orlean (Meryl Streep, channeling a Trumpian blend of narcissism and cluelessness) is more concerned about her approval ratings than planetary preservation. Her son and chief of staff, Jason (Jonah Hill), embodies the millennial meme of “just vibe-ing” during the apocalypse.
The film’s genius lies in its brutal honesty. The media twists their message, social media amplifies the noise, and politicians play chess with lives while the clock ticks down. It’s a scathing reflection of our era, where information overload breeds complacency and the pursuit of clicks trumps reality.
Bridgerton Season One places next, in fifth place overall. The hit first season of the popular Netflix show has nearly 80 million streams on Spotify, amassing an estimated £153,900 in royalties. Bridgerton dominated the analysis, holding three entries in the top 10.
Daphne Bridgerton, the eldest daughter of a vibrant family, takes center stage as she makes her debut into the competitive marriage market. With eyes the color of the summer sky and a smile that could disarm a duke, she’s deemed the “Diamond of the First Water” by the Queen herself. But finding true love in a season full of glittering facades and whispered rumors proves to be a tricky waltz.
Enter Simon, the enigmatic Duke of Hastings. Handsome, aloof, and harboring a secret vow to never marry, he becomes the perfect foil to Daphne’s sunny optimism. Their initial sparring matches, laced with wit and simmering attraction, soon ignite into a passionate dance of desire. But standing in their way are societal expectations, family obligations, and a rival suitor fueled by jealousy.
Bridgerton doesn’t just offer a frothy romantic romp. It’s a vibrant tapestry woven with sharp social commentary, family dynamics infused with humor and warmth, and characters that leap off the screen with their flaws and complexities. Anthony, the eldest Bridgerton brother, grapples with responsibility and unresolved grief, while Eloise, the rebellious younger sister, yearns for intellectual freedom beyond the confines of the drawing-room. Even the formidable Queen, a regal force of nature, gets her own subplot steeped in unexpected warmth and vulnerability.
| Top 10 most streamed Netflix soundtracks | |||
| Rank: | Soundtrack: | Total Spotify streams | Earnings |
| 1. | Purple Hearts | 238,267,806 | £458,454 |
| 2. | Tick, Tick…BOOM! | 214,987,487 | £413,660 |
| 3. | Bridgerton Season 2 (Covers) | 133,691,582 | £257,238 |
| 4. | Don’t Look Up | 86,885,461 | £167,177 |
| 5. | Bridgerton Season 1 | 79,985,171 | £153,900 |
| 6. | Emily in Paris Season 1 | 78,030,554 | £150,140 |
| 7. | The Witcher Season 2 | 56,702,943 | £109,103 |
| 8. | A Beautiful Life | 48,183,092 | £92,710 |
| 9. | Persuasion | 36,796,709 | £70,801 |
| 10. | Bridgerton Season 2 | 35,351,294 | £68,020 |
Soundtracks are a fundamental part of filmmaking, intensifying the audience’s emotional connection to the story, characters, and setting.
To no surprise, the hugely popular Purple Hearts takes the crown. In Netflix’s Purple Hearts, music plays just an equally significant role in shaping the storyline as the romance itself. The soundtrack perfectly integrates classic rock covers and original compositions into one unified album, performed by the hugely talented Sofia Carson. The song ‘Come Back Home’ has a whopping 103 million Spotify plays alone, which is more streams than seven of the top 10’s entire soundtracks.
-A spokesperson for Headphonesty
Sources: Spotify, SoundCampaign. Data correct as of September 2023.
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