2024 has seen an unexpected clash on Spotify, where Sabrina Carpenter's catchy hit "Espresso" initially seemed poised to be the platform's most-streamed song of the year. With over 1.6 billion streams, the pop anthem was celebrated by Carpenter herself, who expressed her delight at its success. "I had literally no idea... but I liked it, and... that's kind of all I cared about at the moment," the 25-year-old singer shared, reflecting on her surprise at how much listeners connected with the track.
Released back in April, "Espresso" became synonymous with Carpenter's partnership with Dunkin' Donuts, promoting her special drink, Sabrina’s Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso. The timing seemed perfect as Carpenter described it as "kismet" how the promotion aligned with the popularity of her song. "I really didn’t know if it would connect... but the sentiment and the sound of the song and the confidence it carries was something I believed in," Carpenter mentioned. She continued, highlighting her doubts about the song's launch correlatively with the preference for coffee associated with the fall more than summertime.
Fast forward to the end of the year, and the tables turned dramatically. Following Spotify's annual Wrapped feature, which had touted "Espresso" as the most-played song, it was later revealed through Variety's reports on December 31st, 2024, and confirmed by record label representatives, Billie Eilish’s track "Birds of a Feather" unseated Carpenter's hit. Eilish’s song, reaching approximately 1,775,172,881 streams, eclipsed Carpenter’s total of 1,774,525,704 streams by just over 600,000.
This twist ignited buzz across social media, with fans of both artists weighing in on the streaming showdown. Carpenter consistently expressed gratitude to her followers for their support, sharing her excitement on Facebook about her initial accolades on the Spotify charts. Meanwhile, Eilish’s triumph came as her song stormed through the final weeks of the year, overshadowing the earlier presumptions surrounding Carpenter’s work.
Adding texture to her music, Eilish reflected on her songwriting process during her interview with NPR. "Birds of a Feather" serves as her and her brother Finneas O'Connor’s take on love, albeit with darker undertones. "It made so much more sense to twist it and go kind of darker... It’s kind of supposed to feel like... 'I want you to stay until I rot away'... It’s very kind of threatening and weird," she described, capturing the essence of love expressed through darker themes. The chilling metaphors indicate not only the depth of affection but also layers of emotional complexity.
Eilish and O'Connor aimed for authenticity, wanting to capture both the urgency and perils of love, culminating in music riddled with both intoxic behavior and existential quandaries. "There are not metaphors, and it’s also about dying," she humorously noted, intertwining imagery of love and its accelerating meanderings with life's fragility.
Both albums, Carpenter’s "Short n’ Sweet" and Eilish's "Hit Me Hard and Soft," tell vivid stories of their creators at the contrasting ends of the pop musical spectrum. Carpenter got inspired by experiences of self-love and connection, whereas Eilish tackled themes of darker love, successfully bringing listeners on contemplative adventures through compelling lyrics.
Despite the competitive nature of the charts, this streaming story highlights the vibrant and diversifying world of contemporary pop music. It’s fascinating to witness not only the songs’ journeys through the year but how audiences continue to gravitate toward relatable content manifesting through the artists’ narratives.
This year has proven to be pivotal for both artists. Carpenter also recently showcased her versatile talents with her Netflix holiday special, "A Nonsense Christmas," featuring collaborations with several stars. Eilish, having broached new sonic territories, remains on track to captivate listeners with her unique perspectives across densely layered compositions.
While the title of most-streamed song is no small feat, the success of "Espresso" and "Birds of a Feather" demonstrate how diverse styles resonate with fans. The showdown also serves as evidence of the evolution of music streaming, where audiences blend their tastes across genres and artists.