The year 2020 was a real drag. Dua Lipa was there — and everywhere — for moral support and inspiration.
The British pop artist was the most-played artist on U.K. radio and television in 2020, as music programmers, tastemakers and fans plugged into the Future Nostalgia and its batch of hits.
Lipa’s smashes “Don’t Start Now” (No. 2) and “Physical” (No. 7) were among the ten most-played songs of 2020 on U.K. airwaves, according to a new report published by Phonographic Performance Ltd.
She leads Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande, respectively, to become the first woman to rule PPL’s most-played Top 10 in seven years, since Katy Perry back in 2014.
Fueled by Future Nostalgia, Lipa is in the form of her life. In May, she snagged two Brit Awards including the award for female solo artist, as well as album of the year for Future Nostalgia, a chart-topper in her homeland.
“Thank you so much to everyone that listened to and loved my music during 2020,” she remarked. “I’m incredibly proud that I was the most-played artist on radio, TV and all across the U.K.”
“I so wanted Future Nostalgia to bring some happiness during such a difficult time. Thanks to everyone who supported it and also to PPL, who do important work in making sure artists and musicians are paid when their music is played.”
Homegrown artists dominate the top 10, grabbing six spots, with U.S. and Canadian artists accounting for the final four.
The Weeknd scrapes in at No. 10 on the list, though the Canadian singer does bag the most-played song of 2020 with “Blinding Lights,” his hit release from 2019.
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.
Last year PPL collected £225.7 million ($316 million) in royalties, down from 17% year-on-year, due to the closure of venues amid the health crisis.
Most-played artists of 2020
1. Dua Lipa
2. Ed Sheeran
3. Ariana Grande
4. Sam Smith
5. Calvin Harris
6. Little Mix
7. Coldplay
8. Justin Bieber
9. Maroon 5
10 The Weeknd
Most-played songs of 2020
1. Blinding Lights – The Weeknd
2. Don’t Start Now – Dua Lipa
3. Higher Love – Kygo & Whitney Houston
4. Dance Monkey – Tones & I
5. Adore You – Harry Styles
6. Before You Go – Lewis Capaldi
7. Physical – Dua Lipa
8. Memories – Maroon 5
9. This Is Real – Jax Jones & Ella Henderson
10. Rain On Me – Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande
