Step into a world as illustrious as the artists themselves: welcome to The Billion Views Club, an informal yet prestigious circle celebrating music videos on YouTube that have surpassed the remarkable milestone of one billion views. Within this elite club, iconic names such as Coldplay, Adele, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, ABBA, Queen, Lady Gaga, Shakira, Céline Dion, Beyoncé, and John Legend have all etched their legacy. For Ocean Blue World, this reflects cultural resonance, global connection, and the aspirational artistry that defines our times.
The Origins of a Global Milestone
It all began with PSY’s iconic “Gangnam Style,” which became the very first video to cross one billion views back in December 2012. Before then, such viral phenomena were virtually unimaginable. PSY’s groundbreaking success forever changed the landscape of YouTube and online music content. To mark this achievement, YouTube created a custom Billion Views Club logo, an emblem of prestige reserved for the world’s most-watched videos.
By mid-2015, only two videos had reached this threshold; by that fall, over ten joined the club, and today, membership has surged past 400. Videos that earn a spot in The Billion Views Club go beyond simple entertainment. They become timeless musical milestones that connect listeners across continents and generations.
Credit: PSY / Official YouTube Channel
The Billion Views Club Today: A Curated Hall of Icons
Credit: Luis Fonsi / Universal Music Latino
Since Psy’s milestone, the Billion Views Club has grown into a dazzling collection of music videos, each a uniquely polished gem. Leading the pack is Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” featuring Daddy Yankee, nearing an astounding 8.7 billion views.
Artists like J Balvin and Justin Bieber lead the club in sheer volume, each boasting 11 music videos with over a billion views. From legends like Queen’s cinematic “Bohemian Rhapsody” to contemporary sensations like Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy,” and from Metallica’s powerful “Nothing Else Matters” to Shakira’s vibrant “Waka Waka,” the Billion Views Club is a hall of musical mastery defining eras and evoking emotions.
Credit: Shakira / Official YouTube Channel
Icons Among Female Artists
- Shakira reigns supreme with over 4 billion views for “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” the 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem.
- Katy Perry follows with “Roar” and “Dark Horse,” each nearing or surpassing 4 billion views.
- Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” and “Shake It Off” have each amassed over 3.5 billion views, cementing her as a constant presence in this elite circle.
Icons Among Male Artists
- Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” stands at nearly 6.5 billion views, complemented by three additional videos—“Thinking Out Loud,” “Photograph,” and “Perfect”—each surpassing a billion views.
- Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk ft. Bruno Mars” ties with Psy’s “Gangnam Style” each with 5.6 billion views.
- Wiz Khalifa – See You Again ft. Charlie Puth (6.7 billion views)
Coldplay’s “Yellow” joined their impressive roster as their sixth video to cross the billion-view mark in 2024, solidifying their status as YouTube royalty. Meanwhile, Amy Winehouse’s haunting black-and-white video for “Back to Black” entered the club, her first to achieve this milestone. More recently, the Eurythmics’ synth-pop classic “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” joined the Billion Views Club in 2025, testament to its lasting impact across generations and pop culture.
Why Reaching One Billion Matters
YouTube has evolved far beyond a video platform, it’s a cultural powerhouse. Launched in 2005, it now boasts over 2 billion monthly music users, with music accounting for a quarter of all watch time globally. YouTube’s annual payouts to the music industry have exceeded $4 billion, underscoring its vital role in the music economy.
Notably, YouTube Music pays artists roughly $0.008 per stream—higher than many competitors like Spotify ($0.003–$0.005) and Amazon Music ($0.004). But beyond payouts, YouTube’s unparalleled reach unites millions through shared moments of emotion, elevating artists into timeless legends.
What Does It Take to Hit a Billion?
It’s far more than viral luck. Videos that reach one billion views succeed through timing, accessibility, and emotional impact. Global accessibility through subtitles, cultural relevance, and connections to major events, such as World Cup anthems, accelerate their reach.
Today, the rise of short-form content and viral trends on platforms like TikTok only fuels growth. The Billion Views Club thrives as YouTube serves as both a digital archive and a dynamic amplifier—preserving iconic moments while propelling them to new audiences and heights.
Courtesy of: @coldplay via Instagram
