Adele & The Weeknd score world’s best-selling records of 2021
It marks the second consecutive year that The Weeknd has picked up the biggest single accolade
By Nick Reilly
Adele’s fourth album ’30’ and The Weeknd’s soul-bearing single ‘Save Your Tears’ were the world’s best-selling records of 2021.
That’s according to official data from music industry body IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry), who say that Adele’s latest record sold more than five million copies in just two months, making it the biggest-selling record on vinyl and CD.
The Weekend topped the song charts meanwhile, after his contemplative hit banked 2.15 billion streams and topped the charts in 18 countries.
It marks the second consecutive year that the Canadian singer scored the honour, after ‘Blinding Lights’ became the biggest hit of 2020.
The success continued for that track in 2021, where it ended up seventh in the rankings.
You can check out the list of the top ten global singles of 2021 in full below.
| 1 | ARTIST: The Weeknd | TRACK: Save Your Tears | STREAMS (BN): 2.15 |
| 2 | The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber | STAY | 2.07 |
| 3 | Dua Lipa | Levitating | 1.88 |
| 4 | BTS | Butter | 1.76 |
| 5 | Olivia Rodrigo | drivers license | 1.73 |
| 6 | Justin Bieber (ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon) | Peaches | 1.72 |
| 7 | The Weeknd | Blinding Lights | 1.61 |
| 8 | Olivia Rodrigo | good 4 u | 1.61 |
| 9 | Lil Nas X | MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name) | 1.60 |
| 10 | Ed Sheeran | Bad Habits |
The IFPI’s annual chart of the year usually accounts for downloads, streams and physical purchases to analyse the biggest hits across the globe.
Adele‘s triumph comes after she led the winners at last month’s BRIT Awards 2022, taking home three awards at the prestigious ceremony.
The music icon triumphed as she picked up Artist Of The Year, Album Of The Year for ’30’ and Song Of The Year for ‘Easy On Me’.