Most of the money earned for hit records nowadays comes from streaming. Actual sales are usually secondary– meaning paid downloads on Spotify or Apple or Amazon.
So what record was the biggest financial hit this year? According to hitsdailydouble.com Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” earned $4.8 million. Most of it was from streaming.
Wallen also earned $2.3 million for “You Proof,” $2.2 million for “Thinkin’ About Me,” $1.9 million for “Wasted on You,” $1.8 million for “Thought You Should Know,” and $1.6 million for “Thought You Should Know.” That’s roughly $12 million. Nice, considering he was supposed to be cancelled.
The lowest revenue song in the top 50 this year was $1.3 million for “I’m Good (Blue)” by David Guetta and Bebe Rexha. Taylor Swift posted 3 songs in the top 50. Miley Cyrus made $3.3 million for the Best Song of the Year, “Flowers.”
You think this sounds like a lot of money? The record company takes its cut, then the writers and producers, the agents and managers, and the IRS. Suddenly it’s all not so much.
This is why artists are encouraged to get out and tour because that’s where the money is. It’s not in record sales. Taylor has already spent her money on flights back and forth to KC Chiefs games.
