Olivia Rodrigo’s “drivers license” Crowned Greatest Pop Song of the Streaming Era by Spotify

Olivia Rodrigo’s breakout hit, “drivers license,” has been named the greatest pop song of the streaming era by Spotify, surpassing tracks from artists like Taylor Swift, Drake, and Dua Lipa. The ranking, revealed in November 2025, considers not just stream counts but also a song’s cultural impact and storytelling power.

The Rise of “drivers license”

Released in January 2021, “drivers license” resonated deeply with audiences, particularly during a period Spotify described as a “lull” in the pop landscape due to the pandemic’s disruption of artist development and promotion. The song quickly became a global phenomenon, fueled by speculation surrounding its autobiographical lyrics about heartbreak.

The track broke Spotify’s record for the most streams in a single day for a non-holiday song upon its release, and then surpassed its own record the following day. Rodrigo’s debut album, SOUR, which features “drivers license,” has amassed approximately 16.5 billion Spotify streams, establishing it as one of the platform’s most streamed albums ever. Source

Spotify’s Top 10 Pop Songs of the Streaming Era

Spotify’s list of the 100 Greatest Pop Songs of the Streaming Era features a diverse range of artists, but the top 5 are all female-led. Here’s a look at the top 10, as of February 25, 2026:

1. Olivia Rodrigo – “drivers license”
2. Chappell Roan – “Pink Pony Club”
3. Taylor Swift – “Cruel Summer”
4. Dua Lipa – “Don’t Start Now”
5. Carly Rae Jepsen – “Run Away With Me”
6. Justin Bieber – “Sorry”
7. Lorde – “Green Light”
8. Drake – “One Dance”
9. Billie Eilish – “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
10. Ariana Grande – “no tears left to cry”

Other Notable Mentions

The list also includes popular tracks from Miley Cyrus (“Flowers”), The Weeknd (“Blinding Lights”), The Chainsmokers (“Closer”), Sabrina Carpenter (“Espresso”), Harry Styles (“Watermelon Sugar”), Ed Sheeran (“Shape of You”), Adele (“Hello”), and Rihanna (“Love on the Brain”). Source

Drake’s Streaming Success

While Drake’s “One Dance” secured a spot in Spotify’s Top 10, the artist boasts a substantial overall streaming presence on the platform. As of February 24, 2026, Drake’s total streams exceed 128.4 billion, with “One Dance” alone garnering over 4.06 billion streams. Source

Looking Ahead

Spotify’s ranking highlights the evolving landscape of pop music and the power of streaming to launch artists and create cultural moments. As the streaming era continues to unfold, it will be interesting to notice which songs rise to prominence and shape the future of the genre.