Global recorded music body IFPI has named The Weeknd’s hit single Save Your Tears has the winner of its 2021 Global Digital Single Award.
IFPI says that its Global Digital Single Award is presented to the world’s best-selling single of the year across all digital formats – including paid subscription streaming, ad-supported platforms, and single-track downloads and streams.
The Weeknd is the first artist to win the Global Digital Single Award two years in a row, after topping the Global Digital Single Award in 2020 with his single Blinding Lights.
Following the singles Heartless, In Your Eyes and Blinding Lights, Save Your Tears was the fourth single to be released from The Weeknd’s fourth studio album After Hours.
The track topped charts around the world and, with the release of a remixed version including Ariana Grande, reached No.1 in the US in May 2021.
Save Your Tears has been certified Platinum in 14 markets, spanning three continents.
The Weeknd’s Save Your Tears topped 2.15 billon Global Subscription Streams Equivalents, according to the IFPI (see below).
The Kid LAROI made his first appearance in the chart, at No.2, with his Justin Bieber collaboration STAY, which IFPI reports earned 2.07 billion Global Subscription Streams Equivalents.
The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights, No.1 in the IFPI Global Digital Single Chart 2020, remained in the Top 10 for a second year, at No.7.
Meanwhile, Olivia Rodrigo, who spent seven weeks at the top of the Spotify Global Top 200 chart in 2021, entered the IFPI chart with two of her singles, drivers license (No.5) and good 4 u (No.8).
K pop stars BTS came in at No.4, with their single Butter.
On Thursday (February 24), BTS were crowned winners of 2021’s IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year Award.
The South Korean band are the first act to win the award for two consecutive years.
“It has been another brilliant year for The Weeknd.”
Frances Moore, Chief Executive of IFPI, said: “It has been another brilliant year for The Weeknd and Save Your Tears has unquestionably been one of the world’s most loved songs.
“We’d like to send huge congratulations to The Weeknd and all of his team on winning our Global Digital Single of The Year Award for the second year in a row – an incredible achievement.”Music Business Worldwide
