Best Selling Singles 2022: Here are the 10 most popular songs of last year as British artists celebrate a clear sweep - including Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles
For the first time since charts of the year started being collated over 50 year’s ago, British artists held every spot in the top 10 best selling singles.
The list of 2022’s most bought and streamed songs also showed how times have changed – with only two of the songs included released in the last year.
The oldest song in the list was released back in 1985 but became a smash hit for a second time after featuring in a popular television series.
And only one artist had more than one entry in the top 10, meaning a total of nine artists can celebrate singing Britain’s favourite songs of the year.
Leon Neville, director of research and insight at the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) who recently released the figures, said the domination of UK artists was “astonishing”, adding: “This outstanding achievement is a testament to the rich music talent that continues to emerge from across the UK’s nations and regions, fuelled by the passion, investment and skills of UK record labels.”
Here are the singles that made the grade.
And only one artist had more than one entry in the top 10, meaning a total of nine artists can celebrate singing Britain’s favourite songs of the year.
5. Cat Burns - Go
Nominated for Song of the Year at this year's Brit Awards, Cat Burns originally releaased Go in July 2020, but it only reached number two in the single charts in early 2022. It was included on Burns's 2022 EP Emotionally Unavailable. Photo: Shane Anthony Sinclair
6. Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill
A somewhat unlikely hit across the world - including in Britain - in 2022 was Kate Bush's 1985 song Running Up That Hill. Its sudden popularity came about after it was prominently featured in Netflix televison show Stranger Things. Photo: Evening Standard
7. Glass Animals – Heat Waves
Often seeminly more popular in the USA than back home in Britain, Glass Animals scored a big hit with Heat Waves. It was initially released as a single from their third studio album Dreamland back in June 2020. Photo: Jason Kempin
8. Lost Frequencies and Calum Scott – Where Are You Now
Belgian DJ Lost Frequencies teamed up with English singer Calum Scott for 'Where Are You Now'. Released in July 2021, it's up for Best International Song at the 2023 Brit Awards. Photo: Darren Arthur