When looking back every year at which music videos were the most beloved and which were watched the most, there are always some large numbers and impressive showings, but 2017 saw several hit singles make history and set the pace for a world that can’t get enough of YouTube.
It goes without question that “Despacito” rules the list of the most-watched music videos of the year, as it has become a powerhouse unlike anything the platform has ever seen. The original clip—which doesn’t star pop star Justin Bieber, despite the fact that he was instrumental in bringing the tune to the ears of millions around the world—is not only the most-watched treatment of the year, it’s become the most-watched of all time.
The Bieber-less “Despacito” (which was released before he was involved) has now collected just under 4.5 billion views since it was released in mid-January. Back in August, the Latin smash pulled ahead of Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth’s “See You Again” as the most-watched video ever on the site, and then just a few hours later, it became the first video the hit the three billion-play mark.
Only about two months later, it became the first to reach four billion, and it’s now almost half a billion ahead of that milestone, and it’s barely slowing down when it comes to bringing that number higher and higher.
Six of the top 10 most popular videos on the world’s most popular streaming music platform (at least in some ways) are sung in Spanish, which shows that music lovers in Latin countries all around the world turn to YouTube to hear the music they love. The other slots on the list are filled by major pop hits released by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars and Jason Derulo, and even DJ Khaled’s especially crowded “I’m The One.”
Here are the 10 most-watched music videos on YouTube of 2017.
1. Luis Fonsi - “Despacito (ft. Daddy Yankee)”
2. Ed Sheeran - “Shape Of You”
3. J Balvin & Willy William - “Mi Gente”
4. Maluma - “Felices los 4”
5. Bruno Mars - “That’s What I Like”
6. Chris Jeday - “Ahora Dice (ft. J. Balvin, Ozuna, Arcángel)”
7. Nicky Jam - “El Amante”
8. Jason Derulo - Swalla “(ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign)”
9. DJ Khaled - “I'm The One (ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne)”
10. Enrique Iglesias - “Subeme La Radio (ft. Descemer Bueno, Zion & Lennox)”
