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Sheeran or Swift? Who is the most played artist in the UK?

ed sheeran taylor swiftImage source, getty

Eyes Closed singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has done it again by topping the annual list of most played artists in the UK.

A company called PPL, who license music in the UK and make sure artists get paid when their songs are broadcast in public places, has released its list of the most-played songs and artists of 2023.

The list doesn't include the number of streams a song has - the data comes from UK plays on radio, TV, and in public places like shops, bars and restaurants.

Ed was beaten to the top spot of most played song in the UK by Miley Cyrus with her break-up smash hit Flowers.

Which songs and artists do you listen to most last year? Have your say in the comments below!

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

It's the seventh time that the singer has claimed the title

Who were the most played artists of 2023 in the UK?

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Image caption,

Tay Tay got number two on the most played artist list

The top two most played artists were Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift, who both released two full-length projects in 2023.

Ed released Subtract and Autumn Variations, whilst Taylor brought out two new re-recordings of old albums under her ownership, dropping the Taylor's Versions of both Speak Now and 1989.

Some classic artists also made the top ten, with Elton John dropping from number five to six since 2022, and Madonna returning to the list after the launch of her greatest hits tour last year.

The full list of top artists is below:

  1. Ed Sheeran

  2. Taylor Swift

  3. Dua Lipa

  4. Calvin Harris

  5. David Guetta

  6. Elton John

  7. Coldplay

  8. Tom Grennan

  9. Harry Styles

  10. Madonna

What were the most-played songs of 2023 in the UK?

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

2023 was Miley's year for top slots for song numbers

Miley Cyrus topped the PPL list as well as the most streamed song on Spotify last year with Flowers.

The Barbie movie was a big hit maker for Dua Lipa, with her song Dance The Night making number five on the list.

Taylor Swift scored two places on the most-played songs list with Anti-Hero and Cruel Summer, despite neither song being released in 2023!

Did you listen to any of these songs last year? Let us know with a comment below

  1. Flowers - Miley Cyrus

  2. Eyes Closed - Ed Sheeran

  3. Forget Me - Lewis Capaldi

  4. Anti-Hero - Taylor Swift

  5. Dance The Night - Dua Lipa

  6. Miracle - Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding

  7. Trustfall - P!nk

  8. Waffle House - Jonas Brothers

  9. Cruel Summer - Taylor Swift

  10. Heaven - Niall Horan