Alpha Data, by Rolling Stone Charts, shows the main searches on digital platforms such as Spotify
With the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations on isolation and social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic, people take advantage to spend more time listening to music – and, data show what the main demands are.
According to Alpha Data, the platform used by Rolling Stone Charts, the data from the streaming services show that listeners in the United States and the rest of the world are looking for more “calm” and even humorous songs – in addition, the numbers of children’s songs have increased on all platforms.
Spotify noted the demand for more “relaxing” songs on the playlists of the profiles in general, in addition to the high for acoustic songs, less dancing, and with less energy than those preferred in other periods of the year, according to the company.
Profiles that use Deezer prefer humor when looking for music. In the last week, the digital platform’s humor playlists have increased by 20% worldwide. Among them are “Cozy Coffeeshop” which increased 486%, “Lazy Indie” with an increase of 180%, and “Mellow Days”, which features older rock, soul, and disco tracks, which increased by 305%.
Although overall flows in the United States from March 13 to April 2 fell by nearly 9% compared to the previous three weeks, Alpha Data figures show that several genres were unaffected and even increased.
Compared to the previous three weeks, children’s music increased 9%, while classical music and folk remained stable. In contrast, Latin, rap, and pop fell by 16%, 15%, and 13% respectively during this period. Spotify, in particular, noted an increase in music aimed at helping children sleep, and in Deezer, playlists like “Happy Kids” increased by more than 100%.
Deezer reported that the “Calm Piano” playlist increased 138% in the United States in just one week (March 19-26) and 27% worldwide. Both Apple Music and Deezer also had a significant increase in playlists directed at physical exercise.
Moreover, the data shows that people are using music to come together in this time of social isolation. The flows of “We Are The World” have doubled in the United States, Italy, and Spain.
Spotify told Rolling Stone that the numbers of “Abbracciame” by Andrea Sannino and “Azzuro” by Adriano Celentano grew more than 700% on March 13 and 14, after videos of citizens singing those songs on balconies spread to social networks. For the same reason, “R esistiré”, by Duo Dinamico, jumped over 400% in Spain on March 15.