How YouTube Creators Can License The Most Streamed Songs on Spotify

Back in the days when we first got into music (and dinosaurs still walked the Earth), the ultimate measure of a song’s success was it reaching the top of the singles chart and ‘going Platinum’ with 1 million sales. Unlike dinos, these measures aren’t yet extinct, but in the Age of Spotify they’ve been surpassed in relevance by streaming stats on that platform. 

If those stats reach over 9 figures for a song then it’s a big welcome to the Billion Streams Club. Only the most viral of the viral songs on Spotify attain membership. 

Now, if you’re a creator looking for smash hits to soundtrack your YouTube videos, you probably think there’s no way you could afford to license songs with a billion+ streams on Spotify. 

Well, friends, we’ve got news for you: it’s more than possible to get an affordable licence for billion streamers from the likes of Green Day, Sabrina Carpenter, Coldplay and XXXTentacion, and you’re in absolutely the right place to do just that.

Subscribe to Lickd and you’ll have access to 70+ of the most played songs on Spotify to use in your content, and you’ll also have guaranteed protection from pesky copyright claims.

Pricing depends on your average view count, so it’s affordable even if you’re just starting out. Calculate your pricing here.

Why license popular music? Because better music matters. Creators who use mainstream songs in their videos rather than stock music have, on average, enjoyed 35% longer watch time, twice as many views and 76% more likes.

 

 

Spotify most streamed songs: Pop tracks to license

Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter

A bubbly, infectious anthem with playful lyrics and a groovy beat, Espresso exudes confidence and fun. Its catchy rhythm makes it perfect for energetic lifestyle content, fashion hauls, or anything with a flirtatious, carefree vibe. Ideal for creators looking to add a touch of sass. More tracks by Sabrina Carpenter

We Don’t Talk Anymore by Charlie Puth feat. Selena Gomez

Hauntingly catchy with a melancholic yet danceable beat, this track captures the bittersweet sting of lost love. A great fit for breakup-themed content, emotional storytelling, or reflective travel vlogs. The duet-style vocals enhance its versatility, making it work for relationship-driven narratives. More tracks by Charlie Puth

Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars

Smooth, heartfelt, and irresistibly charming, this timeless love song radiates warmth and positivity. Its gentle melody and sweet lyrics make it ideal for romantic montages, heartfelt tributes, or wholesome lifestyle content. A go-to track for videos that celebrate love, kindness, and appreciation. More tracks by Bruno Mars

New Rules by Dua Lipa

Empowering and infectious, New Rules delivers anthemic energy with its pulsing beat and fierce lyrics. A perfect soundtrack for glow-up transformations, self-improvement content, or anything emphasizing confidence and independence. Great for videos that inspire change and fresh starts. More tracks by Dua Lipa

 

Spotify most streamed songs: Dance tracks to license

Dance Monkey by Tones And I

With its hypnotic melody and quirky vocals, Dance Monkey is instantly recognizable and packed with high-energy vibes. Its playful rhythm makes it perfect for dynamic montages, street performances, or anything that demands an upbeat, attention-grabbing soundtrack. More tracks by Tones And I

Piece of Your Heart by Meduza

A deep house hit with infectious vocal chops and a driving bassline, Piece of Your Heart delivers both emotion and energy. A terrific choice for travel vlogs, fashion edits, or any content that thrives on a mix of chill and high-energy moments and great for stylish, modern aesthetics. More tracks by Meduza

The Business by Tiësto

Dark, moody, and irresistibly groovy, The Business combines deep house beats with a hypnotic vocal hook. Ideal for nightlife visuals, workout montages, or cinematic slow-mo sequences, it adds a sleek, sophisticated edge to any content that needs an effortlessly cool vibe. More tracks by Tiësto

 

Creator example: Growingannanas (7M+ subs) does The Business

We absolutely adore super-cool home workout guru Growingannanas. Her routines are a masterly blend of chill, all-inclusive vibes and ‘let’s damn well get this done’ exercises. In the below example, the edit uses Tiësto’s The Business to help get you through the pop-squatting middle of the routine when you might be flagging (or was that just us?).

 

Growingannanas tells us she uses Lickd to license music for her videos because “it saves money, saves time and it helps me to grow my channel. My videos using popular music from Lickd have much better watch time.”

 

 

Spotify most streamed songs: Hip Hop tracks to license

SAD! by XXXTentacion

Raw and emotionally charged, SAD! blends haunting melodies with introspective lyrics, making it a powerful choice for deep, personal storytelling. Its melancholic yet hypnotic beat works well for moody edits, reflective vlogs, or emotional narratives that explore themes of loss, growth, or self-discovery. More tracks by XXXTentacion

Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz

Playful, funky, and packed with personality, Thrift Shop is a feel-good anthem with a retro twist. Its bouncy beat and humorous lyrics suits content such as quirky fashion hauls, budget challenges, or lighthearted vids that don’t take themselves too seriously. A go-to track for fun, upbeat edits. More tracks by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

20 Min by Lil Uzi Vert

Dreamy yet energetic, 20 Min features hypnotic melodies over a smooth, futuristic beat. Its laid-back yet fast-paced vibe makes it great for stylish visuals, gaming montages, or any content with a sleek, modern aesthetic. Ideal for creators who want a mix of chill and flex. More tracks by Lil Uzi Vert

 

Spotify most streamed songs: Indie Rock tracks to license

Viva La Vida by Coldplay

Majestic and cinematic, Viva La Vida brings dramatic strings and powerful lyrics together in a song that feels both triumphant and reflective. You couldn’t ask for better when it comes to epic montages, historical or fantasy-themed videos, or content that delves into grand, emotional journeys. A go-to track for large-scale visuals. More tracks by Coldplay

Pompeii by Bastille

With its anthemic chorus and driving beat, Pompeii mixes reflective lyrics with an upbeat vibe. Ideal for motivational content, travel vlogs, or any video that explores themes of hope, resilience, or transformation and great for epic moments or content that inspires change. More tracks by Bastille

Ophelia by The Lumineers

Folk-infused and emotionally evocative, Ophelia delivers a blend of yearning and introspection. Its warm, rustic sound works for heartwarming content, personal narratives, or anything that reflects on love, loss, and the passage of time. Great for intimate, story-driven videos. More tracks by The Lumineers

 

Spotify most streamed songs: Punk / metal tracks to license

American Idiot by Green Day

A political hand grenade of a song, American Idiot is high-energy punk-rock packed with attitude. Its bold lyrics and fast tempo make it perfect for rebellious, satirical, or counterculture content. A great choice for creators looking to add a defiant edge to their videos. More tracks by Green Day

The Kids Aren’t Alright by The Offspring

This punk-rock anthem captures themes of lost youth and harsh reality. With its driving guitars and urgent vocals, it’s a top choice for nostalgic retrospectives, rebellious content, or gritty urban visuals that tell a story of struggle and resilience. More tracks by The Offspring

I Was Made For Lovin’ You (Live) by Kiss

An eclectic fusion of hard rock and disco, this track delivers infectious grooves with a stadium-sized chorus. A timeless crowd-pleaser for high-impact visuals, use alongside retro-themed content, energetic party montages, or anything that needs a mix of glam, swagger, and classic rock energy. More tracks by Kiss

 

Spotify most streamed songs: Rock tracks to license

How You Remind Me by Nickelback

Gritty and anthemic, How You Remind Me delivers raw emotion with soaring vocals and a powerful chorus. Its heartfelt intensity suits dramatic storytelling, emotional montages, or content that explores themes of regret, redemption, and resilience. A great choice for nostalgic or reflective videos. More tracks by Nickelback

In The End by Linkin Park

Iconic and deeply introspective, In The End blends rap-rock intensity with melancholic piano melodies. Its themes of struggle and perseverance make it ideal for motivational edits, gaming montages, or emotional storytelling. A perfect track for content that captures life’s highs, lows, and everything in between. More tracks by Linkin Park

Iris by Goo Goo Dolls

With its sweeping melodies and deeply heartfelt lyrics, Iris is a timeless ballad that tugs at the heartstrings. An impeccable option for romantic montages, dramatic storytelling, or personal vlogs with an emotional depth and spot-on for content that focuses on love, longing, or big life moments. More tracks by Goo Goo Dolls

 

Is all this wildly popular music on Lickd royalty-free?

Yes and No. ‘No’ because copyrighted music works differently, and we believe in paying music artists fairly, but ‘Yes’ because you don’t have to pay any royalties! The single license fee to buy and use a track in your content is the only payment you’ll ever make for using that music, making it essentially royalty-free.

Additionally, your license means the track is cleared from copyright claims, even if you decide to leave Lickd. We protect you from copyright hassles with our proprietary software called VOUCH, and there’s always someone from our Support team on hand to help you if you ever run into difficulties.

Let’s get started with making your content even better….