A screen captured image of Baby Shark’s hand-washing video [JOONGANG ILBO]
Global Phenomenon
The English version of “Baby Shark,” a popular children’s song from the Korean educational brand The Pinkfong Company, has achieved a remarkable milestone by surpassing 1 billion streams on Spotify. This accomplishment marks a significant moment in music history as it becomes the first character intellectual property and children’s song to reach this level of success on a global music streaming platform.
A Track with Global Reach
While most tracks that have exceeded 1 billion streams on Spotify are typically hit songs by well-known international artists such as Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, BTS, and Blackpink, “Baby Shark” stands out as a unique case. Its catchy refrain, “Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo,” has captivated young audiences around the world with its simple melody and easy-to-learn chorus.
YouTube Success
In addition to its success on Spotify, a video based on the song titled “Baby Shark Dance” has accumulated an impressive 16.9 billion views on YouTube. This video has maintained its position as the most-viewed video on the platform for an impressive 65 consecutive months.
Daily Streams and Regional Popularity
Over the past year, “Baby Shark” was played 137 million times on Spotify, which equates to approximately 400,000 daily streams or about five streams per second worldwide. The track has also gained popularity across various regions, with the top countries listening to the track over the past month including the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, the Philippines, Turkey, and Indonesia. This widespread appeal highlights the song’s ability to transcend language and cultural barriers.
Chart Performance and Certifications
“Baby Shark” has also made its mark on music charts. It debuted at No. 32 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 2019, staying on the chart for 20 consecutive weeks. The song also reached No. 6 on the British Official Singles Chart Top 100. In terms of certifications, “Baby Shark” has received major recognition, including a Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, 5x Platinum from the British Phonographic Industry, and Gold from France’s National Syndicate of Phonographic Publishing.
Continued Impact
With its continued success and global reach, “Baby Shark” has become more than just a children’s song. It has evolved into a cultural phenomenon that continues to entertain and engage audiences of all ages around the world.
