Research Article

FROM BEATS TO TRENDS: A VARIABLE-BASED STUDY OF SPOTIFY’S TOP 100

Volume: 9 Number: 1 March 25, 2026
EN TR

FROM BEATS TO TRENDS: A VARIABLE-BASED STUDY OF SPOTIFY’S TOP 100

Abstract

ÖZ This study analyzes current music trends by examining songs featured in Spotify’s Global Top 100 weekly charts throughout 2021 using a data-driven approach. Descriptive data analysis was employed to identify and examine musical characteristics associated with patterns of chart presence and chart longevity on digital music platforms. The research data consist of 5,200 chart entries corresponding to 602 unique songs obtained from the weekly Global Top 100 charts published between January 1, 2021, and January 1, 2022. The analysis focuses on key musical variables such as genre, tonality, tempo (BPM), and song duration. Genre and song duration data were obtained from publicly available song metadata, while tonality and tempo analyses were conducted using Logic Pro X version 10.6. The findings show that Pop, Hip-Hop, and Reggaeton were the most prominent genres in the charts, accounting for a substantial proportion of total chart entries. In addition, certain musical characteristics such as minor tonalities, specific tempo ranges, and song durations appeared to be associated with greater chart longevity. By focusing on musical parameters, the study provides a descriptive perspective on popularity patterns in digital music charts and may offer useful insights for music production and music education.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Music Technology and Recording, Music (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 25, 2026

Submission Date

January 27, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 20, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 1

APA
Zeren, B., & Arapgirlioğlu, H. (2026). FROM BEATS TO TRENDS: A VARIABLE-BASED STUDY OF SPOTIFY’S TOP 100. Yegah Musicology Journal, 9(1), 995-1013. https://doi.org/10.51576/ymd.1872960
AMA
1.Zeren B, Arapgirlioğlu H. FROM BEATS TO TRENDS: A VARIABLE-BASED STUDY OF SPOTIFY’S TOP 100. YMJ. 2026;9(1):995-1013. doi:10.51576/ymd.1872960
Chicago
Zeren, Başar, and Hasan Arapgirlioğlu. 2026. “FROM BEATS TO TRENDS: A VARIABLE-BASED STUDY OF SPOTIFY’S TOP 100”. Yegah Musicology Journal 9 (1): 995-1013. https://doi.org/10.51576/ymd.1872960.
EndNote
Zeren B, Arapgirlioğlu H (March 1, 2026) FROM BEATS TO TRENDS: A VARIABLE-BASED STUDY OF SPOTIFY’S TOP 100. Yegah Musicology Journal 9 1 995–1013.
IEEE
[1]B. Zeren and H. Arapgirlioğlu, “FROM BEATS TO TRENDS: A VARIABLE-BASED STUDY OF SPOTIFY’S TOP 100”, YMJ, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 995–1013, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.51576/ymd.1872960.
ISNAD
Zeren, Başar - Arapgirlioğlu, Hasan. “FROM BEATS TO TRENDS: A VARIABLE-BASED STUDY OF SPOTIFY’S TOP 100”. Yegah Musicology Journal 9/1 (March 1, 2026): 995-1013. https://doi.org/10.51576/ymd.1872960.
JAMA
1.Zeren B, Arapgirlioğlu H. FROM BEATS TO TRENDS: A VARIABLE-BASED STUDY OF SPOTIFY’S TOP 100. YMJ. 2026;9:995–1013.
MLA
Zeren, Başar, and Hasan Arapgirlioğlu. “FROM BEATS TO TRENDS: A VARIABLE-BASED STUDY OF SPOTIFY’S TOP 100”. Yegah Musicology Journal, vol. 9, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 995-1013, doi:10.51576/ymd.1872960.
Vancouver
1.Başar Zeren, Hasan Arapgirlioğlu. FROM BEATS TO TRENDS: A VARIABLE-BASED STUDY OF SPOTIFY’S TOP 100. YMJ. 2026 Mar. 1;9(1):995-1013. doi:10.51576/ymd.1872960

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