Let’s be real: at this point, Abel Tesfaye isn't just a pop star. He’s basically a walking cheat code for the music industry. As we sit here in early 2026, the man has managed to do something most artists would sell their souls for—he’s transitioned from a shadowy, anonymous R&B enigma into the biggest artist on the planet without losing that "creepy-cool" edge.
Everyone has a favorite, but the data tells a very specific story about the weeknd most popular songs and how they've reshaped the streaming era. We aren't just talking about radio play anymore; we’re talking about the first artist to ever land 30 different songs in the "Spotify Billions Club."
Honestly, it’s kind of ridiculous when you look at the raw stats.
The Undisputed King: Blinding Lights
You literally cannot escape this song. Even now, years after it first dropped at the tail end of 2019, "Blinding Lights" remains a juggernaut. In late 2025, it shattered records by becoming the first song ever to cross 5 billion streams on Spotify. Think about that number for a second. That is more than half the human population on Earth hitting play on a single track.
It’s the ultimate "new-wave" throwback. It’s got that Max Martin polish, the 80s synth pulse, and a hook that somehow never gets annoying. While some critics initially worried Abel was "selling out" for a more commercial sound, the longevity of this track proved that he just knew what we wanted to hear before we did. It spent over a year in the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10. No one else has done that.
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The Era of the Starboy
If "Blinding Lights" is the crown jewel, "Starboy" is the throne. This collaboration with Daft Punk (RIP to the legends) really marked the moment Abel fully embraced his status as a global icon. It’s sleek, it’s arrogant, and it’s currently sitting at well over 4.3 billion streams.
What’s interesting is how "Starboy" and its sister track, "I Feel It Coming," created a bridge. They took the dark, drug-fueled nihilism of his early work and wrapped it in a French-house glow. It made the darkness palatable for the masses.
The Top 10 Heavy Hitters (By the Numbers)
Instead of a boring list, look at how the power is distributed across his discography as of January 2026. The sheer variety of sounds that have hit the billion-mark is wild:
- Die For You: This is the ultimate "sleeper hit." It took years of TikTok virality and a remix with Ariana Grande to push this 2016 track into the stratosphere. It’s now one of his top three most-streamed songs, proving that a good melody never truly dies.
- The Hills: Still the best example of his "horror-movie R&B" style. That bass drop is iconic. It’s a Diamond-certified record that somehow made screaming "I only call you when it's half-past five" a universal anthem.
- One Of The Girls: A more recent addition to the upper echelons. Despite the controversy surrounding The Idol, this collab with JENNIE and Lily-Rose Depp has exploded, racking up massive daily numbers (over 2.2 million a day recently) thanks to a global fanbase that transcends traditional US charts.
- Save Your Tears: Another synth-pop masterpiece from the After Hours era. Whether it’s the solo version or the Ariana remix, it’s a permanent fixture on every "vibe" playlist in existence.
Why the "Trilogy" Era Still Matters
You can't talk about the weeknd most popular songs without acknowledging the foundation. Hardcore fans—the ones who were there for the 2011 Tumblr era—will always point to "Wicked Games" or "The Morning."
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While "Wicked Games" might not have 5 billion streams, it’s the "soul" of his brand. It’s the reason he can get away with the weird, cinematic personas he adopts now. It established the "XO" aesthetic: the loneliness, the toxicity, and the incredible vocal runs. Even in 2026, "Wicked Games" pulls in hundreds of thousands of streams daily. It’s a cult classic that somehow became a mainstream staple.
The New Frontier: Hurry Up Tomorrow and Beyond
With the release of Hurry Up Tomorrow in 2025, we’ve seen new contenders enter the ring. "Timeless" (featuring Playboi Carti) and "São Paulo" (with Anitta) have already rocketed into the hundreds of millions. "Timeless" specifically is already being eyed as the next potential member of the 2-billion club.
The strategy is clear: Abel is no longer just making "albums." He’s building universes. His "After Hours Til Dawn" tour has grossed over $1 billion, making it the highest-grossing tour by a solo male artist in history. When you go to his shows, you realize that every song in his setlist—from "Can't Feel My Face" to "Creepin'"—is basically a global hymn.
The "Weeknd Effect" on Streaming
So, why does he dominate so consistently? Honestly, it’s the "playlistability."
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Whether you're at the gym, driving at night, or at a party, there is a Weeknd song that fits. He’s mastered the art of the "mood." He also isn't afraid of collaborations that bridge genres. Working with Future on "Low Life" or Metro Boomin on "Creepin'" keeps him relevant in the rap world, while his work with Max Martin keeps him on the pop throne.
Summary of Where to Start
If you're looking to build the ultimate playlist based on his current popularity peaks, you've gotta hit these pillars:
- The Pop Anthems: Blinding Lights, Save Your Tears, Can't Feel My Face.
- The Dark R&B: The Hills, Often, Wicked Games.
- The New Era: Timeless, São Paulo, One Of The Girls.
- The Collaborations: Starboy, I Feel It Coming, Creepin'.
The data shows that his popularity isn't just a flash in the pan. It’s a sustained, calculated dominance of the digital landscape. As he prepares to retire "The Weeknd" moniker after this current era, these songs will serve as the blueprint for what modern stardom looks like.
Next Steps for XO Fans: Go check out the live versions from the "After Hours Til Dawn" tour on streaming platforms. The arrangements for songs like "Alone Again" and "Faith" are significantly different from the studio versions and offer a much deeper look into how these tracks were meant to be experienced. You should also keep an eye on the 2026 tour dates in Europe and the UK—these will likely be the final chances to hear many of these hits performed under his current stage name.