Taylor Swift has topped the list of global recording artists for 2019. Whether you love her or you, hate her or grew up on her original music and still can’t quite decide which way your heart goes, the fact remains that she’s topping the charts.

Lover by Taylor Swift

“Taylor Swift had another hugely successful year in 2019, releasing her seventh studio album, Lover, in August. The album debuted at number one in more than ten countries and reached three million album-equivalent sales worldwide by the end of its first week of release,” An IFPI press release reads.

Taylor Swift describes the album as “a love letter to love itself.” Lover is Taylor Swift’s seventh studio album, released by Republic Records in the summer of 2019. With the help of Jack Antonoff, Joel Little, Louis Bell, Frank Dukes, and Sounwave, this album landed Taylor Swift on the top for 2019.

Rolling Stones admits that “Lover is Swift’s most adult album, a rebalancing of sound and persona that opens doors to the next decade of her career. it’s also a welcome return to the sonic diversity of 2012’s Red, with tracks ranging from the St. Vincent-assisted über-bop “Cruel Summer” to the unbearably poignant country-fried “Soon You’ll Get Better” (with the Dixie Chicks) and the “Shake It Off”-worthy pep of “Paper Rings.”

“With this album, I felt like I permitted myself to revisit older themes that I used to write about, maybe look at them with fresh eyes. And to revisit older instruments — older in terms of when I used to use them.” She explains in an interview with Rolling Stones.

Changes within Taylor Swift’s Albums

This is a much brighter, happier, and more cheerful album compared to the dark and edgy nature of the previous album, Reputation (2017). This album marks a nearly 180 in terms of style and music for the musician, inspired by older Taylor Swift, if not reverting to a more pop style.

Taylor agrees that it is very different from previous releases and admits, “In the Reputation secret sessions, I had to explain to my fans, “I know we’re doing a new thing here that I’d never done before.” I’d never played with characters before. For many pop stars, that’s an amusing trick where they’re like, “This is my alter ego.” I had never played with that before. It’s enjoyable. And it was just so fun to play with on tour — the darkness, the bombast, the bitterness, the love, and the ups and downs of an emotional turmoil record.”

Thinking back to the infamous line from “Look What You Made Me Do,” where Taylor sings, “I’m sorry, the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now…Oh, ’cause she’s dead”. I guess death doesn’t last and merely comes forth brighter and with many pastels.

International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) Global Artist Chart

Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI, said, “Taylor Swift is the epitome of a truly global star. She continues to grow as an artist. Not only does she maintain a solid connection with her fanbase while evolving her sound with each album. It is a pleasure to present her with the Global Recording Artist of the Year award for the second time.

Though she’s not the only one to appear on the list for 2019, nine other runner-ups got oh so close. Here they are.

1. Taylor Swift
2. Ed Sheeran
3. Post Malone
4. Billie Eilish
5. Queen
6. Ariana Grande
7. BTS
8. Drake
9. Lady Gaga
10. The Beatles

Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI, continues, “The ‘top ten’ showcases some of the brightest and most talented artists worldwide, from newer stars, such as Billie Eilish and BTS, to legacy acts like The Beatles and Queen. This range demonstrates how people and diverse artists can continually ignite people’s love of music and yet endure across decades. I congratulate all the artists in the chart.”

IFPI, International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, represents the international interests of the recording industry with a membership of approximately 1,300 primary and independent companies in nearly 60 countries. Their mission is to promote recorded music in terms of awareness and value. 

Follow IFPI on Twitter and Instagram for more information.

Let me know what you think in the comments below!!