Ed Sheeran named UK’s most played artist of the year – again

Ed Sheeran, whose chart-topping victory is most likely due to his 2021 album =, pictured in June 2023. Photograph: Guerin Charles/ABACA/Shutterstock

For the sixth time in eight years, Ed Sheeran has been named the UK’s most played artist of the year by the music company Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL).

The figures for 2022 reflect the most-heard music in the UK in real terms: as well as streaming, radio and broadcast, the PPL licenses the use of recorded music in public places and public performance venues.

Only Dua Lipa’s chart-topping year in 2020 prevented Sheeran from a clean sweep of the past six years. Sheeran’s 2022 victory is most likely thanks to the popularity of his 2021 album =, which is certified three-time platinum in the UK with more than 900,000 units sold.

Sheeran first broke into the PPL’s top five most-played artists in 2012, when he released the album +. His stats give him comparable staying power to Coldplay, the only other band in this year’s Top 10 who appeared in the 2012 list where Sheeran debuted.

Sheeran said in a statement: “Thanks to everyone who continues to listen to and enjoy my music. I never take it for granted.”

The Top 10 is dominated by UK pop stars, including the British-Kosovan Lipa at No 2. The highest charting foreign artist is French superstar DJ David Guetta at No 3; US superstar Taylor Swift caps the list at No 10.

Coldplay are the only band on the list, which is 70% male, with Lipa and Swift joined by UK dance star Becky Hill at No 9.

The PPL also revealed the most-played songs of 2022. Harry Styles topped the list with the ubiquitous As It Was. Sheeran and George Ezra both have two songs in the Top 10, respectively Overpass Graffiti at No 8 and Shivers at No 9, and Anywhere for You (Tiger Lily) at No 5 and Green Green Grass at No 7.

The list also features eight British acts or collaborations; US flute-botherer Lizzo is at No 2, with Guetta’s collaboration with Hill and the UK’s Ella Henderson, Crazy What Love Can Do, at No 10.

PPL’s chief executive officer, Peter Leathem, said in a statement: “I am delighted that this year’s most-played charts recognise two of the country’s great musical exports, Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles. Their global success reflects the financial and cultural importance of British music.

“Ed’s unparalleled run at the top of our most-played artists charts is a testament to his enduring popularity, longevity and exceptional talent. Many congratulations to him and his team. Harry’s soaraway success reflects his hard work and consistent ability to write and perform songs that resonate the world over.”

Sheeran perhaps stands less of a chance at topping the chart next year: his latest album, the muted – [Subtract] received the best reviews of the year, but its muted sound lends itself less well to public ubiquity than his previous copper-bottomed hits.

The PPL’s Top 10 most-played artists of 2022

1. Ed Sheeran

2. Dua Lipa

3. David Guetta

4. Harry Styles

5. Elton John

6. George Ezra

7. Coldplay

8. Calvin Harris

9. Becky Hill

10. Taylor Swift

The PPL’s Top 10 most-played songs of 2022

1. Harry Styles – As It Was

2. Lizzo – About Damn Time

3. Jax Jones and MNEK – Where Did You Go?

4. Elton John and Dua Lipa – Cold Heart (Pnau remix)

5. George Ezra – Anyone for You (Tiger Lily)

6. Lost Frequencies and Calum Scott – Where Are You Now

7. George Ezra – Green Green Grass

8. Ed Sheeran – Overpass Graffiti

9. Ed Sheeran – Shivers

10. David Guetta, Becky Hill and Ella Henderson – Crazy What Love Can Do