Shawn Mendes, Marshmello and Khalid all made the list of the top-earning musicians per lyric on Spotify last year.Jesse Grant/Getty Images for iHeartMedia; Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for blu; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
In this digital age, artists are no longer just using album and song sales to make money, but streaming plays as well. One of the most popular streaming platforms, Spotify, paid out $0.00397 per play in 2017, according to The Trichordist. While that might not add up to much money for lesser-known artists, it can make for quite the sum for popular musicians.
Expert Market, a company that provides requested research for businesses, conducted a study to find not only how much the most-streamed artists made on Spotify last year, but how much they earned per song lyric. After ranking all the artists on the platform by their stream counts for songs released in 2017, Expert Market calculated all of the artists’ royalty information. From there, they looked at how many lyrics musicians had in each of the songs to find out how much money they made per line.
The one who made the most? Shawn Mendes. The singer earned an estimated $5,341.23 per lyric for his 2017 song “There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back.” He was the only one to make over $5,000 per line, with the second highest-earner, Marshmello, coming in at $4,597.25 per lyrics for his song “Silence.” R&B singer Khalid had a big year, taking in $4,241.85 per lyric for his major 2017 hit, “Young Dumb & Broke.”
The rest of the Top 50 earners last year spanned a slew of genres. The list includes Latin singer Luis Fonsi, country crooner Sam Hunt, electronic group Clean Bandit, rapper Post Malone, international genre-bending singer Carlos Vives and pop-rock band Maroon 5.
Though the singers at the top of the list made $4,000-$5,000 last year per lyric of their top songs, the earnings dropped quite a bit by the time the bottom of the Top 50 is reached. Number 46 on the study, Louis Tomlinson took in about $1,091.17 per line for his song “Back to You (feat. Bebe Rexha & Digital Farm Animals),” while number 48, Major Lazer, earned an estimated $1,064.72 for “Know No Better (feat. Travis Scott, Camila Cabello & Quavo).”
Still, no one on the list made less than $1,000 per lyric. Even though all the artists on this list made a pretty penny with streaming their songs on Spotify in 2017, they would have earned even more in previous years for the same stream counts. Spotify was paying $0.00521 per stream in 2014 before later dropping to $0.00437 in 2016 and then $0.00397 in 2017.
The company’s pay decrease aside, Mendes and co. still found a way to turn one line of a song into a nice-sized paycheck.
Axwell and Ingrosso earned an estimated $1,325.37 from Spotify per lyric of “More Than You Know” in 2017. The duo are pictured at the First Robin Hood Rocks Charity Concert of 2017 at Kola House NYC on May 25, 2017 in New York City.Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Robin Hood RocksDua Lipa earned an estimated $1,650.51 from Spotify per lyric of “New Rules” in 2017. She’s pictured at 103.5 KTU’s KTUphoria on June 16, 2018 in Wantagh, New York. Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for 103.5 KTUHailee Steinfeld earned an estimated $1,637.00 from Spotify per lyric of “Most Girls” in 2017. She’s pictured at the CinemaCon 2018 Paramount Pictures Presentation during CinemaCon on April 25, 2018 in Las Vegas.Ethan Miller/Getty Images for CinemaConJason Derulo earned an estimated $1,599.69 from Spotify per lyric of “Swalla (feat. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign)” in 2017. He’s pictured at the Echo Award at Messe Berlin on April 12, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. Andreas Rentz/Getty ImagesNicky Jam earned an estimated $1,597.90 from Spotify per lyric of “El Amante” in 2017. He’s pictured at the pressroom at One Voice: Somos Live! A Concert For Disaster Relief at Marlins Park on Oct. 14, 2017 in Miami. Jason Koerner/One Voice: Somos Live!/Getty ImagesRita Ora earned an estimated $1,536.74 from Spotify per lyric of “Your Song” in 2017. She’s pictured at the 2018 Fragrance Foundation Awards at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on June 12, 2018 in New York City. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for The Fragrance FoundationZAYN earned an estimated $1,527.17 from Spotify per lyric of “I Don't Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker)” in 2017. He’s pictured at the Tom Ford Fall/Winter 2018 Women’s Runway Show at the Park Avenue Armory on Feb. 8, 2018 in New York City. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tom FordLiam Payne earned an estimated $1,490.56 from Spotify per lyric of “Strip That Down” in 2017. He’s pictured at the Echo Awards at Messe Berlin on April 12, 2018 in Berlin, Germany.Andreas Rentz/Getty ImagesSelena Gomez earned an estimated $1,416.45 from Spotify per lyric of “Bad Liar” in 2017. She’s pictured at WE Day California at The Forum in Inglewood, California on April 19, 2018.JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/AFP/Getty ImagesDavid Guetta earned an estimated $1,396.38 from Spotify per lyric of “2U (feat. Justin Bieber)” in 2017. He’s pictured at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on Sept. 22, 2017 in Las Vegas. David Becker/Getty Images for iHeartMediaNatti Natasha earned an estimated $1,396.26 from Spotify per lyric of “Criminal” in 2017. She’s pictured at the 2018 Univision Upfront at Spring Studios on May 14, 2018 in New York City. Astrid Stawiarz/Getty ImagesMaluma is pictured at the 2018 Billboard Latin Music Awards at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on April 26, 2018 in Las Vegas. Isaac Brekken/Getty ImagesChris Jeday earned an estimated $1,379.90 from Spotify per lyric of “Ahora Dice” in 2017.Universal Music LatinoJulia Michaels earned an estimated $1,662.49 from Spotify per lyric of “Issues” in 2017. She’s pictured at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20, 2018 in Las Vegas.Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesFrench Montana earned an estimated $1,319.85 from Spotify per lyric of “Unforgettable” in 2017. He’s pictured at the “Deadpool 2” screening at AMC Loews Lincoln Square on May 14, 2018 in New York City. Michael Loccisano/Getty ImagesImagine Dragons earned an estimated $1,282.55 from Spotify per lyric of “Thunder” in 2017. The band’s pictured at the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 28, 2018 in New York City.Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesNF earned an estimated $1,245.05 from Spotify per lyric of “Let You Down” in 2017. He’s pictured at the 2018 iHeartRadio Wango Tango at Banc of California Stadium on June 2, 2018 in Los Angeles.Jesse Grant/Getty Images for iHeartMediaCarlos Vives earned an estimated $1,231.35 from Spotify per lyric of “Robarte un Beso” in 2017. He’s pictured at the Cadena Dial Awards 2018 on March 15, 2018 in Tenerife, Spain.Carlos Alvarez/Getty ImagesXXXTENTACION earned an estimated $1,177.97 from Spotify per lyric of “Look at Me!” in 2017. He’s pictured at the BET Hip Hop Awards 2017 at The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater on Oct. 6, 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida.Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BETCNCO earned an estimated $1,145.30 from Spotify per lyric of “Hey DJ” in 2017. The group’s pictured at the 2017 Person of the Year Gala at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on Nov. 15, 2017 in Las Vegas. Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for LARASLouis Tomlinson earned an estimated $1,091.17 from Spotify per lyric of “Back to You (feat. Bebe Rexha & Digital Farm Animals)” in 2017. He’s pictured at the SiriusXM Los Angeles Studios on Jan. 17, 2017 in Los Angeles.Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for SiriusXMMaroon 5 earned an estimated $1,085.23 from Spotify per lyric of “What Lovers Do (feat. SZA)” in 2017. The band’s pictured at the 2016 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Nov. 20, 2016 in Los Angeles.Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesMajor Lazer earned an estimated $1,064.72 from Spotify per lyric of “Know No Better (feat. Travis Scott, Camila Cabello & Quavo)” in 2017. The group’s pictured at Bacardi X The Dean Collection Present: No Commission Berlin on June 29, 2017 in Berlin, Germany. Brian Dowling/Getty Images for BacardiShakira earned an estimated $1,026.36 from Spotify per lyric of “Me Enamoré” in 2017. She’s pictured at the Premiere of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia” at the El Capitan Theatre on Feb. 17, 2016 in Hollywood, California.Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesAvicii earned an estimated $1,023.88 from Spotify per lyric of “Lonely Together (feat. Rita Ora)” in 2017. He’s pictured at the MasterCard Lounge at Westwood One Backstage on Feb. 13, 2016 in Los Angeles. Christopher Polk/Getty Images for MasterCardJonas Blue earned an estimated $2,161.86 from Spotify per lyric of “Mama” in 2017. He’s pictured at the Capital Summertime Ball 2018 at Wembley Stadium on June 9, 2018 in London.Jeff Spicer/Getty ImagesMarshmello earned an estimated $4,597.25 from Spotify per lyric of “Silence” in 2017. DJ Marshmello is pictured at the 2018 Maxim Party on Feb. 3, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for bluKhalid earned an estimated $4,241.85 from Spotify per lyric of “Young Dumb & Broke” in 2017. He’s pictured at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20, 2018 in Las Vegas. Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesJustin Bieber earned an estimated $4,079.98 from Spotify per lyric of “Friends (with BloodPop ®)” in 2017. He’s pictured at the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesLuis Fonsi earned an estimated $3,798.75 from Spotify per lyric of “Despacito - Remix” in 2017. He’s pictured at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20, 2018 in Las Vegas.Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesMaggie Lindemann earned an estimated $3074 from Spotify per lyric of “Pretty Girl - Cheat Codes X CADE Remix” in 2017. She’s pictured at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards 2017 at Wembley Arena on Oct. 22, 2017 in London.Tim P. Whitby/Tim P. Whitby/ Getty ImagesSam Hunt earned an estimated $2,999.02 from Spotify per lyric of “Body Like A Back Road” in 2017. He’s pictured at the 2017 CMT Music Awards at the Music City Center on June 7, 2017 in Nashville. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images For CMTClean Bandit earned an estimated $2,997.53 from Spotify per lyric of “Symphony (feat. Zara Larsson)” in 2017. The group is pictured at the Mobo Awards at The SSE Hydro on Nov. 4, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. Jo Hale/Getty ImagesMartin Garrix is pictured at The Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM Hits 1 backstage broadcast leading up to the Billboard Music Awards on May 19, 2018 in Las Vegas. Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for SiriusXMZedd earned an estimated $2,730.49 from Spotify per lyric of “Stay (with Alessia Cara)” in 2017. He’s pictured at the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 28, 2018 in New York City. Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesManuel Turizo earned an estimated $2,647.59 from Spotify per lyric of “Una Lady Como Tú” in 2017.La Industria Inc.Portugal. The Man earned an estimated $2,453.63 from Spotify per lyric of “Feel It Still” in 2017. The band is pictured at Mississippi Studios on Jan. 31, 2018 in Portland, Oregon.Anthony Pidgeon/Getty Images for SiriusXMPost Malone earned an estimated $2,214.49 from Spotify per lyric of “rockstar” in 2017. He’s pictured at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards official after party at Hakkasan Nightclub at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on May 20, 2018 in Las Vegas. Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Dick Clark ProductionsShawn Mendes earned an estimated $5,341.23 from Spotify per lyric of “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” in 2017. He’s pictured backstage at the 2018 iHeartRadio Wango Tango at Banc of California Stadium on June 2, 2018 in Los Angeles.Jesse Grant/Getty Images for iHeartMediaEnrique Iglesias earned an estimated $2,145.75 from Spotify per lyric of “SUBEME LA RADIO” in 2017. He’s pictured at The Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM Hits 1 backstage broadcast leading up to the Billboard Music Awards on May 19, 2018 in Las Vegas.Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for SiriusXMThe Chainsmokers earned an estimated $2,144.32 from Spotify per lyric of “Something Just Like This” in 2017. The duo’s pictured at WE Day California at The Forum on April 19, 2018 in Inglewood, California. Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for WEKygo earned an estimated $2,098.35 from Spotify per lyric of “It Ain't Me (with Selena Gomez)” in 2017. He’s pictured at The Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM Hits 1 backstage broadcast leading up to the Billboard Music Awards on May 19, 2018 in Las Vegas. Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for SiriusXMWisin earned an estimated $2,083.14 from Spotify per lyric of “Escápate Conmigo” in 2017. He’s pictured at the 2018 Billboard Latin Music Awards at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on April 26, 2018 in Las Vegas.Isaac Brekken/Getty ImagesCharlie Puth earned an estimated $1,984.71 from Spotify per lyric of “Attention” in 2017. He’s pictured at 103.5 KTU’s KTUphoria on June 16, 2018 in Wantagh, New York.Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for 103.5 KTUTravis Scott is pictured at the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards at Wembley Arena in London on Nov. 12, 2017. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty ImagesCheat Codes earned an estimated $1,915.99 from Spotify per lyric of “No Promises (feat. Demi Lovato)” in 2017. The group’s pictured at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20, 2018 in Las Vegas.Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesJ Balvin earned an estimated $1,849.93 from Spotify per lyric of “Mi Gente” in 2017. He’s pictured at the SiriusXM Studios on May 16, 2018 in New York City. Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXMEd Sheeran is pictured at Z100’s Jingle Ball on Dec. 8, 2017, in New York City.Monica Schipper/Getty Images for iHeartMediaBecky G earned an estimated $1,717.36 from Spotify per lyric of “Mayores” in 2017. She’s pictured at the 2018 Billboard Latin Music Awards at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on April 26, 2018 in Las Vegas.Isaac Brekken/Getty ImagesLauv earned an estimated $1,693.12 from Spotify per lyric of “I Like Me Better” in 2017. He’s pictured at the 2018 iHeartRadio Wango Tango at Banc of California Stadium on June 2, 2018 in Los Angeles. Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for iHeartMedia
