You probably wouldn’t guess it from a glance at social media, but the world’s favorite activity isn’t snapping selfies, binge-watching dramas, or leveling up in video games. It’s so basic, so universal, you could be doing it right now without even noticing. Ready for it? It’s listening to music. Across every age group, continent, and walk of life, more people listen to music each day than they do just about anything else for fun. Seriously. The latest stats hammer this home—Spotify alone reported over 615 million monthly users in early 2025, while YouTube Music and Apple Music add hundreds of millions more. If you combine radio, albums, streaming, background tunes in shops, and even that neighbor blasting Taylor Swift, you’ve got literally billions tuning in daily. But why do we reach for a song in almost every situation? The answer goes deeper than you’d think.
What Makes Listening to Music So Irresistible?
Music isn’t just sound—it’s an emotion amplifier and memory machine. Scientists have found that listening to your favorite song lights up more parts of your brain than almost anything else, except maybe chocolate. When you hear familiar chords, your brain drops a cocktail of dopamine and endorphins, giving you a mini high. This explains why people keep playlists for every mood—motivational for workouts, mellow for chilling, energizing for mornings, sappy for heartbreaks. Before you say it’s all about streaming, consider this: back in 2019, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) revealed that the average person listened to music for 18 hours a week. That number’s jumped even higher as wireless earbuds and smart speakers came along.
The real kicker? Music crushes the language barrier. You don’t need to speak Korean to groove to BTS or understand Spanish for Bad Bunny. Last year, the top 10 songs on global charts came from at least five different languages—that just wouldn’t happen with TV shows or books. If you’re feeling stuck, stressed or restless, pop on your favorite album. Studies show music can seriously lower your anxiety, sharpen focus, and even boost memory if you pick instrumental tracks while studying. In a way, listening to music is the most democratic activity there is. No one’s too old or young, you don’t need fancy gear, and there’s no “right way” to do it. Whether you sing along off-key or drift off to white noise, you’re part of a global tribe.
Still not sure it counts as the world’s favorite? Recent polling from GlobalWebIndex (GWI) shows over 86% of internet users play music at least once a week, with 74% saying it’s part of their daily routine. Compare that to streaming TV (62%), reading (45%), or gaming (31%), and there’s no contest. Even during a typical workday in Wellington’s busy CBD, I see everyone from students to grandmas popping in headphones. Music, quite simply, is always invited.
Here’s something wild: the most streamed song of all time (“Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd) racked up over 4 billion plays! That’s almost half the world population’s worth of listens. If you want to see the data, check out this quick table of global activity stats from 2024.
| Activity | People Worldwide (Estimated) | Average Time/Week |
|---|---|---|
| Listening to Music | 5.4 billion | 20 hrs |
| Streaming TV/Movies | 4.2 billion | 11 hrs |
| Social Media | 5.1 billion | 14 hrs |
| Gaming | 3.0 billion | 8 hrs |
| Reading for Pleasure | 2.3 billion | 5 hrs |
Looking at numbers like these, it’s not even close. If you’ve ever made a playlist for a long drive or queued up your childhood favorites for a boost, congrats—you’re part of a record-breaking phenomenon.
How Technology Changed the Way We Listen
Rewind a couple of decades, and if you wanted to play music, you’d haul around a stack of CDs or fight over control of the radio dial. Now? A quick tap or “Hey Siri, play Lana Del Rey” gets you pretty much any song ever made. Streaming has been the game-changer. In 2015, streaming music accounted for just 19% of industry revenue. Fast forward to 2025, and that’s ballooned beyond 80%, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
Smartphones made music a constant companion. No more waiting for songs to load or paying extra per track. Services like Spotify, YouTube Music, and regional powerhouses like NetEase in China mean everyone can access literally millions of tracks anywhere there’s a signal. And don’t forget about podcasts—they’re music’s close cousin, and they’ve exploded too. Last year, podcast listens topped 500 million a day. That’s a lot of stories, advice, gossip, and true crime to chew through on your walk to the shops.
Bluetooth speakers and noise-canceling headphones changed the game at home and on the move. Families listen to favorites together in the kitchen, while commuters vanish into their own worlds on the train. Even my favorite local gym in Wellington sets the mood with curated playlists that change by hour. If you’re after something more old school, vinyl has made a quirky comeback. Vinyl sales in 2024 hit their highest since the ‘80s, driven by collectors and nostalgia-lovers who want music to feel tactile again.
Plenty of apps now offer “smart playlists,” using AI that learns what you like and keeps feeding you more of it—though sometimes it gets a bit overzealous with those breakup ballads. If you’re sharing Wi-Fi with flatmates or family, try collaborative playlists. It’s a fun way to discover your cousin’s jazz obsession or surprise an old friend with a new release.
Then there’s the push for immersive sound. 3D audio, spatial mixes, and Dolby Atmos are pumping up everything from Billie Eilish to movie soundtracks. For some, these changes make music feel more “live,” but if you prefer the classics, there’s always a station spinning Bowie or The Rolling Stones. Tech keeps music fresh and personal, which is part of why we keep coming back for more.
Different Ways People Make Music Fun
What’s cool about music is that it’s not just something you listen to. It sneaks into every part of life—parties, workouts, homework, even sleep. In South Korea, millions tune into live “study with me” streams that set quiet background tunes to help you stay focused. Runners use motivational playlists to crush PBs, while yoga studios from Wellington to Waikiki play calming acoustic sets that melt away tension.
Karaoke bars are where everyone drops their guard. In Japan alone, karaoke revenue is in the billions (yes, really). It’s an excuse to sing your heart out with mates, bad pitch and all. For families, music games like “Just Dance” and “Rock Band” can turn any living room into a mini concert. If you’re hosting a party, crowd-sourced playlists keep everyone happy—or at least arguing over who adds the next song. Want to surprise a friend for their birthday? Curate a playlist filled with tunes that remind you of adventures together. It’s heartfelt, and way cheaper than a present.
Music festivals are giant, epic parties where you can see top stars or discover a favorite indie band. They draw crowds so big they resemble small cities. In 2023, Glastonbury in the UK pulled in over 200,000 people. The scale of live shows today compared to just 10 years ago is wild, with digital ticketing and safety upgrades making them more accessible. And let’s not forget about sports anthems—stadium crowds belting out Queen’s “We Will Rock You” unify people like almost nothing else.
Even if you’re tone-deaf, you don’t miss out. Meditation and sleep apps offer curated soundtracks designed to help you relax or drift off—turns out, lullabies aren’t just for babies. For couples, sharing a favorite song becomes a private memory. There are even viral challenges on TikTok and Instagram built around catchy tracks, spreading new dance moves or reviving retro hits at lightning speed.
If you want to deepen your musical experience, consider making your own. You don’t need pricey gear—a basic recording app can turn your phone into a mini studio. Look up online tutorials, or join a local music group. And if you’re stuck in a rut, explore music from a different country. African beats, K-pop, Bollywood tunes, Celtic folk—the world’s playlist is almost endless. You never know what’ll spark your new obsession.
Tips to Make the Most of the World’s Favorite Pastime
If you think you’ve heard it all, think again. There’s a world of tips to supercharge your music enjoyment, whether you’re a casual listener or a die-hard collector. Start by making “mood playlists” for mornings, workouts, road trips, or chill evenings. Apps let you use filters for genre, tempo, or even weather—Spotify’s “Rainy Day” mix is oddly addictive during a Wellington drizzle.
Switch up your routine with music documentaries. These let you peek behind the curtain of your favorite artists’ lives—watching Beyoncé’s “Homecoming” or the “Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All” docuseries turned out more inspiring than I expected. If you want more variety, check out radio stations from around the world. Sites like Radio Garden let you spin the dial from Berlin to Buenos Aires in seconds, all without a passport.
If you’re itching for social connection, host a “blind listening” night—have friends bring songs, play them anonymously, and guess who picked what. Winner gets bragging rights and maybe a slice of grandma’s secret cake. For deeper appreciation, try listening with intent. Grab a pair of comfy headphones and actually pay attention. You’ll catch new layers—maybe a sneaky bass line or extra harmonies hiding in old favorites.
- Explore genres you’ve never given a chance—folk, funk, electronic, indie pop, Afrobeat.
- If you commute, use that time for “album a day” challenges—it’s surprising how energizing new music can be.
- Set up a family or friend music group chat to swap recommendations. It’s an easy way to learn about trends (and what your kids are dancing to at school!).
- For mindfulness, play lo-fi beats or classical tracks during study or chores; science says it can help focus and reduce stress levels.
Don’t stress about being “up to date” or on trend. Music is the one club where everyone’s welcome, taste is personal, and there’s always more to find. So reach for those headphones, press play, and join the billions—no stage required.
