- Popularity of non-English music is rapidly growing in the UK, with over a quarter (28%) of those who listen starting to do so within the past year
- Research by O2 reveals fewer than one in five Brits (18%) can speak more than one language, yet millions are now listening to non-English tracks
- One in four (25%) music fans say it has inspired them to consider learning a new language
- Fans crown ‘Despacito’ by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber the most-loved non-English track of all time
- Priority from O2, the award-winning customer membership programme, is offering three months free of Super Duolingo (worth £32.97) so music fans discover and better connect with lyrics and languages, available from now until Monday 31 August
UK music fans are turning to global hits in record numbers – helping spark new interest in language learning even as uptake in schools hits historic lows*. New research from O2 reveals more than a quarter (28%) have discovered non‑English artists such as BTS, Bad Bunny and Rosalía in the past year, with a similar proportion (25%) saying it has inspired them to consider learning a new language.
Despite fewer than one in five music fans (18%) being able to speak more than one language, the study highlights the growing influence of global music, with two in five people (40%) now streaming songs in languages they don’t fully understand. Spanish-language (16%) and K-pop (10%) tracks rank among the most popular non‑English genres.
Nearly three in four (72%) music fans say listening to songs in another language can help them learn it, showing playlists are becoming a powerful tool for language discovery. To help fans better connect with the lyrics and languages they love, Priority from O2 is offering three months of Super Duolingo for free (worth £32.97), available now until Monday 31 August.
O2 also asked Brits to name their all-time favourite non‑English track, with 2017’s Latin pop and reggaeton hit Despacito by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee (featuring Justin Bieber) coming out on top. Contemporary stars including BLACKPINK and Bad Bunny feature in the top ten, alongside legendary artists such as Édith Piaf and Serge Gainsbourg.
The most loved non-English songs of all time
| Ranking | Most loved non-English songs of all time | Percentage of fans that voted it their favourite |
| 1st | Despacito by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber | 21% |
| 2nd | Gangnam Style by Psy | 14% |
| 3rd | Macarena by Los Del Rio | 11% |
| 4th | Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano | 8% |
| 5th | 99 Luftballoons by Nena | 6% |
| 6th | Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien by Édith Piaf | 5% |
| Dtmf by Bad Bunny | 5% | |
| Nessun Dorma by Pavarotti | 5% | |
| 7th | On by BTS | 3% |
| How You Like That by Blackpink | 3% | |
| Berghain by Rosalía | 3% | |
| 8th | Je T’aime Moi Non Plus by Serge Gainsbourg | 1% |
| Hoppipolla by Sigur Rós | 1% | |
| Bombaleo by Gypsy Kings | 1% |
Lisa Johnstone, Director of Priority, Loyalty & Reward at Virgin Media O2 said: “Priority is all about helping our customers to get more out of life, and save money at the same time – what better way to do that than with three free months of Super Duolingo this summer? We can’t wait to see what our members get out of this reward, whether it’s picking up some Spanish or learning the lyrics to their favourite K-pop song. We’ll see you at a gig this summer for a sing-along.”
Priority members can explore a wide range of languages on Super Duolingo, from Spanish and Irish to Korean and more. The benefits of Super Duolingo include:
- No ads: Learn without interruptions
- Unlimited hearts: Enabled unlimited hearts so mistakes can’t slow down the user
- Personalised practise: Receive a personalised lesson to practice mistakes
- Unlimited attempts at challenges: Master each unit of learning by reaching legendary status
What’s more, O2 is the only major provider that offers inclusive EU roaming (up to 25GB) at no extra cost, helping customers stay connected across Europe – so they can head abroad and practice their new language skills, without the worry of additional roaming charges.
Priority is included at no extra cost for Virgin Media and O2 customers, saving members an average of £339 per year (Uswitch)*. Other rewards on Priority include a free Greggs hot drink the morning after England or Scotland’s group stage games, as well a free Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwich (120ml) exclusively at selected Co‑op stores between 22–28 June.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
* Record low according the Higher Education Policy Institute, which highlighted only 2.97% of A-Levels taken in 2024 were for Modern Foreign Languages, Classical Subjects, Welsh (Second Language) and Irish. There are now more A-Level entries for Physical Education than for French, German and Classical Languages combined.
** Spotify research: Today’s biggest hits come in more languages than ever. In 2025, songs in 16 languages reached Spotify’s Global Top 50—more than double the number in 2020. Among genres generating over $50 million in Spotify royalties, some of the fastest-growing were Brazilian funk (+36%), K-Pop (+31%), Latin trap (+29%), Latin urban (+27%), and reggaeton (+24%).
Research sample
Total sample: 1,020 Members of the UK Public. Sample is representative by gender, age and NUTS 1 region, against the most recent ONS data. Fieldwork between 21.05.26 – 22.05.26. All numbers below are rounded.
About Priority from O2
Priority from O2 is the award-winning reward programme available for free to all O2 and Virgin Media customers. Priority gives members access to a variety of exclusive rewards, prizes and experiences, enabling to save on the things they love every week.
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