Quincy Jones, the legendary music producer and 28-time Grammy winner, passed away on Sunday, November 3, surrounded by family in his Bel Air home. Known for his vast contributions across music, film, and television, Jones left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Following his death, his catalog saw an extraordinary increase in streaming numbers, reflecting the admiration and appreciation for his work worldwide.
According to data from Luminate, Jones’ music catalog experienced a 1,229% rise in streaming activity, reaching nearly 1.25 million on-demand streams the day after his passing. By comparison, Jones’ catalog had earned just under 94,000 streams the previous Monday. “This unprecedented surge speaks to the profound impact he had on music and popular culture,” noted an industry expert.
A Legacy Revisited: Quincy Jones Key Songs and Albums Surge
Several tracks from Jones’ discography saw impressive gains, with fans revisiting some of his most beloved works. “Just Once,” the Grammy-nominated single from his album The Dude featuring James Ingram, saw an increase of 632%, totaling 77,000 streams on November 4 alone. Another Ingram collaboration, “One Hundred Ways,” also saw a massive boost, leaping 626% from 8,000 streams to more than 60,000 streams. The iconic “Soul Bossa Nova,” an instrumental that gained popularity as the theme for Austin Powers and other cultural staples, rose by 755%, jumping from 11,500 to 98,000 streams.
Other hits, like “We Are the World,” the Grammy-winning charity single Jones produced, experienced a 146% boost, with streams increasing from 37,500 to 92,000. Even Lesley Gore’s 1963 hit “It’s My Party,” produced by Jones, saw a modest 17% uptick, a testament to the enduring appeal of his work from different eras.
Jones’ collaborations with Michael Jackson, including the albums Off the Wall and Thriller, saw renewed interest as well, with Off the Wall itself up 10% to 794,000 streams on November 4.
Reflecting on his impact, Jones’ family shared, “Although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived. Quincy’s heart will beat for eternity through his music and the love he shared with the world.”