The winners of the 2017 charts

Helene Fischer and Ed Sheeran are the winners of the 2017 music year. In the official German annual charts, determined by GfK Entertainment on behalf of the Federal Association of the Music Industry, the two superstars land the two most successful albums and the most popular song of the past twelve months.

While Helene Fischer is sweeping the charts with her self-titled album, Ed Sheeran has the hit of the year with "Shape Of You" and the second most successful album of 2017 with "÷". With a market coverage of over 90 percent and data from more than 2.800 retailers, the Official German Charts are the central barometer of the German music industry.

For the fourth time after 2013, 2014 (“Farbenspiel”) and 2015 (“Weihnachten”), Helene Fischer has conquered the throne of the year-end album rankings. This is a record in the history of the Official German Charts. Die Toten Hosen, who were in the lead in 2012 with “Ballast der Republik”, let the “Laune der Natur” run free in third place in 2017.

A total of one fifth of the albums placed in the annual top 100 come from German rappers. With Kollegah & Farid Bang ("Jung Brutal Gutaussehend 3", four), Bushido ("Black Friday", 16) and the 187 Strassenbande ("Sampler 4", 17), three of them stormed into the top positions. The Kelly Family ("We Got Love") sealed their successful comeback with fifth place. The most popular film music is the soundtrack to the cinema blockbuster "Bibi & Tina: Tohuwabohu Total" (14th place).

Thanks to 17 top positions, "Despacito" is the longest consecutive number one chart song of all time. "Shape Of You" may have "only" spent 15 weeks at number one, but it still fared a little better in the annual charts than the summer hit by Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee. Positions three to five are secured by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay ("Something Just Like This"), Imagine Dragons ("Thunder") and Burak Yeter feat. Danelle Sandoval ("Tuesday").

The most successful song by a German artist is “OK” by Robin Schulz feat. James Blunt (seven), the most popular German-language song is “Was du Liebe nennst” by Bausa (eight). Berlin resident Alice Merton (“No Roots”) reached 14th place. Bonez MC & RAF Camora feat. Maxwell (“Ohne mein Team”, 17) can also celebrate.

The Official German Charts are compiled by GfK Entertainment on behalf of the Federal Association of the Music Industry. They cover 90 percent of all music sales and are the central barometer of success for the industry, media and music fans.

The hit lists are based on the sales and usage data of 2.800 retailers from all sales channels. These include brick-and-mortar retailers, e-commerce providers, download portals and music streaming platforms.

Photo: Pixabay, CC0 Public Domain