Tones And I’s ‘Dance Monkey’ swings into YouTube’s Billion Views Club

Tones And I’s 'Dance Monkey' ticks off another big milestone as the viral hit moves one billion views on YouTube.

Tones’ global hit entered the Billion Views Club on YouTube and she joins a select group of Aussies to make the mark, including Gotye and Sia. 

'Dance Monkey,' however, gets there in less than a year after its release. And what a year it was for Tones (real name Toni Watson).

'Dance Monkey' swung to the top of the charts in at least 30 countries, went top 5 in the U.S., its recognized as the most-“Shazamed” song of all time and it enjoyed the longest-ever run at No. 1 on the Spotify global chart. The track also ruled YouTube’s Global Top Songs chart for 20 non-consecutive weeks.

In her homeland, the hit ruled the ARIA Singles Chart for 24 weeks, an all-time record, and 'Dance Monkey' enjoyed 11 weeks at No. 1 in the U.K., a high-mark for a solo female artist.

"I can’t believe 'Dance Monkey' has hit 1 billion views,” she says. “I had so much fun making this video. Thank you to everyone for watching.”

Her story from busking on the streets of Byron Bay to the top of the charts is told in a new video, released as part of her inclusion in YouTube's Artist on the Rise program.

The track has passed 7 billion streams across all platforms and now ranks in the top 10 most-streamed songs on Spotify. And with that feat, “Dance Monkey” is the most-streamed tune by a woman on the streaming service.

Tones is the cover star of Rolling Stone Australia’s debut issue.