Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus and Raye lead the way for female stars in 2023 after female artists posted their biggest chart success in a year since records began in 1952

In the music industry, women are often overlooked as they have to fight for their place on festival line-ups and awards shortlists.

But it seems the tables are turning for female artists as they enjoyed a stellar 2023, with the biggest chart success since records began in 1952.

Taylor Swift, 34, Miley Cyrus, 31, and Raye, 26, are among the stars who helped women have their best-selling year in decades with songs by female artists spending 31 weeks at No. 1 on the official charts.

Songs by or featuring female artists account for seven of the top ten singles of 2023, with Ms. Cyrus’ Flowers coming in at number one, according to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

Escapism by British singer Raye is at number three, followed by Anti-Hero by Ms Swift. Also in the top ten are Ellie Goulding, American artist SZA, English singer PinkPantheress and Afrobeats star Libianca.

Miley Cyrus, 31 (pictured) and Raye, 26, are among the stars who helped women have their best-selling year in decades

Other female artists to make a splash on the chart included Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo and Doja Cat, while 13 of the top 20 songs are by women.

“Greater representation of women in the charts is positive and long overdue,” Naomi Pohl, the first female general secretary of the Musicians’ Union, told the Mail.

‘There has been a much more active conversation about diversity in the British music industry in recent years, but we still have a long way to go.

“There are many barriers to women working in music, both as performers and behind the scenes, that need to be urgently addressed.”

Ms Pohl said that despite this achievement, “sexual harassment and abuse, unequal pay, discrimination, unsafe workplaces” and “disproportionate representation of men in decision-making roles” are still “ongoing problems.”

She added: ‘The sector needs to be truly inclusive so that women actually have equal opportunities at every level in the business.’ Female artists had the highest annual share of Top 10 hits this century, with 48.5 percent of songs featuring women.

In August and September last year, solo women spent six consecutive weeks in the top three of the charts.

“While efforts are underway to achieve full representation of women in the music industry, 2023 has been a banner year for women on the official charts,” said Dr. Jo Twist, Chief Executive of BPI.

‘There is a more diverse range of artists than ever who are achieving great success with the support of their labels.

‘Women spent more weeks at Number 1 in the Official Singles Chart than in any previous year, while seven of the ten biggest songs were by women.

“This should be celebrated, but without complacency, and our work in the music industry continues to ensure this becomes the norm.” Recorded music consumption in Britain rose by a tenth in 2023 thanks to huge growth in the streaming sector, which saw 179.6 billion streams – double that of 2018.

Other female artists who impressed included Dua Lipa (pictured) and Billie Eilish, with 13 of the top 20 songs by women

Vinyl LP sales also rose 11.8 percent year-on-year, with 6.1 million copies sold in 2023 and a strong increase over the festive period.

This is the highest sales for physical vinyl LPs in more than 30 years and the 16th consecutive year of growth.

Some of the year’s most popular albums on vinyl include Ms Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version), Hackney Diamonds by The Rolling Stones and Did You Know There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd by Lana Del Rey.

CD sales continue to fall, but the rate of decline has slowed, with Take That’s This Life the most popular of the year, selling a total of 10.8 million copies. Cassettes also still exceed six figures annually, with Ms. Rodrigo’s Guts being the bestseller.