Justin Bieber Now Tops Elton John on Highest-Certified Singles List

Young pop star's "Baby" beat out music icon's "Candle in the Wind/Something About the Way You Look Tonight," thanks to on-demand music streaming

By Peter Gicas May 20, 2013 2:21 PM
| Updated May 20, 2013 2:19 PM
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Justin Bieber, Elton JohnAdam Berry/Redferns via Getty Images; Ethan Miller/Getty Images

It looks like Justin Bieber just flew ahead of the Rocket Man.

The 19-year-old's hit "Baby" has now gone 12 times platinum to become the highest-certified single in history," Billboard reports.

In doing so, the tune has now overtaken Elton John's double-sided "Candle in the Wind/Something About the Way You Look Tonight," which went 11 times platinum back in 1997.

Bieber benefited from a recent change made by the Recording Industry Association of America that incorporates on-demand streaming data when it comes to measuring gold and platinum success.

As a result, 100 streams is considered equal to one download.

So, while "Baby" has only sold 3.9 million copies compared to "Candle in the Wind/Something About the Way You Look Tonight" selling 33 million, the Bieber track has been viewed over 857 million times on Vevo.

Not too shabby.