Tadhana’s ride to 400 million streams

While I still believe that nothing beats the sparkling sound of a spinning vinyl record, I am very thankful that streaming platforms have been invented. I love the fact that those modern creations keep recordings no matter from where or when available all the time.

Just think, without something like Spotify online, those who wanted to get a copy of Tadhana by Up Dharma Down (UDD) would have had to scour record bars trying to get a 45 RPM single or the Up Dharma Down album, Capacities, and most likely those would not have been available anymore.

Back in the old days, it was the practice of record stores to return unbought copies of old slow selling singles and albums back to the labels to make room for new releases. And although Tadhana is now considered timeless, it is most certainly old.

Up Dharma Down’s former girl soloist and keyboard player Armie Millare composed Tadhana and it was recorded by Up Dharma Down in 2017. The song was used as the theme of a GMA 7 anthology series on television, hosted by Marian Rivera. It was also later used in the soundtrack of the movie “That Thing Called Tadhana.”

Tadhana was no huge sensation when it first came out. But the song captured a sizable following and hovered just under the hit charts over the years. It also caught on with other artists and was widely covered. Among these were versions by the likes of Regine Velasquez and KZ Tandingan.

How popular Tadhana was becoming only came to the attention of the public after it was uploaded on the streaming platform Spotify. Although the TV series had already gone off the air, the song constantly appeared in the top rungs of the hit lists, often beating recent releases in the race to the top. It became more and more evident as the years passed by. The song’s message of unexpected encounters resonated among music lovers who found themselves in the same situations and enjoyed the chance to emote their feelings by listening to it.

And so, they streamed, and they streamed Tadhana until the song became a true phenomenon. Not only is it a huge hit these days but Up Dharma Down, a 20-year-old band, is showing current upstarts how good music is able to defy time.

Early this month, Tadhana was proclaimed by Spotify as the first Filipino recording of an original Filipino song by a Filipino artist to garner 400 million streams. Excellent job for an eight-year tune, which is now racing towards 500 million streams or the half a billion mark.

Up Dharma Down was formed in 2004. Aside from Millare, the other members were Carlos Tanada, Ean Mayor and Paul Yap. They released three albums, Fragmented, Bipolar and Capacities. Armi is now on her own while Tanada, Mayor and Yap continue to record and perform as UDD.

As per the charts covering the period of Aug. 8, 2010 to April 4, 2025, here are the other songs nearing Tadhana’s milestone in the Philippine hit chart. I would like very much to know which one comes next.

Ikaw Lang by Nobita; Mahika by Adie and Janine Berdin; Kathang Isip by Ben&Ben; Isa Lang by Arthur Nery; Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur; Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift; Pagsamo by Arthur Nery; Mundo by 4 of Spades; Paraluman by Adie; Best Part by H.E.R.; sining by Dionela and JayR; Kung Wala Ka by Hale.

Sa Susunod Na Habang Buhay by Ben&Ben; Pasilyo by Sunkissed Lola; Higa by Arthur Nery; Umaasa by Calein; Snooze by SZA; TAKE ALL THE LOVE by Arthur Nery; Dilaw by Maki; The Day You Said Goodbye by Hale; Tingin by Cup of Joe and Janine Tenoso; double take by Dhruv; BIRDS OF A FEATHER by Billie Eilish; and YK by Cean Jr.