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Nothing can crush “Flowers” (via Columbia) in the U.K., as Miley Cyrus’ track becomes the longest-reigning No. 1 single of 2023 so far.
The U.S. pop singer enters a fifth consecutive week atop the Official U.K. Singles Chart with “Flowers,” powered by 8.5 million streams across the cycle. That’s more than enough streams to lead all singles in that format for a fifth straight week.
“Flowers” is easily Miley’s biggest chart hit in the U.K., beating the single-week runs for her previous leaders “We Can’t Stop” and “Wrecking Ball,” both from 2013.
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After nabbing her first-ever U.K. top 10 spot earlier in the month, PinkPantheress pounces once more with “Boy’s a liar” (Warner Records), up 8-3 in its ninth week on the chart. It’s the third top 40 appearance for the British singer, songwriter and producer, and it’s helped up by a remix featuring rising U.S. rapper Ice Spice.
Linkin Park locks the highest new entry on the latest chart, published Feb. 17, with “Lost,” a previously unreleased track which features vocals from the band’s late leader singer Chester Bennington.
The nu-metal favorites bow at No. 18, for their first U.K. top 20 appearance in 14 years. “Lost” is one of six unreleased songs on Meteora 20, the 20th anniversary edition of their sophomore album. Meteora 20th Anniversary Edition will be released through Warner Records on April 7.
Further down the list, London rapper Strandz scores his first U.K. top 40 as “Us Against The World” (Relentless) jumps 42-27, while countryman Central Cee snags his 16th top 40 appearance with “Me & You” (Central Cee), new at No. 31.
Close behind is Brighton, England alternative-pop act Lovejoy with “Call Me What You Like” (Anvil Cat). It’s new at No. 32 for Lovejoy’s first top 40 appearance.
Finally, the Feb. 12 Brit Awards has juiced-up the chart performance of several winners, performers and nominees.
Among the beneficiaries is George Ezra “Green Green Grass” (Columbia), which lifts 19-14 after it was shortlisted for song of the year, eventually losing out to Harry Styles’ “As It Was” (Columbia), up 34-7 on the latest survey. Meanwhile, Lewis Capaldi’s “Forget Me” (Vertigo), which the Scotsman performed on the night, is up 44-37.
Paramore stands tall atop the U.K. albums chart as This Is Why (via Atlantic) blasts to No. 1.
This Is Why had led its closest rival at the midweek point by two-to-one, and it completes the job by securing the title.
According to the Official Charts Company, This Is Why, the Franklin, Tennessee-formed band’s sixth studio LP, was a particular hit on physical formats, which accounted for 76% of its final total.
The reunited trio of Hayley Williams, Zac Farro and Taylor York now has a third U.K. No. 1, including Brand New Eyes (from 2009) and Paramore (2013). This Is Why also leads the Official Vinyl Albums Chart, and it’s the best-seller in Australia.
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Also new to the Official U.K. Albums Chart, published Feb. 17, is You Me At Six’s Truth Decay (Underdog), the Surrey, England group’s eighth studio album. It’s new at No. 4 for the rockers’ seventh consecutive top 10 appearance.
ABBA continues to mine Gold (Polydor) with their 1992 greatest hits collection, which improves 15-10. The set has now chalked up a ridiculous 1,085 weeks on the U.K. chart, and July 2021 became the first LP to log 1,000 weeks on the survey.
The Swedish pop legends have made a home of sorts in the U.K. with ABBA Voyage. Digital avatars of the band – or ABBA-tars, as the show’s producers insist on calling them – are performing through November at the purpose-built 3,000-capacity ABBA Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.
Another legendary act makes an impact on the latest chart — The Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger and Co. bow at No. 21 with live hits collection GRRR! Live (Mercury Studios), for the Stones’ 54th top 40 appearance.
Finally, two major TV broadcasts produce chart bumps for several performers.
After performing a medley of hits for her Super Bowl halftime slot, Rihanna’s ANTI (Roc Nation) returns to the top 40 at No. 39. The Barbadian pop artist’s eighth studio album enjoys a 74% week-on-week gain as it improves 69 spots, the OCC reports, while RiRi’s 2007 album Good Girl Gone Bad (Def Jam) rises 41 places to No. 42.
Harry Styles won album, artist and song of the year at the 2023 Brit Awards. He’s a winner again as Harry’s House (Columbia/Sony) lifts 6-2, and his previous, sophomore set Fine Line improves 31-20 on the latest list.
And Brighton, England alternative pop duo Wet Leg’s chart-topping, eponymously-titled Domino Recordings debut flies 83 spots to No. 29, after winning for group of the year and best new artist at the BRITs.
Paramore’s reunion could net the pop-punk veterans a U.K. chart crown.
Hayley Williams, Zac Farro and Taylor York reunited on This Is Why (via Atlantic), their six album and first since 2017’s After Laughter. It could also be their first U.K. No. 1 in nearly a decade.
Based on sales and streaming data reported by the Official Charts Company, This Is Why is the clear leader at the midweek stage. It’s currently out-selling its nearest rival, You Me At Six’s Truth Decay (Underdog), by more than two-units-to-one.
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If it maintains its trajectory, This Is Why will follow Paramore’s Brand New Eyes (from 2009) and Paramore (2013) to the top of the chart.
You Me At Six’s Truth Decay, No. 2 on the Official Chart Update, should give the Surrey, England rock outfit a seventh top 10 entry.
The Rolling Stones, meanwhile, are rolling to a 42nd top 10 appearance with their live hits retrospective GRRR! Live (Mercury Studios). It’s on track for a No. 6 debut.
Several winners from last Saturday’s 2023 BRIT Awards should see gains on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, published Friday (Feb. 17). Harry Styles’ third studio album Harry’s House (Columbia) is on course to climb 12-3 after collecting album of the year, while British group and best new artist winners Wet Leg could reenter the top 40 with their chart-topping eponymously titled debut. Wet Leg (Domino Recordings) is at No. 33 on the Official Chart Update.
Finally, a string of reissues look set to peak positions on the national chart. Scottish alternative rock outfit Mogwai has a pair of re-issues on track for new highs — 1997 debut Mogwai Young Team (at No. 12 via Chemikal Underground), and their sophomore LP Come On Die Young (No. 24).
Also, Gary Numan’s new wave act Tubeway Army could see their 1978 self-titled debut beat its previous best. Tubeway Army (via Beggars Banquet) blasts into the midweek chart at No. 13, ahead of its No. 14 peak position from 1979.
Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” (Columbia) continues to grow, as it powers to No. 1 in the U.K. for a third consecutive week.
“Flowers” accumulates more than 106,000 chart units during the chart cycle, outpacing its nearest rival, Raye’s “Escapism” (Human Re Sources) featuring 070 Shake, by more than two-to-one.
It’s the most-streamed song of the week in the U.K., with more than 12 million streams, the Official Charts Company reports.
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“Flowers” is already Miley’s longest-reigning No. 1 in the U.K., beating the single-stretch runs for her previous leaders “We Can’t Stop” and “Wrecking Ball,” both from 2013.
After going viral on TikTok, Miguel’s 2010 single “Sure Thing” (Jive) finds new life on the chart, lifting 10-6. That’s a new peak position for “Sure Thing,” and the U.S. artist’s highest ever chart place in the U.K.
This top debut this week belongs to KSI and Oliver Tree with “Voices” (Atlantic), new at No. 11. The collaborative single is KSI’s 18th and Tree’s third U.K. top 40 appearance.
The next-best new entry belongs to Australian singer and rapper The Kid LAROI, whose “Love Again” (Columbia) bows at No. 19, while his hit 2021 collaboration “Stay” with Justin Bieber reenters the top 40 for the first time in just under a year, at No. 37. “Love Again” is the second cut from the Kid’s forthcoming debut album, The First Time, which is set for release later this year
And finally, Pink gains her 37th U.K. top 40 single with “Never Gonna Not Dance Again,” produced by regular collaborators Max Martin and Shellback. It’s up 46-40.
“Never Gonna Not Dance Again” is lifted from the Philadelphia pop superstar’s ninth studio album Trustfall, due out Feb. 17.
Sam Smith kicks a hattrick of U.K. No. 1s as Gloria (via Capitol) debuts at the chart summit.
Gloria, which features the chart-topping, Grammy Award-winning hit “Unholy,” featuring Kim Petras, tops the Official U.K. Albums Chart, equaling the result of their 2014 debut In The Lonely Hour and 2017’s The Thrill Of It All. Smith’s third and most recent album, Love Goes, peaked at No. 2 in 2020.
Gloria is also the U.K.’s best-selling LP on wax, to lead the Official Vinyl Albums Chart.
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Meanwhile, Eminem makes a long overdue return to the U.K. top 5 with Curtain Call – The Hits (Interscope), the Rap God’s hits compilation. It lifts 7-5 for its first stint in the top 5 since its release back in December 2006, the OCC reports, and its 551st week on the chart. Meanwhile, Em’s fourth studio effort, 2002’s The Eminem Show, returns to the top 40 for the first time in almost two decades, up 58-40.
Bob Dylan snags his 42nd Top 10 LP on the latest chart, published Feb. 3, with Fragments – The Time Out Of Mind Sessions 17 (Sony Music CG), the latest instalment in his “Bootlegs” series. It’s new at No. 9.
Fragments assembles new mixes, outtakes and rarities from sessions from 1997’s Time Out Of Mind, an album that peaked at No. 10 in the U.K
Just outside the top 10 on the latest frame is Diamonds & Dancefloors (Atlantic), the second studio album from Albanian-American pop artist Ava Max. It’s new at No. 11. Diamonds & Dancefloors is the followup to 2020 debut Heaven & Hell, which peaked at No. 2.
Finally, Atlanta rapper Lil Yachty sails to a career-best with his fifth studio album Let’s Start Here (EMI). It’s new at No. 32, for Yachty’s first-ever U.K. top 40.
Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” (via Columbia) is digging in for a third consecutive week at No. 1 in the U.K.
The U.S. pop star’s latest hit powers to the lead on the midweek chart, and is currently outselling its nearest rival, Raye’s “Escapism” (Human Re Sources) featuring 070 Shake, by more than two-to-one, the Official Charts Company reports.
“Flowers” is already Miley’s longest-reigning No. 1 in the U.K., beating the single-week runs for her previous leaders “We Can’t Stop” and “Wrecking Ball,” both from 2013.
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Based on midweek data captured by the OCC, the highest new entry on the chart proper could belong to KSI and Oliver Tree with “Voices” (Atlantic). It’s on track for a No. 11 debut, for what would be KSI’s 18th and Tree’s third top 40 appearance.
Sydney-raised, Los Angeles-based singer and rapper The Kid LAROI is also targeting a top tier debut with his new track, “Love Again” (Columbia). It’s new at No. 22 on the Official Chart Update, for what should be the artist’s fifth top 40 appearance. “Love Again” is the second cut from the Kid’s forthcoming debut album, The First Time, which is set for release later this year.
Meanwhile, Miguel’s 2010 single “Sure Thing” (Jive) continues to enjoy a renaissance after going viral on TikTok. It’s up 13-7 on the Chart Update. The track entered the top 10 for the very first time last week, nearly 13 years after it originally dropped.
Further down the chart blast, singles by Tiësto and Tate McRae (“10:35” up 14-13 via Atlantic/Ministry of Sound), Cian Ducrot (“I’ll Be Waiting” up 19-18 via Polydor), Mimi Webb (“Red Flags” up 22-19 via Epic) and Coi Leray (“Players” up 37-20 via Uptown/Republic Records) are on the climb.
All will be revealed when the Official Charts are published late Friday.
Fifteen years after its release, Courteeners’ St Jude (via Polydor/UMR) is on track for its first U.K. chart crown.
Originally released in 2008, St Jude peaked at No. 4 on the Official Albums Chart, with three of its tracks going on to impact the U.K. top 40.
The British indie rock band has made seven top 10 appearances, including all six of their studio LPs.
Until now, Courteeners’ career U.K. chart peak is No. 2 for 2020’s More. Again. Forever. Thanks to a reissue of St Jude, Courteeners could go one better. It’s the top title on the Official Chart Update, published Jan. 16.
Based on sales and streaming data collated by the Official Charts Company, this week’s highest new entry could belong to Supergrass guitarist Gaz Coombes, whose fourth solo album Turn The Car Around (Hot Fruit) is chasing a No. 2 debut. If it continues to accelerate, Turn The Car Around would give Coombes his first solo top 10; Supergrass has six top 10 albums, including a No. 1 for their 1995 debut I Should Coco.
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Meanwhile, London rapper Clavish is eyeing his first top 10 appearance with his 28-track debut mixtape Rap Game Awful (Polydor). It’s new at No. 4 on the latest chart update.
Also pushing for top 10 debuts are indie rock Circa Waves with Never Going Under (Lower Third), on track for a No. 9 start; and veteran Scottish indie-pop band Belle & Sebastian with Late Developers (Matador), new at No. 10 on the U.K. chart update.
Finally, George Ezra enjoys an immediate bump after the singer and songwriter last week landed multiple nominations for the 2023 BRIT Awards. Ezra, who is up for song of the year and artist of the year at the annual ceremony, set for Feb. 11, sees his third successive chart-topping album Gold Rush Kid (Columbia) makes a rush for the top 40; it’s at No. 31 on the chart blast.
All will be revealed when the Official Charts are published late Friday.
Following a tight chart race which saw Raye take an early lead, it’s Lewis Capaldi who takes the U.K. crown with “Pointless” (via Vertigo).
The Scottish singer songwriter bags his fourth No. 1, as “Pointless,” co-written by Ed Sheeran, finishes just 1,200 combined sales ahead of its closest competition, Raye’s independently-released hit “Escapism” (Human Re Sources), featuring 070 Shake.
“Pointless” improves 15-1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published Jan. 13, powered by physical and digital download sales, the Official Charts Company reports, as “Escapism” dips 1-2.
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“Pointless” is the second single lifted from his upcoming second studio album Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent, slated to drop in May.
“4 u.k. number 1’s!!!!. Over the moon to finally have as many number 1’s as a do STI’s,” he quips on social media.
Capaldi enjoyed a global breakthrough with 2019’s “Someone You Loved,” which logged seven weeks atop the U.K. chart. He led the chart again in 2020 with “Before You Go” for one week in 2020, and with Broken By Desire release “Forget Me,” for one week in 2022.
Completing the chart podium on the current tally is SZA’s SOS cut “Kill Bill” (via RCA/Top Dawg), up 4-3 for a new peak.
Also on the rise this week is U.S. singer Miguel, who vaults 83-14 with “Sure Thing” (Jive), his first U.K. top 20 single; Irish singer-songwriter Cian Ducrot with “I’ll Be Waiting” (Polydor) up 39-22; Lil Uzi Vert’s “Just Wanna Rock” (Atlantic) up 38-32; Tory Lanez’s “The Color Violet” (The One Umbrella) gains 41-36 and Hotel Ugly’s viral effort, “Shut Up My Moms Calling” (Hotel Ugly), which checks into the top 40, improving 47-38.
The highest new entry on the latest chart comes courtesy of producers Skrillex, Fred Again, and rapper/producer Flowdan, as their collaborative “Rumble” (Atlantic) gets to work at No. 19.
A star is born in Raye, whose “Escapism” is the first U.K. No. 1 of 2023 – and the first of her career.
Based on early chart data, “Escapism” is heading for a second week in the box seat, though Lewis Capaldi could stage an upset.
Featuring U.S. rapper 070 Shake, “Escapism” leads the Official Charts Company’s First Look survey, which ranks singles based on the first 48 hours in the cycle.
“Escapism” is lifted from Raye’s upcoming debut album My 21st Century Blues, alongside “Hard Out Here,” “Black Mascara” and “The Thrill Is Gone,” and is released independently through Human Re Sources, after she cut ties with Polydor, part of Universal Music Group, in 2021.
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“We are Number 1 in the U.K.! It’s the first Number 1 of the year, it’s my first Number 1 in my life. I’m an independent artist, this is sickening,” she tells the OCC.
Capaldi has plans of his own. The Scottish singer (and Raye’s touring mate) soars 15-2 with “Pointless,” co-written by Ed Sheeran.
Just 2,000 combined units currently separate the two best-sellers.
The chart race has some added spice. Just last week, Raye announced that Capaldi has welcomed her on his U.K. tour, which kicks off Jan. 14 at Leeds’ First Direct Arena. Capaldi is “kindly letting me open his UK arena tour, I get to sing you some songs from my album on these huge stages just before it’s released,” Raye tweeted. “I am so grateful for this opportunity.”
The lovely man @lewiscapaldi is kindly letting me open his UK arena tour, I get to sing you some songs from my album on these huge stages just before it’s released 🥹🫀 I am so grateful for this opportunity thanks Lewis ♥️ xxx pic.twitter.com/0fOUjT0GKH— RAYE (@raye) January 4, 2023
Meanwhile, Stormzy’s “Hide & Seek” is juiced-up by a new remix featuring BRITs Rising Star and BBC Sound Of 2023 winners Flo. The grime star’s tune is set to rise 18-14.
The runner-up in the BBC Sound Of 2023 poll, Fred Again, could have the week’s highest new entry with “Rumble,” a collaboration with Skrillex and Flowdan. It’s forecast to arrive at No. 16, for what would be Skrillex’s fourth, Fred Again’s third, and Flowdan’s first top 40 appearance.
The Official U.K. Single Chart is published late Friday.
Raye ascends the U.K. singles chart for the very first time with “Escapism,” while Taylor Swift snags another albums chart crown.
A teary Raye celebrated her spectacular result on social media. It’s a moment that carries extra significance for an artist who, in 2021, publicly cut ties with her major label after claiming she’d been shelved and overlooked for years.
Released through Human Re Sources, J. Erving’s distribution and artist services company, “Escapism” is one of several singles Raye has dropped in recent months ahead of her upcoming debut album My 21st Century Blues, alongside “Hard Out Here,” “Black Mascara” and “The Thrill Is Gone.”
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The most-streamed song for the latest chart U.K. chart week, with 5.6 million streams, “Escapism,” featuring U.S. rapper 070 Shake, is Raye’s tenth top 40 single, and first U.K. top 10 as lead artist.
Meanwhile, SZA lands her first solo top 10 in the U.K. (and third overall) with “Kill Bill” (up 32-4 via RCA/Top Dawg), while Bugzy Malone and TeeDee also earn their first spot in the top 10, as “Out of Nowhere” (BSomebody) lifts 38-9.
The Christmas music exodus is in full force, which powers a string of singles to new peaks on the latest chart, published Jan. 6. They include Lewis Capaldi’s “Pointless” (up 60-15 via Vertigo); Tiesto & Tate McRae’s “10:35” (up 80-18 via Atlantic/Ministry of Sound); Lady Gaga’s Born This Way-era recording “Bloody Mary (up 74-22 via Interscope); which is powered by a viral TikTok dance sensation inspired by Wednesday star Jenna Ortega; and Australian singer-songwriter Dean Lewis’s tear-jerker “How Do I Say Goodbye” (up 86-23 via Universal Music Australia).
Over on the national albums survey, Swift secures the first No. 1 for 2023 with Midnights.
By racking-up four non-consecutive weeks at the top, Midnights surpasses Swift’s 2020 effort folklore as her longest reigning LP in the U.K.
Brits love the U.S. pop star in 2023 just as much as they did in 2022. Midnights is one of five Swift studio albums in the top 40 — folklore (No. 22), 1989 (No. 24), Lover (No. 35) and Reputation (No. 40).