State Champ Radio Official Charts Company
Nothing and no one could stop Taylor Swift’s irrepressible march to No. 1 in the U.K. as The Tortured Poets Department (via EMI) embarks on a record-setting romp.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The clear leader at the halfway mark, Tortured Poets roars to No. 1 on the Official Chart, published Friday, April 26, for her 12th U.K. leader.
As previously reported, the new collection posts a career-best start for Swift, shifting 270,000 across the full chart week, outpacing her previous personal best of 204,000, when Midnights topped the chart in 2022.
Trending on Billboard
That’s the biggest opening week for any album in seven years – since Ed Sheeran’s 2017 hit ÷ (Divide), which locked up 670,000 first-week U.K. chart units. And it’s a greater first-week volume than Adele’s 2021 album 30, which accumulated 261,000 in its opening run, the Official Charts Company reports.
With a dozen leaders, Swift draws level with Madonna as the female artist with the most No. 1 albums in Official Albums Chart history. Only four acts in chart history have racked up more: The Beatles (16), The Rolling Stones (14), Robbie Williams (14) and Elvis Presley (13). Bruce Springsteen also has 12.
Tortured Poets joins Red (2012), 1989 (2014), reputation (2017), Lover (2019), folklore (2020), evermore (2020), Fearless (Taylor’s Version) (2021), Red (Taylor’s Version) (2021), Midnights (2022), Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) (2023) and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) in her collection of consecutive chart-toppers.
No other artist has notched up 12 leaders in such a short space of time, doing so in just 11 years and 6 months. That beats the Beatles, which chalked up as many No. 1s in 14 years and 1 month, between Please Please Me (May 1963) and The Beatles At Hollywood Bowl in June 1977.
Also, Swift extends her record as the only artist to claim 12 No. 1 albums in the 21st century, all of which came consecutively.
In non-TayTay news, Pearl Jam snags a best U.K. chart performance in 11 years with Dark Matter (Monkeywrench Records/Republic Records), new at No. 2, while British reggae act UB40‘s 21st studio album UB45 (Sono Recording Group) bows at No. 5.
Taylor Swift is ready for her chart crown.
Predictably, Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department (via EMI) flies out the gate in the U.K., where it’s set to become her 12th No. 1.
Based on midweek sales and streaming data captured by the Official Charts Company, Tortured Poets has already collected 197,000 chart units, good enough for the title as the fastest-selling album of 2024 so far.When the full-week’s result is tallied, Tortured Poets will stand tall as Swift’s biggest opening week in the U.K. Her current record holder is 2022’s Midnights, with 205,000 first week U.K. chart units, a result that Tortured Poets has almost certainly eclipsed (with half a week to spare).
When the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published later this week, Swift should notch a 12th No. 1 with Tortured Poets, equaling Madonna at the top of the leaderboard of solo female artists. She’s also the first and only artist this century to rack up 10 U.K. No. 1 albums.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
As previously reported, Swift respectively locks up the top three spots in the singles chart race with “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone, the title track, and “So Long, London.” With that form, expect the U.S. pop superstar to nab the chart double. “Fortnight” should become TayTay’s fourth U.K. No. 1, after “Look What You Made Me Do” (from 2017), “cardigan” (2020) and “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version)” (2023).
Swift’s 11th studio album has already smashed Spotify streaming marks, blasting away with more than 300 million streams in a single day.
Trending on Billboard
Also on the Official U.K. Albums Chart Update, Pearl Jam’s 12th and latest studio album Dark Matter (Monkeywrench Records/Republic Records) is predicted to give the Rock Hall inductees their highest-charting LP in 11 years, at No. 2.
Completing the podium on the chart blast is UB40’s UB45 (Sono Recording Group), new at No. 3. UB45 is the 21st studio album from the British reggae/pop act, gathering seven new songs and as many revisions of older works.
All will be revealed when the national chart is published late Friday, April 26.
More than a decade after his global breakthrough, Hozier finally bags a U.K. No. 1 single with “Too Sweet”.
The Irish singer and songwriter benefits from the release of an expanded deluxe edition of his third LP Unreal Unearth, which led the national albums chart last August.
“Too Sweet” (via Island) accumulates 61,000 chart units and 6.7 million streams, making it the most-streamed track of the week in the U.K., according to the Official Charts Company, as the title lifts 4-1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published Friday, April 12.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
It’s Hozier’s second U.K. top 10 single, joining his signature song “Take Me To Church,” which was released back in September 2013 and peaked at No. 2 the following year.
The leader at the midweek stage, Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” (Warner Records) holds at No. 2, while Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” (Columbia/Parkway Ent) loses its crown, down 1-3.
Trending on Billboard
Meanwhile British singer, songwriter and producer Artemas snags a career high with his electronic-pop number “i like the way you kiss me” (Parlophone), up 6-5. This current chart is twice as nice for Artemas, as his followup “if u think i’m pretty” lifts 52-39, for his second U.K top 40 appearance.
As country music cracks the whip in the U.K., Dasha makes her move on the singles chart with “Austin” (Warner Records). It’s up 15-8 as Dasha books her first-ever U.K. top 10 spot.
J. Cole lifts his tally of top 40 hits to 12, thanks to the surprise release of his mixtape, Might Delete Later (Interscope). Fresh cuts “H.Y.B.” featuring Bas and Central Cee (at No. 29) and the controversial, Kendrick Lamar diss track “7 Minute Drill (at No. 38), open their accounts.
Finally, EDM David Guetta star bags his 48th top 40 hit in the U.K. with “I Don’t Wanna Wait,” a collaboration with OneRepublic, new at No. 37. It’s OneRepublic 10th top 40 appearance.
Benson Boone’s bounce-back is in full effect, as “Beautiful Things” leads the U.K. chart race.
Following the release last Friday (April 5) of his debut full-length album Fireworks & Rollerblades (via Warner Records), Boone’s global hit “Beautiful Things” rebounds 3-1 on the midweek U.K. chart and is closing in on its third non-consecutive week at the summit.
There’s not much in it. Based on early sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, “Beautiful Things” holds a lead over its closest rivals of fewer than 1,000 chart units.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
That competition includes Hozier’s “Too Sweet” (Island), which flies 9-2 on the Official Chart Update. If it holds its course, “Too Sweet” would give the Irish singer and songwriter his equal career best chart position, drawing level with his signature song “Take Me to the Church,” which peaked at No. 2 in 2013.
Trending on Billboard
Beyoncé bagged the chart double last week, though she’s set to lose both crowns. “Texas Hold ‘Em” drops 1-3 on the midweek singles tally, and Cowboy Carter (via Columbia/Parkwood Ent) looks likely to be bumped from the albums chart, with the Libertines’ latest, All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade, all set for the title.
Meanwhile, Artemas’s “i like the way you kiss me” (Parlophone) cracked the top 10 for the first time last week. The British producer and artist’s viral track continues to climb, lifting 7-5 on the midweek singles survey.
Country came to the U.K. charts in a big way last week, thanks to Bey and her Cowboy Carter LP, which landed three singles in the top 10, including the leader with “Texas Hold ‘Em”. There’s another U.S. country song heading towards the top 10, Dasha’s “Austin” (Warner Records). It’s up 15-8 on the midweek tally, for what would be a new peak position.
The top new debut should belong to J. Cole with “H.Y.B.” featuring Bas and Central Cee. Lifted from Cole’s surprise-release mixtape Might Delete Later (Interscope), it’s predicted to arrive at No. 24 on the chart. Might Delete Later also houses the Kendrick Lamar diss track “7 Minute Drill,” which Cole has subsequently expressed regret for. “7 Minute Drill” is expected to bow at No. 28, while “Crocodile Tearz” could drop in at No. 36. If all three tracks holds their ground, Cole’s career tally of U.K. top 40 hits will lift to 14.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published late Friday, April 12.
A U.K. chart double beckons for Beyoncé, as Cowboy Carter and its hit single “Texas Hold ‘Em” set the pace in the race to No. 1.
As previously reported, Cowboy Carter (via Columbia/Parkwood Entertainment) is strides ahead of the competition at the midweek point. According to the Official Charts Company, Bey’s country-themed collection is currently outselling the rest of the top 5 combined.
With Cowboy Carter bolting out the gate, “Texas Hold ‘Em” lifts 2-1 on the midweek chart, and is predicted to log a fifth non-consecutive week at the summit.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Two more cuts from Bey’s new LP are set to crash the top 10, “Jolene” (at No. 5) and “II Most Wanted” with Miley Cyrus (No. 8). If both tracks hold their course, Beyonce’s career tally of U.K. top 10 hits will lift to 24.
Trending on Billboard
Meanwhile, Benson Boone’s two-week reign with “Beautiful Things” (Warner Records) is expected to end at the hands of Bey, down 2-1 on the midweek tally. The Washington-raised singer and songwriter is on the verge of a third U.K. top 40 appearance, however, with “Slow It Down” up 49-26 on the midweek chart (Boone’s 2022 single “In The Stars” reached No. 21).
Closing out the top three on the midweek tally is Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” (Atlantic), expected to maintain control of No. 3.
British-Cypriot DJ and producer Artemas is on the brink of his first U.K. top 10 with “i like the way you kiss mem” (Parlophone), up 13-7 on the chart blast.
Further down the midweek survey, Irish DJ duo NewEra takes flight with “Birds In The Sky” (Warner Records), up 21-19 for a potential new peak position, while Jungle’s soulful throwback number “Back on 74” (Caiola) is eying a new peak position, up 47-23 peak following a viral uplift.
Several singles are on the way up, including The Blessed Madonna & Clementine Douglas’ “Happier” (up 39-25 via FFRR); and U.S. indie-pop singer, songwriter, producer and TikTok creator Mark Ambor, who is predicted to bag his first U.K. top 40 entry with “Belong Together” (Hundred Days), up 66-29 on the midweek tally.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published late Friday, April 5.
Another beautiful week is unfolding for Benson Boone in the U.K., where his global hit “Beautiful Things” (via Warner Records) is on track for a second week at No. 1.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The Washington-born singer-songwriter’s breakthrough song has led both of Billboard’s Global singles tallies and, for the first time, lifted to No. 1 in the U.K. last week.
Based on early sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, “Beautiful Things” should nail another cycle at the top in the U.K.
Thanks to the release of the deluxe GUTS (spilled) edition, Olivia Rodrigo should bag the highest new entry with “Obsessed.” It’s new at No. 6 on the chart blast, and should give the U.S. pop phenomenon her 12th U.K. top 10 single.
Trending on Billboard
Rodrigo has set several U.K. chart records in her young career. When her debut album SOUR hit No. 1 on the U.K.’s Official Chart in May 2021 in the same week her single “Good 4 U” led the national singles survey, she became, at 18 years and 3 months, the youngest solo artist to snag the U.K. chart double.
Along the way, SOUR set the U.K. mark record for the most first-week streams for a debut album, and, in June 2021, Rodrigo became the first female solo artist to land three simultaneous U.K. top 5 singles: “Good 4 U,” “Déjà vu” and “Traitor.” SOUR logged five total weeks at No. 1, and GUTS completed one week at the top.
Meanwhile, Future and Metro Boomin’s collaborative LP We Don’t Trust You should drop the maximum three tracks into the U.K. singles chart, all impacting the top 20. Based on early predictions, “Like That” is poised to enter at No. 7, “Type Shit” could start at No. 11 and the title track could bow at No. 14.
Finally, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier is targeting a No. 16 with his new song, “Too Sweet.” It’s on target for a No. 16 start.
All will be revealed when the Official Charts are published late Friday, March 29.
After two months, and several near-misses, Benson Boone finally scales the U.K. chart with “Beautiful Things” (via Warner Records).
The Washington-born singer and songwriter’s hit has already led Billboard’s two Global charts, and now lifts 2-1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart.
The leader at the midweek stage, “Beautiful Things” was the most-streamed song during the full chart cycle with 6.6 million combined U.K. audio and video streams, the Official Charts Company reports.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
As Boone logs his first week at the U.K. chart zenith, he dethrones Beyonce’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” (Columbia/Parkwood Ent) after a four-week reign – Bey’s longest stint at No. 1 in the U.K. The country cut dips 1-3.
Also moving on up is Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine (Republic Records) release “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love),” lifting 3-2 for a new peak position.
Trending on Billboard
The highest new entry on the latest tally, published Friday, March 22, belongs to BTS’s V, whose “FRI(END)S” (via BigHit Entertainment) starts at No. 13. That’s V’s first solo top 20 appearance.
Also cracking the top 40 on debut is Mark Knopfler’s fundraising remake of “Going Home (Theme from Local Hero)” (BMG), new at No. 17. That’s an upgrade on the track’s original chart position; “Going Home” spent three weeks on the chart in 1983 with a peak of No. 56.
The former Dire Straits frontman assembled a starry cast of guitar heroes for the 9-minute tune, a reworking of the theme from the feature film Local Hero. “Going Home (Theme from Local Hero)” was the most-purchased song on wax during chart week, clocking over 15,200 pure sales, the OCC reports.
As previously reported, the likes of David Gilmour, Ronnie Wood, Slash, Eric Clapton, Sting, Joan Armatrading, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Jett, Pete Townshend and the late Jeff Beck are among the scores of performers on the recording, which raises funds for Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America. “Going Home (Theme from Local Hero)” briefly took pole position in the U.K. chart race.
Finally, Dasha’s viral country breakthrough “Austin” (Warner Records) laces up its boots up and kicks into the top 20 for the first time. After soundtracking a line-dance trend on TikTok, the song lifts 25-15 in its fourth week on the U.K. chart.
A beautiful week looms for Benson Boone, whose “Beautiful Things” (via Warner Records) leads the U.K. chart race.
“Beautiful Things” has topped the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. surveys but, in eight weeks on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, has never gone higher than No. 2.
That could be about to change. Based on midweek sales and streaming data published by the OCC, the Washington-born singer-songwriter’s breakout hit takes pole position, lifting 2-1.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Meanwhile, after four weeks at the summit – for her longest U.K. reign – Beyonce’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” (Columbia/Parkwood Ent) finally loses its grip. It’s down 1-2 on the midweek tally.
Trending on Billboard
Closing out the top three on the chart blast is Ariana Grande’s “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love),” up 6-3. The track is housed on Grande’s current U.K. No. 1 album, Eternal Sunshine (Republic Records), her fifth leader.
The top new release at the midway mark belongs to Mark Knopfler, whose charity fundraising single “Going Home” (BMG) is set for a top 10 start.
The former Dire Straits frontman assembled a starry cast of guitar heroes for the 9-minute recording, a remake of the theme from the 1983 feature film Local Hero. The likes of David Gilmour, Ronnie Wood, Slash, Eric Clapton, Sting, Joan Armatrading, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Jett, Pete Townshend and the late Jeff Beck are among the scores of performers on the recording, which raises funds for Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America.
“Going Home” had briefly led the U.K. chart race, but slips to No. 6 midweek. The original cut, an instrumental, spent three weeks on the chart in 1983 with a peak of No. 56. The Northern Englishman recently sold 120 guitars and amplifiers, with charities the British Red Cross, Tusk, Brave Hearts of the North East and Teenage Cancer Trust among the beneficiaries.
[embedded content]
Also eyeing a top 10 berth is BTS member V (real name: Kim Tae-hyung), whose “FRI(END)S” (BigHit Entertainment) is predicted to open at No. 7. That would mark V’s first solo U.K. top tier appearance. If “FRI(END)S” holds its course, V would join bandmates Jimin (“Like Crazy” at No. 8) and Jung Kook (“Too Much” with The Kid Laroi and Central Cee at No. 10, “3D” with Jack Harlow at No. 5, “Standing Next To You” at No. 5, and “Seven” with Latto at No.3) as the BTS members with U.K. solo top 10 notches on their belts.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday, March 22.
Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine (via Republic Records) enjoys the brightest possible start in the U.K., where it opens its account at No. 1.
The leader at the halfway mark, Eternal Sunshine is the U.S. pop star’s fifth U.K. chart-topper after 2016’s Dangerous Woman, 2018’s Sweetener, 2019’s thank u, next and 2020 LP Positions, a feat that places her equal with the likes of Celine Dion, Prince and Green Day, each with five leaders.
The only Grande titles to miss the U.K. chart throne are her 2013 debut Yours Truly (No. 7 peak) and her sophomore album from 2014, My Everything (No. 3). Eternal Sunshine was the best-seller on wax during the chart week, the Official Charts Company reports.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Meanwhile, British heavy metal juggernauts Judas Priest nab a new chart best with Invincible Shield (Columbia), their 19th studio album. That result eclipses the No. 4 peak for their 1980 collection British Steel.
Trending on Billboard
Also scoring a new personal best in the U.K. is Bleachers, with their self-titled fourth studio album via Dirty Hit. Jack Antonoff’s New Jersey alternative rock act land at No. 5 with their new album, for Bleachers’ first U.K. chart appearance.
Leicester, England protest singer and songwriter Grace Petrie scores her own highest-charting album with Build Something Better ( Robots Need Home). It’s new at No. 28 for her second top 40 appearance, besting 2021’s Connectivity which peaked at No. 37.
It’s a glorious seventh top 40 appearance for British girl group Bananarama on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, published Marc. 15. Their career retrospective Glorious – The Ultimate Collection (Polydor/UMR) starts at No. 30.
Finally, Girls Aloud return to the top 40, at No. 35, following the re-issue of 2004 set What Will The Neighbours Say. The LP is packaged with five previously-unreleased cuts, including works featuring the vocals of late bandmate Sarah Harding. The group’s second studio, What Will The Neighbours Say peaked at No. 6 following its initial release. The surviving members of Girls Aloud will support the 20th anniversary release with an arena tour of the U.K. and Ireland.
Idles’ Tangk rolls to the summit of the U.K. chart, for the British rock outfit’s second leader.
The best-seller at the midweek point, Tangk (via Partisan) completes its mission to the top with physical sales accounting for 85% of its opening week result, including a market-leading volume on vinyl, the Official Charts Company reports.
Formed in Bristol, England, Tangk is Idles’ fifth studio album and fifth U.K. top 10 appearance, including a leader with 2020’s Ultra Mono.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
It’s been a fine start to the year for Idles, whose five members attended the 2024 Grammy Awards, where the group snagged nominations for best rock album for Crawler and best rock performance for “Crawl!”.
Trending on Billboard
Meanwhile, Paloma Faith nabs a sixth U.K. top 10 with The Glorification of Sadness (RCA), new at No. 2. The London-born singer-songwriter has once led the Official Chart, with 2017’s The Architect, and now has three albums with a No. 2 peak, following 2012’s Fall To Grace and 2014’s A Perfect Contradiction.
Noah Kahan‘s Stick Season (Republic Records) completes the podium, down 1-3 after a single week at the top.
The late, great Bob Marley is surging on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, published Friday, Feb. 23, following the release in U.K. cinemas of the biopic Bob Marley: One Love.
Bob Marley & The Wailers’ evergreen collection Legend (Tuff Gong) rises 18-2. Forty years after its release, the LP has now logged a staggering 1,122 weeks on the Official Albums Chart, including 12 non-consecutive at No. 1. Only one album has racked-up more weeks on the tally — ABBA’s Gold with 1,138 weeks, and counting.
According to the Official Charts Company, this marks the first time Legend has charted inside the top 10 since 2020. Further down the list, Bob Marley & The Wailers’ classic LP from 1977 Exodus vaults 93-36.
Liverpool indie rock act Crawlers earn a first-ever U.K. top 10 with The Mess We Seem To Make (Polydor), their debut LP. It’s new at No. 7. Crawlers earned a top 40 spot with their 2022 EP Loud Without Noise, which reached No. 22.
Finally, new releases from Pet Needs (Intermittent Fast Living at No. 17 via Xtra Mile), Cast (Love Is The Call at No. 22 via Cast Recordings), Yeat (2093 at No. 24 via EMI), Steve Hackett (Circus and the Nightwhale at No. 30 via Inside Out), Blackberry Smoke (Be Right Here at No. 31 via 3 Legged) and Booter Bee (True Stories at No. 34 via Zeromileage) crack the top 40.
