Lists of UK singles chart number ones

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Elvis Presley has achieved 21 number ones on the UK Singles Chart, more than any other act. Elvis Presley promoting Jailhouse Rock.jpg
Elvis Presley has achieved 21 number ones on the UK Singles Chart, more than any other act.

The UK Singles Chart is a weekly record chart which for most of its history was based on single sales from Sunday to Saturday in the United Kingdom. Since July 2014 it has also incorporated streaming data, and from 10 July 2015 has been based on a Friday to Thursday week. As of 28 December 2023, 1420 singles have reached number one. The chart was founded in 1952 by Percy Dickins of New Musical Express (NME), who telephoned 20 record stores to ask what their top 10 highest-selling singles were. Dickins aggregated the results into a top 12 hit parade, which was topped by "Here in My Heart" by Al Martino. NME's chart was published each week in its eponymous magazine.

Contents

The sources, in accordance with the official canon of the Official Charts Company, are the New Musical Express chart from 1952 to 1960; the Record Retailer chart from 1960 to 1969; and the Official UK Singles Chart from 1969 onwards.

Turnover of number ones

The calendar year that has featured the most UK number ones is 2000, which featured 42 singles reaching the top spot; the year with the fewest number ones is 1952 with 1, followed by 2016 with 10. The act that has achieved the most number ones is American entertainer Elvis Presley, who has topped the chart 21 times (including 3 re-releases of songs that had previously been number ones) – Presley's second number one, "Jailhouse Rock", was the first single ever to debut at the top of the chart. [1] The most successful band (and equal with Elvis based on unique songs) are The Beatles, who have achieved 18 number ones. The Beatles' first chart-topper, "From Me to You", reached number one in May 1963, and their last in November 2023 - the longest span of number ones for any artist.

In the 1970s, the required number of sales needed to top the chart was roughly 150,000. [2] During 1992, when few releases were reaching number one, sales of CD singles were low: songs needed to sell only 60–70,000 each week to remain at the top. [3] In 2000, when turnover of number ones was high, tracks could often sell between 100,000 and 200,000 copies in a single week. [3] UK chart commentator James Masterton remarked in 2003: "When record sales are high, public interest in a song expires very quickly and this creates a need for ever more new product to take its place." [3] Sales figures improved in 2008 and continued into the early 2010s, peaking in 2013, before declining over the next few years as audio streaming became popular. Eventually, streaming was incorporated into the sales chart.

Graph showing number of UK number-one singles for each year since 1953. The 2011 figure is projected. Numberones.JPG
Graph showing number of UK number-one singles for each year since 1953. The 2011 figure is projected.
Al Martino's track "Here in My Heart" was the first single ever to top the UK Singles Chart, and the only single to reach number one during 1952. Al Martino 1952.JPG
Al Martino's track "Here in My Heart" was the first single ever to top the UK Singles Chart, and the only single to reach number one during 1952.

Number ones in each year

The Beatles topped the chart 17 times during the 1960s, more than any other act that decade The Beatles members at New York City in 1964.jpg
The Beatles topped the chart 17 times during the 1960s, more than any other act that decade
Madonna is the most successful female solo artist in the UK, having achieved 13 number one singles Madonna at the premiere of I Am Because We Are.jpg
Madonna is the most successful female solo artist in the UK, having achieved 13 number one singles
Bryan Adams' first number one, "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You", spent 16 consecutive weeks at number one, longer than any other track Bryan Adams Hamburg MG 0631 flickr.jpg
Bryan Adams' first number one, "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You", spent 16 consecutive weeks at number one, longer than any other track
Westlife were the most successful band of the 2000s, with 11 number one singles in that decade and 14 overall West life.jpg
Westlife were the most successful band of the 2000s, with 11 number one singles in that decade and 14 overall
Tinie Tempah (above) had seven UK number one singles in the 2010s Tinie Tempah Toronto 2011.jpg
Tinie Tempah (above) had seven UK number one singles in the 2010s
Key
†Most number ones of the decade
‡Most number ones of all time
Contents
1950s  • 1960s  • 1970s  • 1980s  • 1990s  • 2000s  • 2010s  • 2020s
YearNumber-one singlesRef.
1950s
1952 1 [4]
1953 14 [4]
1954 11 [4]
1955 14 [4]
1956 12 [4]
1957 13 [4]
1958 13 [4]
1959 16 † [4]
1960s
1960 16 [5]
1961 21 [6]
1962 12 [7]
1963 17 [8]
1964 23 [9]
1965 24 † [10]
1966 20 [11]
1967 14 [12]
1968 21 [13]
1969 18 [14]
1970s
1970 14 [15]
1971 13 [16]
1972 17 [17]
1973 17 [18]
1974 21 † [19]
1975 20 [20]
1976 16 [21]
1977 18 [22]
1978 14 [23]
1979 18 [24]
1980s
1980 24 † [25]
1981 19 [26]
1982 21 [27]
1983 17 [28]
1984 14 [29]
1985 19 [30]
1986 20 [31]
1987 19 [32]
1988 19 [33]
1989 18 [34]
1990s
1990 17 [35]
1991 17 [36]
1992 12 [37]
1993 15 [38]
1994 15 [39]
1995 17 [40]
1996 24 [41]
1997 24 [42]
1998 29 [43]
1999 36 † [44]
2000s
2000 42 ‡ [45]
2001 30 [46]
2002 30 [47]
2003 22 [48]
2004 29 [49]
2005 28 [50]
2006 24 [51]
2007 17 [52]
2008 20 [53]
2009 31 [54]
2010s
2010 35 [55]
2011 30 [56]
2012 36 [57]
2013 29 [58]
2014 38 † [59]
2015 23 [60]
2016 10 [61]
2017 14 [62]
2018 16 [63]
2019 12 [64]
2020s
2020 20 [65]
2021 13 [66]
2022 12 [67]
2023 15 [68]
2024 5 [69]

See also

Related Research Articles

James Masterton is a British music critic and columnist, his work focusing on the UK Singles Chart having been an online fixture on various sites since the 1990s. Masterton is also a producer for talkSPORT, and has worked on air as a presenter at the Bradford independent local radio station the Pulse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UK Singles Downloads Chart</span> British music chart

The UK Singles Downloads Chart is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC) on behalf of the music industry. Since July 2015, the chart week runs from Friday to Thursday, with the chart date given as the following Thursday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anywhere Is</span> 1995 single by Enya

"Anywhere Is" is a song by Irish singer Enya, released on 6 November 1995 by WEA as the lead single from her fourth studio album, The Memory of Trees (1995). The lyrics of the song are in English, written by Roma Ryan and it was produced by Nicky Ryan. The song peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart and became a top-10 hit in Austria, Iceland, and Ireland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, the song peaked at number 36. Its music video was directed by David Scheinmann.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UK singles chart</span> British singles sales chart

The UK Singles Chart is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-selling singles in the United Kingdom, based upon physical sales, paid-for downloads and streaming. The Official Chart, broadcast on BBC Radio 1 and MTV, is the UK music industry's recognised official measure of singles and albums popularity because it is the most comprehensive research panel of its kind, today surveying over 15,000 retailers and digital services daily, capturing 99.9% of all singles consumed in Britain across the week, and over 98% of albums. To be eligible for the chart, a single is currently defined by the Official Charts Company (OCC) as either a 'single bundle' having no more than four tracks and not lasting longer than 25 minutes or one digital audio track not longer than 15 minutes with a minimum sale price of 40 pence. The rules have changed many times as technology has developed, the most notable being the inclusion of digital downloads in 2005 and streaming in July 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Better Best Forgotten</span> 1999 single by Steps

"Better Best Forgotten" is a song by British pop group Steps, released on 8 March 1999. It was the final single to be taken from their debut album, Step One. The song became the group's fourth top-10 hit in the UK, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart, and it also reached the top 20 in Ireland and the Flanders region of Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Not Over Yet (Grace song)</span> 1993 single by Grace

"Not Over Yet" is a song by British dance act Grace. Originally released in 1993 under the band name State of Grace, it was re-released in March 1995 as the first single from their only album, If I Could Fly (1996). It received critical acclaim from music critics, peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart and number-one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. Lead vocals and backing vocals were performed by singer Patti Low. In 1995, the lead vocals were replaced by new frontwoman and singer, Dominique Atkins for the album release, although Low's backing vocals remained in place. This Atkins/Low combination appeared on all subsequent re-releases and remixes of the track. The woman who appears in the accompanying music video is Low.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Close to You (Whigfield song)</span> 1995 single by Whigfield

"Close to You" is a song by Italian Eurodance project Whigfield, performed by Danish-born Sannie Charlotte Carlson and released in August 1995 as the fourth single from her first album, Whigfield (1995). It was her first ballad and a top-20 hit in Denmark, Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached number 67.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Light of My Life</span> 1995 single by Louise Redknapp

"Light of My Life" is a song by British singer Louise, released as her first single as a solo artist following her departure from Eternal earlier that year. Released on 25 September 1995, the ballad reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart and number 18 in Ireland. A music video was made for the song, directed by Russell Young.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carnival (The Cardigans song)</span> 1995 single by the Cardigans

"Carnival" is a song by Swedish band the Cardigans. It was released in March 1995 by Trampolene and Stockholm Records as the first single from their second album, Life (1995). The song gave the group their first appearance on the UK Singles Chart, reaching number 72 in June 1995. After their next single, a re-issue of "Sick & Tired", reached the top 40, "Carnival" was re-pressed and reached a peak of number 35. This release also peaked at number 44 in the Netherlands, becoming the band's first single to chart there. The accompanying music video was directed by Swedish-based director Matt Broadley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Destination Eschaton</span> 1995 single by the Shamen

"Destination Eschaton" is a song recorded by Scottish band the Shamen, released in August 1995 by One Little Indian as the first single from the band's sixth album, Axis Mutatis (1995). The song was written by Colin Angus and Richard West, and features vocals by American guest vocalist Victoria Wilson James. It was a hit in several countries in Europe, peaking within the top 10 in Finland (6) and Scotland (9). In the UK, it peaked at number 15 in its first week at the UK Singles Chart, on 13 August 1995. In the US, "Destination Eschaton" reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by German director Nico Beyer and William Latham, featuring the band performing aboard a spaceship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Running Around Town</span> 1995 single by Billie Ray Martin

"Running Around Town" is a song by German artist Billie Ray Martin, the former lead singer of Electribe 101, released in 1995 by Magnet, Sire and EastWest as the second single from her debut solo album, Deadline for My Memories (1995). Written by Martin and produced by Brian Transeau, the song was the follow-up to her successful debut single, "Your Loving Arms". It reached moderate success on the charts in Europe, peaking at number ten in Italy, number 19 in Finland and number 29 in the UK. It also peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and number 22 on the Billboard Dance Sales chart. A music video was also produced to promote the single.

References

  1. ↑ "Return of the king". Music Week (29.01.05). London: CMP. 29 January 2005. ISSN   0265-1548. OCLC   60620772. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  2. ↑ Martland, Peter (1997). Edge, Ruth (ed.). Since records began: EMI, the first 100 years (illustrated ed.). London: Batsford. p. 253. ISBN   9780713462074. OCLC   37740500.
  3. 1 2 3 Masterton, James (31 March 2003). "dotmusic.com – Chart Commentary". dotmusic. Archived from the original on 1 April 2003. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "All the Number 1 Singles". London: Official Charts Company . Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  5. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1960". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  6. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1961". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  7. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1962". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  8. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1963". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  9. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1964". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  10. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1965". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  11. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1966". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  12. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1967". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  13. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1968". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  14. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1969". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  15. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1970". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  16. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1971". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  17. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1972". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  18. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1973". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  19. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1974". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  20. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1975". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  21. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1976". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  22. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1977". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  23. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1978". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  24. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1979". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  25. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1980". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  26. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1981". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  27. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1982". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  28. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1983". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  29. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1984". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  30. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1985". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  31. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1986". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  32. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1987". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  33. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1988". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  34. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1989". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  35. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1990". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  36. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1991". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  37. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1992". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  38. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1993". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  39. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1994". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  40. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1995". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  41. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1996". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  42. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1997". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  43. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1998". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  44. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 1999". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  45. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2000". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  46. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2001". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  47. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2002". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  48. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2003". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  49. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2004". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  50. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2005". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  51. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2006". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  52. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2007". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  53. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2008". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  54. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2009". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  55. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2010". London: Official Charts Company. 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  56. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2011". London: Official Charts Company. 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  57. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2012". London: Official Charts Company. 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  58. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2013". London: Official Charts Company. 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  59. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2014". London: Official Charts Company. 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  60. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2015". London: Official Charts Company. 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  61. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2016". London: Official Charts Company. 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  62. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2017". London: Official Charts Company. 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  63. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2018". London: Official Charts Company. 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  64. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2019". London: Official Charts Company. 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  65. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2020". London: Official Charts Company . Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  66. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2020". London: Official Charts Company . Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  67. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2020". London: Official Charts Company . Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  68. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2020". London: Official Charts Company . Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  69. ↑ "All the Number One Singles: 2020". London: Official Charts Company . Retrieved 27 April 2024.
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