History's been rewritten in the UK music charts, and Sam Fender and Olivia Dean are basking in the glory of their record-breaking achievement! Their collaborative track 'Rein Me In' has galloped its way to 16 weeks at the top spot on the singles chart, leaving a trail of shattered records in its wake. This incredible feat has finally surpassed the 32-year benchmark set by Wet Wet Wet's timeless classic 'Love Is All Around', which spent an impressive 15 weeks reigning supreme back in 1994. But what makes this triumph even more remarkable is that 'Rein Me In' hasn't been a straight shot to glory – it's been a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, with the duo moving in and out of the No. 1 position since its initial ascent in February.
Fender was effervescent when he spoke to the Official Charts Company about this milestone, quipping, “Take that, Marti Pellow!” He described the song's enduring success as "ridiculous," noting that every Friday feels like an excuse to party. And it's not just the No. 1 longevity that's got fans and chart enthusiasts alike in a frenzy – 'Rein Me In' has also broken the record for the longest consecutive run within the Top 40, maintaining its presence for an astonishing 55 weeks. This eclipses Ed Sheeran's ballad 'Thinking Out Loud', which previously held this record.
While Fender and Dean are making waves with their record-breaking success as a British act, they're yet to surpass the overall UK chart record for weeks at No. 1 – that accolade still belongs to Canadian artist Bryan Adams, whose ' (Everything I Do) I Do It For You' spent an incredible 16 consecutive weeks atop the charts in 1991, thanks in part to its prominent film tie-in with Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Meanwhile, American crooner Frankie Laine still holds the all-time record for non-consecutive No. 1s – his ballad 'I Believe' spent an impressive 18 weeks at the summit back in 1953.
'Rein Me In', which initially featured as an album track on Fender's Mercury Prize-winning album People Watching, has been a fan favourite since its release. The song, a poignant mid-tempo reflection on self-sabotaging relationships, showcases Fender's signature lyrical style – and Olivia Dean's addition of her own verse brought a new layer to the track, making it even more universal in its appeal. Their performance of 'Rein Me In' at Fender's stadium concerts in Newcastle and London was a highlight of their tours, and the song also earned them Song of the Year at the Brit Awards in February.
The sustained success of 'Rein Me In' is nothing short of remarkable, especially considering the new rules introduced by the Official Charts Company back in 2017. These regulations aim to prevent songs from dominating the charts for extended periods and keep things fresh – but Fender and Dean have managed to defy these odds, proving that their music has a timeless quality that continues to captivate audiences week after week.
The new rules, introduced in 2017, were designed to prevent chart stagnation. They dictate that if a song spends 10 weeks in the Top 100 and experiences three consecutive weeks of declining streaming numbers, its value ascribed to its streams is halved – effectively meaning it needs twice as many streams to stay on top.