Ariana Grande’s thank u, next debuts at Number 1 with big opening week numbers
Ariana Grande debuts at Number 1 on this week’s Official Singles Chart with her break-up anthem thank u, next.
The single - released last Saturday night – has amassed an impressive 73,000 combined sales in six days, including 6.7 million streams. It finishes over 26,000 combined sales ahead of its closest competitor, Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper’s Shallow (2).
thank u, next is Grande’s third UK Number 1 single but first ever solo chart-topper. Her previous Number 1s are: Problem ft. Iggy Azalea (2014) and Bang Bang with Jessie J and Nicki Minaj (2014). Look at Ariana Grande's full Official UK Chart history here.
Despite being about past relationships, thank u, next has been praised for its positive messages of self-love. The song notably premiered just moments before Grande's ex-fiancé, Pete Davidson, was due to appear on Saturday Night Live; previews had shown him referring to their break-up in sketches on the programme.
Grande is only the fourth single to debut at Number 1 this year following Drake’s Nice For What and God’s Plan, and Dave & Fredo’s Funky Friday. The last female artist to do it was Taylor Swift with Look What You Made Me Do in August 2017.
MORE: Look back at every UK Number 1 ever here
New entries and high climbers
Jess Glynne jumps 11 places to Number 7 with her latest single Thursday, and Without Me by Halsey zooms 13 places to Number 9 – her highest charting single as a lead artist.
Jonas Blue, Liam Payne and Lennon Stella’s Polaroid vaults 28 places into the Top 40 at Number 16 following their performance on The X Factor last week, and Zara Larsson edges closer to the Top 20 with Ruin My Life, up six to 22. James Arthur’s Empty Space rockets 39 places to 27 to earn him his eighth Top 40 hit.
Further down, Clean Bandit’s new single Baby ft. Marina & The Diamonds and Luis Fonsi debuts at 33, ahead of Benny Blanco & Calvin Harris’ brand new track I Found You at Number 35.
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etin
ms. donutlicker is in first places of every spotify list. thanks to massive spotify support
de Sascha
Thank U:)
Eoin Sioda
It is becoming increasingly unlikely that Nina Nesbitt's "Loyal to Me", one of THE best pop songs of 2018, will be anything more than a minor non charting hit. That is a real shame. If it were Ariana it'd be straight into the top 10. I actually downloaded Loyal to Me yesterday and I think it's a brilliant pop song and this is coming from a GNR/AC/DC/Radiohead fan. Nina can sing, play guitar, piano, write songs, dance, produce, and is quite pretty. Unfortunately it seems as though vox populi is not multi-talented young Scottish women. It's stupid songs like "Kiki do you love me, are you ridin'?" and Rita Ora. Proud to be a newfound "Nesbian". In a perfect world, she'd be everyone's jam.
SJ
Sam Johnson
Thank you to introducing me to Loyal To Me, I read your comment a couple of weeks ago about it and it’s an awesome song! You’re right because quality wise it would be a well deserving number 1 single. I do love Shallow tho and Thank U, Next is a good song but I don’t understand why it’s performing better than No Tears Left To Cry and Breathin for instance.
Eoin Sioda
No worries Sam :-)
Piran
'Thank U, Next' is not only a song I love, but one that deserves a ton of respect, so huge congratulations to Ariana! :)
The other new arrivals ranged from average to good for me this week, but I really like that 'Thursday' & 'Without Me' both enter the Top 10.
Eoin Sioda
I haven't heard "Thank You Next". It shows you how up to date I am with modern chart music.
mildredfarts
i like the tune but why the need to use the f word? at first i thought she was singing "i'm so lucky n grateful" i know i'm getting on a bit but there's too many foul mouthed hits these days.
SJ
Sam Johnson
I agree, you don’t need bad language to make a song cool. Thank U, Next has a clean version on Spotify which I’ve saved because it really puts me off the song to listen to the explicit version.
Yolanda Merkel
Awwwww, poor you and your immaculate ears. Pansy.
etin
I've seen her in every spotify list last week but I didnt listen too
Piran
Good point! Like, she could've used "That is amazing" instead of "That s**t's amazing", for example. Swearing just puts radio DJs off playing the song on mainstream stations.
Piran
Definitely check it out! It's one of the better #1s of 2018. :)