Elton John and Brandi Carlile land first collaborative Number 1 album with Who Believes In Angels?

Elton John and Brandi Carlile today celebrate their first collaborative Number 1 album with Who Believes In Angels?

Joining forces for the first time on record, the LP earns Elton a landmark 10th UK chart-topper across a career spanning 57 years, with Brandi banking her first-ever Number 1 here.

To mark the milestone, Elton poses with 10 Official Number 1 Album Awards, courtesy of yours truly.

Speaking exclusively to Official Charts, Elton John says:

“Working with Brandi, Bernie and Andrew on this album was one of the greatest musical experiences of my life.

“It was initially challenging, but working through that process allowed us to emerge with something truly joyous and celebratory.

“We’ve been blown away by the response and love we’ve felt, and to see Who Believes In Angels? reach Number 1 is a true joy. We couldn’t be prouder of it.”

Brandi Carlile exclusively tells Official Charts:

“Hello my beloved UK! Thank you so much for making Who Believes In Angels? the Official Number 1 album!

“This is a dream come true for me because I got to make this album with my absolute hero and dear friend Elton John!

“I want to say a huge thank you to all the fans in the UK for your support, and obviously to Elton for believing in me and championing me in such a generous way. Thank you to our wonderful collaborators - my inspiration Bernie Taupin and the brilliant Andrew Watt.

“I can’t wait to see you all this summer on tour!” 

It comes little over three months (three months and one day, in fact) after Elton last topped the Albums Chart with Diamonds. His 2017 hits compilation finally surged to the summit in January of this year, in its 374th week on chart. In doing so, Diamonds claimed the most weeks inside the Top 40 before reaching Number 1 in UK chart history.

Only five artists in the past 35 years have had two Number 1 albums within a six-month period: Ed Sheeran, David Bowie, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Elton John.

Elton now draws level with Kylie Minogue and Michael Jackson on the list of solo artists with the most UK Number 1 albums. He also matches ABBA, Queen and Coldplay overall; each boasting 10 chart-toppers apiece.

Pic: Elton poses with his Official Number 1 Album Award for Who Believes In Angels?

MORE: Where every Elton John song and album has charted in the UK

Elton John’s Official Number 1 albums in the UK:

• Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player (1973) 

• Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) 

• Caribou (1974) 

• Elton John’s Greatest Hits (1974) 

• Sleeping With The Past (1989) 

• The Very Best Of Elton John (1990) 

• Good Morning To The Night (with Pnau) (2012) 

• Diamonds (2017) 

• The Lockdown Sessions (2021) 

• Who Believes In Angels? (2025)

WATCH Elton John celebrate his 10th Number 1 album with Who Believes In Angels?

Who Believes In Angels? also comes straight in at Number 1 on the Official Vinyl Albums Chart, the most popular LP on wax this week.

Just behind Elton and Brandi are Black Country, New Road. Third studio collection Forever Howlong matches Tyler Hyde, Lewis Evans, Georgia Ellery, May Kershaw, Charlie Wayne and Luke Mark’s previous peak, debuting at Number 3. The English rock outfit have also enjoyed  success with 2021’s For The First Time (4), 2022’s Ants From Up There (3) and 2023’s Live At Bush Hall (92).

The most-purchased album of the past seven days in UK independent record shops, Forever Howlong tops this week’s Official Record Store Chart.

Finally, congratulations go to Floridian folk auteur Ethel Cain, who claims her first-ever UK Albums Chart entry with debut studio work Preacher’s Daughter, new in at Number 10. Originally released in 2022 and attracting Cain a cult fanbase, Preacher’s Daughter surges into the Top 10 thanks to a brand-new vinyl pressing. 

See the full Official Albums Chart Top 100 here from 5.45pm.