Taylor Swift denies The Beatles a 16th Number 1 album as 1989 (Taylor’s Version) smashes third week at Number 1
Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) holds on to its place atop the Official Albums Chart for a third week, denying The Beatles an extension to their record-breaking Number 1 album tally.
Taylor’s third week at the top means The Beatles’ reissues of their classic collections 1967-1970 (affectionately known as the ‘Blue’ album) and 1962-1966 (the ‘Red’ album) finish the week at Number 2 and Number 3 respectively, following a close race to the top; this marks a return to each album’s original peaks on their release in 1973.
While they may not be adding another to the rather impressive list, The Beatles do still hold the title of the act with the most Number 1 albums in the UK of all time, with 15.
Further down the Top 40, a composite boxset of the two albums, released to celebrate the release of their ‘last’ song Now and Then, lands at Number 33.
Meanwhile, Chase & Status make their grand return to the Official Albums Chart with 2 RUFF, Vol. 1 (4) which marks their fifth UK Top 10 album. It follows the group’s resurgence on the Official Singles Chart recently with Top 20 hits; Disconnect with Becky Hill (Number 6 peak), Baddadan with Bou, Flowdan, IRAH, Trigga and Takura (6) and Liquor & Cigarettes featuring Hedex and ArrDee (17). Read our exclusive interview with Chase & Status’s Saul Milton on the making of 2 RUFF, Vol. 1 here.
South Africa-born, London-based artist Baby Queen rounds out the Top 5 with debut studio album Quarter Life Crisis (5), her first Top 10. We spoke to Baby Queen about her first Top 10 - read the interview now.
Noah Kahan’s Stick Season flies 16 places this week following the kick-off of his UK tour this week, landing a brand-new peak of Number 6, while Passenger sees the 10th anniversary edition of his All the Little Lights album, featuring collaborations with the likes of Ed Sheeran, finish at Number 7. The record originally peaked at Number 3 upon its release in 2013.
New Order’s 1987 compilation Substance re-enters the chart (10) just ahead of Chris Brown’s latest 11:11 (11), while musician and online creator James Marriott smashes straight into the Top 20 with his debut album Are We There Yet? (17). Read our chat with James about the album here.
Further down, US country music star Chris Stapleton debuts at 22 with Higher, his third Top 40 collection. BBC Sound of 2022 winner PinkPantheress’s debut album Heaven knows finishes at Number 28, while The Kid LAROI earns his second Top 40 album with THE FIRST TIME at Number 29. Not far behind, Michael Bublé has officially defrosted as his former chart-topper Christmas jingles all the way to Number 33.
Finally, 50 Cent sees his Best Of album jump 10 places back into the Top 40 – earning a brand-new peak of Number 37 following his recent UK tour dates.
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DinoV
The Red and Blue albums have been issued several times, this occasion they have been expanded, remixed remastered and are the essential introduction to the Beatles incredible back catalogue, but they should have been released a week apart, staggered sales would have elevated them both to the top spot.
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Spawnygit
Yawn Yawn!
THIERRY
Really thought the Beatles would have easily claimed the number 1 spot! HAPPY to see Baby Queen at number 5 and Noah getting a new peak but sad 😔 to see Pinkpantheress hardly making the top 30! She deserved better 😔
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DinoV
I am bo arecord Executive, but EMI Should have released the Red album and then a week later the Blue, thus ensuring maximum sales and giving the Fab Four two Number one albums.