Key Points
- Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s collaborative duet “Rein Me In” has officially become the longest-running UK No. 1 single in history, logging an unprecedented 19 non-consecutive weeks at the summit.
- The track overtakes a 73-year-old record previously held by US crooner Frankie Laine, whose bombastic ballad “I Believe” spent 18 weeks at No. 1 in 1953.
- According to data from the Official Charts Company reported by Max Persad of Official Charts, “Rein Me In” first entered the charts in June 2025 as a reworked duet from Sam Fender’s album People Watching, taking nearly eight months to reach No. 1 on February 20.
- The single’s historic run overcame temporary chart interruptions by high-profile releases, including Harry Styles’ “American Girls,” Olivia Rodrigo’s “drop dead,” and Ariana Grande’s “hate that i made you love me”.
- On receiving an Official Chart Record Breaker Award, Sam Fender told Max Persad of Official Charts that he was “completely lost for words” and thanked Olivia Dean and the fans for making the song a “juggernaut”.
- Industry executives, including Official Charts interim Co-Managing Directors Becca Monahan and Chris Austin, alongside BPI Chief Executive Dr Jo Twist OBE and Polydor Label Group President Ben Mortimer, praised the milestone as a defining moment for British music creativity.
London (Birmingham Express) August 1, 2026 — British music history was rewritten on Friday as singer-songwriters Sam Fender and Olivia Dean officially claimed the longest-running UK No. 1 single of all time, shattering a benchmark that had stood untouched for 73 years. Their collaborative powerhouse track “Rein Me In” secured its historic 19th non-consecutive week at the summit of the Official Singles Chart, surpassing the legendary 18-week reign established by American crooner Frankie Laine with “I Believe” back in 1953.
The unprecedented achievement marks the culmination of an extraordinary chart marathon. As detailed by Max Persad of Official Charts, “Rein Me In” originally entered the chart mix in June 2025 following its release as a reworked duet featured on Sam Fender’s critically lauded album People Watching. The track undertook a slow, determined climb over eight months before finally capturing the No. 1 position on February 20.
Despite facing intense competition and temporary disruptions—including challenges from Harry Styles’ “American Girls,” Olivia Rodrigo’s “drop dead,” and Ariana Grande’s “hate that i made you love me”—the track repeatedly clawed its way back to the top. In doing so, it surpassed previous modern milestones, including Bryan Adams’s 16-week stint with “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” in 1991, Wet Wet Wet’s 15-week run with “Love Is All Around” in 1994, Drake’s “One Dance” in 2016, and Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” in 2017.
How did Sam Fender and Olivia Dean react to breaking the historic record?
Upon receiving confirmation of the milestone, Sam Fender expressed utter disbelief at the scale of the public’s response. As reported by Max Persad of Official Charts and the BBC, Sam Fender stated that he was
“completely lost for words. Thank you so much to Olivia Dean and the fans for making this song the juggernaut that it is. Can’t believe we broke the UK record!”
Fender was presented with a specially commissioned Official Chart Record Breaker Award to commemorate 26,755 days passing since Laine’s 1953 record was first set. The track’s triumph also closely follows its recognition as Song of the Year at the 2026 BRIT Awards, cementing its status as a defining cultural artifact of contemporary British pop and rock music.
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What do music industry leaders say about this milestone?
Music executives and trade body chiefs rushed to commend the artists for their rare cross-genre chemistry and enduring commercial dominance. According to statements published by Official Charts, Becca Monahan and Chris Austin, interim Co-Managing Directors of the Official Charts Company, noted that the feat carries unique domestic pride. As reported by Becca Monahan and Chris Austin of Official Charts, they commented:
“For Rein Me In to break a record that has stood for 73 years is remarkable in itself, but it feels especially significant to see two homegrown British artists write a new chapter in Official Chart history together.”
Adding to the widespread industry praise, BPI Chief Executive Dr Jo Twist OBE emphasized the cultural gravity of the achievement. As reported by Dr Jo Twist OBE of the BPI, she stated that “Rein Me In” became
“the most successful No.1 single in Official Charts history to cement its place as a modern classic,”
adding that in an era of globalized music consumption, the British public’s deep connection to the song is a testament to national music heritage.
Similarly, Ben Mortimer, President of Polydor Label Group, underlined the sheer improbability of the feat. As quoted by Contactmusic.com, Ben Mortimer stated that
“This is a historic achievement. The accolades have continued to grow throughout this incredible journey, but to surpass a benchmark set by the great Frankie Laine more than 70 years ago is almost unimaginable. Seeing Sam and Olivia, two homegrown stars, break the record is something we’re so proud of.”
How have chart measurement rules evolved since 1953?
The longevity of “Rein Me In” is made vastly more formidable by modern chart regulations designed to prevent runaway single dominance. When Frankie Laine achieved his 18-week record with “I Believe” in 1953, chart compilation relied entirely on a rudimentary tally of physical sheet music and retail sales across a tightly limited selection of shops.
In contrast, today’s Official Singles Chart methodology managed by the Official Charts Company incorporates a complex amalgamation of physical formats, digital downloads, and multi-platform audio and video streaming data. Despite aggressive automated currents and strict current-week weighting rules intended to churn the top spots, “Rein Me In” routinely bounced back to pole position, fending off late challenges such as Shakira and Burna Boy’s World Cup anthem “Dai Dai” via dedicated fan-driven digital purchasing campaigns.
With “Rein Me In” officially crowned the longest-running chart-topper in the 73-year history of the UK charts, both Fender and Dean have permanently etched their names alongside the absolute titans of recorded music, closing a monumental chapter in modern British chart history.
