Sam Fender Breaks Record with First Number One Single as Charli XCX Tops UK Album Chart

Sam Fender sets a new chart record with his debut Number One single, while Charli XCX claims the top spot on the UK albums chart with her latest soundtrack.

A Record-Breaking Number One: Sam Fender and Olivia Dean's 'Rein Me In'

If you’ve been following Sam Fender’s rise, you know he’s been steadily climbing the charts, capturing hearts with his heartfelt lyrics and soaring vocals. Now, he’s hit a milestone that any artist dreams of—his first-ever Number One single, and it’s no small feat.

The track in question? ‘Rein Me In’, a captivating collaboration with the soulful Olivia Dean. First released back in June of last year, the song has had quite the marathon journey to the top, spending an astonishing 35 consecutive weeks in the UK Top 40 before finally clinching Number One on February 20, 2026. To put that into perspective, this shatters the previous record of 19 weeks held by Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ since 2014. Talk about slow and steady winning the race!

This achievement beats Fender’s prior best chart position, which was Number Three with ‘Seventeen Going Under’ in 2021. It’s a defining moment in his career, signaling his growing influence in the music scene.

Olivia Dean’s Triple Threat in the Top Four

While Sam Fender’s collaboration grabs the spotlight, Olivia Dean herself dominates the Singles Chart with an impressive three entries in the top four. Alongside ‘Rein Me In’ at Number One, her solo track ‘So Easy (To Fall In Love)’ has climbed to Number Two, and her previous chart-topping single ‘Man I Need’ sits at Number Four. It’s a strong showcase of Dean’s soaring popularity and vocal prowess.

Chart Comebacks and Surprises

The charts have also brought some nostalgic nods and fresh resurgences. Zara Larsson’s ‘Lush Life’ has surged back to Number Three, matching the peak it reached a decade ago—a testament to the staying power of a well-loved pop anthem.

Meanwhile, Bad Bunny is riding a wave of renewed attention following his show-stopping Super Bowl halftime performance. His track ‘DTMF’ has re-entered the top five, landing at Number Five, proving that a killer live show can breathe new life into a song.

Official UK Singles Chart (Feb 20-26, 2026)

1. Sam Fender & Olivia Dean – ‘Rein Me In’
2. Olivia Dean – ‘So Easy (To Fall In Love)’
3. Zara Larsson – ‘Lush Life’
4. Olivia Dean – ‘Man I Need’
5. Bad Bunny – ‘DTMF’
6. Bruno Mars – ‘I Just Might’
7. Sombr – ‘Homewrecker’
8. Taylor Swift – ‘Opalite’
9. PinkPantheress – ‘Stateside’
10. Harry Styles – ‘Aperture’

Charli XCX Takes UK Albums Chart by Storm with ‘Wuthering Heights’

Turning to albums, Charli XCX has snagged the Number One spot on the UK Albums Chart with her latest release — the soundtrack to Emerald Fennell’s new film Wuthering Heights. This marks Charli’s third Number One album, following the success of ‘Crash’ in 2022 and ‘Brat’ in 2024, and is her eighth Top 40 album overall.

What’s particularly cool is that ‘Wuthering Heights’ has also topped the Official Vinyl Albums Chart this week, a nod to the album’s wide appeal among vinyl collectors and audiophiles alike. The film itself hasn’t been left behind either, soaring to the top of the UK box office during its opening week.

Taking second place on the albums chart is Olivia Dean’s debut album ‘The Art Of Loving’, which continues to impress with its emotive songwriting and powerful vocals. Fleetwood Mac’s timeless greatest hits compilation ‘50 Years – Don’t Stop’ remains a steadfast presence at Number Three, proving that classics never go out of style.

Official UK Albums Chart (Feb 20-26, 2026)

1. Charli XCX – ‘Wuthering Heights’
2. Olivia Dean – ‘The Art Of Loving’
3. Fleetwood Mac – ‘50 Years – Don’t Stop’
4. The Weeknd – ‘The Highlights’
5. Bad Bunny – ‘Debi Tirar Mas Fotos’
6. Michael Jackson – ‘The Essential’
7. Ed Sheeran – ‘+ – = Divide X – Tour Collection’
8. Sabrina Carpenter – ‘Man’s Best Friend’
9. Alex Warren – ‘You’ll Be Alright Kid (Chapter 1)’
10. Sabrina Carpenter – ‘Short N’ Sweet’

BRIT Awards Buzz and Charli XCX’s Film Debut

As exciting as the charts are, the buzz doesn’t stop there. Sam Fender is gearing up for the BRIT Awards ceremony in Manchester next week, where he’s nominated in multiple categories including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for his Mercury Prize-winning ‘People Watching’. It’s a well-deserved recognition of his artistic growth and widespread acclaim.

Meanwhile, Charli XCX is making waves not just in music but on the big screen as well. Her new film The Moment, a biting satire on the music industry, released in cinemas on the same day as this chart update. The movie has garnered attention for its meme-worthy moments and sharp commentary on industry antics. Critics note that while The Moment might be a bit uneven in tone, it packs plenty of laughs and cultural insight—much like Emerald Fennell’s previous hit Saltburn which became a sensation in 2023.

“The Moment is too protracted and tonally uneven to work as a great mockumentary, but it has plenty of meme-worthy moments that TikTok will lap up.”

— Critic Review

With Sam Fender breaking records and Charli XCX crossing creative boundaries, the UK music scene is buzzing with fresh energy and nostalgic reinventions. Whether you’re spinning Rein Me In on repeat or diving into the Wuthering Heights soundtrack on vinyl, there’s a lot to celebrate.

FAQ

• How long did ‘Rein Me In’ take to reach Number One?
  It took 35 consecutive weeks in the UK Top 40, breaking the previous record of 19 weeks.
• Which artists dominate the current UK Singles Chart?
  Sam Fender and Olivia Dean take the top spots, with Zara Larsson and Bad Bunny also featuring prominently.
• What is special about Charli XCX’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ album?
  It’s her third Number One album and has also topped the Vinyl Albums Chart, coinciding with the film’s box office success.
• What upcoming awards is Sam Fender nominated for?
  He is nominated for multiple BRIT Awards including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year.
• What’s unique about Charli XCX’s film ‘The Moment’?
  It’s a music industry satire with meme-worthy moments that’s gaining attention for its sharp and humorous take on the business.

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