Rob Copsey
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Articles by Rob Copsey
Every Official Christmas Number 1 album
Recent years have seen an eclectic but all hugely successful bunch of artists claim the festive albums top spot; including Rod Stewart's You're In My Heart in 2019, Eminem's surprised-released Revival in in 2017, and Adele's 25 in 2015.
General Election 2024: Every Number 1 song during UK election week in Official Charts history
Every Official Number 1 single during UK general elections: July 4 2024, TBC - Sabrina Carpenter, Please Please Please Enough said, really. Click here to view the full chart. December 12 2019, Boris Johnson - Tones & I, Dance Monkey You heard her. Do it! Click here to view the full chart. June 8 2017, Theresa May - Despacito (Remix), Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber One to run through those fields of wheat to, for sure. Click here to view the full chart.
Every Official Number 1 debut album since 2000
Lewis's stint at the top is the longest for a debut album in seven years, since Emeli Sande's Our Version Of Events, a record which proved an unstoppable force in 2012/2013. The following year saw the launch of British singer-songwriter Sam Smith, whose first collection In The Lonely Hour debuted at Number 1 in June 2014 and notched up eight weeks at the top over the space of nine months.
Everything you need to know about Afrobeats: a timeline
Crucially, Afrobeats is different to Afrobeat, a music style pioneered by Fela Kuti and developed in the 1960s. Afrobeat is big band, afro-funk, jazz-influenced and often highly political. Early 2000s beginnings In 2005 Afrobeats breaks into the mainstream with the launch of MTV Base Africa. The first wave of artists featured include MI Abaga, Naeto C and Sarkodie.
Every Official Number 1 debut album since 2000
Lewis's stint at the top is the longest for a debut album in seven years, since Emeli Sande's Our Version Of Events, a record which proved an unstoppable force in 2012/2013. The following year saw the launch of British singer-songwriter Sam Smith, whose first collection In The Lonely Hour debuted at Number 1 in June 2014 and notched up eight weeks at the top over the space of nine months.
BTS's Top 40 biggest songs in the UK
During their stratospheric rise to become the world's biggest boyband, they have collaborated with artists as varied as rap queen Nicki Minaj, DJ-producer Steve Aoki and alt-pop pioneer Charli XCX. In 2019, they teamed up with Halsey for Boy with Luv, an unstoppable funk-pop bop that peaked at Number 13 on the Official Singles Chart, their highest ever position at that point.
The closest battles for Number 1 on the Official Singles Chart
All Saints – Never Ever Vs. Bamboo – Bamboogie (1998) Sales difference: 557 copies After a nine-week hike up the Top 10 to claim their first Number 1 single, All Saints were very nearly pipped to the post on its victory week, finishing a nail-biting 557 sales ahead of a seriously popular new entry by short-lived British house act Bamboo. See the full Top 100 Official Singles Chart from this week here.
Stop ends Spice Girls' run of consecutive Number 1s
They'd been an unstoppable force on the Official Singles Chart for almost two years, but this week in 1998, the Spice Girls discovered they couldn't always get what they want, what they really, really want. After six straight chart-toppers, which kicked off with million-selling Wannabe in summer 1996, the ladies' run of good luck was thwarted by a bit of a surprise.
Sugababes Push The Button with a pop classic
06 October 2022 The trio's hi-gloss electropop topped the charts 17 years ago this week - and marked a big shift in the Sugababes brand. 27427 Back in the Noughties, when it came to British girl groups, there were only two that mattered - Girls Aloud and Sugababes. There was room for both: Girls Aloud were neon-bright, quirky and reckless, while Sugababes offered something moodier, often R&B-tinged and killer harmonies.
16 incredible Official Chart Facts of 2021
1. In January, Olivia Rodrigo's Drivers License claimed the UK’s highest number of streams ever in a single day for a non-Christmas song. The track racked up 2.407m streams in 24 hours on Tuesday, January 12. Ed Sheeran's Shape of You previously held the 24-hour record in 2017, with 2.274m streams. 2. In February, British soul artist Celeste became the first female artist in five years to score a Number 1 with their debut album when Not Your Muse soared to the top spot. 3.
Celebrating 10 years of the Official Number 1 Award
10 years ago this month, Official Charts presented its first Number 1 Award, helping artists celebrate achieving the pinnacle of UK chart success in style. Launched in 2011 with the Official Number 1 Single Award, the first recipient was that year’s Christmas Number 1, The Military Wives & Gareth Malone with Wherever You Are, presented by BBC Radio 1’s Official Chart show host at the time Reggie Yates.
"I still pinch myself"
Since 2018, LadBaby has dominated the battle for the Official Christmas Number 1, all in the name of charity - and sausage rolls. YouTuber Mark Hoyle, his wife Roxanne and their two children launched their first bid for the festive top spot in 2018 with a sausage roll-themed rework of We Built This City.
The Number 1 song on your 18th birthday 'defines your 2022'
We can all agree that 2021 has been a mixed year for most, so what does 2022 have in store for you? According to a new online myth, the answer is in the song that was Number 1 on your 18th birthday. Why your 18th? We're not entirely sure, but, for now at least, we're choosing to believe it. The theory has been doing the rounds on Twitter this month, often revealing some very questionable results. So, what are you waiting for?
BRIT Awards 2022 nominations in full
The nominations for the 2022 BRIT Awards have been revealed, with Adele, Ed Sheeran, Little Simz and Dave leading the way with four nods each. All four artists will also go head-to-head in the coveted Album Of The Year category and Artist Of The Year, both along with Sam Fender, following a hugely successful year for each of them.
Adele’s 30 secures third week as Ireland’s Number 1 album
Adele’s 30 isn’t going anywhere yet: the star’s fourth album secures a third consecutive week at Number 1 on the Official Irish Albums Chart. 30 comfortably holds its place at the top – Adele’s closest competitor was Ed Sheeran’s =, which rebounds from 3 to Number 2. Adele’s previous two albums once again feature in this week’s Top 50: 25 at Number 20, and 21 at Number 43.
LadBaby, Ed Sheeran, Elton John and more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, which can only mean one thing – the race for the Official Christmas Number 1 is coming. The 2021 Official , but who is in line for this year’s festive chart crown? With 2021 marking the UK’s 70th Official Christmas Number 1, competition for the top spot is shaping up to be fiercer than ever. The Christmas Number 1 is a British institution – and often the most upredictable chart race of the year.
Ed Sheeran & Elton John score highest new entry on Official Irish Singles Chart
Ed Sheeran and Elton John’s new single Merry Christmas claims the highest new entry on this week’s Official Irish Singles Chart, debuting at Number 3. The pair’s new festive jingle wasn’t quite powerful enough to outperform Adele, whose current leader Easy On Me reigns supreme for a seventh non-consecutive week at the summit.
Adele’s Easy On Me scores sixth week at Number 1 in Ireland
Adele’s Easy On Me glides into a sixth week at Number 1 on the Official Irish Singles Chart, but a rising star is chasing at her heels. Nashville singer-songwriter Gayle, who is climbing charts across the world with abcdefu, lifts four places to Number 3 this week, leapfrogging two more Adele tracks in this week’s Top 10 – Oh My God at 4 and I Drink Wine at 6.
Adele denies Westlife Number 1 on Irish Albums Chart
Adele’s 30 scores a second week at Number 1 on this week’s Official Irish Albums Chart, denying Westlife the top spot. 30 comfortably holds its place at the summit, meaning Westlife’s new album Wild Dreams settles for second place. It’s only the group’s third of 14 albums (including greatest hits collections) to miss Number 1 in Ireland – 2004’s Allow Us To Be Frank and 2009’s Where We Are also debuted at Number 2.
Official Charts' online shop is now open
Official Charts' online shop is now open! You can now get your hands on a selection of Official Charts merch, or snap up a gift for the music lover in your life, in our brand-new store. Come on in and have a browse. We have a range of Official Charts products available to buy now - let's take a look at what's on offer. Personalised mug Time to get creative! You can now personalise our Official Charts mug - buy one for your Official Number 1... Boss? Dad? Chart Nerd? Disco Diva?
Listen to Ed Sheeran and Elton John's new single Merry Christmas
Ed Sheeran and Elton John have released their brand-new, highly anticipated Christmas single. Merry Christmas was co-written by the pair and is an ode to the best bits about the festive season - kissing under the mistletoe, raising a toast and playing in the snow. As if that wasn't festive enough, the track's music video pays homage to scenes from classic Christmas music videos and films.
Top of the Pops announce 2021 Christmas and New Year lineup
The lineup for the 2021 Top Of The Pops Christmas and New Year specials have been announced. Hosted by Radio 1 DJs Clara Amfo and Jordan North (who will be making his TOTP debut), the Christmas special will air on BBC One on Saturday, December 25 at 11.55am, while the Top Of The Pops New Year Special will be on BBC One on Friday, December 31 at 4.15pm. MORE: When is the 2021 Official Christmas Number 1 announced?
Ed Sheeran and Elton John announce new single Merry Christmas
Ed Sheeran and Elton John have announced the title and release date of their highly anticipated Christmas duet. Merry Christmas will be released on Friday, December 3 - exactly three weeks before the race for the Official Christmas Number 1 kicks off. All UK proceeds from this year's Christmas period will go to the Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation.
Adele scores three Top 5 entries on Official Irish Singles Chart
As Adele celebrates landing the Official Irish Chart Double this week, Easy On Me reclaims the Number 1 spot for a fifth total week at the summit. Two more songs from 30 also land in the Top 5 – Oh My God at Number 3, and I Drink Wine at Number 5. Behind Adele’s Top 5 domination, three songs climb into the Top 10 for the first time. Leading them is 17-year-old Nashville pop prodigy Gayle, who leaps 26 places to Number 7 with what is fast shaping up to be global breakthrough ABCDEFU.
Adele scores the Official Irish Chart Double with 30
Adele dominates this week’s Official Irish Charts as her new album 30 lands straight in at Number 1 with the biggest opening week chart sales of 2021 so far. 30 marks Adele’s third consecutive Number 1 album in Ireland – following 21 (2011) and 25 (2015), which appear at Numbers 13 and 18 this week – and outperforms the rest of this week’s Top 10 combined. Adele also claims the rare Official Chart Double this week as Easy On Me reclaims the Number 1 spot for a fifth total week at the summit.
Christmas Number 1 2021: The contenders revealed
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, which can only mean one thing – the race for the Official Christmas Number 1 is coming. The 2021 Official , but who is in line for this year’s festive chart crown? With 2021 marking the UK’s 70th Official Christmas Number 1, competition for the top spot is shaping up to be fiercer than ever. The Christmas Number 1 is a British institution – and often the most upredictable chart race of the year.
Adele's 30 already claims UK's biggest opening week of 2021
Adele's new album 30 continues to power towards the Number 1 spot on this week's Official UK Albums Chart, and already claims the UK's biggest opening week of 2021 so far. In today's sales flash (Novmber 24), 30 logs 219,000 chart sales so far this week, overtaking ABBA's comeback album Voyage, which opened with 204,000 chart sales earlier this month. It's also the highest opening week for a female artist album since Adele's last album 25 in November 2015.
Christmas classics by Mariah Carey and Wham! set to re-enter Top 40
Christmas season has officially started as festive classics by Mariah Carey and Wham! are poised to re-enter the Official Singles Chart Top 40 this week. Mariah's All I Want For Christmas Is You leads the charge of holiday favourites returning to the chart, currently at Number 25 in today's Official Chart Update (November 22).
Taylor Swift claims seventh Number 1 album in Ireland with Red (Taylor's Version)
Taylor Swift dominates this week’s Official Irish Charts following the release of Red (Taylor’s Version). The latest in the US star’s re-releases of her catalogue earns her a seventh Number 1 in Ireland, arriving just seven months after Fearless (Taylor’s Version) topped the chart in April. The original version of Red peaked at Number 1 in October 2012. The entry extends Taylor’s stature as the woman with the most chart-topping albums in Ireland this millennium.
Taylor Swift claims second Number 1 single in Ireland
Taylor Swift celebrates a chart double as All Too Well (Taylor’s Version) enters at Number 1 on the Official Irish Singles Chart - as Red (Taylor's Version) lands at the top of the albums Top 50. The track from Red (Taylor’s Version) becomes her second chart-topper in Ireland after Look What You Made Me Do in 2017 and dethrones Adele’s Easy On Me, which drops to 2.
James Blunt's Official Top 10 biggest songs
Ex-military officer, Twitter legend, pub landlord and million-selling pop star – James Blunt has, you could say, been everything. Since he broke into the pop landscape in 2004, the man born James Hillier Blount has clocked up a reported 23 million album sales worldwide, including 3.4 million for his debut album Back To Bedlam in the UK alone (the best-selling album of 2005).. His 17-year career has also seen him win BRIT Awards, Ivor Novellos, as well as receiving five Grammy Award nominations.
ABBA announce details of Christmas single Little Things
ABBA have announced details of their Christmas single, Little Things. The track features on the group's comeback album Voyage - which scored a massive Number 1 debut on the Official Albums Chart last week. Little Things is the festive track the group previously announced would feature on their new record. The song reflects on the joy of Christmas morning and getting the whole family together. Little Things will be released on CD single on December 3, which is available to pre-order now.
Listen to Little Mix's official megamix of their greatest hits
Little Mix have unveiled a megamix of some of their biggest singles. The mix takes fans on a journey though six of their hits, launching with recent singles Confetti and Sweet Melody before moving into chart-toppers Shout Out To My Ex, Wings and Black Magic, and closing with fan favourite Touch. A cornerstone of pop, a megamix is reserved only for acts with a catalogue of big hits, taking fans on a whistle-stop tour of the highlights of their career.
ABBA's Voyage claims Ireland's fastest-selling album of 2021 so far
ABBA make a big splash on this week’s Official Irish Albums Chart as their comeback album Voyage debuts at Number 1. The iconic group’s ninth studio album enters at the summit and claims the biggest opening week of 2021 so far, surpassing Olivia Rodrigo’s first week figure for her debut album Sour back in May. While Irish Album Chart records don’t extend back to ABBA’s heyday in the 1970s and early 1980s, the band can celebrate full domination of this week’s Official Irish Charts.
Adele's Easy On Me scores fourth week at Number 1 in Ireland
Adele’s Easy On Me extends its reign over the Official Irish Singles Chart for a fourth week, holding off a strong challenge from Elton John and Dua Lipa’s Cold Heart (Pnau Remix), which holds in the runner-up slot. Two songs are chasing their heels this week: viral smash Meet Me At Our Spot by The Anxiety (aka Willow and Tyler Cole) continues to scale the chart, up one place to Number 4, while Afrobeats artist Ckay lifts two places to Number 5 with Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah).
"Our songs were probably bigger than we were"
Just over 11 years ago, The Wanted made the rarely-seen leap from regional school gigs and club performances to the top of the Official Singles Chart. As well as fulfiling the boyband archetype (five good-looking lads who could carry a tune) their initial success was down to thier debut single All Time Low being a genuine triumph.
Diana Ross' Official Top 40 most-streamed songs
Diana Ross' career spans 60 years: first as a member of the Supremes, who rivalled the Beatles in terms of success in the 1960s, then as the group's lead star and eventually a solo career. Her presence on the Official Chart has been felt across five decades, racking up a rarely-seen 70 Top 40 singles.
Ed Sheeran claims fifth Number 1 album in Ireland with Equals
Ed Sheeran’s new album = (Equals) charges straight in at Number 1 on this week’s Official Irish Albums Chart. The singer-songwriter’s latest collection outperforms the rest of this week’s Top 10 combined, securing him a fifth chart-topping album, following + (2011), x (2014), ÷ (2017, and places at Number 10 this week), and No.6 Collaborations Project (2019).
Adele’s Easy On Me secures third week at Number 1 in Ireland
Adele’s Easy On Me secures a third week at Number 1 on the Official Irish Singles Chart, while Ed Sheeran scores three entries in the Top 10. Easy On Me was Ireland’s most-streamed song of the past seven days, fending off competition from Elton John & Dua Lipa’s Cold Heart (Pnau Remix), which holds at Number 2.
Lola Young sings on the 2021 John Lewis Christmas advert
Along with that first sip of mulled wine or nibble of a mince pie, you know the festive season is upon us when John Lewis unveils its Christmas advert. For 12 years the department store has put out a sentimental and snowy reminder that it should be your one-stop shop for all your festive needs. You know the drill: accompanying the advert is a heart-tugging song, often a cover of a familiar classic that's been stripped-down for full emotional effect.
Michael Bublé unveils video for It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
If Mariah Carey is the Queen of Christmas, then Michael Bublé is surely the king? His album, Christmas, is the UK's biggest festive album of the century - and it's getting reissued for its tenth anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, he's shot a video for its popular opening number, his rendition of It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas. The clip is currently available to watch exclusively on his Facebook page.
When will the 2021 Christmas Number 1 be announced?
The battle for the Christmas Number 1 is a festive tradition that goes back decades - and bagging the top spot is still considered the ultimate accolade in pop. This year is shaping up to be one of the most hotly-contested races yet, as December 2021 will mark the 70th Official Christmas Number 1.
Michael Bublé unveils video for It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
If Mariah Carey is the Queen of Christmas, then Michael Bublé is surely the king? His album, Christmas, is the UK's biggest festive album of the century - and it's getting reissued for its tenth anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, he's shot a video for its popular opening number, his rendition of It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas. The clip is currently available to watch exclusively on his Facebook page.
Leona Lewis announces repack of Christmas album with new songs
Leona Lewis has announced a repack of her 2013 festive album, now titled Christmas, With Love Always. The new edition of the album will be released on November 19 and includes two brand-new songs, If I Can't Have You and new single Kiss Me It's Christmas featuring Ne-Yo, which is out now. The track was co-written by Richard "Biff" Stannard, best known for his work with Spice Girls and Kylie's latest album Disco.
The (incredible) numbers behind Ed Sheeran’s biggest hits
The last ten years have seen Ed Sheeran quickly rise to global superstardom and keep a firm grip over pop ever since. His new album = (Equals) is being billed as his most personal yet, featuring songs about his marriage, the birth of his daughter and loss. But even when he's not been singing about himself, Ed has always had a knack for telling relatable stories with certain a level of authenticity. They also just happen to be packed with undeniable hooks.
Ed Sheeran’s Overpass Graffiti sets course for Number 1
Ed Sheeran is set for Official Chart domination this week following the release of his new album = (Equals), with three songs on course to land in the Official Singles Chart Top 10. The album’s latest single Overpass Graffiti is on track to debut at Number 1 this Friday (November 5), while former chart-toppers Shivers (2) and Bad Habits (5) are in the Top 5. Should it hold on, Ed could be celebrating his 12th UK Number 1 single, and third in 2021 alone.
25 incredible facts about Spice Girls' iconic debut album
Zig-a-zig-WHAAT? Unbelievably (especially to those who were there at the time), it's now 25 years since Spice Girls released their debut album. To celebrate, Ginger, Baby, Scary, Sporty and Posh have reissused the album with demos, mixes and previously unreleased songs - offering a rare insight into a group whose rise to fame was as quick as it was chaotic. Below, we reveal 25 seriously spicey facts about Spice... 1. Spice reached Number 1 in 17 countries.
Elton John "thrilled" as Lockdown Sessions album enters at Number 1
Congratulations to Elton John, whose new album The Lockdown Sessions lands straight in at Number 1 on the Official UK Albums Chart. The Lockdown Sessions opens at the summit with 31,000 chart sales, 84% of which were physical (CD and vinyl) sales. It marks Elton’s second Number 1 in less than a month – two weeks ago his single Cold Heart (Pnau Remix) with Dua Lipa hit Number 1 on the Official Singles Chart.
Lana Del Rey and Elton John score Top 10 debuts on Irish Albums Chart
Olivia Rodrigo reclaims Number 1 on this week’s Official Irish Albums Chart, holding off challenges from new releases by Lana Del Rey and Elton John. Olivia’s debut Sour notches up a 14th non-consecutive week at summit, rebounding 5 to 1, powered by streams. This week’s highest new entry is Lana Del Rey’s eighth studio record Blue Banisters at Number 4, the US star’s eighth Top 5 album.
Adele’s Easy On Me glides into second week as Ireland’s Number 1 single
Adele’s Easy On Me claims a second week at Number 1 on this week’s Official Irish Singles Chart. The ballad comfortably holds the top spot, outperforming its closest competition, Elton John & Dua Lipa’s Cold Heart (Pnau Remix), by 3,400 chart sales. Much of this week’s Top 10 remains unchanged, with the exception of viral smash Meet Me At Our Spot by The Anxiety, aka Willow and Tyler Cole, which lifts four places to Number 9.
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