U.K. CHARTS: MORE RECORDS FOR THE BEATLES

The Beatles have made U.K. Official Charts history on multiple fronts with the success of “Now and Then" (Apple Corps). Taylor Swift has scored a second week at #1 on Albums.

“Now and Then,” which shifted 78.2k in sales to hit the top of the Official Singles Chart, is the fastest-selling single of the year, with 48.6k in physical and download sales. It also claims the biggest week of physical sales in almost a decade (38k) and is the fastest-selling vinyl single of the century, with 19.4k copies.

By returning to the top of the singles chart 60 years after their first #1, the Fabs claim the longest gap between an act’s first and last chart-topping hit. "Now and Then" is the group's 18th #1, extending their record as the British act with the most U.K. #1 singles in chart history. Only Elvis Presley, with 21, has more.

Celebrating the feat, Paul McCartney called the news “mind-boggling," elaborating, “It’s blown my socks off. It’s also a very emotional moment for me. I love it.”

Elsewhere on Singles, BTS member Jung Kook lands at #6 with his fourth solo Top 10 single of 2023, “Standing Next to You” (BIGHIT).

Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” (Mercury/Republic) climbs two to #8, while Chase & Status, Hedex and ArrDee’s “Liquor & Cigarettes” (EMI) rises one to #17.

On the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart, Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (EMI) spends a second consecutive week at #1.

A 25th anniversary reissue of The Masterplan (Big Brother) by Oasis renters the chart at #2, matching its original peak upon release in 1998. Jung Kook scores this week’s highest new entry, with GOLDEN (Interscope) at #3—the highest-peaking album from a member of BTS and highest for a Korean solo artist.

Cliff Richard’s Cliff With Strings—My Kinda Life (East West/Rhino) is #5, and Johnny Marr’s Spirit Power: The Best of Johnny Marr (BMG) is #7.