U.K. CHARTS: ELTON, BRANDI "BELIEVE" IN #1
Elton John may be sitting, but his U.K. #1 trophies are still standing.
As expected, Elton John and Brandi Carlile debut at #1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart with Who Believes in Angels? (EMI), while Alex Warren begins a fourth week atop Singles with “Ordinary” (Atlantic).
Angels? is John's 10th #1 and Carlile's first. “This is a dream come true for me because I got to make this album with my absolute hero and dear friend Elton John,” Carlile says. “I want to say a huge thank you to all the fans in the U.K. for your support, and obviously to Elton for believing in me and championing me in such a generous way.”
John separately describes the project, which follows the surprise return of his 2017 best-of collection Diamonds to #1 in January, as “one of the greatest musical experiences of my life.”
Per the Official U.K. Charts Company, only Ed Sheeran, David Bowie, Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande have previously enjoyed two #1 albums within a six-month period.
Eclectic U.K. group Black Country, New Road debut at a carrer-best #3 with Forever Howlong (Ninja Tune), which also tops the Official Record Store Chart as the best-seller in U.K. indie shops in the past week.
American indie favorite Ethel Cain starts at #10 with a physical release of her 2022 debut, Preacher's Daughter (Daughters of Cain), her first entry on the chart.
On Singles, Warren’s “Ordinary” ties Lola Young’s “Messy” (Island) as the longest-running #1 of 2025. The song was the most-streamed song in the U.K. this week, with 8.5m plays.
Sheeran’s “Azizam” (Asylum) is new at #3, giving the artist his 42nd Top 10 U.K. hit. WizTheMc and Bees & Honey achieve their first Top 10 with “Show Me Love,” which climbs 14-8.
Mysterious hard rock act Sleep Token also lands its first Top 10 as “Caramel” (RCA) opens at #10. The anonymous group debuted at #17 last month with “Emergence.”
Miley Cyrus’ “End of the World” (Columbia) becomes her 26th U.K. Top 40 title with a #23 debut, and sombr (SMB/Warner) reaches new peaks with “back to friends” moving 35-25 and “undressed” slinking 37-28.