Key Takeaways
- 'Rein Me In' by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean holds at No. 1 on the Official Singles Chart in the U.K.
- The song has been at No. 1 for 17 nonconsecutive weeks without reaching the top 10 on the Hot 100.
- It is now second on the all-time list of longest-running No. 1 singles by a British act.
Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s hit 'Rein Me In' continues to dominate the U.K. charts, holding at No. 1 for its 17th nonconsecutive week on the Official Singles Chart as of July 17. Despite this impressive run, the song has not achieved significant success in the United States, dropping from No. 83 to No. 90 on the Billboard Hot 100.
This unique situation highlights a growing divide between music preferences in the U.K. and the U.S., with 'Rein Me In' being one of only six songs to have topped both charts for at least ten weeks, according to Billboard data from April 23. The song has not broken through on the Hot 100, currently sitting at No. 73.
The success of 'Rein Me In' is further emphasized by its place in chart history. It now stands as the second-longest-running No. 1 single by a British act, trailing only Frankie Laine’s 'I Believe,' which achieved 18 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 in 1953. Additionally, it holds the record for being the longest-running No. 1 of the 2020s and the entire 21st century.
The song's longevity on the U.K. charts is particularly noteworthy given its competition from other hits by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean. 'Man I Need' remains at No. 2, while 'So Easy (to Fall in Love)' keeps at No. 6, both of which are more closely aligned with current pop trends.
Sam Fender, an established star in the U.K., has four top 10 hits to his name, but this is his first Hot 100 hit. 'Rein Me In' marks a significant milestone for him and Olivia Dean, who have been making waves in the British music scene with their unique sound.
The song's success also comes at a time when other U.K. acts are experiencing varying levels of international recognition. For instance, Bryan Adams’s 'Everything I Do (I Do It for You)' holds the record for 16 weeks at No. 1 in 1991, while Wet Wet Wet’s 'Love Is All Around' is now surpassed by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean's hit.
Interestingly, 'Rein Me In' narrowly beats Oasis’s 'Wonderwall,' which saw a resurgence in popularity following its use as an unofficial anthem for England during the World Cup. Despite this, 'Wonderwall' remains at No. 2 on the charts, matching its previous best set in 1995.
