Taylor Swift has retained the top spots on the U.K.’s Official Albums and Singles charts for a second consecutive week on the tallies dated Friday (Oct. 17).
The Life of a Showgirl holds on to the top spot on the Albums chart, while its lead single, “The Fate of Ophelia,” extends its stay at the summit of the Singles chart for a second consecutive week. The latter is the first time in three years that one of Swift’s singles has enjoyed a run of multiple weeks in the top spot. “Anti-Hero” from 2022’s Midnights earned six weeks at No. 1, while “Fortnight” (2024) and “Is It Over Now?” (2023) lasted just a single week.
The Life of a Showgirl broke numerous records on its way to No. 1 in the U.K. The record had the fastest selling opening week (423,00 units) since Ed Sheeran’s 2017 LP Divide (672,000). It also became the fastest selling album on vinyl this century in the U.K., and fastest ever since records modern Official Chart records began in 1994.
The Life of a Showgirl is her 14th U.K. No. 1 album; she also extends her lead with the most No. 1s on the U.K. Albums Chart for an international artist, and is tied for second overall with The Rolling Stones (14). The top spot is also currently a tie between The Beatles and Robbie Williams, who both have 15 apiece.
Olivia Dean takes the runner-up spot on both the Official Albums Chart and Singles Chart with The Art of Loving and its breakout song, “Man I Need,” both topping out at No. 2. Earlier this month, Dean achieved a rare double for a British artist with No. 1s on the aforementioned charts.
Fresh off his Oasis support slots, former Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft earns the No. 3 spot on the Official Albums Chart with Lovin’ You. Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend closes at No. 4, and The Weeknd’s greatest hits compilation The Highlights lands at No. 5.
On the Singles Chart, “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters ends the week at No. 3, having already enjoyed an eight-week run at the summit. Swift’s “Opalite” (No. 4) and “Elizabeth Taylor” (No. 6) continue to see success, while RAYE’s “Where Is My Husband!” lifts one place to No. 5.