Which songs have spent the longest at number one in the UK?
Achieving a number one single is an impressive feat, but what’s even more impressive is holding it for several consecutive weeks.
For any artist, gaining a charting hit is a cause for celebration. It might not be the ultimate aim for many singers, but it’s certainly high up there when people discuss the bar for success and milestones they intend to reach to feel a certain level of satisfaction and validation. However, it’s certainly not the be-all and end-all, especially if what you’re after is freedom of expression over quantifiable measurements.
It’s also not really something that modern audiences follow as much as they used to. Ask anybody what the current Top 40 is, and it’s unlikely that they’ll know, let alone which sits at number one. For those wondering, there are a handful you’re probably aware of, and a few you’ve likely never even heard of, from Taylor Swift’s ‘Fate of Ophelia’ and Olivia Dean’s ‘Man I Need’ to Lily Allen’s ‘Pussy Palace’.
As usual, there are currently a few re-entries too, like Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’, likely a resurgence from the recent movie trailer, and Danny Elfman’s ‘This Is Halloween’, for obvious reasons. However, what might likely come as a surprise to many is that the current number one has spent the longest time in its spot for 20 weeks, surpassing the previous record kept, which was Frankie Laine’s 1950s smash ‘I Believe’, which claimed the top spot for 18 weeks, behind Bryan Adams’ ‘(Everything I Do) I Do It For You’ at 16 weeks.
Which songs have spent the longest at number one in the UK?
The current number one is ‘Golden’ from Kpop Demon Hunters, which has sat in place for 20 weeks so far. It surpassed Alex Warren’s ‘Ordinary’, which sat in top place for 13 weeks throughout 2025, taking over previous hits such as Slim Whitman’s ‘Rose Marie’, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s ‘Despacito’, Tones and I’s ‘Dance Monkey’, Ed Sheeran’s ‘Bad Habits’, Miley Cyrus’ ‘Flowers’, and Harry Styles’ ‘As It Was’.
However, it didn’t manage to sustain the spot long enough to surpass the likes of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape of You’ (14), Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (14), Drake’s ‘One Dance (15), or Wet Wet Wet’s ‘Love Is All Around’ (15). Still, there’s much to celebrate elsewhere when looking at current charting positions, especially when it comes to female achievements and domination.
For instance, Olivia Dean recently became the first female solo artist to have four singles in the UK top ten. There are also a handful of female artists climbing the ranks and maintaining their positions, including RAYE, Sabrina Carpenter, Kehlani, Lady Gaga, and more. Lily Allen’s recent David Harbour exposé West End Girl also has new entries, a massive achievement for an empowering piece about reclaiming dignity after an abusive relationship.
