Artists Who Topped Themselves Twice at Number 1 on the UK Singles Chart

When it comes to achieving a Number 1 hit on the UK Singles Chart, some artists manage to top themselves—literally. It’s a rare feat, but one that underscores an artist’s dominance in the music industry. Let’s take a look at the notable instances where musicians have replaced their own chart-topping singles with another:

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The Beatles

W/E December 14, 1963

PREV: 10
POS: 1
TITLE: I Want To Hold Your Hand
ARTIST: Beatles

In 1963, The Beatles were unstoppable, scoring their first of an impressive 17 Number 1 hits with “She Loves You.” Just when it seemed they couldn’t surpass their own success, “I Want To Hold Your Hand” surged to the top the following week, setting the stage for their chart dominance.

John Lennon

W/E February 7, 1981

PREV: 2
POS: 1
TITLE: Woman
ARTIST: John Lennon

Following John Lennon’s tragic passing in December 1980, his music experienced a resurgence on the charts. His iconic track “Imagine,” a poignant anthem of peace and hope, yielded to “Woman,” a heartfelt tribute to his wife Yoko Ono, at the summit of the UK Singles Chart.

Elvis Presley

W/E January 22, 2005

PREV: NEW
POS: 1
TITLE: One Night/I Got Stung
ARTIST: Elvis Presley

In 2005, Elvis Presley made chart history by reclaiming the top spot with “One Night/I Got Stung,” part of a series of reissues that commemorated his 18 Number 1 singles. This feat solidified Elvis’ enduring legacy in British music culture.

Justin Bieber

W/E December 10, 2015

PREV: 2
POS: 1
TITLE: Love Yourself
ARTIST: Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber’s chart domination in late 2015 saw his heartfelt ballad “Love Yourself” dethrone his own infectious hit “Sorry” from the Number 1 position. This achievement underscored Bieber’s prowess as a versatile artist capable of capturing the hearts of fans worldwide.

Ed Sheeran

W/E January 25, 2018

PREV: 2
POS: 1
TITLE: River (Eminem ft. Ed Sheeran)
ARTIST: Ed Sheeran

Fresh off the success of his album Divide, Ed Sheeran collaborated with Eminem on “River,” which displaced his own chart-topper “Perfect.” Sheeran’s ability to dominate both as a solo artist and a featured guest showcased his unparalleled popularity on the UK Singles Chart.

Ariana Grande

W/E February 21, 2019

PREV: NEW
POS: 1
TITLE: Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored
ARTIST: Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande made headlines as the first female artist to replace herself at Number 1 twice in consecutive weeks. Her singles “7 Rings” and “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored” from the album Thank U, Next underscored her chart-topping dominance and fan appeal.

Ed Sheeran & Elton John

W/E December 30, 2021

PREV: NEW
POS: 1
TITLE: Sausage Rolls For Everyone (LadBaby ft. Ed Sheeran & Elton John)
ARTIST: Ed Sheeran & Elton John

In a festive twist, Ed Sheeran and Elton John joined forces on the quirky holiday hit “Sausage Rolls For Everyone,” replacing their own collaboration “Merry Christmas” at Number 1. This quirky collaboration captured the public’s imagination during the holiday season.

Sabrina Carpenter

W/E July 18, 2024

PREV: 2
POS: 1
TITLE: Espresso
ARTIST: Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter achieved the rare distinction of becoming only the second woman to replace herself at Number 1 on the UK Singles Chart. Her summery anthem “Espresso” held onto the top spot, succeeding her own hit “Please Please Please” after a three-week reign.

The Shadows

The Shadows, originally known as Cliff Richard’s backing band, also made significant contributions to the UK Singles Chart:

1960: Their instrumental hit “Apache,” credited to The Shadows, topped the charts, replacing “Please Don’t Tease” by Cliff Richard and The Shadows.
1963: The Shadows were knocked off the Number 1 spot by another Cliff Richard and The Shadows song, only to reclaim it the following week.
Further Instances: The band replaced themselves at Number 1 multiple times, including instances where their singles knocked each other off the top spot consecutively.

These instances highlight The Shadows’ unique position in music history, both as collaborators with Cliff Richard and as a chart-topping band in their own right. Their instrumental prowess and enduring popularity continue to resonate with fans of British rock and roll.

These instances highlight not only the artists’ commercial success but also their ability to resonate deeply with audiences, maintaining chart supremacy with consecutive hits. Their achievements underscore the popular music and the enduring appeal of chart-topping talent.

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Holli Greaves: Meet Holly, our versatile freelance journalist and featuers writer who has a passion for dissecting the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology. Your guide to understanding the forces driving our digital age with insightful perspectives and in-depth storytelling.