Sam Fender and Olivia Dean Set New UK Singles Chart Record
Sam Fender and Olivia Dean have achieved a landmark moment in British music, with their collaboration Rein Me In becoming the longest-running number one single in the history of the UK Singles Chart.
The song has now accumulated 19 non-consecutive weeks at number one, surpassing a record that had stood for more than seven decades. The previous benchmark was held by Frankie Laine's I Believe, which spent 18 weeks at the summit in 1953.
The achievement marks another major milestone for both artists, cementing Rein Me In as one of the defining songs of the decade.
Source: BBC News
A Collaboration That Connected with Millions
Originally appearing on Sam Fender's Mercury Prize-winning album People Watching, Rein Me In was later reimagined as a duet featuring singer-songwriter Olivia Dean.
Dean contributed an entirely new verse, offering the story from the perspective of the other half of a relationship. The added emotional depth transformed the song into a conversation between two people struggling with heartbreak, making it resonate with a much wider audience.
Speaking after the record-breaking achievement, Fender described himself as "speechless" and credited Dean's contribution as a key reason for the song's extraordinary success.
He also thanked fans for embracing the collaboration, saying the record ultimately belongs to those who continued streaming, sharing and supporting it.
Source: BBC News
A Slow Burn That Became a Cultural Phenomenon
Unlike many chart-toppers that debut at number one, Rein Me In followed an unusually gradual rise.
After the duet version was released in June 2025, it took around eight months before finally reaching the top of the UK Singles Chart in February 2026. From there, its popularity only continued to grow.
The track briefly surrendered the number one position to releases from Harry Styles, Olivia Rodrigo and Ariana Grande before repeatedly reclaiming the top spot, allowing it to build its record-breaking total of 19 weeks.
Its sustained success highlights the changing nature of modern music consumption, where songs can enjoy long lifespans through streaming services and social media rather than relying solely on first-week sales.
TikTok Played a Major Role
A significant factor behind the song's longevity has been its widespread popularity across social media platforms.
The duet gained momentum after Fender and Dean performed it together during Fender's People Watching tour, with clips from the performance quickly spreading across TikTok.
Since then, the song has been used in millions of videos, accompanying everything from relationship stories and holiday memories to sporting highlights and personal milestones.
Although TikTok views themselves do not contribute directly to chart positions, the platform has become increasingly influential in introducing music to new audiences and driving streams on music services.
Critical and Commercial Success
Critics praised Rein Me In for its heartfelt songwriting and emotional honesty.
The combination of Fender's raw, reflective lyrics with Dean's thoughtful response created a duet that many reviewers described as both intimate and cinematic.
The song's commercial success was matched by industry recognition, winning Song of the Year at the 2026 Brit Awards and becoming one of the standout tracks from Fender's People Watching era.
Breaking a Historic Record
By reaching 19 weeks at number one, Rein Me In has overtaken some of the biggest songs in UK chart history.
Previous record holders include:
- Frankie Laine – I Believe (18 weeks)
- Bryan Adams – (Everything I Do) I Do It For You (16 weeks)
- Wet Wet Wet – Love Is All Around (15 weeks)
The new record underlines just how enduring the song has become, standing above some of the most iconic chart successes ever recorded.
Source: BBC News
A Milestone for British Music
For Sam Fender and Olivia Dean, the achievement represents more than just another chart statistic. It showcases the power of authentic songwriting, strong artistic collaboration and the influence of modern streaming culture.
What began as a deeply personal song evolved into a nationwide anthem that connected with listeners across generations.
With a record that had stood since the 1950s finally broken, Rein Me In has secured its place as one of the most successful and significant UK singles of all time.