The UK’s Official Singles and Albums Chart has witnessed a spectacular takeover by Taylor Swift, who has claimed the number 1 spot on both charts, doing the UK Chart Double. Her “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” track has soared to the top spot on the UK Official Singles Chart, while her re-recorded album, “1989 (Taylor’s Version)”, has stormed into the top position on the UK Official Albums Chart, making waves with a staggering 184,000 chart units, more than doubling the opening-week sales of the original 1989 album from 2014.
This accomplishment marks Swift’s 11th chart-topping album in the UK, solidifying her status as a music icon. But the dominance doesn’t end there. She has achieved the biggest opening week for any album in 2023, surpassing the previous record set by Lewis Capaldi’s “Broken By Desire to Be Heavenly Sent”, which had 95,000 chart units in its first week.
This chart-topper follows her previous chart-topping albums, “Red” (2012), “1989” (2014), “reputation” (2017), “Lover” (2019), “folklore” (2020), “evermore” (2020), “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” (2021), “Red (Taylor’s Version)” (2021), “Midnights” (2022) and “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” (2023).
Swift’s reign extends even further, as she becomes the woman with the most UK Number 1 albums this century and the female artist to achieve 11 consecutive Number 1 albums in the quickest time, precisely 11 years. It’s worth noting that only Madonna, with 12 Number 1 albums, has more in UK chart history.
In addition to her chart-topping album success, “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” has earned the title of the fastest-selling vinyl album of 2023, selling nearly 62,000 copies on vinyl and securing the Number 1 spot on this week’s UK Official Vinyl Chart.
But the Taylor Swift celebration doesn’t stop with albums. Swift has secured a UK Number 1 single with “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”, making its debut at the summit of the UK Official Singles Chart, amassing a remarkable 4.9 million streams, solidifying its position as the week’s most-streamed track in the UK.
This marks Swift’s third UK Number 1 single, adding to her previous chart-toppers, “Look What You Made Me Do” (2017) and “Anti-Hero” (2022). Moreover, two more Taylor Swift singles, “Now That We Don’t Talk (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” and “Slut! (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”, have made it to the Top 10, claiming Number 2 and Number 5, respectively.
While Swift’s chart domination is undeniable and her influence in the music industry is stronger than ever, there’s more happening on the UK Official Charts. Electronic four-piece Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) have achieved their highest-charting studio album across their 45-year career with “Bauhaus Staircase” at Number 2.
Last week’s chart-topper, the Rolling Stones with “Hackney Diamonds”, comes in at Number 3, and Duran Duran secures the Number 4 spot with “Danse Macabre”. Hampshire’s own singer-songwriter, James Blunt, adds another feather to his cap as he secures the fifth position on the charts with his latest album, “Who We Used to Be”. This achievement marks his eighth consecutive Top 5 album, showcasing his enduring success in the music industry.
Turning to the Official Singles Chart, a hauntingly festive atmosphere emerges as a variety of eerie tracks infiltrate the extended Top 40, creating a Halloween-themed chart sensation. Danny Elfman’s “This is Halloween” from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” makes its first-ever entry at Number 14, 30 years after its release. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” sits at Number 20, Ray Parker Jr.’s “Ghostbusters” at Number 21, and Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s “Monster Mash” at Number 29.
Furthermore, other Halloween-themed songs have entered the UK Official Singles Chart Top 100, including Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me” at Number 44, Andrew Gold’s “Spooky Scary Skeletons” at Number 55 beating last year’s peak of number 93, and the Cranberries’ “Zombie” at Number 81.
Taylor Swift’s phenomenal success in both the UK Official Albums and Singles Charts is undoubtedly a huge accomplishment and really goes to show that she is on top form!
