Madonna justifies her Queen of Pop status once again, as “Popular,” her collaboration with the Weeknd and Playboi Carti, creates an impressive piece of U.K. chart history.
“Popular” (via Interscope/Republic Records/XO) rises 14-10, a new high on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published Friday, Feb. 2, for Madonna’s 64th top 10 single, extending her lead as the female artist with the most top 10s in Official Chart history.
Only the late Elvis Presley (with 76) and legendary English singer Cliff Richard (with 68) have more.
Fifteen years have passed since Madonna’s last cracked the top tier on the U.K. chart. The last time was with “Celebration” in 2009, which peaked at No. 3.
“Popular” is the Weeknd’s 16th U.K. top 10 single, and Playboi Carti’s first.
Madonna sets chart records for fun. According to the Official Charts Company, the U.S. pop superstar has racked-up 12 U.K. No. 1 albums — a record for a female solo artist. Taylor Swift is close behind with 10, a figure that will likely lift to 11 when she releases her next album The Tortured Poets Department, announced during the 2024 Grammys broadcast.
At the top of the latest U.K. tally, Noah Kahan sticks a fifth week at No. 1.
The Vermont singer and songwriter’s folky hit “Stick Season” (via Republic Records) reigns over the Official U.K. Singles Chart, and is the most-streamed song in the U.K. over the chart cycle with 8.8 million plays, the OCC reports. The leader at the midweek stage, “Stick Season” completes the longest consecutive run at No. 1 since Doja Cat’s “Paint The Town Red” also logged five weeks at the summit in 2023.
Meanwhile, U.S. singer-songwriter Teddy Swims nabs a new career peak with “Lose Control” (Atlantic), up 6-3.
The highest climber this week belongs to YG Marley, with his debut single “Praise Jah in the Moonlight,” (YG Marley Music) up 51-20. Marley is the son of Ms. Lauryn Hill (who is credited as co-writer of the song) and the grandson of the late reggae hero Bob Marley.
Also nabbing a first U.K. top 40 appearance is the Last Dinner Party, winner of the BRITs Rising Star award and BBC Sound of 2024 Poll. The quintet’s “Nothing Matters” (Island) flies 41-22 on the tally, for their first top 40 appearance. The Last Dinner Party made their American late night TV debut last month with a performance of “Nothing Matters” on The Late Show. “Nothing Matters” appears on the debut LP Prelude To Ecstasy, released last Friday.
The highest new entry on the latest list belongs to Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion with “Hiss” (Hot Girl Productions), new at No. 31, for her sixth top 40 hit. Close behind is British hip-hop artist Skepta, with “Gas Me Up (Diligent)” (Big Smoke/Epic), new at No. 32 for his 22nd U.K. top 40 single.
Finally, Justin Timberlake marks his return as a recording artist with his 27th top 40 appearance on the U.K. singles tally. Timberlake’s “Selfish” (RCA) bows at No. 37, and is the first track lifted from his sixth solo album, titled Everything I Thought It Was. EITIW is slated for release on March 15.
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