Taylor Swift Surpasses Madonna as All-Time Female Leader for U.K. No. 1 Albums
Swift still trails The Beatles, Robbie Williams and The Rolling Stones on the all-time leaderboard.
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Taylor Swift has made history by surpassing Madonna to become the female artist with the most No. 1 albums in U.K. chart history (Feb. 14).
Swift claims her 13th chart-topper on the Official Albums Chart with Lover (Live In Paris), a live album first released in 2023 and recently reissued on special heart-shaped double-vinyl released in time for Valentine’s Day. The collection recently peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
The LP shifted 47,000 units in its opening week, and is the first time that a No. 1 album has been achieved solely through physical sales since Swift’s Reputation also achieved the feat in 2017. The album is currently not available on streaming services.
Swift is now tied with Elvis Presley on the all-time No. 1s list on the Official Albums Chart at 13. They both trail The Rolling Stones, who have 14 chart-toppers, and joint leaders The Beatles and Robbie Williams, who share the title with 15 each.
Inhaler’s third LP, Open Wide, finishes the week at No. 2, giving the band their third top-three placing. They topped the chart in 2021 with debut album It Won’t Always Be Like This, and finished at No. 2 with Cuts and Bruises (2023).
Following his Super Bowl Halftime Show, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX has rebounded to No. 3; the album first went to No. 1 upon release in November and was recently bolstered by release on physicals. On Friday (Feb. 14), tickets went on sale for Lamar’s and SZA’s joint Grand National tour dates in the U.K. this July, which includes shows in Glasgow, Birmingham, Cardiff and London.
The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow vacates the top spot and ends the week at No. 4, with Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet closing at No. 5.
Olly Alexander’s solo debut LP, Polaris, finishes the week at No. 17. As a member of pop trio Years & Years, Alexander enjoyed success with 2015’s Communion (No. 1), 2018’s Palo Santo (No. 3) and 2022’s Night Call (No. 1).
