Full Breakdown
Sam Fender and Olivia Dean Set New UK Chart Record with “Rein Me In”
8/1/2026, 12:25:34 AM
Core Event: Historic 19-Week Reign at Number 1
“Rein Me In,” the collaboration between Sam Fender and Olivia Dean, has become the longest-running single ever to top the Official Singles Chart. The track logged its 19th consecutive week at the summit on the chart dated July 31, 2026, surpassing Frankie Laine’s 18-week record from 1953.
Background & Context
The song originally appeared on Fender’s Mercury-Prize-winning album *People Watching* in February 2025. A remix featuring Dean was released in June 2025, giving the track a fresh verse and renewed radio push. The partnership quickly resonated with UK audiences, propelling the song up the chart after a 35-week climb.
Timeline of the Song’s Chart Journey
- June 2025 – “Rein Me In” enters the Official Singles Chart.
- February 20, 2026 – The single reaches Number 1 for the first time, eight months after its debut.
- March 13, 2026 – Harry Styles’ “American Girls” briefly displaces the track, ending its run after three weeks.
- March 2026 – “Rein Me In” reclaims the top spot, beginning an uninterrupted stretch.
- July 31, 2026 – The song records its 19th week at Number 1, establishing a new all-time record.
Data & Statistics
- 19 weeks at Number 1 (the longest in UK chart history).
- Surpassed Frankie Laine’s 18-week run (1953) and Drake’s 16-week record with “One Dance” (2016).
- Peaked at No. 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and sits at No. 69 as of the latest update.
Official Statements & Responses
In recognition of the milestone, the organization presented Sam Fender with an Official Chart Record Breaker Award. Fender, speaking to the Official Charts Company, expressed amazement at the song’s endurance, noting that the record “feels like a juggernaut.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Completely lost for words, thank you so much to Olivia Dean and the fans for making this song the juggernaut that it is,” — Billboard Sam Fender, dean
- “Every Friday, it's been an excuse to party. So it needs to stop soon because I'm gonna die.” — Billboard Sam Fender, dean
Why It Matters
The record underscores the commercial potency of British collaborations in the streaming era, demonstrating that a song can sustain mass appeal well beyond the typical few-week turnover of modern hits. By eclipsing a benchmark that stood since the early 1950s, Fender and Dean have set a new standard for chart longevity, influencing how record labels and artists strategize release cycles and promotional pushes.
What's Next
The Official Charts Company has not announced any forthcoming milestones for the single, but the continued presence of “Rein Me In” in the top-10 suggests further chart activity may be possible before the song eventually descends.
