Full Breakdown
Sam Fender and Olivia Dean Set New UK Chart Record with “Rein Me In”
8/1/2026, 12:29:27 AM
Record-Breaking Run
The duet “Rein Me In” has spent 19 non-consecutive weeks at the summit of the Official UK Singles Chart, eclipsing Frankie Laine’s 1953 hit “I Believe,” which logged 18 weeks at No. 1. The track entered the chart in June 2025, first reached the top on 20 February 2026 and, after brief interruptions by Harry Styles, Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift, completed a 19-week run—the longest in chart history. Reuters confirmed the record on 31 July 2026.
Background & Context
“Rein Me In” originated as an album track on Sam Fender’s Mercury-Prize-winning third studio album *People Watching* (February 2025). In June 2025 the song was re-recorded with a new verse from Olivia Dean, shifting the narrative to a female perspective. Fender called the collaboration “very personal” and credited Dean’s verse for broadening its appeal. The duet’s ascent defied the 2017 “accelerated decline” rule, which halves streaming values after three consecutive weeks of falling streams once a song has spent ten weeks on the chart.
Timeline
- June 2025 – Original solo version released on *People Watching*.
- 20 June 2025 – Duet version released, adding Dean’s verse.
- 20 February 2026 – First reaches No. 1.
- 13 March 2026 – Harry Styles’ “American Girls” briefly interrupts the run.
- 31 July 2026 – Reuters announces the 19-week record.
Data & Statistics
- 19 weeks at No. 1 (non-consecutive).
- 35-week climb from entry to peak – the longest climb to a UK No. 1.
- Four separate returns to the summit, a first in chart history.
- 31 consecutive weeks in the Top 10.
- 58 weeks in the Top 40, the longest continuous Top 40 presence for any non-Christmas single.
- First UK No. 1 for Sam Fender; second for Olivia Dean.
Official Statements & Responses
Sam Fender told the Official Charts Company he was “completely lost for words” and thanked Dean and fans. Jo Twist, chief executive of the British Phonographic Institute, said the track reflects an evolving global music market and praised the British public’s embrace of the song. Becca Monahan and Chris Austin, interim co-managing directors of the Official Charts Company, highlighted the significance of two homegrown artists achieving the milestone together. The Official Charts Company presented Fender with an Official Chart Record Breaker Award.
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,” — Sam Fender
- “Sam and Olivia are both exceptional talents, and the incredible connection Rein Me In has made with audiences speaks to the strength and ambition of British music today.” — Dr Jo Twist OBE, BPI chief executive
- “Congratulations to Sam Fender and Olivia Dean on an extraordinary, history-making achievement,” — Becca Monahan
Why It Matters
The record underscores the power of cross-label collaboration—Polydor (Fender) and Capitol UK (Dean)—and shows that authentic storytelling can dominate a streaming-driven market. By defying the accelerated-decline rule, “Rein Me In” illustrates how strategic re-releases and fan-driven campaigns can extend a single’s lifespan, placing Fender and Dean alongside historic UK acts in chart history.
What’s Next
Having secured Song of the Year at the 2026 Brit Awards, the duo will focus on promoting their respective album cycles—Fender’s *People Watching* and Dean’s *The Art of Loving*—while the single continues its chart run.
