Sam Fender and Olivia Dean have secured a historic poition in music history. Their collaboration "Rein Me In" has spent 17 weeks at the summit of the Official Charts,surpassing the previous record for the longest-running number one single.

The 17-week run that eclipsed Bryan Adams

The collaboration between Sam Fender and Olivia Dean has officially overtaken the record previously held by Bryan Adams. According to the Official Charts, "Rein Me In" has maintained the top spot for 17 weeks, beating the 16-consecutive-week run achieved by Adams' 1991 hit "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You." This milestone also sees the duo surpass the record for the longest-running number one single by a British artist, previously held by Wet Wet Wet's "Love Is All Around."

The success of "Rein Me In" comes despite a surge of competition from World Cup-related tracks. Sam Fender described the song's unexpected longevity as "ridiculous," noting that the track's universal appeal was bolstered by Olivia Dean's contribution to the song's storytelling. Becca Monahan and Chris Austin, Interim Co-Managing Directors of the Official Charts, noted that few records have stood the test of time as long as the one now broken by Fender and Dean.

The two-week gap to Frankie Laine's 1953 milestone

While Sam Fender and Olivia Dean have surpassed Bryan Adams, they have not yet claimed the absolute all-time title. As reported, "Rein Me In" is currently one week away from equalling the record set by Frankie Laine in 1953 with the hit "I Believe." To steal the all-time title outright,the song requires two more weeks at the top of the Official Singles Chart.

This pursuit of the 1953 record highlights a rare moment of modern pop dominance that rivals the era of physical sheet music and early radio. The ability of a contemporary track to hold off global sporting anthems suggests a deep emotional resonance with the British public that transcends the typical hype cycle of the charts.

Oasis' Wonderwall and the 5.6 million unit struggle for number one

The current chart landscape is heavily influenced by the World Cup, which has propelled Oasis' "Wonderwall" to the number two spot. The track has become the unofficial anthem of the Three Lions,matching its original all-time peak 31 years after its release. Despite this surge, Official Charts Company data reveals that "Wonderwall" remains the biggest British single never to reach number one, having shifted 5.6 million chart units to date.

Other global entries are also making inroads, with the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 single "Dai Dai" by Shakira and Burna Boy breaking into the top five for the first time. Additionally, the Dutch dance duo ANOTR reached a personal best at number four with "Talk To You" featuring 54 Ultra, illustrating a diverse mix of Britpop nostalgia and global dance music competing for the top spots.

Mick Jagger's endorsement of the People Watching album

The rise of "Rein Me In" is part of a larger critical ascent for Sam Fender, who has recently garnered praise from rock royalty. Mick Jagger told NME that he is a "massive" fan of the singer, specifically describing the People Watching album—which features "Rein Me In"—as "stunning ." Jagger highlighted the track "Crumbling Empire" as being particularly interesting from a lyrical perspective.

Jagger's analysis suggests that Fender's success stems from a balance of "working class songs" and a strong pop orientation. By combining authentic songwriting with accessible choruses, Fender has managed to bridge the gap between indie credibility and massive commercial success, a trajectory that Jagger noted was evident even in Fender's second album, Seventeen Going Under.

The missing details of the 'alternative narrative' in Rein Me In

Despite the song's record-breaking success, some specifics regarding its composition remain vague. sam Fender credited Olivia Dean with adding an "alternative narrative" that made the song universal, but the source does not detail the specific lyrical themes or the "two sides to the story" that Fender referenced . Furthermore, while the report mentions various "World Cup anthems" climbing the rankings, it only names "Dai Dai" and "Wonderwall," leaving the identities of other rising tournament tracks unknown.