List of artists with the most UK singles chart number ones

The UK singles chart is a weekly record chart which for most of its history was based on single sales from Sunday to Saturday in the United Kingdom.[1] The chart was founded in 1952 by Percy Dickins of New Musical Express (NME), who telephoned 20 record stores to ask what their top 10 highest-selling singles were. Dickins aggregated the results into a top 12 hit parade. NME's chart was published each week in its eponymous magazine.[1] From 2003, music downloads became included in the chart, and rules were altered in 2006 so that singles could chart before physical formats were released.[2][3] Since July 2014, it has incorporated music streaming service data, with music video views counted towards the chart from July 2018.[4][5] From 10 July 2015, the chart has been based on a Friday to Thursday week.[6]

This list shows the twenty-seven artists with the most number ones on the UK singles chart. American singer-actor Elvis Presley has most number one singles with twenty-one. English band The Beatles have the most number one singles for a band, with eighteen. American singer Madonna has the most number ones for a female solo artist with thirteen. English girl group the Spice Girls have the most number one singles for a girl group with nine.[7]

Tally

edit
Artists with the most number one singles in the UK singles chart
Number ones Artist Number one singles First year reached number one Ref.
21 Elvis Presley "All Shook Up" 1957 [8]
"Jailhouse Rock" 1958
"One Night" / "I Got Stung" 1959
"A Fool Such as I" / "I Need Your Love Tonight"
"It's Now or Never" 1960
"Are You Lonesome Tonight?"
"Wooden Heart" 1961
"Surrender"
"(Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame" / "Little Sister"
"Can't Help Falling in Love" / "Rock-A-Hula Baby" 1962
"Good Luck Charm"
"She's Not You"
"Return to Sender"
"(You're the) Devil in Disguise" 1963
"Crying in the Chapel" 1965
"The Wonder of You" 1970
"Way Down" 1977
"A Little Less Conversation"[a] 2002
"Jailhouse Rock"[b] 2005
"One Night" / "I Got Stung"[c]
"It's Now or Never"[d]
18 The Beatles "From Me to You" 1963 [9]
"She Loves You"
"I Want to Hold Your Hand"
"Can't Buy Me Love" 1964
"A Hard Day's Night"
"I Feel Fine"
"Ticket to Ride" 1965
"Help!"
"Day Tripper" / "We Can Work It Out"
"Paperback Writer" 1966
"Yellow Submarine" / "Eleanor Rigby"
"All You Need Is Love" 1967
"Hello, Goodbye"
"Lady Madonna" 1968
"Hey Jude"
"Get Back"[e] 1969
"The Ballad of John and Yoko"
"Now and Then" 2023
14 Cliff Richard "Living Doll" 1959 [10]
"Travellin' Light"
"Please Don't Tease" 1960
"I Love You"
"The Young Ones" 1962
"The Next Time" / "Bachelor Boy"[f]
"Summer Holiday" 1963
"The Minute You're Gone" 1965
"Congratulations" 1968
"We Don't Talk Anymore" 1979
"Living Doll"[g] 1986
"Mistletoe and Wine" 1988
"Saviour's Day" 1990
"The Millennium Prayer" 1999
14 Ed Sheeran "Sing" 2014 [11]
"Thinking Out Loud"
"Shape of You" 2017
"Perfect"
"River"[h] 2018
"I Don't Care"[i] 2019
"Beautiful People"[j]
"Take Me Back to London"[k]
"Own It"[l] 2020
"Bad Habits" 2021
"Shivers"
"Merry Christmas"[m]
"Sausage Rolls for Everyone"[n]
"Eyes Closed" 2023
14 Westlife "Swear It Again" 1999 [12]
"If I Let You Go"
"Flying Without Wings"
"I Have a Dream" / "Seasons in the Sun"
"Fool Again" 2000
"Against All Odds"[o]
"My Love"
"Uptown Girl" 2001
"Queen of My Heart"
"World of Our Own" 2002
"Unbreakable"
"Mandy" 2003
"You Raise Me Up" 2005
"The Rose" 2006
13 Madonna "Into the Groove" 1985 [13]
"Papa Don't Preach" 1986
"True Blue"
"La Isla Bonita" 1987
"Who's That Girl"
"Like a Prayer" 1989
"Vogue" 1990
"Frozen" 1998
"American Pie" 2000
"Music"
"Hung Up" 2005
"Sorry" 2006
"4 Minutes"[p] 2008
12 Take That "Pray" 1993 [14]
"Relight My Fire"[q]
"Babe"
"Everything Changes" 1994
"Sure"
"Back for Good" 1995
"Never Forget"
"How Deep Is Your Love" 1996
"Patience" 2006
"Shine" 2007
"Greatest Day" 2008
"These Days" 2014
11 Eminem "The Real Slim Shady" 2000 [15]
"Stan"
"Without Me" 2002
"Lose Yourself"
"Just Lose It" 2004
"Like Toy Soldiers" 2005
"Smack That"[r] 2006
"The Monster"[s] 2013
"River"[t] 2018
"Godzilla"[u] 2020
"Houdini" 2024
11 Calvin Harris "Dance wiv Me"[v] 2008 [16]
"I'm Not Alone" 2009
"We Found Love"[w] 2011
"Sweet Nothing"[x] 2012
"Under Control"[y] 2013
"Summer" 2014
"Blame"[z]
"Feels"[aa] 2017
"One Kiss"[ab] 2018
"Promises"[ac]
"Miracle"[ad] 2023
10 Elton John "Don't Go Breaking My Heart"[ae] 1976 [17]
"Sacrifice" / "Healing Hands" 1990
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"[af] 1991
"Something About the Way You Look Tonight" / "Candle in the Wind 1997" 1997
"Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word"[ag] 2002
"Are You Ready for Love" 2003
"Ghetto Gospel"[ah] 2005
"Cold Heart (Pnau remix)"[ai] 2021
"Merry Christmas"[aj]
"Sausage Rolls for Everyone"[ak]
9 ABBA "Waterloo" 1974 [18]
"Mamma Mia" 1976
"Fernando"
"Dancing Queen"
"Knowing Me, Knowing You" 1977
"The Name of the Game"
"Take a Chance on Me" 1978
"The Winner Takes It All" 1980
"Super Trouper"
9 Rihanna "Umbrella"[al] 2007 [19]
"Take a Bow" 2008
"Run This Town"[am] 2009
"Only Girl (In the World)" 2010
"What's My Name?"[an] 2011
"We Found Love"[ao]
"Diamonds" 2012
"The Monster"[ap] 2013
"Wild Thoughts"[aq] 2017
9 Spice Girls "Wannabe" 1996 [20]
"Say You'll Be There"
"2 Become 1"
"Mama" / "Who Do You Think You Are" 1997
"Spice Up Your Life"
"Too Much"
"Viva Forever" 1998
"Goodbye"
"Holler" / "Let Love Lead the Way" 2000
8 Oasis "Some Might Say" 1995 [21]
"Don't Look Back in Anger" 1996
"D'You Know What I Mean?" 1997
"All Around the World" 1998
"Go Let It Out" 2000
"The Hindu Times" 2002
"Lyla" 2005
"The Importance of Being Idle"
8 The Rolling Stones "It's All Over Now" 1964 [22]
"Little Red Rooster"
"The Last Time" 1965
"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"
"Get Off of My Cloud"
"Paint It Black" 1966
"Jumpin' Jack Flash 1968
"Honky Tonk Women" 1969
8 Sam Smith "La La La"[ar] 2013 [23]
"Money on My Mind" 2014
"Stay with Me"
"Lay Me Down"[as] 2015
"Writing's on the Wall"
"Too Good at Goodbyes" 2017
"Promises"[at] 2018
"Unholy"[au] 2022
7 Justin Bieber "What Do You Mean?" 2015 [24]
"Sorry"
"Love Yourself"
"Cold Water"[av] 2016
"I'm the One"[aw] 2017
"Despacito"[ax]
"I Don't Care"[ay] 2019
7 Jess Glynne "Rather Be"[az] 2014 [25]
"My Love"[ba]
"Hold My Hand" 2015
"Not Letting Go"[bb]
"Don't Be So Hard on Yourself"
"These Days"[bc] 2018
"I'll Be There"
7 Ariana Grande "Problem"[bd] 2014 [26]
"Bang Bang"[be]
"Thank U, Next" 2018
"7 Rings" 2019
"Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored"
"Rain on Me"[bf] 2020
"Positions"
7 David Guetta "When Love Takes Over"[bg] 2009 [27]
"Sexy Bitch"[bh]
"Gettin' Over You"[bi] 2010
"Club Can't Handle Me"[bj]
"Titanium"[bk] 2012
"Lovers on the Sun"[bl] 2014
"I'm Good (Blue)"[bm] 2022
7 Michael Jackson "One Day in Your Life" 1981 [28]
"Billie Jean" 1983
"I Just Can't Stop Loving You"[bn] 1987
"Black or White" 1991
"You Are Not Alone" 1995
"Earth Song"
"Blood on the Dance Floor" 1997
7 McFly "5 Colours in Her Hair" 2004 [29]
"Obviously"
"All About You" / "You've Got a Friend" 2005
"I'll Be OK"
"Don't Stop Me Now" / "Please, Please" 2006
"Star Girl"
"Baby's Coming Back" / "Transylvania" 2007
7 George Michael "Careless Whisper" 1984 [30]
"A Different Corner" 1986
"I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)"[bo] 1987
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"[bp] 1991
Five Live (EP)[bq] 1993
"Jesus to a Child" 1996
"Fastlove"
7 Kylie Minogue "I Should Be So Lucky" 1988 [31]
"Especially for You"[br] 1989
"Hand on Your Heart"
"Tears on My Pillow" 1990
"Spinning Around" 2000
"Can't Get You Out of My Head" 2001
"Slow" 2003
7 Tinie Tempah "Pass Out" 2010 [32]
"Written in the Stars"[bs]
"R.I.P."[bt] 2012
"Tsunami (Jump)"[bu] 2014
"Crazy Stupid Love"[bv]
"Not Letting Go"[bw] 2015
"Turn the Music Louder (Rumble)"[bx]
7 U2 "Desire" 1988 [33]
"The Fly" 1991
"Discothèque" 1997
"Beautiful Day" 2000
"Take Me to the Clouds Above"[by] 2004
"Vertigo"
"Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" 2005
7 Robbie Williams "Millennium" 1998 [34]
"She's the One" / "It's Only Us" 1999
"Rock DJ" 2000
"Eternity" / "The Road to Mandalay" 2001
"Somethin' Stupid"[bz]
"Radio" 2004
"Candy" 2012

Notes

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  1. ^ Credited to Elvis vs JXL
  2. ^ (Re-issue)
  3. ^ Re-issue
  4. ^ Re-issue
  5. ^ Credited to The Beatles with Billy Preston
  6. ^ For its first week at number one, the single was credited as "The Next Time". For the other two weeks, it was credited as a double A-side single – "The Next Time" / "Bachelor Boy".
  7. ^ Credited to Richard and the Young Ones featuring Hank Marvin
  8. ^ Credited to Eminem featuring Ed Sheeran
  9. ^ Credited to Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber
  10. ^ Credited to Ed Sheeran featuring Khalid
  11. ^ Credited to Ed Sheeran featuring Stormzy
  12. ^ Credited to Stormzy featuring Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy
  13. ^ Credited to Ed Sheeran and Elton John
  14. ^ Credited to LadBaby featuring Ed Sheeran and Elton John
  15. ^ Credited to Mariah Carey featuring Westlife
  16. ^ Credited to Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake
  17. ^ Credited to Take That featuring Lulu
  18. ^ Credited to Akon featuring Eminem
  19. ^ Credited to Eminem featuring Rihanna
  20. ^ Credited to Eminem featuring Ed Sheeran
  21. ^ Credited to Eminem featuring Juice Wrld
  22. ^ Credited to Dizzee Rascal featuring Calvin Harris and Chrome
  23. ^ Credited to Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris
  24. ^ Credited to Calvin Harris featuring Florence Welch
  25. ^ Credited to Calvin Harris and Alesso featuring Hurts
  26. ^ Credited to Calvin Harris featuring John Newman
  27. ^ Credited to Calvin Harris featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean
  28. ^ Credited to Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa
  29. ^ Credited to Calvin Harris and Sam Smith
  30. ^ Credited to Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
  31. ^ Credited to Elton John and Kiki Dee
  32. ^ Credited to George Michael and Elton John
  33. ^ Credited to Blue featuring Elton John
  34. ^ Credited to 2Pac featuring Elton John
  35. ^ Credited to Elton John and Dua Lipa
  36. ^ Credited to Ed Sheeran and Elton John
  37. ^ Credited to LadBaby featuring Ed Sheeran and Elton John
  38. ^ Credited to Rihanna featuring Jay-Z
  39. ^ Credited to Jay-Z featuring Rihanna and Kanye West
  40. ^ Credited to Rihanna featuring Drake
  41. ^ Credited to Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris
  42. ^ Credited to Eminem featuring Rihanna
  43. ^ Credited to DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller
  44. ^ Credited to Naughty Boy featuring Sam Smith
  45. ^ Credited to Sam Smith featuring John Legend
  46. ^ Credited to Calvin Harris and Sam Smith
  47. ^ Credited to Sam Smith and Kim Petras
  48. ^ Credited to Major Lazer featuring Justin Bieber and
  49. ^ Credited to DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne
  50. ^ Credited to Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber
  51. ^ Credited to Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber
  52. ^ Credited to Clean Bandit featuring Jess Glynne
  53. ^ Credited to Route 94 featuring Jess Glynne
  54. ^ Credited to Tinie Tempah featuring Jess Glynne
  55. ^ Credited to Rudimental featuring Jess Glynne, Macklemore and Dan Caplen
  56. ^ Credited to Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea
  57. ^ Credited to Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj
  58. ^ Credited to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande
  59. ^ Credited to David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland
  60. ^ Credited to David Guetta featuring Akon
  61. ^ Credited to David Guetta and Chris Willis featuring Fergie and LMFAO
  62. ^ Credited to Flo Rida featuring David Guetta
  63. ^ Credited to David Guetta featuring Sia
  64. ^ Credited to David Guetta featuring Sam Martin
  65. ^ Credited to David Guetta and Bebe Rexha
  66. ^ Credited to Michael Jackson with Siedah Garrett
  67. ^ Credited to George Michael and Aretha Franklin
  68. ^ Credited to George Michael and Elton John
  69. ^ Credited to George Michael and Queen with Lisa Stansfield
  70. ^ Credited to Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan
  71. ^ Credited to Tinie Tempah featuring Eric Turner
  72. ^ Credited to Rita Ora featuring Tinie Tempah
  73. ^ Credited to Dvbbs and Borgeous featuring Tinie Tempah
  74. ^ Credited to Cheryl Cole featuring Tinie Tempah
  75. ^ Credited to Tinie Tempah featuring Jess Glynne
  76. ^ Credited to KDA featuring Tinie Tempah and Katy B
  77. ^ Credited to LMC vs. U2
  78. ^ Credited to Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "The history of the Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  2. ^ McNair, James (3 February 2006). "Downloading music: how will it affect the music charts?". The Independent. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  3. ^ Youngs, Ian (3 April 2006). "Digital hit seals chart revolution". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  4. ^ Dan (23 June 2014). "Streaming and the Official Singles Chart: Everything you need to know!". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  5. ^ Copsey, Rob (24 June 2018). "Video to enter UK's Official Singles Chart this summer". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Official Chart to move to Friday on 10 July". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 11 June 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  7. ^ Myers, Justin (5 November 2023). "Artists with the most Number 1 singles on the UK chart". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Elvis Presley full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  9. ^ "The Beatles full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Cliff Richard full chart history". Official Charts Company. 18 September 1958. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Ed Sheeran full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Westlife full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Madonna full chart history". Official Charts Company. 14 January 1984. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Take That full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Eminem full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  16. ^ "Calvin Harris - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. 10 March 2007. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Elton John full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  18. ^ "ABBA full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Rihanna full chart history". Official Charts Company. 3 September 2005. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  20. ^ "Spice Girls full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  21. ^ "Oasis full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  22. ^ "Rolling Stones full chart history". Official Charts Company. 31 July 1963. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  23. ^ "Sam Smith full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  24. ^ "Justin Bieber full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  25. ^ "Jess Glynne full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  26. ^ "Ariana Grande - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  27. ^ "David Guetta - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  28. ^ "Michael Jackson full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  29. ^ "McFly full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  30. ^ "George Michael full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  31. ^ "Kylie Minogue full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  32. ^ "Tinie Tempah full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  33. ^ "U2 full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  34. ^ "Robbie Williams full chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2024.