Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s Rein Me In Ties UK All-Time Chart Record

A Historic Chart Milestone

The collaborative ballad “Rein Me In” by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean has officially logged its 18th non-consecutive week at Number 1 on the Official Singles Chart. This achievement places the duo in a tie with Frankie Laine’s 1953 classic “I Believe” for the longest-running top spot in the history of the UK charts.

According to the Official Charts Company, the track surpassed the previous record for a British act—held for over three decades by Wet Wet Wet’s 1994 hit Love Is All Around—earlier this month.

Records Smashed During the Climb

The success of “Rein Me In” is defined by its unusual chart trajectory. The song took 35 weeks to reach the summit, setting a record for the longest climb to Number 1.

• Longest consecutive Top 40 run: 55 weeks, surpassing Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”
• 21st Century milestone: The longest-running Number 1 of the 2020s.

Artist Reactions and Creative Origins

Fender, who wrote the song as a raw exploration of a relationship breakdown, has expressed disbelief at the song’s enduring popularity. Upon reaching the 16-week milestone, he told the Official Charts Company, Every Friday, it’s been an excuse to party.

“Olivia putting the alternative narrative on it made the song really universal – that opened the floodgates. There’s two sides to the story. And, it’s a toe tapper! It’s officially a banger!”

Sam Fender, via HuffPost

Dean, who was named Best New Artist at the 2026 BET Awards, has seen significant success alongside the duet. Her solo track “Man I Need” also reached Number 1 in October 2025, and her album The Art of Loving has remained a consistent fixture in the top five of the UK charts.

Global Reception and Atlantic Disparity

While the song has achieved unprecedented status in the UK, its performance in the United States highlights a stark contrast in listener preferences. According to the sources, “Rein Me In” has struggled to gain similar traction, peaking at Number 64 and currently sitting at Number 80 as of the July 25 chart date.

Industry analysts note that this is the first single in the history of the Hot 100 to spend 18 weeks at Number 1 in the UK without reaching the Top 40 in the US. This divergence stands in contrast to previous hits like Harry Styles’ “As It Wasor Ed Sheeran'sShape of You,” which enjoyed massive, concurrent success on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Road Ahead

As of late July 2026, the industry is watching to see if the duo can secure the record outright. Should “Rein Me In” remain at the top of the Official Singles Chart for one additional week, it will officially surpass Frankie Laine’s 1953 record to become the longest-running Number 1 single in UK chart history.

Polydor Label Group, which manages both artists, has credited the success to a long-term strategy of supporting the song’s organic growth. Breaking a record that has stood for more than 30 years is a remarkable achievement for Sam and Olivia, said Ben Mortimer, President of Polydor Label Group.