Sam Fender and Olivia Dean have made UK chart history with their duet 'Rein Me In,' which has spent 16 consecutive weeks at number one on the Official Singles Chart, breaking the 32-year record held by Wet Wet Wet's 'Love Is All Around.' The song, released on Fender's third solo album 'People Watching' in 2025, first charted in June of that year and has now equaled Bryan Adams' global record for his 1991 hit '(Everything I Do) I Do It For You.'
Record-Breaking Achievement
Fender, 32, celebrated the milestone by telling the Official Charts Party, 'Take that Marti Pellow!' He described the song's success as 'ridiculous,' adding, 'Every Friday, it’s been an excuse to party.' The track still has two weeks to go to beat the all-time longest run at number one, set by Frankie Laine's 'I Believe' in 1953 with 18 weeks. Additionally, 'Rein Me In' has set a record for the longest consecutive run in the UK Top 40, surpassing Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud' with 55 weeks.
Potential Threat from Football Anthem
However, the song's reign could be threatened if England beats Norway in tonight's World Cup match. A win is expected to boost Baddiel and Skinner's 'Three Lions' up the charts, as it did in 1996, 1998, 2018, and 2021, potentially ending 'Rein Me In's run before it can break Frankie Laine's record.
Mixed Reactions and Credit
The song's longevity has surprised some, with Reddit users expressing bemusement. User bigonebitey called it 'a good song, but not sure why it’s been popular for so long,' while TelephoneThat3297 said, 'Never in a million years did I possibly foresee it basically becoming one of the biggest hits of all time.' Sentinel3000 wrote, 'I find it crazy that of all the songs in British history… this is the one to do it!' Despite the skepticism, The_DimLord praised it as 'a GREAT song' and said they are 'not tired of it.'
Fender credited Olivia Dean, 27, for much of the song's success, saying, '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!' Dean has had a stellar year, winning BRIT Awards for Best New Artist, British Album of the Year, and Pop Act, and also took home the Grammy for Best New Artist. She performed at Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage in 2024.
