Every once in a while a song comes along that’s basically omnipresent for weeks or months on end. They’ll sit comfortably at the top of the charts until the public gets sick of them and/or there’s no one else left to buy a copy. This year, a new record for time at the top could be set, besting all these tracks that just refused to budge.
It’s the song of the summer and it’s refusing to go away – Drake’s ‘One Dance’ is top of the charts for yet another week, racking his total up to 14 weeks in prime position. He’s edging ever closer to breaking the record for most weeks at Number One, but will he hold on for long enough?
Queen know exactly what it’s like to spend 14 weeks at the top of the charts. They achieved the same feat as Drake, except it took them 16 years to do it. When ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was originally released in 1975, they clocked up nine weeks in poll position. Then, following Freddie Mercury’s death in 1991, the song was rereleased and racked up the remaining five from their record.
Floridian country and western star Slim Whitman spent 11 weeks at Number One in 1955 with his track ‘Rose Marie’. That reign was actually the record for most consecutive weeks at the top until Bryan Adams went and spoiled things for him.
Hull’s David Whitfield enjoyed 10 weeks on top of the pile in 1953 with ‘Cara Mia’, a track which featured composer Mantovani and his orchestra.
RiRi and special guest Jay Z managed 10 weeks at the top with ‘Umbrella’ in 2007. Perhaps that was due to the song’s insane catchiness or the British public just really appreciated Rihanna’s generous offer to keep us safe from the rain. Let’s face it, it’s a regular issue over here.
