Sam Fender and Olivia Dean have set a new record after their song “Rein Me In” became the longest-running UK number one single of all time [1].
This achievement marks a historic shift in the British music industry by overturning a record that had stood for decades. The success of the track highlights the enduring appeal of collaborative efforts between contemporary British artists in a streaming-dominated era.
The song climbed the Official Charts Company rankings and eventually surpassed the previous record held by Frankie Laine’s “I Believe” [1]. While some reports specify that the track is the longest-running number one single of all time by a British act [3], other sources state it is the longest-running single overall [1].
The collaboration between Fender and Dean has captured significant attention across the United Kingdom [3]. The track's dominance on the UK Singles Chart reflects a rare level of sustained popularity for a single release in the modern market [6].
Responding to the news of the record-breaking run, Fender expressed his surprise at the achievement. “I’m completely lost for words,” Fender said [4].
The record-breaking run is the result of consistent performance on the charts throughout 2026 [3]. The track's ability to maintain the top position indicates a strong connection with the public, and a broad reach across different listener demographics in the UK [6].
““I’m completely lost for words,” Fender said.”
The displacement of Frankie Laine's record suggests a shift in how the UK public consumes hit music. By surpassing a legacy record from a different era of music distribution, Fender and Dean have demonstrated that modern collaborations can achieve a level of cultural saturation that rivals the most enduring classics of the 20th century.
