Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s collaboration “Rein Me In” has logged its 17th week atop the U.K. Official Singles Chart, the Official Charts Company confirmed on July 17, 2026. The latest tally cements the song as the longest-running No. 1 of the 2020s and the longest-running British No. 1 of the 21st century, passing a benchmark that had stood for decades.
The milestone carries historical weight. By adding another week at the summit, “Rein Me In” overtakes Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You,” which spent 16 weeks at No. 1 in 1991. Only Frankie Laine’s “I Believe,” which logged 18 non-consecutive weeks in 1953, still ranks ahead on the Official Singles Chart’s all-time list.
The track’s dominance also extends to British-act records. It surpassed Wet Wet Wet’s 1995 single “Love Is All Around” as the longest-running No. 1 by a British act in chart history. For context, “Love Is All Around” had held that distinction for 30 years before Fender and Dean’s release pulled ahead.
Why “Rein Me In” matters
The song’s endurance reflects something larger than a lucky chart run. It came out of an unexpected duo: Fender’s guitar-driven, working-class rock storytelling paired with Dean’s soulful, jazz-tinged vocal tone. Their chemistry turned into one of the year’s defining unexpected hits, and it has stayed there without relying on gimmickry or viral social moments.
The Official Charts Company’s data shows the song’s streaming numbers remaining remarkably stable, something most chart-toppers do not manage past their first month. Radio airplay has also held, helped by a BRIT Awards performance earlier in 2026 that introduced the track to a broader audience.
Chart context
Oasis’ “Wonderwall” finished the week at No. 2, buoyed by England’s World Cup run, which ended July 15 with a 2-1 defeat to Argentina. The rousing chorus made it the biggest British single to never reach No. 1, but even its resurgence was not enough to stop “Rein Me In.”
Baddiel, Skinner and The Lightning Seeds’ 1996 classic “Three Lions” climbed 18 spots to No. 3 as the England tournament wound down. Shakira and Burna Boy’s “Dai Dai,” the official 2026 FIFA World Cup song, reached a new high at No. 5.
If “Rein Me In” keeps this pace, it might finally reach Frankie Laine’s 18-week mark before it falls.
Why It Matters
“Rein Me In” is a reminder that chart longevity still rewards songs with genuine cross-format appeal rather than one-week streaming surges. Fender and Dean now have a landmark British single that outlasted every other of its era. For UK artists, it is proof that a well-crafted duet, strong lyrical hook, and consistent radio/streaming support can still write chart history in 2026.
