Spice Girls shatter record after record at Number 1

The Spice Girls remain a force to be reckoned with, as Say You’ll Be There sets for a fourth week at Number 1. The single now has gained over 40,000 points, certifying the single Gold. This is the girls’ fourteenth week spent at the top, earning the record for ‘Artist with the Most Weeks at Number 1’. The record was previously held by Guus Meeuwis & Vagant with thirteen weeks. The girls’ also hold the record for ‘Single with the Most Weeks at Number 1’ with Wannabe at ten weeks. The British girl group has broken all these records within one week, making them the true breakthrough act of 1996 and already one of the most successful acts of all time.

The Spice Girls’ success comes with a downside though, as Total Touch has been stuck in the Number 2-position for over four weeks. Their single Somebody Else’s Lover has been a hit nonetheless, having been certified Gold and becoming their highest-peaking single to date, but it could have been their first Number 1 if it weren’t for the Spice Girls’ reign.

The Backstreet Boys score their fourth Top 10-hit with Quit Playing Games (With My Heart). The American boy group debuted in the Top 10 in November 1995 with We’ve Got It Goin’ On, which peaked at Number 6 and was certified Gold. They continued with two Number 2-singles, being I'll Never Break Your Heart and Get Down (You're The One For Me). Their newest single reaches Number 9 this week.

Marco Borsato scores the highest debut of the week. The Dutch hitmaker has already left a legacy on the list, being the best-scoring Dutch artist on this list to date. His last album, ‘Als Geen Ander’, was a massive hit in the Netherlands and spawned six entries on this list. The best entry of his to date is Ik Leef NIet Meer Voor Jou, which spent four weeks at Number 1 and is one of the best-scoring singles of 1996. He follows up his successful album with De Waarheid, the lead single of his new upcoming album of the same name. Can he live up to his previous hits? It certainly looks like it, as his newest single debuts at Number 23 this week.