Taylor Swift continues to impress at #1, Sam Fender and S10 & Froukje amongst Top 10-debuts

Supported by stable streaming figures and her tenth studio album Midnights, Taylor Swift continues her reign at Number 1 with “Anti-Hero” for a second consecutive week. Last week, the upbeat synth-pop hit claimed the biggest opening numbers of the year so far, smashing the record previously held by “As It Was” by Harry Styles. It marked Taylor Swift her first Number 1-song since 2015’s “Wildest Dreams” debuted atop the chart. It also marks her first Top 10-entry since 2017’s iconic diss-track “Look What You Made Me Do” debuted at #5. Her album Midnights also continues to flourish, with ever increasing streaming figures and “Bejeweled” receiving a music video release. Taylor Swift fights off competition from Sam Smith & Kim Petras their “Unholy”, who rebound to their peak position in second place again.

Surprisingly, two songs debuts inside the Top 10 this week. The last time two songs debuted within the Top 10 simultaneously, was 15 October, 2021, when Jesy Nelson entered at #1 with “BOYZ” while Sam Fender debuted at #5 with “Spit of You”. This week, Sam Fender manages to claim the feat again alongside Dutch independent-singers S10 & Froukje.

First of all, North Shields-icon Sam Fender secures a Top 10-debut with “Wild Grey Ocean”. The new single is taken from the live deluxe version of Fender his hit sophomore album Seventeen Going Under, which is set to be released in December this year. Aided by big streaming figures, Sam Fender debuts at #6, earning him his ninth Top 10-peak. His previous successes include the breakout song “Hypersonic Missiles” and the multi-platinum “Spit of You”. The ever successful Seventeen Going Under became one of my most-streamed songs of all time, while the title track peaked at Number 1 and went double-platinum. It also enjoyed massive success in the United Kingdom, which earned him the Brit for Best Alternative/Rock Act at the 2022 ceremony.

Secondly, Dutch indie-singers S10 & Froukje debut at #10 with the electric “Nooit Meer Spijt”. This is the duo their second collaboration; they previously scored a #10-hit with “Zonder Gezocht” taken from Froukje her sophomore EP. The new collaboration has been teased for months now, first performed at Lowlands Festival in August. The song has finally been released alongside S10 her second studio album. It marks S10 her third Top 10-hit on my chart, following her Eurovision-entry “De Diepte” [#4]. Froukje also earns her third Top 10-peak; her previous two hits “Ik Wil Dansen” and the previously mentioned “Zonder Gezicht” coincidentally all peaked at #10 as well.  However, the new duet “Nooit Meer Spijt” is both artists’ their biggest opening week to date.

Inside the Top 20, pop icon Rihanna makes her music comeback with “Lift Me Up”, the lead single of the upcoming new Black Panther film and tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman. It marks Rihanna her first solo music since 2016’s album Anti and her first chart appearance since 2017’s “Lemon”. The new soft ballad debuts at #14 this week. Meanwhile, Jessie Ware jumps up to an all new career best as “Free Yourself” peaks at #15, becoming the British artist her highest-peaking release to date. Joel Corry and Tom Grennan move up to a new peak at #18 with the high-energy “Lionheart (Fearless)”, while Dermot Kennedy finishes at #19 on this week’s chart.

Harry Styles debuts at #25 with the bombastic “Music For a Sushi Restaurant”, which finally received a single release and music video, making it eligible to chart on my personal list. It marks Harry Styles his twelfth Top 40-entry. Further down, Adele re-enters the list with “I Drink Wine”, which also finally received a music video release. It first charted upon the release of 30 under the false pretense it was the follow-up to Adele’s Number 1-hit “Easy On Me” and after a fabulous performance at this year’s BRITs. During its original chart run, “I Drink Wine” peaked at #10. Finally, SZA rounds out the new debuts of the week, as “Shirt” debuts at #38. Could this be the first release of SZA’s highly anticipated second album? Time will only tell.

Newly certified songs

“I Like You (A Happier Song)” – Post Malone & Doja Cat GOLD

“Getting Started” – Sam Fender PLATINUM