Today, Elton John and Brandi Carlile commemorate the release of Who Believes In Angels, their first joint Number 1 album.
For the first time ever, they collaborate, and the album gives Elton his historic tenth UK chart-topper in a 57-year career, while Brandi achieves her first-ever Number 1 here.
Elton John says in an exclusive interview with Official Charts:
One of the best musical experiences of my life was collaborating on this record with Brandi, Bernie, and Andrew.
READ MORE: In The Documentary “Never Too Late,” Elton John Discusses His Personal Battles
Although it was difficult at first, we were able to come out of that process with something genuinely joyful and festive.
“The love and attention we’ve received have been incredible, and to see Who Believes In Angels? It’s a real delight to become number one. We are quite proud of it.
Exclusively, Brandi Carlile tells Official Charts:
“Hello, my dear UK! I sincerely appreciate you creating Who Believes In Angels? The Official Number One Album!
“Being able to collaborate with my close buddy and my absolute hero, Elton John, on this record is a dream come true for me!
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of the UK fans for their support, and of course to Elton for his unwavering belief in me and his kind support of me. We are grateful to our amazing partners, the genius Andrew Watt and my inspiration, Bernie Taupin.
“I am so excited to see you all on tour this summer!”
It comes little over three months—three months and one day, actually—since Diamonds, Elton’s previous number-one album, topped the charts. In January of this year, during its 374th week on the chart, his 2017 hits compilation finally soared to the top. Diamonds achieved this by claiming the most weeks inside the Top 40 prior to their ascent to the top of the UK chart.
READ MORE: Elton John’s “Surprise” New Album Is Supposedly Only Weeks Away
In the last 35 years, just five artists—Elton John, Taylor Swift, David Bowie, Ariana Grande, and Ed Sheeran—have had two Number 1 albums in a six-month span.
Elton is now tied with Michael Jackson and Kylie Minogue for the most UK Number 1 albums by a solo artist. In addition, he has ten chart-topping songs each, which puts him on par with ABBA, Queen, and Coldplay.
The UK’s official number one albums by Elton John are:
I’m Just the Piano Player, Don’t Shoot Me (1973)
Yellow Brick Road: Goodbye (1973)
Caribou (1974)
The Greatest Hits of Elton John (1974)
1989’s Sleeping With the Past
Elton John’s The Very Best (1990)
Pnau and “Good Morning To The Night” (2012)
Diamonds (2017)
The Sessions of Lockdown (2021)
Who Thinks Angels Exist? (2025)
This week’s most popular LP on wax, Who Believes In Angels?, also lands at the top of the Official Vinyl Albums Chart.
Elton and Brandi are right behind Black Country, New Road. Forever Howlong, the third studio collection, debuts at Number 3, matching the previous peak of Tyler Hyde, Lewis Evans, Georgia Ellery, May Kershaw, Charlie Wayne, and Luke Mark. Additionally, 2021’s For The First Time (4), 2022’s Ants From Up There (3), and 2023’s Live At Bush Hall (92) were successful albums for the English rock group.
This week’s Official Record Store Chart is topped by Forever Howlong, the album that has been the most bought album in independent record stores in the UK during the last seven days.
Lastly, congratulations to Floridian folk auteur Ethel Cain, whose debut studio album Preacher’s Daughter debuted at Number 10 on the UK Albums Chart, marking her first-ever entry. With the help of a new vinyl pressing, Preacher’s Daughter, which was first released in 2022 and attracted a cult following, soars into the Top 10.
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