Sam Fender and Olivia Dean 'Rein Me In' Sets UK Chart Record at 11 Weeks

Sam Fender and Olivia Dean's "Rein Me In" has reached 11 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart, making it the longest-running chart-topper by a male/female duo in UK chart history. The milestone, confirmed the week of May 16, 2026, surpasses Rihanna and Jay-Z's "Umbrella," which held the record with 10 weeks at the top back in 2007.

The song originally appeared on Fender's 2025 album People Watching. A remixed version featuring a new verse from Dean dropped in June 2024, and the collaboration hit No. 1 in February 2026. It went on to win Song of the Year at the BRIT Awards, cementing its place as one of the defining tracks of the UK's current music moment.

What the 'Rein Me In' Record Means for Artist Collaborations

One of the more interesting parts of this story is how the song evolved. It was not released as a duo track from the start. Fender had it on his album as a solo cut, and Dean was brought in months later for a remix that gave the song a second life. That remix became the version that dominated the charts, won the BRIT, and is now in record books.

The live element played a role too. Dean and Fender had only performed the song together once before she invited him to join two of her sold-out O2 Arena shows on May 1. Those appearances kept the cultural conversation around the track alive at exactly the right moment in its chart run.

For independent artists, this is a real case study in how a collaboration can be layered in over time rather than launched all at once. A remix, a live moment, a major award. Each move extended the song's shelf life and its chart presence.

The Broader UK Chart Picture

Tame Impala's "Dracula" holds at No. 2 following the UK leg of their global tour, with Dua Lipa joining them as a surprise guest at the O2 on May 7. The Michael Jackson biopic continues to lift catalog tracks, with "Billie Jean" rising to No. 3, "Beat It" at No. 5, and "Human Nature" at No. 6. Olivia Rodrigo's "Drop Dead" falls one spot to No. 4.

The Chemical Brothers' "Go," a decade old at this point, reaches a new chart peak after being synced to the action film Apex. That is another reminder of how sync placements can reactivate older music in a meaningful way. Charli xcx's comeback single "Rock Music" debuts at No. 26.

The "Rein Me In" record is worth watching as it continues to move through the chart. Whether it adds more weeks at No. 1 or not, the story of how it got here matters. A strategic remix, an organic live moment, and consistent cultural presence did the work that no amount of traditional rollout strategy could have manufactured. That is worth paying attention to if you are building a release plan right now.

If you are an independent artist thinking about how to build a collaboration the right way, submit your music and let us know what you are working on.