Nine Songs That Dominated the UK Chart for Over Eight Weeks Without Cracking the Hot 100 Top 10
UPDATE (May 2): “Rein Me In,” a collaboration between Sam Fender and Olivia Dean, has reclaimed the No. 1 position on the Official Singles Chart in the U.K. as of May 1. This marks its ninth nonconsecutive week at the top, following a brief interruption by Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drop Dead.” On the Billboard Hot 100, the track has moved from No. 73 to No. 66, just two points shy of its peak at No. 64.
“Rein Me In” joins an exclusive group of only five singles that have spent nine or more weeks at No. 1 in the U.K. while failing to reach the top 10 on the Hot 100, which has been in existence since 1958.
Historical Context of Chart Performance
In a notable trend, music fans in both the United States and the United Kingdom often align on chart-topping hits. Six songs have achieved the remarkable feat of spending 10 or more weeks at No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Official Singles Chart. Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” featured in The Bodyguard (1992-93), was the first to accomplish this. The most recent addition to this list is Alex Warren’s “Ordinary,” which topped the charts in 2025.
Between these two iconic hits, several other tracks have also made their mark. Notable examples include Drake’s “One Dance” featuring WizKid and Kyla (2016), Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” (2017), Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito,” featuring Justin Bieber (2017), and Harry Styles’ “As It Was” (2022).
Divergence in Chart Success
Despite its success in the U.K., “Rein Me In” has not made a similar impact on the Hot 100. Currently in its eighth week at No. 1 in the U.K., the song has dropped from its peak position of No. 64 to No. 73 in the U.S. This discrepancy can be attributed to the strong competition from two other hits by Olivia Dean: “Man I Need,” which remains at its No. 2 peak, and “So Easy (to Fall in Love),” which has reached No. 6. Both tracks are considered more aligned with contemporary pop sounds.
While Sam Fender is an established artist in the U.K. with four top 10 hits, this marks his first entry on the Hot 100.
If “Rein Me In” fails to break into the top 10 on the Hot 100, it will become the ninth song since the chart’s inception to spend eight or more weeks at No. 1 in the U.K. without achieving a similar status in the U.S.
Notable Songs That Followed a Similar Path
The following is a list of songs that have achieved significant success in the U.K. while not making a comparable impact on the Hot 100:
- The Shadows, “Wonderful Land” (1962)
- U.K. Peak: No. 1 for eight weeks
- Hot 100 Peak: Did not chart
- Producer: Norrie Paramor
- Notes: The Shadows were known as the backing band for Cliff Richard. “Wonderful Land” is notable for its long run at No. 1 for an instrumental track.
- Wings, “Mull of Kintyre”/”Girls’ School” (1977)
- U.K. Peak: No. 1 for nine weeks
- Hot 100 Peak: No. 33 (“Girls’ School”)
- Producer: Paul McCartney
- Notes: This double A-sided single became one of the best-selling singles in the U.K. and marked McCartney’s first No. 1 since The Beatles.
- Frankie Goes to Hollywood, “Two Tribes” (1984)
- U.K. Peak: No. 1 for nine weeks
- Hot 100 Peak: No. 43
- Producer: Trevor Horn
- Notes: The song was a major success in the U.K. but did not achieve similar success in the U.S.
- Wet Wet Wet, “Love Is All Around” (1994)
- U.K. Peak: No. 1 for 15 weeks
- Hot 100 Peak: No. 41
- Producer: Wet Wet Wet
- Notes: This cover of The Troggs’ hit became the longest-running No. 1 by a group in U.K. chart history.
- Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa, “One Kiss” (2018)
- U.K. Peak: No. 1 for eight weeks
- Hot 100 Peak: No. 26
- Producer: Calvin Harris
- Notes: The song was praised for its nostalgic sound but did not reach the top 10 on the Hot 100.
- LF System, “Afraid To Feel” (2022)
- U.K. Peak: No. 1 for eight weeks
- Hot 100 Peak: Did not chart
- Producer: LF System
- Notes: This was the duo’s first entry on the U.K. chart.
- Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding, “Miracle” (2023)
- U.K. Peak: No. 1 for eight weeks
- Hot 100 Peak: Did not chart
- Producers: Calvin Harris, Matthew Burns
- Notes: The song was nominated for multiple awards but did not achieve a similar status in the U.S.
- Dave & Central Cee, “Sprinter” (2023)
- U.K. Peak: No. 1 for 10 weeks
- Hot 100 Peak: Did not chart (No. 2 on Bubbling Under)
- Notes: This collaboration became the longest-running No. 1 rap song in the U.K.
- Sam Fender and Olivia Dean, “Rein Me In” (2026)
- U.K. Peak: No. 1 for nine weeks
- Hot 100 Peak: No. 64
- Producers: Sam Fender, Markus Dravs
- Notes: The song has become a significant hit in the U.K. but has not yet made a substantial impact in the U.S.
As reported by www.billboard.com.
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Published on 2026-05-02 20:58:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk