April 26th 2024.
After almost five decades, the Beatles' longstanding record has finally been surpassed. It's been a long time coming, but the Fab Four have been dethroned as the fastest group to achieve 12 number one albums in the UK. It's an impressive feat that took John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr 14 years to accomplish, with their live album sealing the deal in 1977.
For 47 years, their record stood tall and was deemed unbeatable. But now, it has been surpassed by none other than megastar Taylor Swift. At just 34 years old, Swift has achieved the same remarkable feat in just 11 years and six months with her album, The Tortured Poets Department. She now holds the title as the only artist to have 12 consecutive albums reach the coveted top spot in as many years.
Her latest album has caused quite a stir, with its unique sound and lyrics that had everyone questioning their meaning. Meanwhile, The Tortured Poets Department was breaking records left, right, and center. Not only did it become the most streamed album in a single day on Spotify, but it also became the first album to reach a billion streams in just five days.
According to Official Charts Company data, the album has sold 270,000 units in the UK alone, surpassing Swift's previous record of 204,000 units in seven days with her 2022 album, Midnights. It's worth noting that every album since Red, released in 2012, has landed Swift a number one spot in the UK album chart. This includes her four re-released albums, which feature new songs and full re-recordings and production.
This impressive record is shared only by The Beatles, whose debut album Please Please Me landed them a number one spot in 1963. The Fab Four's journey spanned from 1963 to 1977, with their final album being The Beatles At Hollywood Bowl in June 1977. In comparison, Swift's record started in April 2023 with her single "Fortnight," featuring Post Malone, soaring to number one on the singles chart alongside her album.
The success of The Tortured Poets Department has also caused a ripple effect on the charts, with multiple songs from the 31-track album flooding the charts. This includes Sabrina Carpenter's catchy single "Espresso," who happens to be a close friend of Swift's. However, despite her incredible achievements, Pet Shop Boys frontman Neil Tennant has made a bold statement by declaring that Swift doesn't have any famous songs. This has caused quite a stir among her loyal fans, also known as Swifties.
In a bizarre turn of events, a pub that was merely mentioned by Swift has been flooded with fans hoping to feel more connected to the star. And with the massive success of The Tortured Poets Department, Swift is gearing up for her Eras Tour, which will kick off in Paris and make its way to the UK in May. The European leg of the tour is rumored to have a new section to accommodate her latest album, making the already mammoth three and a half hour set even more exciting.
The UK leg of the tour will start in Edinburgh on June 7, and fans are eagerly anticipating what surprises Swift has in store for them. Do you have a story to share about Taylor Swift or her record-breaking achievements? We would love to hear from you! You can reach out to our entertainment team by emailing us, calling us, or visiting our Submit Stuff page. We look forward to hearing from you!
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