Ed Sheeran makes history with 14th No1 song Eyes Closed as he becomes third artist to achieve feat
ED Sheeran has become the third most successful artist in British chart history by landing his 14th No1 single.
His track Eyes Closed hit the top spot last night, drawing him level with Cliff Richard, 82, and Westlife.
It pulls the 32-year-old closer to the two legendary acts to have scored more No1 UK singles — Elvis Presley with 21 chart-toppers, and The Beatles with 17.
Suffolk-born Ed, who said he was “over the bloody moon” last night, pulls one ahead of US pop icon Madonna, 64, who has 13 No1 singles on these shores.
Eyes Closed knocked Miley Cyrus, 30, off the No1 spot after ten weeks with her song Flowers.
Meanwhile, Lana Del Rey, 37, has secured her sixth No1 album in the UK in 11 years. It makes her the fifth-most successful female solo artist in British chart history.
She hit No1 last night when Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. It was named the fastest-selling LP of 2023 so far, beating off competition from Depeche Mode.
Madonna has the most No1 albums in the UK with 12, followed by Taylor Swift on nine, Kylie Minogue with eight and Barbra Streisand, who has chart-toppers.
Ed first No1 single came in 2014 with Sing and he has repeated the feat 13 times since, with hits including Thinking Out Loud, Shape Of You, Perfect and Bad Habits.
Eyes Closed will feature on his album Subtract, which is out next month.
He told the Official Charts Company: “Eyes Closed is my 14th Number 1 in the UK. I’m over the bloody moon, thank you so much. I can’t wait for you to hear Subtract.
“I’m so glad you’ve connected to this song. Lots of love!”
However last week he admitted that he fears the critics will praise his forthcoming release. He said: “I’m worried about that because all my biggest records, they hate.”
Official Charts Company chief executive Martin Talbot said: “The achievement of Lana Del Rey in scoring six No1 albums in just 11 years is quite something, especially given she has done so with the biggest first-week numbers of any album this year.
“She is a genuine superstar of our era.”
SINGLES CHART
1. Eyes Closed – ED SHEERAN
2. Flowers – MILEY CYRUS, right
3. Miracle – CALVIN HARRIS & ELLIE GOULDING
4. People – LIBIANCA
5. Die For You – THE WEEKND
6. Calm Down – REMA
7. Ceilings – LIZZY McALPINE
8. Like Crazy – JIMIN
9. As It Was – HARRY STYLES, right
10. Boy’s A Liar – PINKPANTHERESS
ALBUM CHART
1. Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd – LANA DEL REY
2. Memento Mori – DEPECHE MODE, below
3. So Much (For) Stardust – FALL OUT BOY
4. The Dark Side of the Moon – Live At Wembley 1974 – PINK FLOYD
5. Gettin’ Old – LUKE COMBS
6. The Highlights – THE WEEKND
7. Midnights – TAYLOR SWIFT
8. 50 Years: Don’t Stop – FLEETWOOD MAC
9. Diamonds – ELTON JOHN
10. Curtain Call: The Hits – EMINEM