UK Singles Chart Records and Statistics - Most Number Ones

Most Number Ones

One of the most important records over the years has been which act could obtain the most UK Chart toppers. Here is a list of all the acts to gain 5 or more UK chart toppers:

• 21 – Elvis Presley
• 17 – The Beatles
• 14 – Cliff Richard
• 14 – Westlife
• 13 – Madonna
• 12 – The Shadows
• 11 – Take That
• 9 - Kylie Minogue
• 9 – ABBA
• 9 – Spice Girls
• 8 – Oasis
• 8 – The Rolling Stones
• 7 – Eminem
• 7 – Elton John
• 7 – George Michael
• 7 – McFly
• 7 – Michael Jackson
• 7 - Rihanna*
• 7 – Robbie Williams
• 7 – U2
• 6 – Blondie
• 6 – Boyzone
• 6 - JLS*
• 6 – Queen

• 6 – Rod Stewart
• 6 – Slade
• 6 – Sugababes
• 5 – All Saints
• 5 – Beyoncé*
• 5 – Britney Spears
• 5 – David Bowie
• 5 – David Guetta*
• 5 – Dizzee Rascal*
• 5 – Flo Rida*
• 5 – Ne-Yo*
• 5 – The Bee Gees
• 5 – The Black Eyed Peas
• 5 – The Police

Note: Artists denoted with an asterisk (*) reached number one as a featured artist

See also List of artists by number of UK Singles Chart number ones

The record has changed hands a few times, although after the massive success of Elvis, it was mainly him and the Beatles in the race for this chart record. Al Martino was the first act to have one number one single, with "Here In My Heart". In June 1953, Eddie Fisher became the first act to have two number one singles, with "Outside Of Heaven" and "I'm Walking Behind You" both reaching the top spot. However, the record was quickly beaten in November, when Frankie Laine scored a third number one single with "Answer Me" after "I Believe" and "Hey Joe" had reached the top. He broke his own record when "A Woman In Love" hit the top in October 1956.

Elvis finally scored his first UK number one single in 1957 with "All Shook Up", and quickly became a phenomenon. It was in 1960 when the million selling "It's Now or Never" hit the top giving Elvis his fifth number-one single after "Jailhouse Rock", "One Night/I Got Stung" and "A Fool Such As I" had all hit the top. He kept breaking his own record another ten times by June 1965 with "Are You Lonesome Tonight", "Wooden Heart", "Surrender", "His Latest Flame", "Can't Help Falling In Love/Rock-A-Hula Baby", "Good Luck Charm", "She's Not You", "Return To Sender", "Devil In Disguise" & "Crying In The Chapel". He had now achieved 15 #1 singles, a record that seemed very difficult to beat.

However, in 1963, the biggest phenomenon to sweep the UK began when the Beatles started recording. From the point when "From Me To You" hit #1 in 1963 to their last number one in 1969, they accumulated a total of 17 chart toppers. These included "She Loves You", "I Want To Hold Your Hand", "Can't Buy Me Love", "A Hard Day's Night", "I Feel Fine", "Ticket To Ride", "Help!", "Day Tripper/We Can Work It Out", "Paperback Writer", "Yellow Submarine/Eleanor Rigby", "All You Need Is Love", "Hello Goodbye", "Lady Madonna", "Hey Jude", "Get Back" & "The Ballad Of John & Yoko".

Elvis fought back when he revived his career in Las Vegas. "The Wonder Of You" became his 16th #1 single in August 1970 and was a live recording taken from one of his shows. Upon his death in August 1977, Elvis scored a 17th chart topper with a single made shortly before his death, "Way Down". The two greatest acts in UK chart history were now neck and neck. Hundreds of re-issues happened over the next few decades including a massive anthology project of Beatles re-issues during the 1980s. However, it wasn't until 2002, 25 years after Elvis equalled the Beatles' record that he went one step forward.

Having been used in a Nike World Cup advertisement, an old Elvis song "A Little Less Conversation" was remixed as Elvis vs JXL and went straight to the top for 4 weeks, giving Elvis his 18th #1 single. Celebrating the 70th anniversary of his birthday, all of Elvis' 18 #1's were re-issued in 2005. "All Shook Up"'s format didn't allow it to qualify to take a place in the singles chart, so "Jailhouse Rock" hit the top and the following week it was replaced by "One Night/I Got Stung", which consequently also became the 1000th #1 on the UK singles chart. Despite being re-issues, they were given different catalogue numbers and therefore count as separate singles, giving Elvis 20 #1 singles overall. Although "A Fool Such As I" was kept off the top spot the following week, "It's Now or Never" was able to reach the top giving Elvis 21 #1 singles.

^ Note: The Shadows, or The Drifters as they were originally called, are credited on twelve #1 singles. Seven of these share credit with Cliff Richard and some lists recognise only their 5 chart-topping singles without Richard.