Sam Fender and Olivia Dean have made UK chart history with their duet Rein Me In, breaking a 32-year-old record. The song, released on Fender's third album People Watching, first entered the Official Singles Chart in June 2025. After 16 weeks at number one, it has surpassed Wet Wet Wet's Love Is All Around as the longest-running number one single by a UK act. Globally, it equals Bryan Adams' (Everything I Do) I Do It For You from 1991.
Record-breaking achievement
Sam Fender, 32, celebrated the news by exclaiming, 'Take that [Wet Wet Wet frontman] Marti Pellow!' He told the Official Charts Party that the song's success has been 'ridiculous,' adding, 'Every Friday, it's been an excuse to party.' The song still has two weeks to beat the all-time record of 18 weeks set by Frankie Laine's I Believe in 1953. Rein Me In also broke Ed Sheeran's record for the longest consecutive run in the UK Top 40, with 55 weeks.
Potential displacement
However, the song's run at number one could end if England beats Norway in tonight's World Cup match. A win is expected to boost Baddiel and Skinner's Three Lions up the charts, as it did in 1996, 1998, 2018, and 2021, potentially preventing Rein Me In from reaching Frankie Laine's record.
Public reaction
Some listeners are puzzled by the song's longevity. On Reddit, user bigonebitey described it as 'not that remarkable,' while TelephoneThat3297 said, 'Never in a million years did I possibly foresee it basically becoming one of the biggest hits of all time.' Sentinel3000 wrote, 'I find it crazy that of all the songs in British history… this is the one to do it!' However, others remain supportive. The_DimLord wrote, 'It is a GREAT song. I'm not tired of it.'
Olivia Dean's contribution
Fender credited Olivia Dean, 27, for much of the song's success. 'Olivia putting the alternative narrative on it made the song really universal – that opened the floodgates,' he said. 'There's two sides to the story. And, it's a toe tapper! It's officially a banger!' Dean has had a successful year, winning BRIT Awards for Best New Artist, British Album of the Year, and Pop Act, as well as the Grammy for Best New Artist. She performed at Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage in 2024.
