First solo artist to replace themselves at No.1 on UK singles chart for two consecutive weeks

Ariana Grande (USA) spent three weeks at No.1 on the UK’s Official Singles Chart with “7 Rings” before knocking herself off the top with “Break up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored” on 21 February 2019, and then replacing herself at No.1 again with “7 Rings” on 28 February 2019. In the 66-year history of the UK singles chart, Grande was the first solo artist and only the second act of any description to achieve the feat in successive weeks, after UK instrumental group The Shadows in 1963.

The Shadows (1960 and twice in 1963), The Beatles (1963), John Lennon (1981), Elvis Presley (2005), Justin Bieber (2015 and 2017) and Ed Sheeran (2018) have all replaced themselves at No.1 in the UK. Bieber was a featured artist on both of his 2017 chart-toppers (by DJ Khaled and Luis Fonsi), while Sheeran was a featured artist on Eminem’s “River”, which replaced “Perfect” at No.1 on 25 January 2018.

In 1963, The Shadows began the year by replacing the double A-side “The Next Time”/“Bachelor Boy”, by Cliff Richard & The Shadows, with their own hit “Dance On!” Then, on 14 March 1963, Cliff Richard & The Shadows’ “Summer Holiday” spent two weeks at No.1 before being replaced by The Shadows’ “Foot Tapper” on 28 March, which was then knocked off the top by “Summer Holiday” a week later.

“7 Rings” and “Break up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored” are taken from Thank U, Next, which debuted at No.1 on the Official Albums Chart on 21 February 2019 and retained its No.1 ranking the following week.

On 28 February 2019, Grande completed a rare transatlantic “double double” – topping the UK and US singles and albums charts simultaneously, and with the same two chart entries. For the Billboard chart week dated 23 February 2019, Grande ruled the Hot 100 for a fourth week with “7 Rings”, and bowed at No.1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with Thank U, Next.