Paul McCartney has extended his lead in the rankings of most successful albums acts of all time in the UK.
The Boys Of Dungeon Lane (EMI) opened with sales of 33,642 units (Official Charts Company) to become his 24th No.1 album – 15 with The Beatles, six solo albums and three with Wings and Linda McCartney.
The No.1 also marks a triple for Island EMI, with the label group also bagging the No.1 single with Ariana Grande’s Hate That I Made You Love Me.
Meanwhile the K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack returned to the compilations chart summit for a 44th week. As it approaches its first anniversary on the chart, it is about to go double-platinum (595,449 units).
Paul McCarney earned his first No.1 in 1963 with The Beatles’ Please Please Me. His closest rival in terms of career No.1s is Robbie Williams, who has 16 solo album No.1s and up to 21 in total if including all possible Take That releases.
“Congratulations to Sir Paul on yet another incredible achievement in a truly incomparable career,” said Island EMI president Louis Bloom. “To be celebrating his 24th No.1 album in total, following the record-breaking success he has enjoyed throughout his career, [including 15 No.1s with The Beatles, six as a solo artist and three with Wings and Linda McCartney] and to still be creating such brilliant, vital music, is further proof that he remains a true colossus of popular culture. It is a great honour and an enormous privilege to be in his orbit.
“A huge thank you to Scott and Lucie at Maverick, and to the fantastic team at Capitol Records, for being such wonderful partners throughout. I also couldn’t be prouder of the team at EMI for delivering an exceptional campaign, with special thanks to Steve Pitron, Alex Sayers and Marisa Hemson.”
Paul McCartney has been a huge presence in my life for as long as I can remember.
Louis Bloom
He added: “On a personal note, Paul McCartney has been a huge presence in my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, my dad guided me through The Beatles’ entire catalogue, and ever since I have been in awe of the extraordinary impact Paul has had on music, culture and all our lives.”
In the singles chart, Ariana Grande’s Hate That I Made You Love Me debuted at No.1 with 50,048 units to become the US star’s eighth UK No.1 single. It is the lead single from upcoming album Petal (out July 31).
“Huge congratulations to Ariana on securing her eighth UK No.1 single with Hate That I Made You Love Me,” said Steve Pitron, senior vice President, Island EMI Label Group, international. “We're incredibly proud to play our part in Ariana's journey and it's fantastic to see the response to this new music, in what promises to be another very special chapter in Ariana’s stellar career.
“This No.1 only adds to the excitement surrounding the forthcoming album, Petal, and the huge anticipation for Ariana's return to the UK in the summer for her 10-night run at The 02 on The Eternal Sunshine Tour.
“I'd also like to congratulate and thank Brandon Creed, Ray Rock and the team at Good World Management as well as our wonderful partners at Republic Records, with Mike Alexander and Zoe Briggs being our dream team.”
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