News - 10 November 2023

'Now And Then' becomes the band's 18th Official UK Number 1 single - and breaks UK Official Chart records

Their 18th Number 1 hit, The Beatles extend their record as the British act with the most UK Number 1 singles in Official Charts history. Only Elvis Presley, with 21 Number 1 hits to his name, has more.

Sales

  • Number 1 with 78,200 combined UK chart units across sales and streaming. 
  • Fastest-selling single of the year to date,– 48,600 physical and download sales based on the track’s first 7 days.  
  • Biggest one-week physical sales in almost a decade (38k) - biggest since The X Factor 2014 winner Ben Haenow’s Something I Need (47k).
  • Fastest-selling vinyl single of the century so far – 19.4k copies on vinyl.

Streams

  • Now And Then is the most-streamed Beatles track in one week ever – 5.03m streams against previous record set by Here Comes the Sun (1.05m in 7 days in 2021).
  • Now And Then is The Beatles’ most-watched music video in one week ever –2.15m streams v Here Comes The Sun’s 171.7k in 7 days in 2019.

Official Chart feats

  • Now the British act with the most Number 1 singles ever. They extend their lead to 18 UK Number 1 singles, with only Elvis securing more. See the full list of artists with the most Number 1 singles here.

Celebrating the news, The Beatles' Paul McCartney exclusively tells Official Charts:

"It’s mind boggling. It’s blown my socks off. It’s also a very emotional moment for me. I love it!"

“The beat goes on Peace & Love”, adds bandmate Ringo Starr.

On The Beatles’ incredible success, Martin Talbot, Chief Executive Officer, Official Charts Company comments: 

“Beatlemania has returned this week - and what an amazing few days it has been for The Fab Four.  

“The return of John, Paul, George and Ringo with the last ever Beatles single, Now And Then, has cemented their legend by breaking a catalogue of records - and in doing so underlined the extraordinary scope of their enduring appeal, across all the generations, with huge numbers of streams, downloads and vinyl singles.  

“If there were ever any doubts that The Beatles are the greatest band of all time, they have surely consigned them to history this week.”

Related Articles