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The Beatles Are Back At No. 1 After More Than Half A Century

Hugh McIntyre

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Nov 10, 2023,02:35pm EST

Updated Nov 10, 2023, 02:39pm EST

It’s been more than half a century since The Beatles last claimed a No. 1 hit in their home country of the U.K., but now that dry spell is officially over. The band’s new single, “Now and Then,” shoots to the top spot on the U.K. songs chart, bringing the beloved group back to the summit.

“Now and Then” lifts from just outside the top 40, where it debuted last week, to No. 1. The tune launched at No. 42 last time around after less than half a day of availability. The Beatles’ single was so popular upon its arrival that it sold and streamed well enough to make the main chart, but now it’s rocketed up the ranking.

The Beatles chart their eighteenth No. 1 hit in the U.K. with “Now and Then.” The cut is also their twenty-ninth top 10 smash in the country.

The last time The Beatles sat at No. 1 on the U.K. songs chart was in 1969. That year, their single “The Ballad of John and Yoko” ruled the ranking. Since then, they have sent other tracks to the tally, but they haven’t climbed to the throne.

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According to the Official Charts Company, “Now and Then” was a massive hit, which isn’t too surprising, as that’s par for the course for The Beatles. The tune moved 78,200 equivalent units, between actual purchases and streaming equivalents. Of that sum, 48,600 copies were pure sales, both digitally and physically.

“Now and Then” helps The Beatles extend their record as the group with the most No. 1 hits in U.K. history. They already held this honor, but now they’re putting more distance between themselves and almost all other acts. Elvis Presley continues to lead, as he managed 21 leaders. The Beatles do claim the most No. 1s among British names, a special distinction for them.

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Hugh McIntyreFollow

I am a music journalist based in New York City. My byline has appeared in The Huffington Post, Billboard, Mashable, Noisey, The Hollywood… Read More

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