Sabrina Carpenter Creates U.K. Chart History

Sabrina Carpenter has every reason to be please please pleased. The U.S. singer and actor lands a second No. 1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart and, in the process, becomes the youngest female artist to concurrently hold the top 2 spots.

On the latest chart, published Friday, June 21, Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” lifts 3-1, while her former leader “Espresso” (both via Island) holds at No. 2.

“Please Please Please” is the U.K.’s most-streamed song this week, accumulating 9.8 million combined streams, with “Espresso” pouring in 8.1 million plays.

According to the Official Charts Company, Carpenter is, at 25 years, 1 month and 10 days, the youngest female solo artist to crack the 1-2. Ariana Grande previously set the mark when, in February 2019, she locked up the top 2 spots with “7 rings” and “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored,” respectively, at age 25 years, 7 months and 20 days. Carpenter also ties-up the top 2 on Australia’s ARIA Chart.

Meanwhile, Luton, England singer-songwriter Myles Smith grabs a career-best with “Stargazing” (RCA), up 7-6.

As Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour cruises into the U.K., the U.S. pop music superstar’s music — predictably — climbs the U.K. charts. On the singles tally, former leader “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone is up 11-10, “Cruel Summer” lifts 17-14 and “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart” (all via EMI) improves 19-18.

The TayTay effect extends to Benson Boone, Swift’s support act at her Wembley Stadium dates. Boone enjoys gains for his singles “Slow It Down” up (18-15 via Warner Records) and former No. 1 “Beautiful Things” (up 21-19).

Finally, as the ball rolls on the UEFA European Football Championship, one evergreen hit makes its move: Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds’ 1996 anthem “Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home)” (via Epic). The chant-ready song is back in the top 40, at No. 32. “Three Lions” typically returns to the chart when England competes in major international tournaments. The single topped the chart for two separate one-week runs in 1996 to coincide with that year’s European Championship tournament, then a 1998 update for the World Cup reigned for three weeks. Powered by England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals, “Three Lions” returned to No. 1 in 2018.

Lars Brandle

Billboard