Paul Weller secures rare chart feat as On Sunset debuts at Number 1 on Official Albums Chart: “I’m very proud”
Congratulations to Paul Weller, whose new album On Sunset lands straight in at Number 1 on this week’s Official Albums Chart and claims a rarely seen chart feat.
Celebrating the news, Weller told OfficialCharts.com: "I’m very proud of On Sunset so to have it go in at Number 1 is brilliant. Massive thanks to the team at Polydor for all their hard work."
The entry earns the musician his fifth chart-topper as a soloist and seventh overall when including his Number 1 records with The Jam and The Style Council. See all of Paul Weller’s hit singles and albums and where they charted.
It means Weller claims the impressive feat of reaching Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart across five consecutive decades. They are:
1982: The Gift – The Jam
1985: Our Favourite Shop – The Style Council
1995: Stanley Road – Paul Weller
2002: Illumination – Paul Weller
2008: 22 Dreams – Paul Weller
2012: Sonik Kicks – Paul Weller
2020: On Sunset – Paul Weller
Other acts that have topped the Official Chart across five consecutive decades are Paul McCartney, John Lennon and David Gilmour. The Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan have also landed chart-toppers across five decades, though not consecutively.
On Sunset scored 24,000 chart sales to claim this week’s Number 1. Just over a quarter of that figure was vinyl sales, also taking it to the top of the Official Vinyl Albums Chart.
MORE: Every Official UK Number 1 album ever
Pop Smoke (Press/Polydor)
Meanwhile, the late US rapper Pop Smoke – who died in February this year – is at Number 2 with posthumous debut album Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon. It’s the highest-charting debut album by an international rap artist in 17 years, since 50 Cent’s Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ debuted at Number 2 back in 2003.
Fittingly, 50 Cent executive-produced the Pop Smoke album and completed the record after the 20-year-old was killed. Pop Smoke’s 2019 mixtape Meet The Woo 2 also appears in this week’s Top 40, re-entering at 32. Look at the UK's biggest debut albums of 2020 so far here.
MORE: The Official Top 40 biggest albums of 2020 so far
Completing an all-new Top 3 this week is Katherine Jenkins’ Cinema Paradiso. The classical singer’s 13th studio album is her tenth Top 10 collection and highest charting in 13 years, since 2007’s Number 3-peaking Rejoice.
Sparks are new at Number 7 with A Steady Drip Drip, earning the art-pop duo their fourth Top 10 album, and metalcore band Bury Tomorrow claim their first Top 10 with Cannibal at 10.
Elsewhere, London punk-rock trio Dream Wife make their Top 40 debut with their second album So When You Gonna at 18, and The Shadows’ live album The Final Tour lands at 37.
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Marcus Latonks
I see congrats are in order for Paul Weller finally becoming a grandmother.
Lloyd Boon
Who'd have thought all those years ago that Paul Weller would still be having hit albums in 2020, after the debacle at Polydor in 1989 and his departure from music and the label who's have thought he'd have been back again (he certainly didnt!). and to be scoring #1 albums after six decades in the music business, WOW!, in such esteemed company.
that said, i havent been a fan of his last few releases but i still consider myself a lifelong fan, he was the story of my childhood, teen years, first marriage and divirce and years that followed, well deserved Mr Weller, !!!!!
Rammit Tupper
Sparks deserve great praise for reaching no7 with their amazing album
⁉️
Sad that it didn't go to Pop Smoke, but hopefully Juice WRLD gets it next week.
As for Weller, as impressive as it is for him to have a Number 1 in every decade, I really hate his music.
thierry henon
I am so happy for Paul Weller but as well for Katherine Jenkins: i never expected her new album to reach the Top 3: congrats to both of them!!
🧡 oliviasnoodles 🍜
Well done Paul! Getting a feat as rare as that, good job! :D
Here I thought Pop Smoke was getting the number 1 album but still, number 2 is brilliant for him! RIP Smoke.
Next week, can we see Juice Wrld’s album at number 1? It’s amazing!
thierry henon
Hi coolocelot!! How are you by the way? tbh i am pretty sure Pop Smoke will remain much longer into the Top 10 than Paul Weller even thought i have respect for him and he deserved as well another number 1 album under his belt!! Have a great week end...
🧡 oliviasnoodles 🍜
Hello Thierry! I’m fine thanks, how are you? :)
I can’t tell if either will have longevity, but we’ll wait till Monday to find out! I have respect for Paul Weller too. Have a great weekend! 👍
Piran
A #1 album in the 80's, 90's, 00's, 10's & 20's is indeed an incredible achievement! :)
Congratulations Paul Weller.
Marcothedonjuan
That's really awesome! Here's to the 30's... haha!
Piran
I mean, he's only 62 & much older acts have hit #1 on our albums chart, so it's entirely possible! :)
Marcothedonjuan
Absolutely! Great music is ageless! I would have never thought I would be listening to a brand new Elton John feature song on a very consistent basis in 2020. :)
Piran
Especially with Lady Gaga, if 'Sine From Above' is the one you're referring to, haha! :D
Marcothedonjuan
That's the one!!! haha
Piran
One of the best tracks on the album! :D