In a dramatic shake-up of the UK music charts, RAYE’s infectious single “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” has soared to Number 1, ending Taylor Swift’s impressive nine-week reign at the summit. On December 7, 2025, fans and industry watchers alike were treated to a rare changing of the guard, as the pop landscape shifted just in time for the holiday season. The move marks a significant milestone for RAYE, whose track has been a fixture in the Top 10 since its September release, steadily building momentum week after week.
According to the Official Charts, RAYE’s chart-topping moment comes after a period dominated by Taylor Swift, whose latest album, The Life Of A Showgirl, released in October 2025, had set the pace for months. Swift’s lead single, “The Fate Of Ophelia,” became her longest-running Number One single in the UK, holding the top spot for seven weeks and registering the largest first-week sales of 2025—and of Swift’s entire career—at 132,000 units sold. The track first hit Number One on October 16, 2025, dethroning Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need,” and even after a brief interruption by fictional K-pop group Huntr/x’s “Golden,” it reclaimed the crown for another impressive stretch.
But the pop juggernaut’s grip on the chart loosened as RAYE’s “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” continued its relentless climb. The song, which had never dipped out of the Top 10 since its debut, finally overtook Swift, a feat that has captured the attention of fans and critics alike. The Official Charts noted that RAYE’s single has spent 11 weeks in the chart, a testament to its staying power and broad appeal.
The timing of this chart upset is especially notable, as it comes during the annual race for the coveted Christmas Number One—a tradition that often sees surprise hits and festive classics vying for the honor. This year’s competition is particularly fierce, with Swift still in contention thanks to not just “The Fate Of Ophelia,” but also “Opalite” and “Olivia Taylor,” both of which are currently charting. The Official Charts has also named Olivia Dean’s “The Christmas Song,” Labrinth’s “Where Love Lives” (the soundtrack to this year’s John Lewis Christmas ad), McFly’s Tom Fletcher’s “One Of Us” from Paddington: The Musical, and RAYE’s “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” as key contenders. Classic holiday favorites by Wham! (“Last Christmas,” currently at Number Three) and Mariah Carey (“All I Want For Christmas Is You,” at Number Four) are also making their annual return to the upper echelons of the chart.
The resurgence of Christmas tracks is hardly a surprise for this time of year. As December unfolds, more and more festive tunes are creeping into the Top 10, with industry insiders speculating about which song will ultimately claim the Christmas Number One. Last year, Wham!’s “Last Christmas” took the coveted spot, and with its current strong showing, it could be poised for a repeat. Meanwhile, Sia has made a new entry at Number 38 with a Christmas track that’s quickly becoming a seasonal staple, and big movers from Olivia Dean, Roy Wood & Wizzard, Ed Sheeran, and Elton John hint at a chart that’s anything but static.
For Taylor Swift, the current chart developments are both a testament to her enduring popularity and a reminder of the ever-changing nature of pop music. Her album The Life Of A Showgirl not only produced her longest-running Number One single but also became her 14th Number One album in the UK, spending four non-consecutive weeks at the top. This achievement cements Swift’s status as the international artist with the most Number One albums in UK history, trailing only The Beatles and Robbie Williams, who each have 15. She now stands tied with The Rolling Stones for second place overall, a remarkable feat by any measure.
Swift’s history of chart-topping singles is equally impressive. She first hit Number One in the UK with “Look What You Made Me Do” in 2017, followed by “Anti-Hero” in 2022 (which previously held her record for consecutive weeks at Number One), “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version)” in 2023, and “Fortnight” in 2024. “The Fate Of Ophelia” marks her fifth UK Number One single, and its longevity in the Top 10—fifteen non-consecutive weeks—underscores Swift’s ability to craft hits that resonate far beyond their initial release.
Critical response to The Life Of A Showgirl has been mixed but respectful. NME awarded the album three stars, observing, “To seek escapism is not a sin, but the best pop music makes the personal feel like life or death. ‘Speak Now’, ‘Reputation’, ‘Folklore’: her greatest works could be genuinely transformative. For the first time, ‘The Life Of A Showgirl’ sees Swift not catalysed into artistic growth by love, but merely comfortably secured by it.” The review highlights a subtle shift in Swift’s songwriting, suggesting a newfound comfort that, while different from the transformative urgency of her earlier records, still connects with millions of listeners.
Swift’s fans have more to look forward to, as she recently unveiled the trailer for her much-anticipated concert film, The Eras Tour: The Final Show. Filmed at the BC Place stadium in Vancouver, Canada, last December, the movie promises to deliver the full spectacle of Swift’s record-breaking tour, including the entire “Tortured Poets Department” set. It’s yet another reminder of Swift’s relentless drive and her ability to keep her audience engaged across multiple platforms.
Meanwhile, RAYE’s ascent to Number One is being celebrated as a breakthrough moment for the artist. After steadily building her profile over several years, “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” has become her defining hit, capturing the zeitgeist and giving her a well-deserved place at the top of the charts. The song’s success is all the more impressive given the fierce competition and the dominance of established superstars like Swift.
As the year draws to a close, all eyes are on the unfolding battle for the Christmas Number One. With RAYE, Swift, and a host of other contenders in the mix—not to mention the perennial power of holiday classics—the coming weeks promise plenty of surprises. For now, though, it’s RAYE who wears the crown, her infectious anthem providing the perfect soundtrack to a season of change, celebration, and a little friendly rivalry at the top of the charts.
