Sir Elton John has achieved a significant milestone in his illustrious music career by scoring his 10th UK number one album with "Who Believes In Angels?" This accomplishment, announced on April 11, 2025, draws him level with pop icons Kylie Minogue and Michael Jackson in terms of chart-topping records.
The 78-year-old music legend’s latest success comes from his collaboration with 43-year-old US songwriter Brandi Carlile. In a statement to the Official Charts Company, Sir Elton expressed his excitement, saying, "Working with Brandi, (my songwriting partner) Bernie (Taupin) and (producer) Andrew (Watt) on this album was one of the greatest musical experiences of my life." He added, "It was initially challenging, but working through that process allowed us to emerge with something truly joyous and celebratory. We’ve been blown away by the response and love we’ve felt, and to see 'Who Believes In Angels?' reach number one is a true joy. We couldn’t be prouder of it."
This latest achievement marks Sir Elton's second UK number one album in just six months; he last topped the UK albums chart in January 2025 with "Diamonds," a greatest hits compilation. Notably, Sir Elton joins an elite group of artists, including Ed Sheeran, David Bowie, Taylor Swift, and Ariana Grande, who have had two number one albums within a six-month period over the past 35 years. His other chart-topping albums include classics like "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," "Caribou," and "Sleeping With The Past."
In reaching this milestone, Sir Elton also matches other legendary acts such as Abba, Queen, and Coldplay, all of whom have 10 number one albums. The Beatles and Robbie Williams currently hold the record for the most number ones, with 15 each.
This album is particularly significant for Brandi Carlile, as it marks her first UK number one. Carlile expressed her gratitude, stating, "This is a dream come true for me because I got to make this album with my absolute hero and dear friend Elton John. I want to say a huge thank-you to all the fans in the UK for your support, and obviously to Elton for believing in me and championing me in such a generous way." She is set to tour the UK starting in June 2025, with stops planned at the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, and the Glastonbury Festival.
The album "Who Believes In Angels?" was written and recorded over three weeks in late 2023 and has garnered rave reviews from critics. Described as "a gutsy, flamboyant tearjerker" and a "late-career high," the album faced its share of challenges during production. In a candid moment captured in a documentary posted on YouTube, Sir Elton was seen expressing frustration during the creative process, which included moments of slamming down headphones and threatening to quit. He later reflected, "It was an enormous challenge, getting those four people together. I was very nervous because I wanted the album to stand a certain way, but you can't always guarantee it will. I think my nerves and my insecurities and my doubt led to a few bad behaviour moments, which was just about frustrations within myself."
Once the opening track, "The Rose of Laura Nyro," was recorded, Sir Elton noted that everything fell into place. Within two and a half weeks, they recorded 14 songs and completed the album. The release was delayed due to an eye infection that left Sir Elton with vision difficulties, a condition that he has openly discussed, revealing that it affected his ability to watch his sons play rugby.
One of the standout tracks from the album, "Swing For The Fences," has been particularly praised as a rallying call for the LGBTQ community. Carlile, who identifies as a gay woman, shared her inspiration for the song, saying, "I was thinking, wouldn't it be cool to write an anthem for young gay kids out there that calls them into a bigger, more elegant, more fabulous life? Just like, 'Go, go! Don't let anything hold you back!'" Sir Elton echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of pride and resilience for LGBTQ+ individuals, stating, "It's a tough time out there for LGBTQ+ people. At the moment when Brandi wrote this lyric, she wanted to say, 'Listen, fight for yourself. Be proud of yourself who you are, never be ashamed of who you are, and you will win through.'"
The album has seen impressive sales, with more than 15,000 copies sold in the UK within its first two days, making it the week's best-seller on vinyl. In addition, it has topped charts on platforms like Amazon.com and iTunes, solidifying its status as one of Sir Elton's biggest hits in decades.
In the current UK album chart, Sabrina Carpenter’s "Short N’ Sweet" sits at number two, while the rock band Black Country Road's "Forever Howlong" debuts at number three. Ariana Grande’s "Eternal Sunshine" holds the fourth spot, followed by Ed Sheeran’s "Plus Minus Equals Divide Multiply."
Meanwhile, in the singles chart, American singer Alex Warren’s "Ordinary" continues to hold the top position for a fourth consecutive week, with Chappell Roan’s "Pink Pony Club" remaining at number two. Ed Sheeran makes a notable comeback with his new single "Azizam," which enters the chart at number three—his first top 10 single in almost two years since the chart-topping "Eyes Closed" in 2023. Rounding out the top five are "Anxiety" by US rapper Doechii and "Beautiful Things" by Benson Boone.
Sir Elton John's remarkable career continues to inspire fans and fellow musicians alike, and with the release of "Who Believes In Angels?" he proves once again that he remains a formidable force in the music industry.
