Sir Elton John stepped back from touring last year, but his music continues to sell. His career-spanning greatest hits collection, Diamonds, has reached number one after 374 weeks on the charts.
Featuring iconic tracks like Tiny Dancer, I'm Still Standing, and Rocket Man, the 51-track collection has given the star his ninth number one album at the age of 77. Elton expressed his excitement, stating, "I'm so excited and thrilled that Diamonds is the number one album in the UK this week. What a great start to the new year. I could not be happier."
Originally released in 2017, Diamonds has remained on the charts consistently. A recent sales boost occurred after its re-release as a super deluxe edition on various formats. Additionally, the star's streaming numbers surged due to the Disney+ documentary Never Too Late, which premiered last month.
Diamonds has surpassed all other Elton John albums in chart longevity. The star received an official number one trophy for this latest achievement. The album, released in 2017 to commemorate his songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin, has sold over 1.5 million copies in the UK.
Diamonds' rise to number one was aided by a quiet week for new releases. It holds the record for the most consecutive weeks inside the Top 40. The incorporation of music streaming into chart calculations has further boosted its success.
Elton John's previous number one albums span six decades, showcasing his enduring popularity. Hits compilations like Diamonds, The Weeknd's Highlights, and classics from Abba and Queen have enjoyed extended chart runs, benefitting from streaming metrics.
In this week's chart, Sabrina Carpenter's Short N' Sweet secures the number two spot, while SZA's SOS maintains its position at number three. Gracie Abrams' That's So True leads the singles chart, followed by tracks from Rosé, Bruno Mars, and Lola Young.
Chappell Roan, winner of the BBC's Sound Of 2025, sees her single Pink Pony Club re-enter the chart at number 22. The dynamic landscape of the music industry continues to showcase a mix of established artists and emerging talents.