While not much changes towards the top of the U.K. singles tally this week, a pair of new songs break into the region for the first time, with one finally appearing inside the top 10 after rising the ranks for several frames, while the other starts its time on the chart in the uppermost area.
Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” is a non-mover in first place, where it has now led the charge for half a dozen frames. The song is powered in part by newer versions featuring superstars like Andrea Bocelli and Beyoncé, though those names don’t also appear at No. 1 on the listing thanks to charting rules.
Also steady just behind Sheeran is rapper Eminem’s “River,” which also just happens to feature the ginger singer-songwriter. The track has now earned a trio of weeks at No. 2, and if “Perfect” will ever subside, it might become another leader for both artists.
Rita Ora’s “Anywhere” is back at No, 3, while newcomer RAMZ rises all the way to No. 4. The hip-hop artist’s breakout hit “Barking” only just reached the top 10 last week, when it settled at No. 8. This is his first top five hit.
British dance troupe Clean Bandit collect their eighth top five smash with “I Miss You,” which is also their sixth in a row. The song, which becomes featured vocalist Julia Michaels' first to reach No. 5 in the U.K., has been slowly climbing the ranking, and it has now lived inside the top 10 for a handful of weeks. “I Miss You” comes in just ahead of hip-hop newcomer NF, who is rising on charts everywhere in the world with his first hit “Let You Down."
The highest-charting new song on the British tally is “Finesse,” which is fronted by Bruno Mars and which features Cardi B. The 24k Magic tune is his eleventh to break into the top 10 in the U.K., while it’s the first for Cardi B, which is surprising considering the year she’s had.
Dance artist MK sees his hit “17” dip one rung, while comedian/musician Big Shaq’s sole successful song “Man’s Not Hot” slides six spots to No. 9.
The final spot this frame is owned by another new track, this time coming from British favorites Craig David and Bastille. The unlikely pairing collaborated on the song “I Know You,” which this week grows to tenth place after almost two months on the list. It’s David’s sixteenth top 10 track (including his work on a charity single that featured a large group of names) and Bastille’s fifth (also including those ensemble tracks where proceeds go to worthy causes).
