Olivia Dean and Sam Fender hold steady as BRITs fever and viral phenoms shake up chart

The music world is still reeling from last Saturday’s BRIT Awards, and the ripples are being felt across this week’s Official Singles Chart. From record-breaking collaborations to decades-old classics finding a second life on social media, the current Top 40 is a masterclass in momentum.

The Power Players: Dean, Fender, and Warren

Leading the charge for a third consecutive week are Olivia Dean and Sam Fender. Their powerhouse collaboration, “Rein Me In,” remains immovable at Number 1. The duo’s dominance was further solidified at the BRITs, where they walked away with a staggering six awards, including the coveted Song of the Year. Dean’s success doesn’t stop there; her 2023 track “The Hardest Part” has finally made its Official Singles Chart debut, landing comfortably at Number 19.

Meanwhile, American superstar Alex Warren provided the week’s most intense chart battle. Despite a stellar performance of his hit “Ordinary” at the BRITs and a strong midweek lead, his track “Fever Dream” eventually settled at Number 3. This marks Warren’s third Top 5 entry, cementing his status as a global heavyweight.

The Viral Surge: Bella Kay and Madonna

The most fascinating story of the week continues to be the meteoric rise of Bella Kay. The “unknown entity” turned international sensation has seen her TikTok hit “iloveitiloveitiloveit” climb two more spots to a new peak of Number 2. With the gap closing, many are wondering if she can pull off an upset and snatch the top spot in the coming weeks.

In a bizarre twist of digital fate, the legendary Madonna has returned to the Top 40 for the first time in over 40 years with her 1985 classic “Into The Groove.” The track re-entered at Number 40 after a viral dance trend sparked by internet personality Gymskin sent the 80s anthem back into the streaming stratosphere.

Climbing the Ranks

The chart is bustling with movement elsewhere:

Harry Styles: His track “Aperture” jumped six places to Number 10, fueled by the highly anticipated release of his new album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.

Dominic Fike: The “man of the hour” continues his hot streak as “Babydoll” rises to 14, while his 2025 release “White Keys” leaped 14 spots to land at 27.

RAYE: Following an iconic BRITs performance, “Nightingale Lane” secured her 11th Top 20 finish at Number 20.

Tame Impala: “Dracula” continues its resurgence at Number 22, bolstered by a high-profile remix featuring JENNIE of BLACKPINK.

As we look toward next week, all eyes are on Bella Kay to see if the TikTok momentum can finally break the Dean and Fender stronghold.