Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” Achieves Remarkable 12-Week Reign at Number One in UK Charts
American singer Alex Warren’s hit single, “Ordinary,” has maintained its top spot on the UK charts for an unprecedented 12 weeks—a feat unmatched since Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” in 2017. The Official Charts Company reports over 107 million UK streams for the song, a testament to its enduring popularity.
Written for his wife following their wedding last year, the 24-year-old’s heartfelt ballad has also shattered a 70-year-old record, surpassing Slim Whitman’s “Rose Marie” (1955) as the longest-running US artist’s number one.
Currently dominating Spotify’s UK charts with 33% more streams than its closest competitor, “Ordinary” shows no signs of slowing down. However, it still has a considerable distance to catch the all-time record holders.
Longest-Running Number Ones in History:
Warren, a founding member of the Hype House TikTok collective, initially gained recognition through his 2022 top 10 hit, “Carry You Home.” “Ordinary,” however, propelled him to superstardom, currently topping charts in both the UK and the US.
James Masterton, author of the Chart Watch UK blog, notes the song’s broad appeal: “It’s a crossover hit in the classic sense, something rarely seen lately. Its appeal spans generations, initially playing on both Radio 1 and Radio 2, though both stations have now moved on to his newer single.”
Already a popular wedding song, a “Wedding Version” has even been released by Warren’s label. Masterton draws parallels to other enduring romantic anthems like “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You,” “Love Is All Around,” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Despite its monumental success, “Ordinary” hasn’t achieved the ubiquitous presence of hits from the past, a consequence of media fragmentation. Masterton explains, “The media’s diversification makes it harder for songs to reach vast audiences. In the past, a 12-week number one guaranteed widespread superstar recognition.”
Longest-Running Number Ones of the 2020s:
“Ordinary” also holds the record for the longest-running number one since 2017 chart rule changes aimed at preventing chart stagnation. These rules demote songs with three consecutive weeks of declining streams, but “Ordinary” has consistently maintained its momentum.
A Queer Ceilidh planned for Friday night and an after party on Saturday are both still on.
Lotus is the award-winning London rapper’s first work since her split from producer Inflo.
The 43-year-old global superstar performed the first night of her six show residency in London.
The star says he is focusing on acting after parting ways with his record company.
How much attention did you pay to what’s being going on in the world this week?