Taylor Swift Shatters a Music Icon’s Record—Fans Can’t Believe It

Taylor Swift has made history by becoming the female artist with the most UK Number 1 albums, surpassing the legendary Madonna. The 35-year-old superstar achieved this milestone with the re-release of her 2019 album Lover (Live From Paris), marking her 13th UK Number 1 album. This achievement breaks Madonna’s previous record of 12 Number 1 albums in the UK, solidifying Swift’s dominance in the music world.

But that’s not all—Swift’s success doesn’t stop at just breaking the female artist record. She has also tied with the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, for the most Number 1 albums by an international artist in UK chart history. This puts her in an exclusive club alongside one of the greatest musical icons of all time, making her achievement even more significant.

Taylor’s record-breaking moment further underscores her impressive and ongoing impact on the music industry. Her albums continue to resonate with fans around the world, solidifying her status as one of the most influential artists of her generation. With each release, she pushes the boundaries of success, proving her ability to remain at the top of the charts for years to come.

A Milestone Achievement

 Taylor Swift’s latest milestone has earned her a historic spot in music history. Lover (Live From Paris) has become the first album to reach Number 1 purely through sales, without any contributions from streaming, since Swift’s own Reputation in 2017. The album, originally released on vinyl in 2023, saw an incredible resurgence following the launch of a special heart-shaped 2LP vinyl edition, released just in time for Valentine’s Day. This limited edition sparked a wave of renewed interest, pushing Lover (Live From Paris) to the top of the charts once again and helping Taylor set a new record.

This achievement marks yet another triumph in Swift’s already impressive career, showcasing her enduring influence in the music world. Martin Talbot, Chief Executive Officer of the Official Charts Company, reflected on Swift’s remarkable feat, praising her ability to break records again and again. Talbot remarked, “If we thought Taylor Swift had peaked in 2024 with her summer chart domination, we couldn’t have been more wrong. What an amazing accomplishment to surpass Madonna—an icon in her own right.” The recognition highlights not just Swift’s talent but her business acumen in capitalizing on her fan base’s dedication to her music, as well as her ability to keep reinvigorating her past works.

Surpassing Madonna, one of the most iconic figures in music history, only adds to the enormity of Swift’s accomplishment. Her consistent ability to break records while staying at the forefront of popular culture speaks to the massive impact she continues to have on the industry. Fans and industry insiders alike are left in awe, wondering what Taylor Swift’s next move will be as she continues to rewrite the record books.

Breaking Records at Lightning Speed

Taylor Swift’s journey to breaking the UK Number 1 album record has been nothing short of remarkable, and her latest achievement only adds to her legacy. Before surpassing Madonna with Lover (Live From Paris), Swift had already tied the iconic pop star at 12 Number 1 albums with the release of The Tortured Poets Department in April 2024. That album not only marked her 12th chart-topping project but also shattered several records, many of which were previously held by Swift herself.

Upon its release on April 19, The Tortured Poets Department made history by becoming the first album in Spotify’s history to surpass 300 million streams in a single day. This impressive feat cemented her dominance in the streaming world. Additionally, the album saw an extraordinary opening week, with 270,000 UK chart units sold—making it the biggest opening week for an album in seven years. This figure easily surpassed the 204,000 first-week sales of her 2022 album Midnights, further demonstrating Swift’s ever-growing influence.

What’s even more remarkable is how quickly Swift achieved this feat. In just under 12 years, she secured 12 UK Number 1 albums, a milestone that took The Beatles 14 years to accomplish. The legendary band’s first Number 1 album, Please Please Me, topped the UK charts in 1963, and their 12th, The Beatles at Hollywood Bowl, reached the milestone in 1977. Swift has now matched this record-setting pace, making history as one of the most dominant forces in music, a title previously only shared with rock legends.

These achievements solidify Swift’s place in the annals of music history, demonstrating that her success is not only measured in record-breaking sales but in the continuous reinvention of her sound and her ability to connect with audiences on a global scale.

Dominating Both Albums and Singles Charts

In addition to her record-breaking album achievement, Taylor Swift has also made history by securing a remarkable UK chart double, topping both the albums and singles charts simultaneously. Her hit single “Fortnight,” featuring Post Malone, soared to Number 1, perfectly complementing the success of The Tortured Poets Department, which also claimed the top spot on the albums chart.

This achievement marks Swift’s third consecutive year of achieving a UK chart double, solidifying her status as one of the most dominant forces in the music industry. In 2022, Swift accomplished this feat with Midnights and its lead single Anti-Hero, both topping the UK charts. The following year, she achieved another double with 1989 (Taylor’s Version) and Is It Over Now?, proving her consistency and continued relevance in an ever-evolving music landscape.

Swift’s ability to top both charts in consecutive years highlights her unparalleled success in the UK market, where her influence continues to grow. Her blend of chart-topping albums, catchy singles, and strategic collaborations with artists like Post Malone has kept her at the forefront of popular music. This feat only adds to her ever-expanding list of accomplishments, reinforcing her place as one of the biggest and most successful artists of her generation.

The World’s Best-Selling Artist

Swift’s dominance extends beyond the UK. In 2023, she was officially named the world’s biggest-selling global recording artist by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), solidifying her position as one of the most influential artists of all time.

With her ever-growing success, record-breaking streak, and unwavering fanbase, Taylor Swift shows no signs of slowing down. What milestone will she conquer next?

The Bad Blood singer was named 2023’s biggest-selling global recording artist by topping the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s