Taylor Swift Sets Record for Most UK Number One Albums by Female Artist

Swift Overtakes Madonna with Her 13th Chart-Topping Album

Taylor Swift has overtaken Madonna as the female artist with the most Number One albums in the UK. Her new live album, Lover (Live From Paris), comprising performances from her 2019 studio album, went to Number One, her 13th Number One album. Initially a limited Valentine's Day 2023 vinyl release, the album found renewed success in 2025 with a heart-shaped double vinyl special edition. It went on to sell 47,000 UK copies, the year's best first-week debut album sales to date.

A Rare Feat: Charting Without Streaming Services

This achievement marks the second time Swift has reached Number One in the UK without initial streaming availability. The last time was back in 2017 with Reputation, which initially was only available in physical and digital formats before arriving on streaming weeks afterward. This new achievement brings Swift level with Elvis Presley at 13 UK Number One albums. The sole performances ahead of her are The Rolling Stones with 14, with Robbie Williams and The Beatles leading the pack with 15 each.

Breaking Vinyl Records Year After Year

Swift's reign in vinyl sales has been unprecedented in the last few years. Her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, was 2024's best-selling vinyl album with 112,000 copies sold, according to the Official Charts Company. It also shattered the century record for first-year sales, with 66,000 sold in the first week alone. It marked Swift's third year at number one on the UK vinyl albums chart, following 1989 (Taylor's Version) in 2023 and Midnights in 2022.

Swift's Albums Still Ruling the Charts

Some of Swift's older albums are still in high demand. In 2024, 1989 (Taylor's Version) was at Number 20 on the UK vinyl charts, while Midnights was at Number 38. Other albums, including Lover (29), Folklore (30), and Evermore (36), also reached the Top 40. This continued chart activity testifies to Swift's lasting influence on the music industry.

A Record-Breaking Tour to Close Out the Year

Swift's success in 2024 didn't end with album sales. Her record-breaking Eras World Tour came to a close on December 8 in Vancouver, officially being named the most lucrative tour of the year. She out-grossed household names like Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, and Madonna, cementing her status as one of the all-time greatest artists. Also in 2023, figures indicated that out of every 15 vinyl records sold in America, one was a Taylor Swift album, evidence of her strange global popularity.