The Beatles make history as ‘Now and Then’ tops UK Singles Chart

The Beatles have broken even more records

The Beatles have registered their first number one single in more than five decades after Now and Then topped the charts.

Earlier this month, the legendary band released their ‘final’ song, Now and Then. The first bars had been written by John Lennon in 1978, and it was completed last year thanks to technology utilised by director Peter Jackson in the tremendous Disney+ documentary Get Back.

When Now and Then was released on November 2, it managed to reach number 42 in the charts after just 10 hours of sales.

And the track has now managed to jump 41 places to number one in the Official Chart.

This means The Beatles have managed to top the charts six decades after their first number one single, a record for the longest time span between an artist’s first and last Number 1 single

The band now also hold the record for the longest gap ever between Number 1 singles (54 years), having last reached Number 1 with The Ballad of John and Yoko in 1969.

🏆 The Beatles (@thebeatles) are Official Chart Record Breakers! 🏆#NowAndThen's Number 1 feat means Fab Four now boast longest time span between an artist's first and last chart-topping hits 🤯

Read the full story: https://t.co/ZtTTvdubxt#RedAndBlue #TheBeatles pic.twitter.com/9YRzxM7MpF

— Official Charts (@officialcharts) November 10, 2023

Speaking about the achievement, Sir Paul McCartney said: “It’s mind boggling. It’s blown my socks off. It’s also a very emotional moment for me. I love it!”

Now and Then is The Beatles’ 18th Number 1 single, stretching their lead as the British act with the most Number 1s. Only Elvis Presley has topped the chart more.

They are now also the oldest band ever to hit number one – Sir Paul is 82 and Sir Ringo Starr is 83.

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