22 December 2023
Newsdesk
Pop icon Cher breaks UK Official Chart records today with DJ Play a Christmas Song.
Cher becomes the first female artist to achieve a Top 40 hit with new material on the Official Singles Chart across seven consecutive decades. While Cher's UK chart debut originally came in the form of Sonny & Cher’s chart-topping duet I Got You Babe in 1965, her debut solo single All I Really Want To Do broke the UK Top 40 the same month, and Cher has gone on to chart a solo single of new material in the Top 40 in every decade since.
At 77 years, 7 months old, Cher also becomes the oldest solo female performer to secure a Top 40 on the Official Singles Chart with the lead single from her 27th studio album Christmas. DJ Play a Christmas Song breaks all the way in to the Top 20 at Number 20 this week.
This means Cher surpasses previous record-holder Shirley Bassey, the Welsh singer-songwriter being 70 years, 4 months old when The Living Tree peaked at Number 37 in 2007.
Captain Sir Tom Moore holds the record for the oldest artist to score a UK Number 1 single, being 99 years, 11 months old when Michael Ball collaboration You’ll Never Walk Alone reached Number 1 in 2020.
Speaking on Cher’s record-breaking success, Martin Talbot, Chief Executive Officer, Official Charts Company, says:
"Cher cements her position as a living legend this week, notching up two spectacular landmark chart feats. With Top 40 hits now in seven consecutive decades, it’s incredible to consider that WHAM!’s Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael were barely taking their first steps when Cher was enjoying her first UK Number 1; almost 20 years before Last Christmas was released. Cher, we salute you!"
