Taylor Swift Breaks The Beatles' Record with 12th UK No. 1 Album

Taylor Swift's latest album, "The Tortured Poets Department, has made history by topping the UK charts and breaking a long-standing record held by The Beatles. With this achievement, Swift becomes the fastest artist to reach 12 UK number one albums, accomplishing the feat in just 11 years and 6 months. "The Tortured Poets Department" also ties Madonna's record for the most UK number one albums by a female artist.

The album had a monumental debut, selling 2.61 million album and streaming units in its first week in the US, including 1.91 million traditional album sales. It set new records for the largest streaming week and largest vinyl sales week for an album in the modern era, with 891.34 million on-demand streams and 859,000 vinyl copies sold. "The Tortured Poets Department is now the top-selling album of 2024 so far.

On the Billboard 200 albums chart, "The Tortured Poets Department" debuted at number one, marking Swift's 14th chart-topping album in the US. This ties her with Jay-Z for the second-most number one albums by a recording artist, behind only The Beatles. The album's success is anticipated to extend to the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, where Swift may surpass Drake's record for the most songs simultaneously in the top 20.

Swift expressed her gratitude to fans on social media, saying she was "completely floored" by the album's reception. "The Tortured Poets Department" received mostly positive reviews from critics and fans alike. The 31-track double album was released on April 19, surprising fans with its extensive collection of songs.

Why this matters: Taylor Swift's record-breaking achievement highlights her enduring popularity and influence in the music industry. Her ability to consistently top charts and set new milestones demonstrates her unparalleled success as an artist in the streaming era.

Swift will resume her "Eras Tour," the highest-grossing concert tour in history, in Paris in May. Fans are eagerly anticipating her return to the stage and the possibility of incorporating songs from "The Tortured Poets Department" into her live performances. With this latest triumph, Swift solidifies her status as one of the most dominant forces in music today, alongside other top female artists like Beyoncé and Dua Lipa who are also releasing highly anticipated albums in 2024.

Key Takeaways

• Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department" tops UK charts, breaks Beatles' record.
• Album sets new streaming, vinyl sales records in the US, becomes 2024's top seller.
• Swift ties Jay-Z for 2nd-most #1 albums, may surpass Drake's Hot 100 record.
• Album receives positive reviews, Swift "floored" by fans' reception.
• Swift's success solidifies her status as a dominant force in the music industry.