The official UK charts have released the top official Top 40 for the biggest songs in 2021. The list looks at the sales and streams of the biggest songs of the year in order to create the official Top 40.
Ed Sheeran topped the list with his hit “Bad Habits”; the track was the longest-running number 1 of the year, spending a total of 11 weeks at the top of the charts. Ed must be used to these accolades with “Bad Habits” becoming his 10th number one and was the first of his four chart-topping tracks this year, the other three being “Shivers”, “Merry Christmas” featuring Elton John and “Sausage Rolls for Everyone” alongside Lad Baby and Elton John.
Two songs in the top 40 served as indicators of how big a year UK hip hop has had commercially with “Body” by Russ and Tion Wayne and “Latest Trends” by A1 and J1 both featuring on the Top 40. “Body” was a global hit not only going number in the UK, the first drill song to do so and sat there for a consecutive 3 weeks, but the track also went number one in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. These accomplishments aided the track to a top 10 finish on the UK Top 40 for 2021. “Latest Trends” by the 15 and 17 years old artists was their debut single, peaking in the weekly charts at second after becoming a viral hit over the social media platform TikTok. The duo’s hit gained them a place on the Top 40 of 2021, finishing at 26th.
The Top 40 may have diverted from the regular trends with the appearance of Russ, Tion Wayne, A1 and J1 but except for these, the Top 40 featured a number of US pop superstars including breakout star Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Nas X and Doja Cat. In addition to this, a number of UK popstars such as Dua Lipa, Adele and Anne Marie were featured.
The full Top 40 is available to see here.
