Both tracks have accumulated more than 370 million combined global streams since their release Jan. 5. “Shape Of You” and "Castle on the Hill" will appear on Sheeran’s third studio album ÷ (divide), scheduled to drop on March 3.
Jax Jones and Raye’s dance track “You Don’t Know Me” (Polydor) is at No. 3 on the Singles Chart Update, Brits Critics Choice winner Rag ‘N’ Bone Man’s “Human” (Best Laid Plans/Columbia) is at No. 4 and Little Mix’ “Touch” rounds out the top 5.
Further down the list, the Chainsmokers’ nostalgic new track “Paris” (Disruptor) improves 10-8, while Sean Paul’s collaboration with Dua Lipa, “No Lie” (Island), leaps 22-11.
Pete Tong is one of the world’s best-known DJs. He has played festivals and superclubs the world over, earned millions from his craft, ruled the airways as a Radio 1 host, and had his name appear in the title of a feature film (It’s All Gone Pete Tong from 2004). But he’s never had a U.K. No. 1 album. That could be about to change.
The British decks-master's Classic House (Polydor/UMC/UMOD), a reimagined set of Ibiza standards recorded with conductor Jules Buckley and the Heritage Orchestra and a host of guest vocalists, has a chart best of No. 2 in its eight weeks on the survey. But early indications suggest it could go one better.
The album is outpacing Mike Oldfield’s second-placed Return to Ommadawn (Mercury) by more than 3,000 copies, according to the OCC, to lead the Albums Chart Update.
The La La Land (Interscope) soundtrack is at No. 3 at the halfway point, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes’ second album Modern Ruin (International Death Cult) starts at No. 4, and Little Mix’ former chart-topper Glory Days (Syco) completes the top 5.
The Official U.K. Albums Charts are published late Friday local time.
