The chart-topping track was released on 1st April 2022 and is the lead single from Styles’ third solo album Harry’s House. The single’s long running chart success began soon after its release, debuting as the UK’s number one single. The track was co-written by Styles and the release’s producers Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson, American producer and engineer Johnson worked with Styles on his debut self-titled solo album. Styles’ recently released track is the singer’s second song to place at number one, in 2017 the singer scored his first number one single with “Sign Of The Times”.

Elsewhere within the charts, “First Class” by American rapper Jack Harlow has also remained in the top 5, placing at number two for the fifth consecutive week. Released on 8th April 2022 via Atlantic and Generation Now, the single is the second track to be released from the singer’s second studio album Come Home The Kids Miss You. The album was released on 6th May 2022 and garnered Harlow two further chart placements, “Churchill Downs” featuring Drake charted at 19 and “Dua Lipa” placed at number 33.

Placing at number three within this week’s singles charts is “Go” by London based musician Cat Burns, after spending seventeen weeks on the charts the single reached its peak position this week. Lizzo and Styles recently made headlines with their surprise duet at this year’s Coachella festival, both artists have placed within this week’s top five. The lead single taken from Lizzo’s upcoming album has placed at number four, “About Damn Time” was released on 14th April 2022 and went viral earlier in the year through the app TikTok.

Closing the top five this week is Mercury Prize award winning artist Dave, the British rapper’s single “Starlight” was released on 3rd March 2022. The track debuted at number one within the UK singles charts and remained at the top spot for four weeks. The single features a sample of the 1954 canonised track “Fly  Me To The Moon” and was self-produced by the artist.

Along with the singer’s chart success, Styles has also been tipped to win an Oscar for his role in the drama My Policeman. The former One Direction bandmember first broke into acting in 2017 with his debut role in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk. Styles’ career making role in My Policeman marks the singer’s fourth acting credit and is set to be released later this year. Based on a novel with the same title, Styles stars as a Brighton based policeman who struggles with sexuality and relationships during the 1950s.

Announcing the news on Instagram, Evan’s wrote: “Wellerman is a UK NUMBER 1! I still don’t believe it….Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of yous that bought the single and listened to it. This is just the start!! #WellermanForNumberOne.”

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Evans initially released his version of the sea shanty last year via the platform TikTok, and it immediately became an internet sensation. Releasing a video on Instagram earlier this year, he expressed his astonishment having gone from a postman to signing a record deal with a major label in a matter of months.

The sea shanty track, remixed with 220 Kid and Billen Ted, has been in the top three for the past seven weeks, finally reaching the number one spot this week. Speaking to Officialcharts.com, 220 Kid, who remixed ‘Wellerman’ along with Billen Ted, said: “Official Number 1 single – I can’t believe it! It’s a dream come true. No matter how much goes wrong, or how many obstacles you reach, as long as you overcome them, you will eventually get there. The support on this record has been unbelievable. It’s really been magical. Thank you so much.”

Last week the sea shanty artist performed his rendition of ‘Wellerman’ on the hit TV show Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night takeaway. Closing the show, Ant and Dec joined Evan’s on stage, dressed in nautical outfits and also accompanied by legendary Queen guitarist Brian May. 

‘Wellerman,’ a 19th Century sea shanty originating from New Zealand, and is about a whaling crew waiting for ‘sugar, tea and rum’ to arrive from Australia. Sea shanty’s traditionally accompanied rhythmical labour aboard British and European large merchant ships. Speaking to Rolling Stone, the Scotsman expressed how sea shanties were influential when he was growing up.  

Born in Airdrie, Scotland, Evans started his TikToks covering songs by well-known UK artists such as Lewis Capaldi and Ed Sheeran. Asking his followers for suggestions about which songs to cover, the sea shanty ‘what shall we do with the drunken sailor,’ was suggested. The cover version of ‘Wellerman’ took off and became a sensation, with others on the platform uploading their own renditions, including UK artist Gary Barlow. 

Announcing his debut tour last month, the ‘Wellerman’ star will be touring across the UK in late 2021 and in Europe in early 2022.  

Other songs in this week’s UK singles charts Top Five include: ‘Latest Trends’ by A1 & J1, ‘Patience’ by KSI featuring Yungblood & Polo G, ‘The Business’ by Tiesto, and ‘Friday’ by Riton/NightCrawlers/Mufasa. 

‘Wellerman is available to listen to on Spotify and Apple Music. You can also view the music video for Wellerman’ on Youtube: