Elton John’s Diamonds Hits Number One After 374 Weeks on the Charts

Sir Elton John’s iconic greatest hits album, Diamonds, has finally claimed the top spot on the UK charts, an astonishing 374 weeks after its release. Featuring timeless classics like Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man, and I’m Still Standing, the 51-track collection marks the legendary musician’s ninth number one album at the age of 77.

“I’m so excited and thrilled that Diamonds is the number one album in the UK this week,” Elton said in a statement. “What a great start to the new year. I could not be happier.”

Originally released in 2017 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin, the album has been a constant presence on the charts. Its rise to number one was propelled by last week’s re-release of a super deluxe edition, featuring Blu-ray, cassette, and diamond-effect vinyl formats.

The album’s resurgence also coincided with a streaming surge fueled by the Disney+ documentary Never Too Late, which premiered last month. The film, co-directed by Elton’s husband David Furnish, explores his remarkable journey from a session musician to global superstar, touching on personal battles with addiction, fatherhood, and the conclusion of his farewell tour in 2023.

The documentary, which features rare and previously unseen footage, has earned critical acclaim and was recently longlisted for a BAFTA in the Best Documentary category.

Since its initial release, Diamonds has sold more than 1.5 million copies in the UK and set a record for spending more consecutive weeks in the Top 40 than any other album in chart history. The quiet post-holiday release schedule also contributed to its climb to number one, with no new albums entering the Top 10 last week.

Elton John’s previous chart-topping albums span six decades, starting with Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player in 1973. His first Greatest Hits album followed suit in 1974, solidifying his status as one of music’s most enduring and celebrated artists.