When Jess Glynne climbed to the top of the UK Singles Chart in March 2018 with These Days, she didn’t just hit number one—she rewrote history. The 35-year-old London-born singer-songwriter became the first and only British female solo artist ever to claim seven UK number one singles, surpassing Cheryl’s previous record of five. What makes this even more astonishing? She did it in just four years. Between 2014 and 2018, Glynne stacked up seven chart-toppers, accumulating 12 weeks at the summit and over 6.6 million certified sales. The Official Charts Company, based in London, confirmed the milestone, cementing her place in a league of her own.
How She Did It: The Seven Number Ones
Glynne’s run wasn’t luck—it was precision. Her first chart-topper, Rather Be with Clean Bandit, hit number one in February 2014 and went on to become a cultural anthem. Certified 6x Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry in April 2025, it’s sold over 3.6 million copies in the UK alone. Then came My Love with Route 94, Hold My Hand, Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself, and Not Letting Go with Tinie Tempah. All five landed in 2014 and 2015, turning Glynne into a household name almost overnight.
The real test came in 2018. These Days, her collaboration with Rudimental, Macklemore, and Dan Caplen, spent seven weeks stuck at number two behind Drake’s God’s Plan. Fans waited. Radio played it relentlessly. And when it finally climbed to number one in March 2018, it wasn’t just a win—it was a coronation. The track, now 5x Platinum, proved Glynne could dominate even when the odds were stacked against her.
Her seventh and final record-breaker, I’ll Be There, dropped later that year. A soulful, piano-driven ballad, it spent one week at number one and stayed on the charts for 34 weeks. It was the perfect capstone to a run no British woman had ever matched.
More Than Just Singles: Albums, Tours, and Resilience
Glynne’s dominance wasn’t limited to singles. Her debut album, I Cry When I Laugh (2015), debuted at number one and went quadruple platinum. Her follow-up, Always In Between (2018), did the same. Together, they spent 56 weeks in the UK Top 10 and over 300 weeks on the charts. But behind the glitter was grit. In 2015, she underwent vocal cord surgery, forcing her to cancel Glastonbury and other major gigs. She didn’t vanish—she returned stronger. By 2024, she’d signed with EMI Records (a division of Universal Music Group UK) and released her third album, Jess, to critical acclaim.
That year also brought the BRIT Billion award, recognizing artists who’ve surpassed one billion UK streams. Glynne didn’t just qualify—she led. As of mid-2025, she has over 6.9 billion total streams and 24 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Her 2024 Summer Tour sold out arenas across the UK, and her 2025 single Back To Me with Rudimental reignited her chart momentum.
Why This Matters: A New Standard for British Women in Music
Before Glynne, the record was held by Cheryl, who had five number ones. Beyoncé and Adele, global icons, managed just five and two respectively. Geri Halliwell? Four. Glynne didn’t just break the record—she redefined what’s possible for a British woman in pop. She didn’t need a gimmick, a reality show, or a viral dance trend. She had songs. Real ones. That people sang back at her in stadiums.
Her success also reflects a quiet revolution in how music is consumed. Unlike artists who rely on one massive hit, Glynne built consistency. Seven number ones across five years means she kept releasing music that connected—through heartbreak, resilience, joy, and raw honesty. She didn’t chase trends; she set them.
What’s Next? New Music and a Legacy in Motion
She’s not slowing down. In October 2025, she’s releasing two new versions of My Love—one with Route 94 and another with NOAM. Her label says it’s just the beginning. With her streaming numbers still climbing and her live shows more electric than ever, Glynne’s legacy isn’t just about numbers. It’s about endurance.
She’s the artist who sang through vocal surgery. Who waited seven weeks for a song to finally top the chart. Who turned heartache into hits and kept going when the industry expected her to fade. That’s not luck. That’s legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Jess Glynne’s record compare to other British female artists?
Jess Glynne’s seven UK number one singles surpass Cheryl (five), Beyoncé (five), Geri Halliwell (four), and Adele (two). She’s the only British woman to reach this milestone as a solo artist. Even global icons like Taylor Swift and Rihanna haven’t matched her UK solo chart dominance in the same timeframe. Her record is specific to UK chart history and remains unmatched by any female solo act from Britain.
What made ‘These Days’ so special in breaking the record?
‘These Days’ spent seven consecutive weeks at number two behind Drake’s ‘God’s Plan,’ creating massive public anticipation. Its eventual climb to number one in March 2018 wasn’t just a chart win—it was a cultural moment. Fans campaigned for it, radio stations pushed it relentlessly, and its emotional lyrics resonated deeply. It proved Glynne could top the chart even when the competition was global and overwhelming.
How did Glynne’s vocal surgery impact her career?
In mid-2015, Glynne underwent vocal cord surgery that forced her to cancel Glastonbury and other major performances. Many feared her career was over. Instead, she used the downtime to refine her songwriting and return with stronger material. Her 2015 album I Cry When I Laugh was released shortly after recovery and became a quadruple platinum hit. Her voice, now more textured and emotive, became her signature.
Why is her achievement considered faster than any other British female artist?
Glynne achieved seven number ones in just four years (2014–2018). No other British female solo artist has reached that number in such a short span. Cheryl took nearly a decade to hit five. Adele’s two number ones came over 15 years. Glynne’s pace reflects both her prolific output and the perfect alignment of timing, songwriting, and radio play—making her the fastest to this milestone.
What’s the significance of the BRIT Billion award to her career?
The BRIT Billion award recognizes artists with over one billion UK streams. Glynne didn’t just hit that mark—she smashed it, surpassing 6.9 billion streams by mid-2025. This award confirmed her dominance wasn’t just about physical sales or radio play, but digital longevity. It proved her music still resonates deeply with younger audiences, keeping her relevant in an era where streaming rules.
Are new releases expected from Jess Glynne in 2025?
Yes. In October 2025, Glynne is releasing two new versions of ‘My Love’—one with Route 94 on October 3 and another with NOAM on October 10. She also released ‘Back To Me’ with Rudimental in early 2025, signaling a creative resurgence. With her third album Jess still charting and her live shows selling out, 2025 is shaping up to be another landmark year.