Taylor Swift biggest-selling vinyl record has officially claimed its spot at the top – and honestly, are we even surprised?
According to new data from the Official Charts Company released ahead of this year’s Record Store Day, Swift’s 2022 album Midnights has snagged the crown as the highest-selling new vinyl release of the last decade in the UK. It’s another win for the pop icon, whose grip on the vinyl revival is as strong as ever.
With 129,000 vinyl copies sold in the UK alone, Midnights has outpaced every other modern record on wax, making Taylor Swift the biggest-selling vinyl artist of recent years. And she’s not stopping there. Her latest project The Tortured Poets Department is right behind in second place, after selling 112,000 vinyl units last year as part of a total 783,000 sales. Yep, that’s two records in the top two spots – and both are hers.
But it doesn’t end there. Her re-recorded version of 1989 (Taylor’s Version) also landed in the Top 5, proving Swifties are not just streaming – they’re collecting. Other artists in the vinyl top ten include Harry Styles with Harry’s House and Fine Line, David Bowie’s Legacy and Blackstar, Ed Sheeran’s Divide, Billie Eilish’s When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, and Tame Impala’s Currents. But none managed to knock Taylor off the top.
This vinyl takeover is happening alongside a wider music industry rebound in the UK. Physical music sales grew 6% in 2024, reaching £330 million, while total recorded music revenues hit an all-time high of nearly £2.4 billion – beating the previous peak back in 2001. Clearly, vinyl isn’t just a hipster thing anymore – it’s big business, and Swift is leading the charge.
The tangible experience of vinyl, combined with collectible editions and exclusive releases, continues to attract both new listeners and seasoned collectors. As streaming dominates the music industry, the enduring charm of vinyl offers a nostalgic and immersive alternative for music enthusiasts.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
