Frankie Laine

Frankie Laine was a US crooner whose song "I Believe" held the record for the longest-running UK No. 1 single for 73 years. The song achieved this feat in 1953, spending a remarkable 18 weeks on the chart. This record stood until 2024 when it was finally surpassed by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean's duet "Rein Me In." At the time "I Believe" hit No. 1, the UK singles chart had been in existence for less than a year and featured only 12 songs. Laine's enduring success highlights a significant moment in early UK chart history, with his 1953 record being a testament to the song's immense popularity and its lasting impact on music charts for over seven decades.