The Beatles are on course to return to Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart with Rubber Soul, six decades after its previous spell at the top. A newly released special edition of the 1965 album has put the band ahead in the latest midweek standings.
The expanded release features 24 early session recordings, with 20 previously unheard takes, plus three home demos. Highlights include early recordings of Day Tripper and We Can Work It Out, along with an unreleased John Lennon demo called Little Girl. Rubber Soul originally held Number 1 for eight consecutive weeks, becoming The Beatles’ sixth album to reach the top. Official Charts also recently ranked it as the sixth most streamed album from the 1960s.
A Number 1 finish would give The Beatles their first album chart victory since Abbey Road returned to the top in October 2019. The band already holds the record for the most weeks at Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart and could soon add another to its total.
Blossoms are their closest challengers, sitting at Number 2 with Songs From The Wedding Cake. The group are chasing a fifth Number 1 album, following their self titled debut, Foolish Loving Spaces, Ribbon Around The Bomb and Gary.
Johnny Marr, formerly of The Smiths, could achieve his highest solo album chart position with The Age Of Everything, currently at Number 3. Fat Dog follow at Number 4 with Cancel Me (I'm Tired), putting them in line for their first Top 40 entry and strongest chart result so far.
