A No. 1 Vinyl Comeback
The newly pressed edition of Faith storms straight to No. 1 on the Official Vinyl Albums chart, where it debuts at the top. Because the album had been out of print on wax for years, it had not been eligible for the ranking. Its reappearance immediately reshapes the leaderboard, underscoring the enduring appeal of one of the most celebrated pop albums of the late 1980s.
The achievement marks Michael’s third leader on the vinyl-specific chart. He previously reached No. 1 with Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 and Older, both of which enjoyed a single week at the summit. Other catalog projects have performed more modestly: the soundtrack to Last Christmas—credited to Michael as a solo artist and alongside Wham!—peaked at No. 5, while Older Remixes climbed only as high as No. 39.
Beating Today’s Biggest New Releases
Michael’s return to No. 1 is made even more impressive by the competition he outpaced. The entire top four on this week’s vinyl chart consists of new or newly eligible releases.
Prizefighter by Mumford & Sons opens at No. 2, narrowly missing the top spot. Hilary Duff’s long-awaited comeback album Luck or Something bows at No. 3, while My Ego Told Me To, the solo effort from former Little Mix member Leigh-Anne, arrives at No. 4. That a 39-year-old album can outsell brand-new titles from contemporary stars speaks volumes about Michael’s lasting commercial pull.
Chart Gains Across the Board
While Faith debuts only on the vinyl-exclusive ranking, it reenters three additional U.K. charts. The album climbs to a new peak of No. 3 on the Official Albums Sales chart, reflecting pure purchases across all formats. On the Official Physical Albums ranking, it returns to No. 2—just shy of the summit it has previously claimed.
Meanwhile, on the all-encompassing Official Albums chart—which blends physical sales, digital downloads, and streaming—Faith reappears at No. 4. Though it has topped that list in the past, its current resurgence demonstrates that the album’s reach extends well beyond collectors snapping up vinyl copies.
A Fifth Top 10 Sales Success
Before this reissue campaign, Faith had barely dented the Official Albums Sales top 40 in recent years, peaking at No. 40 during brief chart appearances in 2017. Now, thanks to renewed demand, Michael secures his fifth top 10 on the U.K.’s primary purchase-focused ranking.
Alongside Faith, his previous top 10 sellers include Older, Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, and the Last Christmas soundtrack. The latest milestone further reinforces his status as one of Britain’s most enduring catalog artists.
Catalog Surge Extends to Twenty Five and Classic Singles
The vinyl revival appears to be lifting other titles in Michael’s discography. His compilation Twenty Five climbs to No. 52 on the Official Albums Streaming chart and edges up to No. 62 on the main Official Albums tally.
Individual tracks are also enjoying renewed momentum. “Careless Whisper” and “Last Christmas” both rise on the Official Physical Singles and Official Vinyl Singles charts, landing inside the top 40 bestsellers. Notably, “Last Christmas” even reenters the vinyl ranking well outside the holiday season—a testament to its evergreen popularity.
A Legacy That Only Grows
As the 40th anniversary of Faith approaches, its triumphant return to No. 1 on vinyl highlights not only nostalgia but genuine, sustained admiration. From chart-topping albums to timeless singles, George Michael’s catalog continues to resonate with longtime fans and new listeners alike—proving that great pop music, especially when pressed onto fresh wax, never truly fades.