Half a century after its debut, Pink Floyd’s iconic ninth album, Wish You Were Here, has reclaimed the top spot on the UK Official Albums Chart, breaking a historic record previously held by The Beatles.
Originally released in September 1975, the concept album reached No. 1 at the time and went on to sell over 13 million copies worldwide. Its tracks, including the haunting Shine On You Crazy Diamond, remain celebrated as some of the 20th century’s most influential music.
The 50th-anniversary reissue, available in both digital and physical formats, surged to the top of the charts for the Christmas week of 2025. This achievement marks the longest span—2,620 weeks—between a band’s first and most recent albums reaching No. 1, surpassing The Beatles’ record with Abbey Road, which topped the charts in 1969 and again in 2019.
David Gilmour, Pink Floyd’s guitarist and vocalist, celebrated the milestone on Instagram, writing, “Raising a glass to the wonderful news that Wish You Were Here is the UK’s Christmas Number 1 album.”
The album’s return to prominence highlights the enduring legacy of Pink Floyd’s music, half a century after it first captivated audiences worldwide.
