This is a summary of 2001 in music in the United Kingdom, including the official charts from that year.

The year saw the tradition of UK acts dominating the top of the charts carried on from 2000. Songs were starting to spend 2–3 weeks at the summit improving on the large amounts of one week number ones from the previous year. CD sales also improved slightly with 3 million selling singles being issued this year. Overall, 30 songs topped the charts over the course of this year.

Summary

January

Jennifer Lopez tops the chart with Love Don't Cost A Thing

In the first week of the new year, Portugese dance music producer, Rui Di Silva with vocalist Cassandra topped the chart with their laid-back dance song, "Touch Me". With a mildly sexual video, they became the first Portugese act to top the UK charts. Taking over from this dance act, Jennifer Lopez American actress turned singer scored her first UK chart topper with the first release from her self titled album J Lo. "Love Don't Cost A Thing" was her third Top 5 hit, following her two in 1999. Five piece nu-metal band, Limp Bizkit, led by Fred Durst hit the top spot with their new single, "Rollin'". This was only the band's second single, but they had released three albums since 1999. This was taken from their chart topping album, Chocolate Starfish and the Hotdog Flavored Water.

The albums chart were conquered by the Beatles, with their album of all UK and US number one's, 1 for the majority of the month, but eventually overtaken when Texas took the top spot with their Greatest Hits compilation for a week. Next were Limp Bizkit, with their album Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavoured Water. The album had already spawned a number one single, "Rollin'". This album was the most successful throughout their career.

February

Dido's No Angel was the best selling album of the year

UK girl group, Atomic Kitten after several line-up changes finally hit the top spot with their fifth chart single, "Whole Again". The song stayed at the top for four weeks, taking almost the entire month and became the longest stay at the top since Westlife spent four weeks at number one with their christmas single, "I Have A Dream". This became one of the few singles in the 21st century to spend more than 3 weeks at the summmit. The song was written by Andy McCluskey of the band OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark). Atomic Kitten continued successfully over the next 3 years, releasing a Greatest Hits album in 2004, taking a leave from the music industry.

When Eminem's single, "Stan" shot to the top of the charts in December the previous year, it resulted in extreme interest in female singer, Dido. Her album No Angel had originally failed to make the Top 40 when it was first released, but as a consequence of the song, her album was re-issued and shot straight to number one for 6 consecutive weeks, which became the longest stay throughout the year until December. No Angel also became the 14th biggest selling album of all time in the UK, with over 2.8 million copies sold.

March

Not having charted since 1997 and not having reached the top spot since 1995, Shaggy was back almost by mistake. A DJ from Hawaii downloaded a song by Shaggy called "It Wasn't Me", liked it and began playing it. Soon enough it swept the world and it was so popular in Britain that it became the biggest selling single of 2001, however only managed to stay a week at the top. By the end of the year it had sold just under 1.2 million copies. Taking over from Shaggy's successful collaboration with Rikrok (Ricardo Ducent), Westlife were back at the top with their 9th single and 8th UK chart topper, this time fund raising for Comic Relief with a cover of Billy Joel's chart topping single from 1983, "Uptown Girl". After just a week, winners of the talent contest Popstars took over when manufactured pop-group Hear'Say hit the top with their debut single, "Pure And Simple". The song set a record for fastest selling debut single, with 0.55 million copies sold in its first week of release. It went on to sell over a million copies becoming the second single to do so in the year and it remained on top of the UK charts for three weeks.

Dido continued her run at the top for the first half of the month, but was eventually overtaken by Eva Cassidy's compiled album, Songbird. Having passed away in 1996 after a battle with cancer, the record company compiled an album of some of her work. It took the top spot and sold extremely well. It contained a very popular song, "Fields Of Gold", which despite never being released as a single, is well-known and liked widely. The songwriter of "Fields Of Gold", Sting was reportedly moved to tears when he heard Eva Cassidy's version of the song.

April

The Stereophonics top the chart with their third album Just Enough Education to Perform.

Next to hit the top was ex-Spice Girl, Emma Bunton who scored a number one hit with her debut single, "What Took You So Long", which remained at the summit for two weeks. Emma is one of three Spice Girls who enjoyed success as far as 2004, with both Melanie C and Melanie B disappearing from the music scene. Emma became the fourth Spice Girl to have a solo chart topper, leaving only Victoria Beckham, who has still not received a solo chart topper to date. Next were US R'N'B/Hip Hop trio, Destiny's Child who scored their 2nd UK number one, with their new single "Survivor" taken from their chart topping album of the same name. They became the first US girl group to score more than one UK Chart topper, which previously very successful girl groups such as The Bangles and not even The Supremes had achieved.

Knocking off the late Eva Cassidy, were Hear'Say with their debut album, Popstars. It topped the album chart for two weeks and spawned two number one singles "Pure And Simple" and "The Way To Your Love". Following their chart topping album from 2000, the Stereophonics hit the top again with their follow up album, Just Enough Education To Perform. The album spent two weeks at the summit, one week better compared to its predecessor. Interestingly enough, four months of the year had gone by and only 6 albums rose to the top of the charts, proving that albums could stay popular for longer than the short time that people expect them to.

May

The top of the singles charts were dominated by two acts during this month. S-Club got a second consecutive and third chart topper with their dance floor filler, "Don't Stop Moving". Taken from their third album, Sunshine critics were saying how much the group had evolved as artists from very basic "immature" pop to some extremely good classic pop songs. Being knocked off by Geri Halliwell, it returned to number one after her two week stay, for another week. It became the first number one to return the top of the UK charts since the All Saints with "Lady Marmalade" did so in 1998. Geri returned to the top with a new single from a brand new album, Scream If You Wanna Go Faster. Although the album was not as successful as her debut, the first single was a hit smash. Taken from the soundtrack to the hit romantic comedy, Bridget Jones, Geri had covered the Weather Girls' 1984 number two hit, "It's Raining Men", which went straight to the top remaining there for two weeks. She broke a chart record, she became the first female artists to not only achieve four conseutive chart toppers, but also four consecutive chart topping entries at number one.

Ash scored their second chart topping album (their first was in 1996), with their third album, Free All Angels. It only spent a week at the top, being quickly knocked off by Destiny's Child with their second album, Survivor. Whilst their debut only made number ten, this catapulted to the top after two number one singles, "Independent Woman" and "Survivor". Last to the top the chart were iconic rock band, R.E.M. with their 5th UK chart topping album, Reveal. Spending two weeks at the top, it contained the hit single, "Imitation Of Life".

June

Travis top the album charts with The Invisible Band

Popular Channel 4 TV show, "Fantasy Island", DJ Pied Piper scored his only UK number one, with the theme song from the show, "Do You Really Like It". Next to hit the top, ending DJ Pied Piper's run at the top after a week, was Shaggy who was back with with his 2nd number one of the year and his 4th number one in total, however this was to be his last. Having already provided his vocals on a number five hit Shaggy had back in 1995 ("In The Summertime"), Rayvon returns to team up with Shaggy with new track, "Angel". Spending three weeks at the top, it became Shaggy's best chart performance, which was a lovely way of ending his career of number one singles. Taken from the hit movie, Moulin Rouge directed by Baz Luhrmann who scored his own chart topping single back in 1999, the next chart topping single comes a collaboration of four massive artists to cover the LaBelle song "Lady Marmalade". Teaming up to do the song was Christina Aguilera, Pink, Lil' Kim & Mya. This was the second time it had hit the top, last time being by the All Saints, however it never hit the top in its original form, with La Belle only managing to take it to number 17. It gave Christina Aguilera her 2nd UK chart topper.

Shaggy scored a number one album with his new album Hot Shot. It quickly declined down to the charts due to fierce competition when Radiohead scored their 3rd consecutive UK number one album with their new release Amnesiac. It spent only a week at the top, like Hot Shot. Last to hit the top in June were Travis with their 2nd UK chart topping album, Invisible Band. The album was incredibly successful, with a four week run at number one, becoming one of the longest stays of the year and their longest stay at the top ever.

July

Hear'Say scored a second chart topper with their second single, "The Way To Your Love". After lead singer Kym Marsh left the group due to having clashes with Mylene Klass a replacement was found, but after releasing two singles, the band split up in 2002. American producer and remixer, Roger Sanchez hit the top with his club track, "Another Chance", minimalising Hear'Say's run at the top to one week. However, he himself was knocked off after 7 days by Robbie Williams, who was still experiencing great success. "Eternity/The Road To Mandalay" became his 4th UK chart topper. "The Road To Manadalay" was taken from his chart topping album, Sing When You're Winning; Eternity was a brand new track. The two week run at number one was the longest Robbie had received at the time.

With Travis remaining at the top for the earlier part of the month, Usher scored his first album chart topper with his second album 8701. His success on the singles chart was good, but he still hadnt received a chart topper since his debut single, "You Make Me Wanna..." in 1998. After 9 weeks since it was last at the top, Destiny's Child's album, Survivor returned to the top for another two week stay. They had broken the record for being the first US female band to score more than one UK chart topper by this time. They split later on in the year, but both Kelly Rowland and Beyonce Knowles went on to great solo success. Despite achieving success as solo artists, the trio reformed in 2004.

August

Staind top the charts with their third album Break the Cycle.

Covering the number one hit from 1989, "Eternal Flame" by The Bangles, Atomic Kitten scored their second and second consecutive chart topper. The song lasted at the top for two weeks and was knocked off by So Solid Crew who entered at number one in the charts with their debut single, "21 Seconds". They were a group of rappers, which some of have experienced solo success. To end the month, Five released the first single from their third album, Kingsize, hitting the top and staying there for two weeks. "Let's Dance" became the group's penutimate single, having already decided to split and after accumulating three UK chart toppers, they gracefully left the music industry.

Newcomer, David Gray finally reached number one with his album, White Ladder which had been on the albums chart since its re-issue in May 2000. It became the biggest selling album by a male solo artist in the new millennium and became the 18th biggest selling album in the UK with over 2.6 million copies sold. Knocking him off after a week were Atomic Kitten who scored their first UK number one album with their re-issued debut album, Right Now. The new album included their two number one singles from the year "Whole Again" and "Eternal Flame". David Gray returned to the top for a week knocking Atomic Kitten off after a spell of 7 days, but his returned stay was just as short. Heavy metal band, Staind scored a chart topper with their debut album, Break the Cycle. They scored three singles hits and released one more album which charted in 2003, however no single or album stalled higher than #15.

September

With their second number one single, new boyband Blue jumped in at the top. "Too Close" was a cover of a US hit from American boyband, Next and was the follow up to their debut "All Rise" which made number four back in June. This was taken from their debut chart topping album, All Rise. Enjoying great success for the next three years, they quickly became the most popular boyband in Britain, when competition from Westlife faded. Next to hit the top was the first non human artist to sing on their own records to score a second UK chart topper. A re-working of the 1999 number one from Lou Bega, Bob The Builder took the top spot for a week with "Mambo No.5". Turning Bruce Chanel's number two hit from 1962, Austrian DJ, DJ Otzi scored a number one single with "Hey Baby" turning it into a eurodance classic. He was only the second Austrian act to top the UK charts.

Following in from Staind, heavy metal was wide in public consciousness at the moment, when Slipknot scored a chart topper with their second album Iowa. Their debut self titled album only made number 37 back in 1999. Jamiroquai then scored a third album chart topper with their new album, A Funk Oddessey. Lasting for two weeks at the top, it was eventually knocked off by soul/R'N'B singer, Macy Gray with her second album, The Id.

October

Kylie Minogue continues to top the singles charts and then her Fever release tops the album charts

Having topped the charts in September, but continuing a four week run, so taking most of October, Kylie Minogue scored her second number one of the 21st century which is possibly her greatest hit throughout her entire career. "Can't Get You Out Of My Head" never stopped playing on radio stations across the country and not only topped the charts for four weeks, but it sold over a million copies making if the third biggest selling single of the year and the first million selling single Kylie scored. Her new album, Fever also hit number one. Next to come was that obscure single every year has to have. Tongue and cheek Mississippi guy, Afroman, telling a story about his misused life scored a number one single with his debut single, "Because I Got High". He scored a Top 10 hit later on, refraining him from one hit wonder status.

Returning for another week at the top, making its total 7 weeks, Dido's No Angel album continued to sell as sales went above the two million mark, eventually ranking in the Top 20 biggest selling albums of all time in the UK. Kylie Minogue scored her third chart topping album, and her first one in 9 years, after her Greatest Hits collection went to number one in 1992. This new album, Fever contained their chart topping single "Can't Get You Out Of My Head" and the Top 10 hits, "Love At First Sight" and "Come Into My World". Topping the charts for two weeks, she was knocked off by Steps who were back at the top with their Gold - Greatest Hits collection. Containing their biggest hits such as "5,6,7,8", "Tragedy" and "Stomp", it stayed at the top for two weeks.

November

Michael Jackson tops the charts with the most expensive album ever made, Invincible.

Knocking Afroman off after three weeks, Westlife scored their 9th UK number one with their new single, "Queen Of My Heart". With this total, they equalled the tally of both Abba and the Spice Girls. They had consolidated themselves as the most successful boyband in Britain and had put themselves in an incredibly difficult position to beat. The only thing they had failed to achieved was international success. However, with Westlife being the only other boy band around, Blue were able to obtain their second chart topper in a little over two months, with their 3rd single, "If You Come Back".

Micheal Jackson topped the album charts with his new album, Invincible. It became his 7th UK album to top the charts. He had not experienced a single chart topper since 1997, however, despite having topped the singles chart 7 times throughout his career. Returning to the top were Steps with their Greatest Hits collection. Taking over after a week, however, were ultimate boyband, Westlife, with their third album, World Of Our Own. The album contained the number one singles "Uptown Girl" and "Queen Of My Heart". The single "World Of Our Own" taken from the album, would later go on to top the charts the following year.

December

Dueting with Robbie Williams, Nicole Kidman gets the Christmas number one single.

With another Children In Need single, S Club 7 hit the top spot for the fourth and final time, with another release from their third album. "Have You Ever" became their last time at the top, but they continued successfully with consecutive Top 5 hits until 2003 when they split. Paul Cattermole had left the band earlier, which as a result, the group's name changed to S Club. Throughout their career, all their singles had peaked in the Top 5. Picked up by an independent record company, New Zealand born Londoner, Daniel Bedingfield scored a number one hit with his debut single, "Gotta Get Thru This". The song topped the charts for two weeks and then returned after three weeks to number one. He missed out very slightly to get the Christmas number one of the year, which was taken by a duet between UK superstar singer, Robbie Williams, who scored his 5th UK number one and Hollywood star, Nicole Kidman. Their cover of the number one from 1967 by Frank & Nancy Sinatra, topped the charts for three weeks. "Somethin' Stupid" was taken from William's chart topping album, Swing When You're Winning.

With a single from this album taking the Christmas number one, the album itself took the Christmas number one album spot also. Robbie's Swing When You're Winning was different to his previous albums, because it was covers of older orchestra based songs. None the less, it was very successful topping the albums chart for 7 weeks taking all of December, the Christmas number one spot and half of January with it. It became the longest stay all year and the longest stay since the same time in 2000 when the Beatles topped the albums chart for 9 weeks, with their special release, 1.

Charts

Singles

Albums

Top 40 Singles of 2001

Top 40 Albums of 2001