Not only is he up in space, man, the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 runner-up is riding high in the UK charts too! Today the Official Charts Company has confirmed that Sam Ryder has reached number 2 with ‘Space Man’ in the UK top 40 chart. The highest charting United Kingdom Eurovision entry this century!
Since the introduction of streaming to the UK charts in 2014, it has become harder for Eurovision entries to crack the UK chart. Along with the US Billboard Hot 100, the UK top 40 is seen as one of the toughest markets and a key indicator of an artists’ success. However in recent years the success of music via TikTok has seen Eurovision artists find international chart success once more. Duncan Laurence, Daði Freyr and last years’ winners Måneskin have all broken into the UK top 40.
Sam Ryder soars into the UK charts!
Over the past week we have seen the fiercest chart battle since Joe McElderry vs Rage Against The Machine, in Sam Ryder vs Harry Styles. Despite every effort, TikTok star and Eurovision 2022 runner-up Sam Ryder and ‘Space Man’ officially reached number 2 in the UK chart, as announced on BBC Radio 1. Thus Sam Ryder becomes the highest charting UK Eurovision entrant of the 21st Century! As well as this, his entry is the highest charting Eurovision entry overall since Gina G topped the charts with ‘Ooh Aah… Just A Little Bit’ in 1996.
Two is the luckiest number?
We all remember the school ground rhyme, “first the worst, second best.” Throughout this season Sam Ryder has taken that literally! Many fans on twitter have noticed a pattern between Sam and the number 2.
So of course, it is only fitting that today’s chart result continues that theme!
- Sam Ryder releases ‘Space Man’ – 22/02/22
- ‘Space Man’ revealed on BBC2
- Drew second half and running order – 22
- Eurovision 2022 Grand Final streamed 2.2million times on BBC Iplayer
- ‘Space Man’ reaches number 2 in UK charts
United Kingdom in UK Chart history
From the Official Charts Company we have data for all of the United Kingdom Eurovision entries and their peak position in the charts. Below we have accounted only for those who reached the Top 40.
| YEAR | ARTIST | SONG | PEAK | EUROVISION |
| 1959 | Teddy Johnson & Pearl Carr | Sing Little Birdie | 12 | 2 |
| 1960 | Bryan Johnson | Looking High, High, High | 20 | 2 |
| 1961 | The Allisons | Are You Sure | 2 | 2 |
| 1963 | Ronnie Carroll | Say Wonderful Things | 6 | 4 |
| 1965 | Kathy Kirby | I Belong | 36 | 2 |
| 1966 | Kenneth McKellar | A Man Without Love | 30 | 9 |
| 1967 | Sandie Shaw | Puppet On A String | 1 | 1 |
| 1968 | Cliff Richard | Congratulations | 1 | 2 |
| 1969 | Lulu | Boom Bang-A-Bang | 2 | 1 |
| 1970 | Mary Hopkin | Knock, Knock, Who’s There? | 2 | 2 |
| 1971 | Clodagh Rodgers | Jack In The Box | 3 | 4 |
| 1972 | The New Seekers | Beg, Steal Or Borrow | 2 | 2 |
| 1973 | Cliff Richard | Power To All Our Friends | 4 | 3 |
| 1974 | Olivia Newton-John | Long Live Love | 11 | 4 |
| 1975 | The Shadows | Let Me Be The One | 12 | 2 |
| 1976 | Brotherhood of Man | Save Your Kisses For Me | 1 | 1 |
| 1977 | Lynsey de Paul & Mike Moran | Rock Bottom | 19 | 2 |
| 1978 | Co-co | Bad Old Days | 13 | 11 |
| 1981 | Bucks Fizz | Making Your Mind Up | 1 | 1 |
| 1982 | Bardo | One Step Further | 2 | 7 |
| 1983 | Sweet Dreams | I’m Never Giving Up | 21 | 6 |
| 1984 | Belle & The Devotions | Love Games | 11 | 7 |
| 1990 | Emma | Give A Little Back To The World | 33 | 6 |
| 1991 | Samantha Janus | A Message To Your Heart | 30 | 10 |
| 1992 | Michael Ball | One Step Out Of Time | 20 | 2 |
| 1993 | Sonia | Better The Devil You Know | 15 | 2 |
| 1994 | Frances Ruffelle | Lonely Symphony (We Will Be Free) | 25 | 10 |
| 1995 | Love City Groove | Love City Groove | 7 | 10 |
| 1996 | Gina G | Ooh Aah… Just A Little Bit | 1 | 8 |
| 1997 | Katrina & The Waves | Love Shine A Light | 3 | 1 |
| 1998 | Imaani | Where Are You? | 15 | 2 |
| 1999 | Precious | Say It Again | 6 | 12 |
| 2000 | Nicki French | Don’t Play That Song Again | 34 | 16 |
| 2001 | Lindsay | No Dream Impossible | 32 | 15 |
| 2002 | Jessica Garlick | Come Back | 13 | 3 |
| 2003 | Jemini | Cry Baby | 15 | 26 |
| 2004 | James Fox | Hold Onto Our Love | 13 | 16 |
| 2005 | Javine | Touch My Fire | 18 | 22 |
| 2006 | Daz Sampson | Teenage Life | 8 | 19 |
| 2007 | Sooch | Flying The Flag (For You) | 5 | 22 |
| 2009 | Jade Ewen | It’s My Time | 27 | 5 |
| 2011 | Blue | I Can | 16 | 11 |
| 2014 | Molly | Children of The Universe | 23 | 17 |
| 2022 | Sam Ryder | Space Man | 2 | 2 |
Who else charted?
Meanwhile there is chart success for Ukraine’s Eurovision winners Kalush Orchestra. Their entry debuts on the UK chart at number 38. Therefore marking the second appearance of Ukrainian in the chart since Verka Serduchka in 2007 with ‘Dancing Lasha Tumbai’, peaking at number 28.
Outside the Top 40 we also have several entries in the Top 100! These are as follows:
- 47. 🇳🇴 Norway – Subwoolfer – ‘Give That Wolf A Banana’
- 56. 🇪🇸 Spain – Chanel – ‘SloMo’
- 59. 🇸🇪 Sweden – Cornelia Jakobs – ‘Hold Me Closer’
As well as this, last years’ winners Måneskin have charted at 43 with latest single, ‘SUPERMODEL’.
Are are you excited for Sam Ryder’s success in the UK charts? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts. As well as YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2023 Eurovision season!
