Beyoncé strides ahead in the U.K. chart race with “Texas Hold ‘Em,” the first cut from her forthcoming project Renaissance Act II (via Columbia/Parkwood Ent).
Based on midweek sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, “Texas Hold ‘Em” has an advantage of fewer than 1,500 combined sales over the second-ranked single, Dua Lipa’s “Training Season” (Warner Records).
If “Texas Hold ‘Em” plays its cards right, Bey will bag a sixth U.K. No. 1 single.
Teased during a Verizon Super Bowl LVIII advertisement, “Texas Hold ‘Em” opened at No. 9 on the Official Chart last week, for the top debut of the cycle and Bey’s 22nd solo U.K. top 10 hit.
The Houston, TX-raised artist chalked up another 12 top 10 singles as a member of Destiny’s Child, including two leaders (“Independent Women, Pt. 1” from 2000 and “Survivor” from 2001).
As Bey bounces up the midweek tally, Dua Lipa’s “Training Ground” gives good fight. It’s at No. 2 on the Official Chart Update, and should earn Lipa her 15th U.K. top 10 single. One of those is “Houdini,” which peaked at No. 2 and is currently sat at No. 12.
As it stands, Washington-born singer and songwriter Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” (Warner Records) appears likely to hold at No. 3, its peak position.
Noah Kahan‘s reign with “Stick Season” (Republic Records) appears set to come to an end. Following a seven-week stay at No. 1, the folky hit is predicted to dip to No. 5.
After “Training Ground,” the next best new entry should belong to “Lovers In A Past Life” (Columbia), the latest collaborative track by Scottish EDM hitmaker Calvin Harris and deep-voiced English singer Rag’n’Bone Man. It’s new at No. 19 on the chart update. Rag’n’Bone Man has a perfect two-from-two No. 1 albums in the U.K., and five top 40 singles. Harris has also notched two chart-leading albums, and a whopping 42 solo U.K. top 40 singles. The pair teamed up on 2019’s “Giant,” which peaked at No. 2.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday, Feb. 23.
This story originally appeared on Billboard
