Fifty years after its release, Wish You Were Here, the iconic Pink Floyd album originally launched in 1975, has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the Official UK Christmas Number One album of 2025. The 50th anniversary edition, called Wish You Were Here 50, has topped the UK Albums Chart during the festive week, demonstrating the timeless appeal and enduring influence of one of rock’s most beloved records.
This chart success also comes with a historic twist. Wish You Were Here now holds the record for the longest span between an album’s first and latest appearance at No. 1 on the Official UK Albums Chart. This achievement eclipses a previous record set by The Beatles’ Abbey Road, which returned to the summit decades after its original release.
The anniversary edition’s success has been bolstered by its rich new packaging and features, which include a Dolby Atmos mix and a collection of bonus tracks. Physical formats like vinyl have also played a big role, with Wish You Were Here 50 leading the Official Album Vinyl Chart and proving especially popular in independent record stores.
Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour took to social media to celebrate, posting a photo of himself raising a glass in celebration of the album’s Christmas No. 1 status. Fans and critics alike have praised the achievement as a testament to the band’s enduring legacy in music.
While Wish You Were Here 50 marks the band’s first Christmas No. 1 album, Pink Floyd’s history with UK charts isn’t new. In 1979, the band enjoyed the Christmas Number One single with “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2”, underscoring their longstanding connection with British music audiences.