Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding matched Adele’s record for the most UK number-one albums by a British female artist when Higher Than Heaven debuted at the top of the chart in 2023. The English singer-songwriter’s fifth studio album became her fourth UK chart-topper, following Lights, Brightest Blue and Higher Than Heaven’s predecessors in a career that has moved between acoustic-rooted pop, electronic production and dance collaborations. Born Elena Jane Goulding in Hereford on 30 December 1986, she has also used her public profile in environmental, humanitarian and LGBTQ+ advocacy.

Goulding’s recording career began with the 2009 debut single “Under the Sheets,” released through Neon Gold Records. She signed with Polydor later that year and issued the EP An Introduction to Ellie Goulding. Her first album, Lights, arrived in 2010 and debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart. Its reissue, Bright Lights, produced successful singles with her cover of Elton John’s “Your Song,” “Starry Eyed” and “Lights.” The latter helped extend her breakthrough internationally.

Her second album, Halcyon, was released in 2012 after the single “Anything Could Happen.” The 2013 repackaging Halcyon Days included “Burn,” Goulding’s first UK number-one single. She also developed a close working relationship with Calvin Harris, collaborating on “I Need Your Love” and “Outside.” Her third studio album, Delirium, followed in 2015, led by “On My Mind.” That year, she recorded “Love Me like You Do” for the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack, earning a Grammy Award nomination.

Goulding stepped away from recording activity between 2016 and 2020 while dealing with an anxiety disorder and media scrutiny around false claims about her personal life. She returned with Brightest Blue in 2020, her third album to reach number one in the UK and her fourth consecutive album certified by the RIAA. Its run included “Close to Me,” “Hate Me” and “Sixteen.” In 2023, she reunited with Harris for “Miracle,” which spent eight non-consecutive weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart.

Her awards include two Brit Awards, a Brits Billion Award, a Billboard Music Award and 17 BMI London Awards, alongside two Grammy nominations. Variety’s Hitmakers Awards presented her with its Decade Award, while Time 100 gave her an Impact Award for her environmental work. Goulding has sold more than 27 million albums and 216 million singles worldwide, and her work has accumulated 43 billion streams.