Dance Monkey smashes records for Tones and I

Australian singer-songwriter Tones and I has broken yet another major record with her song Dance Monkey.

Toni Watson, aka Tones and I, has rewritten the ARIA records books with her Dance Monkey topping the charts for 16 consecutive weeks. Picture: Getty Images

After four months spent rewriting pop history books, Australian singer-songwriter Toni Watson — who performs as Tones and I — has broken yet another major record: her song Dance Monkey has now topped the ARIA ­singles chart for 16 consecutive weeks, making it the most successful song in national chart history.

“Thank you so much Australia for the love and support around my career and single Dance Monkey,” said Watson in a statement.

“It’s been a crazy ride watching what this song has done but now to break the Aussie record is just a huge achievement!”

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Watson is the first Australian artist to hold this record since the Australian Recording Industry Association began calculating charts in 1983.

She took the title from British singer Ed Sheeran, whose song Shape of You spent 15 weeks atop the chart in 2017.

As well as outperforming every other song released ­domestically in the past 36 years, Dance Monkey — which was ­inspired by Watson’s experience as a busker in Byron Bay — is an undeniable international hit.

It has topped the singles chart in 18 countries, reaching No 1 in Canada this week and is ­continuing to climb the US charts where it stands at No 23.

A scheduled performance on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show this week is likely to push it further in the US.

In the meantime, Watson wrapped up a European tour in London at the weekend.

After shows in New York and Los Angeles this week, she will return to Australia to ­perform at the ARIA Awards next week, where she is a ­nominee for best female artist, breakthrough artist, best pop ­release and best ­independent ­release.

“This is a truly historic achievement,’’ said ARIA chief executive Dan Rosen.

“I am so thrilled that an ­Australian artist now holds the record for the longest-running No 1 song in ARIA chart history.

“From busking a year ago to shattering chart records, this is just the start for Tones And I.”