Gabrielle Aplin’s most essential songs include the UK Number One cover “The Power of Love”, the Top 10 hit “Please Don’t Say You Love Me”, and the internationally beloved ballad “Home” . Her catalog blends folk-pop intimacy with polished pop production, anchored by a distinctive voice that has carried her from YouTube covers to independent success.
Aplin first gained mainstream attention in 2012 when her rendition of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “The Power of Love” soundtracked the John Lewis Christmas advertisement . The cover climbed the UK Singles Chart steadily before reaching Number One in December 2012, displacing Olly Murs from the top spot . It sold over 220,000 copies within a month of release and marked the retailer’s first chart-topping advert song . The achievement was notable because Aplin was just twenty years old at the time .
The momentum continued with “Please Don’t Say You Love Me”, released in February 2013 as a digital download . The song reached Number Six on the UK Singles Chart, giving Aplin her second Top 10 single . Its success demonstrated that she could follow a high-profile cover with original material that resonated commercially. The track remains one of her most recognizable originals and is frequently cited alongside “Home” as an entry point for new listeners.
“Home” originated on Aplin’s 2012 EP of the same name before appearing on her debut album . The ballad found an unexpected second life in Brazil when it was selected as the theme for the character Eliza in the Globo telenovela Totalmente Demais . The exposure propelled the song to the top of Brazil’s iTunes chart, surpassing releases by Justin Bieber and Rihanna at the time . Aplin traveled to Brazil in 2016, performed in São Paulo, and filmed a cameo appearance for the show’s final episode .
Her debut album, English Rain, arrived in 2013 and debuted at Number Two on the UK Albums Chart, selling over 35,000 copies in its first week . The record was certified Gold in the UK on 23 July 2013 for sales exceeding 100,000 copies . It also performed well internationally, reaching Number Eleven in Ireland and Number Ten in Australia . The album’s success established Aplin as a viable album artist rather than a singles-only proposition.
Notes on sources: Age, full name, and birthplace are confirmed by the Library of Congress and Wikidata . Height is based on the singer’s own public statement via social media as cited by celebrity height trackers . Education details come from local press and biographical databases . Net worth figures are not reliably published; the company filing data is the only verifiable financial information available . Partner information is drawn from published interviews, not official confirmation .
Among the deeper cuts from that debut, “Panic Cord” and “Salvation” showcase Aplin’s folk-pop sensibilities. “Panic Cord” actually predates English Rain, having first appeared on her self-released Never Fade EP in 2011 before being re-recorded for the album . This trajectory reflects her early DIY approach, which began with acoustic covers of Paramore, Adele, and Ellie Goulding posted online before she built an audience through self-released EPs . The re-recording of “Panic Cord” signals how her independent material evolved once she had proper studio resources.
“Waking Up Slow” arrived in August 2017 as the lead single from her Avalon EP, released through her own label Never Fade Records . A piano version followed on 1 September 2017, and it is this stripped-back arrangement that many listeners associate with the song . The single demonstrated Aplin’s continued commitment to releasing music on her own terms after her major-label debut era. The Avalon EP marked a transitional period before her next full-length album.
Her second album, Light Up the Dark, was released in 2015 and peaked at Number Fourteen on the UK Albums Chart . The record represented a fuller, more rock-leaning production style compared to the acoustic foundations of English Rain. It did not replicate the debut’s commercial heights but maintained her presence on the charts and set the stage for her independent releases. The album’s title track and singles received radio support but did not produce a Top 10 single.
Dear Happy, her third album, arrived in 2020 through Never Fade Records and peaked at Number 24 on the Official Albums Chart . The album spent one week in the Top 100, though it reached Number Three on the Official Independent Albums Chart . Its modest chart performance reflected the realities of independent release without major-label promotion, but it solidified her position as a self-sustaining artist. The record includes collaborations with producers who understood her folk-pop foundation while pushing toward contemporary pop textures.
Her fourth album, Phosphorescent, was released in 2023 and was projected as her second UK Top 10 album during its release week . The Official Charts Company noted that it was on course to become her highest-charting album since English Rain . The album’s indie-pop direction continued the trajectory established on Dear Happy, with Aplin maintaining creative control through her label. It represents her most mature work to date, both in songwriting and production.
For listeners new to Aplin’s catalog, the singles collection offers the clearest entry point. “The Power of Love” and “Please Don’t Say You Love Me” capture her commercial peak, while “Home” reveals the emotional directness that won her a global audience beyond the UK . The album tracks on English Rain provide context for her folk-pop roots, particularly “Panic Cord” and “Salvation”. Those who prefer stripped arrangements should seek out the piano version of “Waking Up Slow” .
Aplin’s career demonstrates a rare trajectory: a chart-topping cover that opened doors, followed by a deliberate shift toward independence. She founded Never Fade Records and has released her later albums through it, retaining ownership of her masters and creative decisions . This model places her alongside other artists who have prioritized long-term sustainability over major-label momentum. Her catalog, while modest in size, reflects consistent artistic growth rather than chasing trends.
The through-line across her best songs is an emphasis on atmosphere and vocal intimacy. Whether she is interpreting a 1980s pop standard or writing about the complications of affection, Aplin prioritizes clarity and emotional precision. That consistency explains why songs like “Home” can travel from a UK EP to a Brazilian telenovela and still land with the same impact . For anyone exploring her work, the essential tracks above offer a reliable starting point.
What is Gabrielle Aplin’s biggest hit?
Her cover of “The Power of Love” reached Number One on the UK Singles Chart in December 2012 after featuring in a John Lewis Christmas advertisement . It remains her only UK chart-topper to date.
Which song brought her international attention outside the UK?
“Home” gained massive popularity in Brazil after being used in the telenovela Totalmente Demais. Aplin visited the country in 2016 and made a cameo appearance on the show’s final episode .
What was her debut album’s chart performance?
English Rain debuted at Number Two on the UK Albums Chart in 2013 and was later certified Gold for selling over 100,000 copies . It also reached the Top 10 in Australia and Number 11 in Ireland .
Does she release music independently?
Yes. Aplin founded Never Fade Records with James Barnes in 2010, originally to self-release her early EPs . Her fourth album, Phosphorescent (2023), was released on the label .
