Olivia Dean Says She Used to Think Making Pop Music Was ‘Lame’ Until ‘Man I Need’ Turned Her ‘Shame’ Into Gold

While she has a pair of Billboard Hot 100 top five hits and the longest-running No. 1 in U.K. history to her name, Olivia Dean wasn’t planning on dominating the charts.

The Grammy-winning singer graced the cover of The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday (Aug. 26), where she opened up about her “pop shame” and perfectionism that almost didn’t allow her to release “Man I Need.”

“I used to have kind of a thing about pop music, like wanting to make pop music is lame. Maybe this is a bit too far, babe?” she recalled thinking.

Eventually, Dean went ahead and “Man I Need” arrived as a single in August 2025 ahead of The Art of Loving, which arrived a month later. “Just let go,” she told herself.

“Man I Need” eventually surged to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in late January but was ultimately blocked from the top spot by Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” a fate many massive hits suffered in 2026.

Billboard‘s staff ranked “Man I Need” as the 63rd greatest No. 2 hit of all time on the Hot 100. The Art of Loving peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and produced another top five Hot 100 hit with “So Easy (To Fall in Love)” reaching No. 5.

Dean’s “Rein Me In” collaboration with Sam Fender surged to No. 45 on this week’s Hot 100 chart dated Aug. 29. The track continues its run as the longest-running No. 1 of all time in the U.K., notching a 22nd week at the summit.

Olivia Dean is on the road for her headlining North American arena run The Art of Loving Live, which is wrapping up with a pair of shows in Austin on Aug. 28-29.