Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay are charts that rank the top-performing country music songs in the United States, published by Billboard magazine. At the start of 2012, Hot Country Songs ranked songs based on weekly airplay data from country music radio stations compiled by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems. With effect from the issue dated October 20, 2012, however, the magazine significantly altered the methodology of this chart, incorporating digital downloads, streaming, and airplay not only from country stations but from stations of all formats.[1] These changes were controversial, as some critics felt that they unduly benefited acts with crossover appeal, as opposed to those whose songs were played only on country stations.[1] At the same time, Billboard launched the new Country Airplay listing, which used the methodology of ranking tracks based solely on country radio airplay. Although this chart was published for the first time in 2012, Billboard retrospectively considers the period since Hot Country Songs began using Nielsen data in 1990 to also form part of the history of the Country Airplay listing.[2]
![A young woman with long blonde hair singing into a microphone](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Taylor_Swift_%286820737358%29.jpg/310px-Taylor_Swift_%286820737358%29.jpg)
An immediate beneficiary of the change in methodology for the Hot Country Songs chart was Taylor Swift. In the first week of the new system, her song "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together", which had been falling down the chart and had been at number 21 the previous week based on country radio airplay alone,[3] rose straight to number one when streaming, downloads, and plays on other radio formats began to be counted. Swift's song would remain in the top spot for nine consecutive weeks, setting a new record for the longest unbroken run at number one by a female singer held since 1965 by Connie Smith's "Once a Day".[4] Based on country radio airplay alone, however, Swift's song dropped even further to number 36 on the first published Country Airplay chart, the same week that it jumped to number one on Hot Country Songs.[5] The song's greater popularity on pop music radio than country stations highlighted Swift's increasing move away from the country genre.[6][7]
After Swift's nine weeks in the top spot, the second highest total number of weeks at number one on Hot Country Songs was four. This was achieved by Blake Shelton, who was one of six acts to have two number ones during the year. Several acts had their first chart-toppers in 2012. In January, "Let It Rain" by David Nail featuring Sarah Buxton spent a single week in the top spot, becoming the first number one for both singers.[8][9] The following week Eric Church achieved his first chart-topper with "Drink in My Hand".[10] In April "A Woman Like You" gave Lee Brice his first number one,[11] and in June Kip Moore achieved the same feat with "Somethin' 'Bout a Truck".[12] At the end of August, Love and Theft reached number one for the first time with "Angel Eyes",[13] as did Little Big Town three weeks later with "Pontoon".[14] In the issue of Billboard dated September 29, Hunter Hayes gained his first chart-topper with "Wanted",[15] with which the 21-year old gained the distinction of being the youngest solo male artist to have a number-one country song.[16] The final act to gain a first-time chart-topper in 2012 was Florida Georgia Line, whose debut single, "Cruise",[17] held the peak position on both charts in the last issue of Billboard of the year. The track would go on to become the best-selling country digital single to date and set a new record for the most weeks spent at number one on the Hot Country Songs chart.[17]
Chart history
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b McKinley, Jr., James C. (October 26, 2012). "Changes to Charts by Billboard Draw Fire". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
- ^ "Billboard Shakes Up Genre Charts With New Methodology". The Hollywood Reporter. October 11, 2012. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
- ^ a b "Country Songs chart for October 13, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
- ^ Thanki, Juli (March 27, 2017). "Connie Smith's 'Once a Day' recording launched a legendary career". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on September 12, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
- ^ Freeman, Jon (March 6, 2018). "How Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line Broke a Country Chart Record". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ Dukes, Billy (February 13, 2012). "Bebe Rexha Breaks Taylor Swift's Country Billboard Record". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Taylor Swift Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ "David Nail Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ "Sarah Buxton Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Eric Church Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ Duvall, Erin (April 9, 2012). "Lee Brice, 'A Woman Like You' Marks First No. 1". The Boot. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ "Kip Moore Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ Conway, Alannna (August 14, 2012). "Love and Theft Score First No.1 Hit With 'Angel Eyes'". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ Dunkerley, Beville (September 4, 2012). "Little Big Town's 'Pontoon' Marks Career First". The Boot. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ Conway, Alannna (September 18, 2012). "Hunter Hayes Gets What He 'Wanted' With First No. 1 Single". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on September 16, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ Wayne, Teddy (February 15, 2013). "My Day at the Grammys with Hunter Hayes". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ a b Vinson, Christina (April 5, 2016). "Florida Georgia Line's 'Cruise' Makes Country History". The Boot. Townsquare Media. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for January 7, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for January 14, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for January 21, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for January 28, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for February 4, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for February 11, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for February 18, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for February 25, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for March 3, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 11, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for March 10, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for March 17, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for March 24, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 11, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for March 31, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 11, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for April 7, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for April 14, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for April 21, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for April 28, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for May 5, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for May 12, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for May 19, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for May 26, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for June 2, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for June 9, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for June 16, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for June 23, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for June 30, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for July 7, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for July 14, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for July 21, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for July 28, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for August 4, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for August 11, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for August 18, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for August 25, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for September 1, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for September 8, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for September 15, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for September 22, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for September 29, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for October 6, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for October 20, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for October 20, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for October 27, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for October 27, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 16, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for November 3, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for November 3, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for November 10, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for November 10, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for November 17, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for November 17, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for November 24, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for November 24, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for December 1, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for December 1, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for December 8, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for December 8, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 1, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for December 15, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for December 15, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for December 22, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for December 22, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for December 29, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for December 29, 2012". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 31, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2018.