Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay are charts that rank the top-performing country music songs in the United States, published by Billboard magazine. Hot Country Songs ranks songs based on digital downloads, streaming, and airplay not only from country stations but from stations of all formats, a methodology introduced in 2012.[1] Country Airplay, which was published for the first time in 2012, is based solely on country radio airplay, a methodology which had previously been used for several decades for Hot Country Songs.[1] In 2016, nine different songs topped the Hot Country Songs chart and 40 different songs topped Country Airplay in 52 issues of the magazine.
![A bearded young man smiling broadly and playing a guitar](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Thomas_Rhett_2013.jpg/250px-Thomas_Rhett_2013.jpg)
In the first issue of Billboard of the new year, Thomas Rhett was at number one on both charts with "Die a Happy Man". On Hot Country Songs, the song would continue to hold the top spot through the issue of Billboard dated March 19, finishing with a total of 17 weeks at number one.[2] The song spent six consecutive weeks atop Country Airplay, twice as long as any other song in 2016. Additionally, it was the longest run at number one on Billboard's airplay-based country chart since 2008.[3] The longest run at number one on the Hot Country Songs during the year was 18 weeks, achieved by the song "H.O.L.Y." by Florida Georgia Line. This figure was also the highest total number of weeks spent in the top spot by any act, as no act achieved more than one chart-topper during the year. On the airplay listing, ten acts reached the top spot with more than one song; Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line each achieved three number ones during the year. Rhett's total of seven weeks at number one was the highest for any act.
In the issue of Billboard dated October 8, the song "Forever Country", credited to Artists of Then, Now and Forever, achieved the rare feat of entering the chart at number one. The song, a one-off collaboration between 30 country stars from various eras released to mark the 50th Annual Country Music Association Awards, was only the third track to enter at the top spot in the history of the Hot Country Songs listing.[4][5][6] A number of acts achieved their first number ones in 2016. Pop/rock singer P!nk gained a number one with her first song to appear on the country charts when she was featured on Kenny Chesney's song "Setting the World on Fire",[7] which topped both charts. Six other acts gained their first number ones on the Country Airplay chart, beginning with Granger Smith, who topped the chart in February with "Backroad Song".[8] Two female vocalists gained their first country number ones as featured vocalists on songs by more established male stars: Cassadee Pope with Chris Young on "Think of You",[9] and Elle King with Dierks Bentley on "Different for Girls".[10] The other first-time chart-toppers were Chris Lane with "Fix",[11] Jon Pardi with "Head Over Boots",[12] and the duo LoCash with "I Know Somebody".[13] Additionally, Karen Fairchild made her first appearance at number one under her own name when she was featured on Luke Bryan's song "Home Alone Tonight",[14] although she had previously reached the top spot as a member of the group Little Big Town.[15] At the end of the year, Keith Urban's "Blue Ain't Your Color" was at number one on Hot Country Songs, and Brett Eldredge topped Country Airplay with "Wanna Be That Song".
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.
- ^ "Thomas Rhett Die a Happy Man Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
- ^ White, Jack (June 22, 2016). "Thomas Rhett's Die A Happy Man gets Tori Kelly remix treatment - premiere". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
- ^ Betts, Stephen L. (December 5, 2017). "On the Charts: Bebe Rexha, Florida Georgia Line Achieve Rare Country Feat". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 24, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ "'Forever Country' Video: Watch Star-Studded, Magical Medley Come to Life". Rolling Stone. September 21, 2016. Archived from the original on October 24, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ Morris, Edward (September 7, 2007). "Garth Brooks Sets Record With No. 1 Song". CMT. Archived from the original on April 7, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "Pink Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ Gage, Jeff (May 19, 2017). "Hear Granger Smith's Affectionate New Song 'Happens Like That'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 24, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ "Cassadee Pope Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ "Elle King Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ Morris, Edward (October 11, 2016). "Chris Lane Celebrates First No. 1, "Fix," With Song's Co-Writers". CMT. Archived from the original on November 24, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ Reuter, Annie (October 29, 2016). "Jon Pardi Celebrates First No. 1 Song with 'Head Over Boots'". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on October 24, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ Morris, Edward (February 24, 2017). "LoCash Revels in First No. 1 Single, "I Know Somebody"". CMT. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ "Karen Fairchild Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Little Big Town Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 24, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for January 2, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for January 2, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for January 9, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for January 9, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for January 16, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for January 16, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for January 23, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for January 23, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for January 30, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for January 30, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for February 6, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for February 6, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for February 13, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for February 13, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for February 20, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for February 20, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for February 27, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for February 27, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for March 5, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for March 5, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for March 12, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for March 12, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for March 19, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for March 19, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for March 26, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for March 26, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for April 2, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for April 2, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for April 9, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for April 9, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for April 16, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for April 16, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for April 23, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for April 23, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for April 30, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for April 30, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for May 7, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for May 7, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for May 14, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for May 14, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for May 21, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for May 21, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for May 28, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for May 28, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for June 4, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for June 4, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for June 11, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for June 11, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for June 18, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for June 18, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for June 25, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for June 25, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for July 2, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for July 2, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for July 9, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for July 9, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for July 16, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for July 16, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for July 23, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for July 23, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for July 30, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for July 30, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for August 6, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for August 6, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for August 13, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for August 13, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for August 20, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for August 20, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for August 27, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for August 27, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for September 3, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for September 3, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for September 10, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for September 10, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for September 17, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for September 17, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for September 24, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for September 24, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for October 1, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for October 1, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for October 8, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for October 8, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for October 15, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for October 15, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for October 22, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for October 22, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for October 29, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for October 29, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for November 5, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for November 5, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for November 12, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for November 12, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for November 19, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for November 19, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for November 26, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for November 26, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for December 3, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for December 3, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for December 10, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for December 10, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for December 17, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for December 17, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for December 24, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for December 24, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
- ^ "Country Songs chart for December 31, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
- ^ "Country Airplay chart for December 31, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2016.