3 Country Songs That Surprisingly Peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100

Country music has an expansive and large fanbase, though, it still doesn’t beat out pop music. That being so, when a country song reaches the top of the Billboard Hot 100, it’s fairly surprising. Not surprising in the sense that the song is not good, but surprising in the sense that it garnered more listeners than one of the other smash-hit pop songs on the market at the same time.

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With all that in mind, there have been quite a few country songs to peak at No. 1 on the most popular chart in the world. So, here are three country music songs that surprisingly peaked at No. 1 on the pop-dominated Billboard Hot 100.

“I Remember Everything” by Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves

Don’t get us wrong, Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves are two A-list musicians with hoards upon hoards of fans. Though, it is still surprising that their country song peaked at No. 1 on the chart, especially when you realize what pop songs were out at the same time. Those pop songs include, “Paint the Town Red” by Doja Cat, “Dance the Night” by Dua Lipa, and “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish.

Also, one other fact that makes the song’s chart history all the more impressive, is that it didn’t climb to the top, it debuted at the top. To this day, the song remains the only No. 1 hit for both Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves.

“Rich Men North of Richmond” by Oliver Anthony

When Oliver Anthony released his politically poignant anthem, the world exploded. Consequently, Anthony became a household name, and his song, “Rich Men North of Richmond,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Frankly, many could call this tune Americana and not country, which just makes it even more surprising as Americana tunes rarely even break the top 50 of the chart. But thanks to Anthony’s polarizing lyrics, the world just seemingly had to hear what the guy had to say.

“Try That in a Small Town” by Jason Aldean

Funny enough, all three of the songs on this list were released and reached No. 1 in 2023. Why is that? Was there something in there, possibly? Regardless, Jason Aldean’s song “Try That in a Small Town,” peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July after appearing on the chart for the first just weeks before in June.

There is of course no definitive way to asses why this song peaked at No. 1 on the chart, but it surely had to do with the divisness intrinsically embedded in the lyrics. Thanks to its divisness, both lovers and haters of the song listened to it, and they did so either to praise the ideals or denounce them. Who is to truly say? Maybe, it was just a good song. Maybe.

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