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Unexpected No. 1 songs in country music
Country music is great at telling stories that feel personal. Sometimes, a song surprises everyone and reaches No. 1 when no one expected.
It might have had a fun twist, appeared from a surprising artist, or didn’t sound like a usual country song. And still, it was loved by listeners and went right to the top.
These surprising hit songs show us that country music is not only about tradition but also about trying new things. Check out 15 of the most surprising No. 1 songs in country music history
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Love Somebody – Morgan Wallen
Morgan Wallen’s song “Love Somebody” made history by starting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This is his first solo song to reach the top spot. It came out on October 18, 2024, and became very popular. It also reached No. 1 on 11 other global charts.
The accomplishment was officially shared on October 29 for the chart that is dated October 28, 2024. This success puts Wallen next to country legends like Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift, who both had two No. 1 debuts.
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A Bar Song (Tipsy) – Shaboozey
Shaboozey’s ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ surprisingly became a No. 1 hit in 2024, mixing country and hip-hop in a way many did not think would work. Shaboozey made history as the first Black male artist to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs charts simultaneously.
He signed with the independent label EMPIRE, and his success on the charts was even more impressive because he had little help from big record labels. The song was number one for 19 weeks, matching the longest time at the top this decade.
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I Had Some Help – Post Malone and Morgan Wallen
“I Had Some Help” by Post Malone and Morgan Wallen did well in 2024. The song started at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 25, 2024.
It had 76.4 million streams in the U.S., 31.1 million radio plays, and sold 69,000 units in its first week. It also started at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Global 200 charts.
The song was number one on the Hot 100 for six weeks, but not in a row. It got the title of Billboard’s 2024 Song of the Summer.
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TEXAS HOLD ‘EM – Beyoncé
Beyoncé’s “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” came out on February 11, 2024, showing her strong move into country music. The song was debuted at Super Bowl LVIII.
Beyoncé reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and became the first Black woman to be number one on the Hot Country Songs chart.
Some critics liked its realness, singing, and mix of styles, but others thought it was not very interesting. This song is the first one from her Cowboy Carter album.
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I Remember Everything – Zach Bryan feat. Kacey Musgraves
In September 2023, Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their song “I Remember Everything.” This was a first for both of them.
The song also reached the top of the Hot Country Songs and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs charts, a remarkable achievement. It is on Bryan’s fourth album, which is also called his name, and it started at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
It became popular across different music styles and showed how Americana and country music are becoming more critical in mainstream music.
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Rich Men North of Richmond – Oliver Anthony
“Rich Men North of Richmond” is a popular song by independent artist Oliver Anthony. It emerged in August 2023 and started at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
This made Anthony the first artist to achieve this without any previous chart history. The song became popular on social media, especially YouTube, and includes Anthony’s singing and resonator guitar.
The lyrics show the problems faced by working-class people, talking about things like low pay, rising prices, and feeling distant from political leaders.
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Try That in a Small Town – Jason Aldean
Jason Aldean’s song “Try That in a Small Town” emerged on May 19, 2023. It got much attention when its music video was released on July 14, 2023.
The video was shot at a courthouse in Tennessee that has a past related to racial violence. It received criticism for its images and lyrics, which some people thought encouraged violence and racism.
CMT took down the video after the adverse reactions. The song became very popular, even with all the debate around it. On August 5, 2023, it became number one on the Billboard Hot 100. This was Aldean’s first time at the top of the list.
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Amazed – Lonestar
Lone Star’s hit song “Amazed,” released in 1999, was a big success. It mixed country and pop music and reached the top of many charts.
Marv Green, Aimee Mayo, and Chris Lindsey wrote the song. It was at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart for eight weeks.
After a pop remix, it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2000. This was the first country song to do that since 1983. It won significant awards, like ACM Single of the Year, and helped the album Lonely Grill reach triple Platinum.
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Lady – Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers’ song “Lady,” from 1980, was written and produced by Lionel Richie. It became a big success across different music charts.
It came out in Rogers’ Greatest Hits album and was number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 for six weeks. It also had short times at the top of the Country and Adult Contemporary charts.
It was the first song of the 1980s to appear on four different Billboard charts. The song got a Gold certification, did well on year-end and all-time charts, and is still Rogers’ only solo Hot 100 No. 1.
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9 to 5 – Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” surprised everyone when it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1981.
The song was first made for the movie with the same title, which was Parton’s first time acting. Even though she is a country artist, Parton became popular in mainstream pop, which was uncommon back then.
Many people in the music industry were surprised by its success, especially since it reached the top of the country and adult contemporary charts.
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Islands in the Stream – Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
“Islands in the Stream” is a duet by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. It came out in August 1983 and was written by the Bee Gees.
The song was first meant for Diana Ross, but it became a huge hit, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100, Country, and Adult Contemporary charts.
It got a Platinum certification in the U.S. and hit number one in Australia, ranking high worldwide. The song took the top spot from Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and was later called the best country duet by CMT in 2005.
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I Love a Rainy Night – Eddie Rabbitt
Eddie Rabbitt’s hit song “I Love a Rainy Night” was released in November 1980 and became a major crossover success.
Co-written with Even Stevens and David Malloy, it topped the Billboard Hot 100, Country, and Adult Contemporary charts in early 1981.
It was Rabbitt’s only No. 1 on the Hot 100, famously replacing Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5”. Certified gold, it is featured in commercials, TV shows, and video games.
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Convoy – C. W. McCall
“Convoy” is a fun song from 1975 by C. W. McCall. The character is voiced by Bill Fries and was made with Chip Davis. It reached the top of the U.S. country and pop charts, number one in Canada, and number two in the UK.
Rolling Stone listed the song as one of the top 100 country tracks. “Convoy” came back into the spotlight during Canada’s 2022 Freedom Convoy protests, just before Fries passed away.
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Rhinestone Cowboy – Glen Campbell
“Rhinestone Cowboy” is a popular song from 1975 by Glen Campbell. Larry Weiss wrote it. Weiss first made the recording in 1974 but didn’t do well. Campbell found the song in Australia and chose to record it.
It was released on May 26, 1975, and became very popular, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Country Singles charts, the first song to do this since 1961. It became his famous song, sold over a million copies, got Grammy nominations, and is an essential moment in his music career.
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Thank God I’m a Country Boy – John Denver
“Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” written by John Martin Sommers and sung by John Denver, was a surprise hit in 1975. A live version of the song, recorded in 1974, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Country Singles charts.
Sommers wrote the song after a calm drive from Aspen to Los Angeles, celebrating Denver’s 30th birthday. It is played at Baltimore Orioles games, in films and TV shows, and even inspired a Disney version and a John Denver TV special in 1977.
Also, if you are curious about new songs, then take a look at how Sabrina’s new no.1 is breaking all the rules
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Last Updated: September 23, 2025
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