Typically, the moment a song debuts on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart marks a milestone — the early edges of an artist and their team’s work to push the song as far aloft a music chart as they can — with the ultimate goal of the song reaching the chart’s penthouse and staying there as long as possible.
As with other debuts such as Grand Ole Opry debut performances, a song’s chart debut means that the song and the artist performing it have garnered enough traction to warrant a place in the spotlight — and in the case of a chart debut, a place among a myriad of others all vying for the top rung.
But while for most artists and songs, the No. 1 slot on a music chart marks the culmination of weeks and months of promotion, sometimes music consumers can put that journey on a greatly accelerated track.
Here, we look at each song that has debuted at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, dating to when it became Billboard‘s singular songs chart for the genre in October 1958.
Some of these songs’ chart rises were marked by controversy; others by bold career choices. Some of these songs debuted not only at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, but also on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart. A testament to the power of a song that is resonating with an audience, the list includes both established superstars, as well as newcomers with no previous radio chart history.
Notably, Morgan Wallen holds the lion’s share of songs that have earned such rare pinnacle-cresting moments, but the list also includes talent show winners, artist collabs and one decades-spanning tribute to country music’s past, present and future.
Take a look at all 16 songs that have debuted atop Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart below, listed in chronological order:
On the Hot Country Songs chart dated Sept. 15, 2007, Brooks’ “More Than a Memory,” released via Pearl/Big Machine, became the first song to debut at the pinnacle of the chart. Notably, the Brooks debut came when the Hot Country Songs chart was an airplay-only based ranking. (Since October 2012, the chart has used the same streaming-, airplay- and sales-based methodology as the Billboard Hot 100.)
Just weeks after his win on NBC’s talent competition The Voice in December 2014, Craig Wayne Boyd’s “My Baby’s Got a Smile on Her Face” debuted at the pinnacle of the Hot Country Songs chart dated Jan. 3, 2015.
In 2016, more than 30 country artists — including Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Brooks & Dunn, Alabama and Alan Jackson — gathered for this recording, which honored the Country Music Association’s 50th anniversary. “Forever Country,” produced by writer-producer Shane McAnally, mashed up snippets of classic country hits: John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” and Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” “Forever Country” debuted at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart dated Oct. 8, 2016.
On Dec. 16, 2017, this Bebe Rexha and FGL collaboration debuted at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs. The crossover hit went on to spend a staggering 50 total weeks at No. 1 — setting a record that still stands.
Wallen’s “7 Summers,” later found on his 2021 studio album Dangerous: The Double Album, debuted atop the Hot Country Songs chart dated Aug. 29, 2020.
On Nov. 7, 2020, Combs’s “Forever After All” debuted at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. The song went on to dominate in the penthouse for 10 weeks.
On Jan. 23, 2021, Wallen’s “Wasted on You” debuted at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs. The song spent 11 weeks atop the chart.
On Feb. 27, 2021, Swift’s re-recorded version of her 2008 hit “Love Story” (which topped the list for two weeks in 2008) debuted atop Hot Country Songs. It became her ninth No. 1 on the chart, and first since “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” in 2012. The song was included on Swift’s 2021 album Fearless (Taylor’s Version).
Aaron Lewis earned a country chart-topper with this politically charged tune, which debuted at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart dated July 17, 2021.
On Nov. 27, 2021, Swift’s re-recorded version of fan-favorite “All Too Well” debuted atop Hot Country Songs.
On April 30, 2022, Wallen’s “Don’t Think Jesus” debuted at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs. The song is included on Wallen’s One Thing at a Time album.
On May 21, 2022, Wallen’s “Thought You Should Know” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart.
On May 28, 2022, “You Proof” debuted atop Hot Country Songs. The song went on to spend 19 weeks atop the ranking.
On Aug. 26, 2023, independent singer-songwriter Oliver Anthony Music’s “Rich Men North of Richmond” debuted at No. 1 on not just Hot Country Songs, but also the Billboard Hot 100. He became the first artist to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100 with no previous chart history. “Richmond” led both charts for two weeks.
On Sept. 9, 2023, this Bryan/Musgraves duet debuted atop both Hot Country Songs and the Billboard Hot 100. It ruled the Hot 100 for one week and Country Songs for 20 weeks (through February 2024). “I Remember Everything” is included on Bryan’s 2023 self-titled album.
On Feb. 24, 2024, music powerhouse Beyoncé made history when her song “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted atop the Hot Country Songs chart. As such, she became the first Black woman in history to top the chart. The song, along with “16 Carriages,” was released when the singer-songwriter revealed her upcoming Act II album, due March 29.
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