List of Billboard number-one country songs of 2012 explained

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. 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]

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, 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".[3] 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.[4] The song's greater popularity on pop music radio than country stations highlighted Swift's increasing move away from the country genre.[5] [6]

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.[7] [8] The following week Eric Church achieved his first chart-topper with "Drink in My Hand".[9] In April "A Woman Like You" gave Lee Brice his first number one,[10] and in June Kip Moore achieved the same feat with "Somethin' 'Bout a Truck".[11] At the end of August, Love and Theft reached number one for the first time with "Angel Eyes",[12] as did Little Big Town three weeks later with "Pontoon".[13] In the issue of Billboard dated September 29, Hunter Hayes gained his first chart-topper with "Wanted",[14] with which the 21-year old gained the distinction of being the youngest solo male artist to have a number-one country song.[15] The final act to gain a first-time chart-topper in 2012 was Florida Georgia Line, whose debut single, "Cruise",[16] 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.

Chart history

Issue date!scope=col colspan=3
Hot Country Songsscope=col colspan=3Country Airplay
scope=colTitlescope=colArtist(s)scope=col class=unsortable scope=colTitlescope=colArtist(s)scope=col class=unsortable
scope=row"Keep Me in Mind"[17] rowspan=41 colspan=3
scope=row[18]
scope=row"Let It Rain" featuring Sarah Buxton[19]
scope=row"Drink in My Hand" [20]
scope=row"I Don't Want This Night to End" [21]
scope=row"" [22]
scope=row"All Your Life"[23]
scope=row[24]
scope=row"You Gonna Fly"[25]
scope=row[26]
scope=row"Reality" [27]
scope=row"Home" [28]
scope=row"Ours" [29]
scope=row"Alone with You"[30]
scope=row[31]
scope=row"" [32]
scope=row"Drink on It"[33]
scope=row[34]
scope=row"Banjo" Rascal Flatts[35]
scope=row"Over You" [36]
scope=row"Fly Over States" [37]
scope=row"Somethin' 'Bout a Truck"[38]
scope=row[39]
scope=row"Good Girl" [40]
scope=row"Springsteen"[41]
scope=row[42]
scope=row"Drunk on You"[43]
scope=row[44]
scope=row"You Don't Know Her Like I Do" [45]
scope=row"Even If It Breaks Your Heart" Eli Young Band[46]
scope=row"" [47]
scope=row"Come Over"[48]
scope=row[49]
scope=row"Angel Eyes"Love and Theft[50]
scope=row""[51]
scope=row[52]
scope=row"Pontoon"Little Big Town[53]
scope=row[54]
scope=row"Wanted" [55]
scope=row"Take a Little Ride"[56]
scope=row[57]
scope=row"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"[58] "Take a Little Ride"[59]
scope=row[60] "Blown Away"[61]
scope=row[62] [63]
scope=row[64] "Hard to Love"[65]
scope=row[66] [67]
scope=row[68] "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye"[69]
scope=row[70] [71]
scope=row[72] ""[73]
scope=row[74] "Cruise"Florida Georgia Line[75]
scope=row"Cruise"Florida Georgia Line[76] [77]
scope=row[78] [79]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Changes to Charts by Billboard Draw Fire. The New York Times. October 26, 2012. James C.. McKinley, Jr.. May 24, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20121103005222/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/27/arts/music/billboards-chart-changes-draw-fire.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0. November 3, 2012. live. subscription.
  2. Web site: Billboard Shakes Up Genre Charts With New Methodology. The Hollywood Reporter. October 11, 2012. October 10, 2018. June 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180622193016/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/billboard-shakes-up-genre-charts-378450. live.
  3. Web site: Connie Smith's 'Once a Day' recording launched a legendary career. The Tennessean. Juli. Thanki. March 27, 2017. April 30, 2018. September 12, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210912071613/https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2017/03/27/connie-smiths-once-day-recording-launched-career/99415522/. live.
  4. How Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line Broke a Country Chart Record. Rolling Stone. Jon. Freeman. March 6, 2018. October 11, 2018. October 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181011214551/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/how-bebe-rexha-and-florida-georgia-line-broke-a-country-chart-record-253628/. live.
  5. Web site: Bebe Rexha Breaks Taylor Swift's Country Billboard Record. Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Billy. Dukes. February 13, 2012. October 11, 2018. October 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181012053939/http://tasteofcountry.com/bebe-rexha-florida-georgia-line-meant-to-be-billboard-record/. live.
  6. Web site: Taylor Swift Biography & History. AllMusic. Stephen Thomas. Erlewine. October 11, 2018. June 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210608123644/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/taylor-swift-mn0000472102/biography. live.
  7. David Nail Chart History. Billboard. October 11, 2018. November 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211118015312/https://www.billboard.com/artist/david-nail/chart-history/csi/. live.
  8. Sarah Buxton Chart History. Billboard. October 11, 2018.
  9. Web site: Eric Church Biography & History. AllMusic. William. Ruhlmann. October 11, 2018. October 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181011133812/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/eric-church-mn0000632233/biography. live.
  10. Web site: Lee Brice, 'A Woman Like You' Marks First No. 1. Erin. Duvall. April 9, 2012. The Boot. Townsquare Media. October 11, 2018. October 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181011133549/http://theboot.com/lee-brice-a-woman-like-you/. live.
  11. Kip Moore Chart History. Billboard. October 11, 2018. November 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211117164042/https://www.billboard.com/artist/kip-moore/chart-history/csi/. live.
  12. Web site: Love and Theft Score First No.1 Hit With 'Angel Eyes'. Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Alannna. Conway. August 14, 2012. October 11, 2018. October 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181011214506/http://tasteofcountry.com/love-and-theft-angel-eyes-first-no-1-hit/. live.
  13. Web site: Little Big Town's 'Pontoon' Marks Career First. Beville. Dunkerley. The Boot. Townsquare Media. September 4, 2012. October 11, 2018. October 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181011172940/http://theboot.com/little-big-town-pontoon-number-one-charts/. live.
  14. Web site: Hunter Hayes Gets What He 'Wanted' With First No. 1 Single. Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Alannna. Conway. September 18, 2012. October 11, 2018. September 16, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130916194119/http://tasteofcountry.com/hunter-hayes-wanted-no-1-single/. live.
  15. My Day at the Grammys with Hunter Hayes. Rolling Stone. Teddy. Wayne. February 15, 2013. October 11, 2018. October 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181011214555/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/my-day-at-the-grammys-with-hunter-hayes-99094/. live.
  16. Web site: Florida Georgia Line's 'Cruise' Makes Country History. The Boot. Townsquare Media. Christina. Vinson. April 5, 2016. October 10, 2018.
  17. Country Songs chart for January 7, 2012. Billboard. January 9, 2012.
  18. Country Songs chart for January 14, 2012. Billboard. January 9, 2012.
  19. Country Songs chart for January 21, 2012. Billboard. January 16, 2012.
  20. Country Songs chart for January 28, 2012. Billboard. January 23, 2012. October 13, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131013111827/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-01-28/country-songs. live.
  21. Country Songs chart for February 4, 2012. Billboard. January 30, 2012.
  22. Country Songs chart for February 11, 2012. Billboard. February 6, 2012.
  23. Country Songs chart for February 18, 2012. Billboard. February 13, 2012.
  24. Country Songs chart for February 25, 2012. Billboard. February 20, 2012.
  25. Country Songs chart for March 3, 2012. Billboard. February 27, 2012. February 11, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130211034951/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-03-03/country-songs. live.
  26. Country Songs chart for March 10, 2012. Billboard. March 5, 2012.
  27. Country Songs chart for March 17, 2012. Billboard. March 13, 2012.
  28. Country Songs chart for March 24, 2012. Billboard. March 19, 2012. February 11, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130211034754/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-03-24/country-songs. live.
  29. Country Songs chart for March 31, 2012. Billboard. March 26, 2012. February 11, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130211034958/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-03-31/country-songs. live.
  30. Country Songs chart for April 7, 2012. Billboard. April 2, 2012.
  31. Country Songs chart for April 14, 2012. Billboard. April 9, 2012.
  32. Country Songs chart for April 21, 2012. Billboard. April 16, 2012.
  33. Country Songs chart for April 28, 2012. Billboard. April 23, 2012.
  34. Country Songs chart for May 5, 2012. Billboard. April 30, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706014709/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-05-05/country-songs. live.
  35. Country Songs chart for May 12, 2012. Billboard. May 7, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004254/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-05-12/country-songs?. live.
  36. Country Songs chart for May 19, 2012. Billboard. May 14, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004258/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-05-19/country-songs?. live.
  37. Country Songs chart for May 26, 2012. Billboard. May 21, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004303/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-05-26/country-songs?. live.
  38. Country Songs chart for June 2, 2012. Billboard. May 29, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004309/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-06-02/country-songs?. live.
  39. Country Songs chart for June 9, 2012. Billboard. June 4, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004314/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-06-09/country-songs?. live.
  40. Country Songs chart for June 16, 2012. Billboard. June 11, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004318/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-06-16/country-songs?. live.
  41. Country Songs chart for June 23, 2012. Billboard. June 18, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004323/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-06-23/country-songs?. live.
  42. Country Songs chart for June 30, 2012. Billboard. June 25, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004329/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-06-30/country-songs?. live.
  43. Country Songs chart for July 7, 2012. Billboard. July 2, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004333/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-07-07/country-songs?. live.
  44. Country Songs chart for July 14, 2012. Billboard. July 9, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004339/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-07-14/country-songs?. live.
  45. Country Songs chart for July 21, 2012. Billboard. July 16, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004343/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-07-21/country-songs?. live.
  46. Country Songs chart for July 28, 2012. Billboard. July 30, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004348/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-07-28/country-songs?. live.
  47. Country Songs chart for August 4, 2012. Billboard. July 30, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004354/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-08-04/country-songs?. live.
  48. Country Songs chart for August 11, 2012. Billboard. August 6, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004359/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-08-11/country-songs?. live.
  49. Country Songs chart for August 18, 2012. Billboard. August 13, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004405/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-08-18/country-songs?. live.
  50. Country Songs chart for August 25, 2012. Billboard. August 20, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004412/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-08-25/country-songs?. live.
  51. Country Songs chart for September 1, 2012. Billboard. August 27, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004416/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-09-01/country-songs?. live.
  52. Country Songs chart for September 8, 2012. Billboard. September 3, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004422/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-09-08/country-songs?. live.
  53. Country Songs chart for September 15, 2012. Billboard. September 10, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004426/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-09-15/country-songs?. live.
  54. Country Songs chart for September 22, 2012. Billboard. September 17, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004431/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-09-22/country-songs?. live.
  55. Country Songs chart for September 29, 2012. Billboard. September 24, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004437/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-09-29/country-songs?. live.
  56. Country Songs chart for October 6, 2012. Billboard. October 1, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004441/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-10-06/country-songs?. live.
  57. Country Songs chart for October 13, 2012. Billboard. October 8, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004448/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-10-13/country-songs?. live.
  58. Country Songs chart for October 20, 2012. Billboard. October 17, 2012.
  59. Country Airplay chart for October 20, 2012. Billboard. October 9, 2018.
  60. Country Songs chart for October 27, 2012. Billboard. October 25, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004458/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-10-27/country-songs?. live.
  61. Country Airplay chart for October 27, 2012. Billboard. October 9, 2018. August 16, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130816033619/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-10-27/country-airplay. live.
  62. Country Songs chart for November 3, 2012. Billboard. October 25, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004502/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-11-03/country-songs?. live.
  63. Country Airplay chart for November 3, 2012. Billboard. October 9, 2018.
  64. Country Songs chart for November 10, 2012. Billboard. November 1, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004508/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-11-10/country-songs?. live.
  65. Country Airplay chart for November 10, 2012. Billboard. October 9, 2018.
  66. Country Songs chart for November 17, 2012. Billboard. November 8, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004512/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-11-17/country-songs?. live.
  67. Country Airplay chart for November 17, 2012. Billboard. October 9, 2018.
  68. Country Songs chart for November 24, 2012. Billboard. November 15, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004520/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-11-24/country-songs?. live.
  69. Country Airplay chart for November 24, 2012. Billboard. October 9, 2018.
  70. Country Songs chart for December 1, 2012. Billboard. November 22, 2012. February 4, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130204032131/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-12-01/country-songs. live.
  71. Country Airplay chart for December 1, 2012. Billboard. October 9, 2018.
  72. Country Songs chart for December 8, 2012. Billboard. November 29, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004530/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-12-08/country-songs?. live.
  73. Country Airplay chart for December 8, 2012. Billboard. October 9, 2018. March 1, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130301091047/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-12-08/country-airplay. live.
  74. Country Songs chart for December 15, 2012. Billboard. December 6, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004535/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-12-15/country-songs?. live.
  75. Country Airplay chart for December 15, 2012. Billboard. October 9, 2018. July 13, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140713221312/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-12-15/country-airplay. live.
  76. Country Songs chart for December 22, 2012. Billboard. December 13, 2012. July 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706004540/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-12-22/country-songs?. live.
  77. Country Airplay chart for December 22, 2012. Billboard. October 9, 2018.
  78. Country Songs chart for December 29, 2012. Billboard. December 20, 2012. March 29, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130329181827/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-12-29/country-songs. live.
  79. Country Airplay chart for December 29, 2012. Billboard. October 9, 2018. December 31, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131231071340/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-12-29/country-airplay. live.