List of Billboard number-one country songs of 2016 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. 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. In 2016, nine different songs topped the Hot Country Songs chart and 40 different songs topped Country Airplay in 52 issues of the magazine.

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 Billboards 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

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"Die a Happy Man"[16] "Die a Happy Man"[17]
scope=row[18] [19]
scope=row[20] [21]
scope=row[22] [23]
scope=row[24] [25]
scope=row[26] [27]
scope=row[28] "Home Alone Tonight"
featuring Karen Fairchild
[29]
scope=row[30] [31]
scope=row[32] "Backroad Song"[33]
scope=row[34] "Dibs"[35]
scope=row[36] "Break on Me"[37]
scope=row[38] "We Went"[39]
scope=row"You Should Be Here"[40] "Heartbeat"[41]
scope=row[42] "Beautiful Drug"[43]
scope=row[44] "You Should Be Here"[45]
scope=row[46] [47]
scope=row"Humble and Kind"[48] [49]
scope=row"Somewhere on a Beach"[50] "I Like the Sound of That"Rascal Flatts[51]
scope=row[52] "Confession"Florida Georgia Line[53]
scope=row[54] "Think of You"
duet with Cassadee Pope
[55]
scope=row"H.O.L.Y."Florida Georgia Line[56] "Somewhere on a Beach"[57]
scope=row[58] [59]
scope=row[60] "Mind Reader"[61]
scope=row[62] "Came Here to Forget"[63]
scope=row[64] "T-Shirt"[65]
scope=row[66] "Humble and Kind"[67]
scope=row[68] "Huntin', Fishin' and Lovin' Every Day"[69]
scope=row[70] "Wasted Time"[71]
scope=row[72] [73]
scope=row[74] "Lights Come On"[75]
scope=row[76] "Church Bells"[77]
scope=row[78] "H.O.L.Y."Florida Georgia Line[79]
scope=row[80] "Record Year"[81]
scope=row[82] "Fix"[83]
scope=row[84] "Head Over Boots"[85]
scope=row[86] "From the Ground Up"Dan + Shay[87]
scope=row[88] "Make You Miss Me"[89]
scope=row[90] "American Country Love Song"[91]
scope=row"Peter Pan"[92] "Peter Pan"[93]
scope=row[94] "Different for Girls"
featuring Elle King
[95]
scope=row"Forever Country"Artists of Then, Now & Forever[96] "You Look Like I Need a Drink"[97]
scope=row[98] "It Don't Hurt Like It Used To"[99]
scope=row"Setting the World on Fire"
featuring P!nk
[100] [101]
scope=row[102] "I Know Somebody"LoCash[103]
scope=row[104] "Setting the World on Fire"
featuring P!nk
[105]
scope=row[106] "Move"[107]
scope=row"Blue Ain't Your Color"[108] [109]
scope=row[110] "Middle of a Memory"[111]
scope=row[112] ""[113]
scope=row[114] "May We All"Florida Georgia Line
featuring Tim McGraw
[115]
scope=row[116] [117]
scope=row[118] "Song for Another Time"Old Dominion[119]
scope=row[120] "Wanna Be That Song"[121]

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.
  2. Thomas Rhett Die a Happy Man Chart History. Billboard. October 19, 2018. May 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210516023201/https://www.billboard.com/music/Thomas-Rhett/chart-history/CSI. live.
  3. Web site: Thomas Rhett's Die A Happy Man gets Tori Kelly remix treatment - premiere. Official Charts Company. Jack. White. June 22, 2016. February 12, 2020. February 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200212204922/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/thomas-rhetts-die-a-happy-man-gets-tori-kelly-remix-treatment-premiere__15406/. live.
  4. On the Charts: Bebe Rexha, Florida Georgia Line Achieve Rare Country Feat. Rolling Stone. Stephen L.. Betts. December 5, 2017. October 24, 2018. October 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024113350/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/on-the-charts-bebe-rexha-florida-georgia-line-achieve-rare-country-feat-123699/. live.
  5. 'Forever Country' Video: Watch Star-Studded, Magical Medley Come to Life. Rolling Stone. September 21, 2016. October 24, 2018. October 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024113135/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/forever-country-video-watch-star-studded-magical-medley-come-to-life-111161/. live.
  6. Web site: Garth Brooks Sets Record With No. 1 Song. CMT. September 7, 2007. April 7, 2018. Edward. Morris. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180407183611/http://www.cmt.com/news/1569137/garth-brooks-sets-record-with-no-1-song/. April 7, 2018.
  7. Pink Chart History. Billboard. October 24, 2018.
  8. Hear Granger Smith's Affectionate New Song 'Happens Like That'. Rolling Stone. May 19, 2017. Jeff. Gage. October 24, 2018. October 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024152738/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/hear-granger-smiths-affectionate-new-song-happens-like-that-124782/. live.
  9. Cassadee Pope Chart History. Billboard. October 24, 2018. November 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211117215452/https://www.billboard.com/artist/cassadee-pope/chart-history/csa/. live.
  10. Elle King Chart History. Billboard. October 24, 2018. November 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211118041824/https://www.billboard.com/artist/elle-king/chart-history/csa/. live.
  11. Web site: Chris Lane Celebrates First No. 1, "Fix," With Song's Co-Writers. https://web.archive.org/web/20161124112000/http://www.cmt.com/news/1771987/chris-lane-celebrates-first-no-1-fix-with-songs-co-writers/. dead. November 24, 2016. CMT. Edward. Morris. October 11, 2016. October 24, 2018.
  12. Web site: Jon Pardi Celebrates First No. 1 Song with 'Head Over Boots'. Annie. Reuter. Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. October 29, 2016. October 24, 2018. October 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024192306/http://tasteofcountry.com/jon-pardi-head-over-boots-number-one-party/. live.
  13. Web site: LoCash Revels in First No. 1 Single, "I Know Somebody". https://web.archive.org/web/20170228190526/http://www.cmt.com/news/1777669/locash-revels-in-first-no-1-single-i-know-somebody. dead. February 28, 2017. CMT. Edward. Morris. February 24, 2017. October 24, 2018.
  14. Karen Fairchild Chart History. Billboard. October 24, 2018.
  15. Web site: Little Big Town Biography & History. AllMusic. William. Ruhlmann. October 24, 2018. October 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024152714/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/little-big-town-mn0000257787/biography. live.
  16. Country Songs chart for January 2, 2016. Billboard. December 22, 2015.
  17. Country Airplay chart for January 2, 2016. Billboard. December 22, 2015.
  18. Country Songs chart for January 9, 2016. Billboard. December 29, 2015.
  19. Country Airplay chart for January 9, 2016. Billboard. December 29, 2015.
  20. Country Songs chart for January 16, 2016. Billboard. January 4, 2016.
  21. Country Airplay chart for January 16, 2016. Billboard. January 4, 2016.
  22. Country Songs chart for January 23, 2016. Billboard. January 11, 2016.
  23. Country Airplay chart for January 23, 2016. Billboard. January 11, 2016.
  24. Country Songs chart for January 30, 2016. Billboard. January 20, 2016.
  25. Country Airplay chart for January 30, 2016. Billboard. January 20, 2016.
  26. Country Songs chart for February 6, 2016. Billboard. January 26, 2016.
  27. Country Airplay chart for February 6, 2016. Billboard. January 26, 2016.
  28. Country Songs chart for February 13, 2016. Billboard. February 2, 2016.
  29. Country Airplay chart for February 13, 2016. Billboard. February 2, 2016.
  30. Country Songs chart for February 20, 2016. Billboard. February 9, 2016.
  31. Country Airplay chart for February 20, 2016. Billboard. February 9, 2016.
  32. Country Songs chart for February 27, 2016. Billboard. February 16, 2016.
  33. Country Airplay chart for February 27, 2016. Billboard. February 16, 2016.
  34. Country Songs chart for March 5, 2016. Billboard. February 23, 2016.
  35. Country Airplay chart for March 5, 2016. Billboard. February 23, 2016.
  36. Country Songs chart for March 12, 2016. Billboard. March 1, 2016.
  37. Country Airplay chart for March 12, 2016. Billboard. March 1, 2016.
  38. Country Songs chart for March 19, 2016. Billboard. March 8, 2016.
  39. Country Airplay chart for March 19, 2016. Billboard. March 8, 2016.
  40. Country Songs chart for March 26, 2016. Billboard. March 15, 2016.
  41. Country Airplay chart for March 26, 2016. Billboard. March 15, 2016.
  42. Country Songs chart for April 2, 2016. Billboard. March 22, 2016.
  43. Country Airplay chart for April 2, 2016. Billboard. March 22, 2016.
  44. Country Songs chart for April 9, 2016. Billboard. March 29, 2016.
  45. Country Airplay chart for April 9, 2016. Billboard. March 29, 2016.
  46. Country Songs chart for April 16, 2016. Billboard. April 5, 2016.
  47. Country Airplay chart for April 16, 2016. Billboard. April 5, 2016.
  48. Country Songs chart for April 23, 2016. Billboard. April 12, 2016.
  49. Country Airplay chart for April 23, 2016. Billboard. April 12, 2016.
  50. Country Songs chart for April 30, 2016. Billboard. April 19, 2016.
  51. Country Airplay chart for April 30, 2016. Billboard. April 19, 2016.
  52. Country Songs chart for May 7, 2016. Billboard. April 26, 2016.
  53. Country Airplay chart for May 7, 2016. Billboard. April 26, 2016.
  54. Country Songs chart for May 14, 2016. Billboard. May 3, 2016.
  55. Country Airplay chart for May 14, 2016. Billboard. May 3, 2016.
  56. Country Songs chart for May 21, 2016. Billboard. May 10, 2016.
  57. Country Airplay chart for May 21, 2016. Billboard. May 10, 2016.
  58. Country Songs chart for May 28, 2016. Billboard. May 17, 2016.
  59. Country Airplay chart for May 28, 2016. Billboard. May 17, 2016.
  60. Country Songs chart for June 4, 2016. Billboard. May 24, 2016.
  61. Country Airplay chart for June 4, 2016. Billboard. May 24, 2016.
  62. Country Songs chart for June 11, 2016. Billboard. June 1, 2016.
  63. Country Airplay chart for June 11, 2016. Billboard. June 1, 2016.
  64. Country Songs chart for June 18, 2016. Billboard. June 7, 2016.
  65. Country Airplay chart for June 18, 2016. Billboard. June 7, 2016.
  66. Country Songs chart for June 25, 2016. Billboard. June 14, 2016.
  67. Country Airplay chart for June 25, 2016. Billboard. June 14, 2016.
  68. Country Songs chart for July 2, 2016. Billboard. June 21, 2016.
  69. Country Airplay chart for July 2, 2016. Billboard. June 21, 2016.
  70. Country Songs chart for July 9, 2016. Billboard. June 28, 2016.
  71. Country Airplay chart for July 9, 2016. Billboard. June 28, 2016.
  72. Country Songs chart for July 16, 2016. Billboard. July 6, 2016.
  73. Country Airplay chart for July 16, 2016. Billboard. July 6, 2016.
  74. Country Songs chart for July 23, 2016. Billboard. July 12, 2016.
  75. Country Airplay chart for July 23, 2016. Billboard. July 12, 2016.
  76. Country Songs chart for July 30, 2016. Billboard. July 19, 2016.
  77. Country Airplay chart for July 30, 2016. Billboard. July 19, 2016.
  78. Country Songs chart for August 6, 2016. Billboard. July 26, 2016.
  79. Country Airplay chart for August 6, 2016. Billboard. July 26, 2016.
  80. Country Songs chart for August 13, 2016. Billboard. August 2, 2016.
  81. Country Airplay chart for August 13, 2016. Billboard. August 2, 2016.
  82. Country Songs chart for August 20, 2016. Billboard. August 9, 2016.
  83. Country Airplay chart for August 20, 2016. Billboard. August 9, 2016.
  84. Country Songs chart for August 27, 2016. Billboard. August 16, 2016.
  85. Country Airplay chart for August 27, 2016. Billboard. August 16, 2016.
  86. Country Songs chart for September 3, 2016. Billboard. August 23, 2016.
  87. Country Airplay chart for September 3, 2016. Billboard. August 23, 2016.
  88. Country Songs chart for September 10, 2016. Billboard. August 30, 2016.
  89. Country Airplay chart for September 10, 2016. Billboard. August 30, 2016.
  90. Country Songs chart for September 17, 2016. Billboard. September 7, 2016.
  91. Country Airplay chart for September 17, 2016. Billboard. September 7, 2016.
  92. Country Songs chart for September 24, 2016. Billboard. September 13, 2016.
  93. Country Airplay chart for September 24, 2016. Billboard. September 13, 2016.
  94. Country Songs chart for October 1, 2016. Billboard. September 20, 2016.
  95. Country Airplay chart for October 1, 2016. Billboard. September 20, 2016.
  96. Country Songs chart for October 8, 2016. Billboard. September 27, 2016.
  97. Country Airplay chart for October 8, 2016. Billboard. September 27, 2016.
  98. Country Songs chart for October 15, 2016. Billboard. October 4, 2016.
  99. Country Airplay chart for October 15, 2016. Billboard. October 4, 2016.
  100. Country Songs chart for October 22, 2016. Billboard. October 11, 2016.
  101. Country Airplay chart for October 22, 2016. Billboard. October 11, 2016.
  102. Country Songs chart for October 29, 2016. Billboard. October 18, 2016.
  103. Country Airplay chart for October 29, 2016. Billboard. October 18, 2016.
  104. Country Songs chart for November 5, 2016. Billboard. October 25, 2016.
  105. Country Airplay chart for November 5, 2016. Billboard. October 25, 2016.
  106. Country Songs chart for November 12, 2016. Billboard. November 1, 2016.
  107. Country Airplay chart for November 12, 2016. Billboard. November 1, 2016.
  108. Country Songs chart for November 19, 2016. Billboard. November 8, 2016.
  109. Country Airplay chart for November 19, 2016. Billboard. November 8, 2016.
  110. Country Songs chart for November 26, 2016. Billboard. November 15, 2016.
  111. Country Airplay chart for November 26, 2016. Billboard. November 15, 2016.
  112. Country Songs chart for December 3, 2016. Billboard. November 22, 2016.
  113. Country Airplay chart for December 3, 2016. Billboard. November 22, 2016.
  114. Country Songs chart for December 10, 2016. Billboard. November 29, 2016.
  115. Country Airplay chart for December 10, 2016. Billboard. November 29, 2016.
  116. Country Songs chart for December 17, 2016. Billboard. December 6, 2016.
  117. Country Airplay chart for December 17, 2016. Billboard. December 6, 2016.
  118. Country Songs chart for December 24, 2016. Billboard. December 13, 2016.
  119. Country Airplay chart for December 24, 2016. Billboard. December 13, 2016.
  120. Country Songs chart for December 31, 2016. Billboard. December 20, 2016.
  121. Country Airplay chart for December 31, 2016. Billboard. December 20, 2016.