Just One No. 1 Country Song This Decade
This decade has been quite a rollercoaster for country music. But I'll spare you the trip down memory lane right now and will just say this: A lot of artists have had just one big No. 1 hit in the past 10 years.
I thought of that when I read that Chris Young had his first No. 1 just now at the end of the decade. So I took a look back at all the songs that have been so huge but never had the follow up I'd hoped they would, chart-wise.
According to Billboard magazine, these are some of the songs that topped the charts -- recorded by artists who didn't make it back up there again.
The Wreckers, "Leave the Pieces" -- Loved the whole acoustic Bohemian sound they had on this, their break-out hit.
Jessica Andrews, "Who I Am" -- Which I loved for the honesty of the lyric about her mama being her biggest fan.
Craig Morgan, "That's What I Love About Sundays" -- Which makes me love Sundays more than Mondays through Saturdays still to this day.
Heartland, "I Loved Her First" -- Mandatory father-daughter wedding reception song, and it still makes me cry every time I hear it.
Emerson Drive, "Moments" -- Did you ever think suicide and homelessness could coexist so peacefully in a country song?
Jimmy Wayne, "Do You Believe Me Now" -- A another point of view in the I-told-you-so love affair drama.
Lee Ann Womack, "I Hope You Dance" -- A brilliant way to teach your children about the big picture.
Chris Cagle, "I Breathe In, I Breathe Out" -- Loved the way this song captured the post-breakup routines of getting through each day.
Cyndi Thomson, "What I Really Meant to Say" -- Great job of starting the decade by saying all the unsaid things you wished you could've.
James Otto, "Just Got Started Lovin' You" -- Sexy, sexy and, by the way, did I mention this song is sexy?
Let's end this decade with a little prayer that the ones who made it to No. 1 can do so again in the next decade.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
james2008 says:
What about Chad Brock’s Yes! or Josh Gracin’s Nothin’ To Lose?
rodney says:
i am not a big tim mcgraw fan but live like you were dying would be the song of the decade plain and simple. but some other good ones are jamey johnson’s in color and george strait’s i saw god today i would mention too.
rodney says:
oh and where were you when the world stop turning completely forgot about that one that actually would be my pick.
james2008 says:
This is a list of those artists who have had ONLY one #1 hit THIS decade!
Katie says:
I love so many of the artists listed, especially Jessica Andrews. But maybe this next decade will bring more success to these great artists.
Total Country says:
That is sad when you think about it, love a lot of those artist and I will join Alison and say, don’t give up, and hope all of them another number 1, plus, a few more the next decade.
ROXANNE says:
I really hope Chris Young has more #1’s. Love his new single The Man I want To Be. Hope that one makes it to the top!!!!
JO JO says:
Didn’t Chris Cagel have a #1 with “What Kinda Gone” not too long ago?
kristian says:
the best song is do i by luke brayn
classic country says:
everyone of these songs make me want to vomit. if any of these artist have another #1 i hope it’s actually a country song. if anyone thinks “moments” is a country song they need to take a weekened and spend some time with a little jamey johnson or merle. womack has plenty of great country songs “dance” was not one of them. if you hear a country song on your local pop station that’s a hint it’s not country.
Julie says:
Tim McGraw’s “Live like you were dying”
kendall127 says:
Have You Forgotten? Darryl Worley
Sandy Strickland says:
I think Stay by Sugarland is the best song of the Decade.The best Album for me was Richie Furay’s Heartbeat of Love.
Zack says:
Note to JO JO, “What Kinda Gone” actually made it only to #3 back in early ‘08.
JO JO says:
Thanks for the info Zack. #3 is still a good follow up chart wise. And the “Chicks Dig It” at #4.