Sam Hunt’s ‘Body Like a Back Road’ Breaks Record for Most Weeks Atop Hot Country Songs Chart
Sam Hunt's "Body Like a Back Road" rewrites the record for the most weeks spent atop Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, as it earns its 25th frame at No. 1 on the survey dated Aug. 12. "Back Road"…
Sam Hunt‘s “Body Like a Back Road” rewrites the record for the most weeks spent atop Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart, as it earns its 25th frame at No. 1 on the survey dated Aug. 12. “Back Road” one-ups the 24-week reign of Florida Georgia Line‘s debut single, “Cruise,” in 2012 and 2013.
[Editor’s note: The release of this week’s non-airplay Billboard charts, including Hot Country Songs and Top Country Albums, is delayed due to data issues. Still, “Back Road” will rank at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs when the chart is finalized due to its large overall lead in chart points.]
“I don’t think breaking the record at the top of the Hot Country Songs chart was the goal” when Hunt released the song, Cindy Mabe, Universal Music Group Nashville president, tells Billboard. “But, as summer met Sam’s 15 in a 30 Tour, combined with the pent-up demand for new music, this record has become part of culture and [a] sexy soundtrack for the summer. I think this is just the tip of the iceberg of what’s coming for Sam Hunt.”
For now, “Back Road,” co-written by Hunt, Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, is a stand-alone single following Hunt’s debut full-length, 2014’s Montevallo, which has sold 1.3 million copies in the U.S. to date, according to Nielsen Music. No details about a follow-up have been finalized.
Most Weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs
Weeks at No. 1, Title, Artist, Date Reached No. 1
25, “Body Like a Back Road,” Sam Hunt, Feb. 25, 2017
24, “Cruise,” Florida Georgia Line, Dec. 22, 2012
19, “Walk On By,” Leroy Van Dyke, Sept. 25, 1961
18, “H.O.L.Y.,” Florida Georgia Line, May 21, 2016
17, “Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett, Nov. 14, 2015
16, “Love’s Gonna Live Here,” Buck Owens, Oct. 19, 1963
Along with its 25-week rule on Hot Country Songs, “Back Road” likewise leads Country Streaming Songs and Country Digital Song Sales for a 25th week each. On the latter list, “Back Road” ties “Cruise” for the most weeks at No. 1.
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On Country Airplay, “Back Road” ruled for three weeks beginning on the chart dated May 6; while it has completed its run on the ranking, it drew 34.1 million in country radio audience in the tracking week.
Hot Country Songs blends radio airplay, streaming and sales data. The chart launched as an all-encompassing genre survey in October 1958. (It had been purely-airplay based, powered by Nielsen Music, since 1990; in 2012, it transitioned to its current multi-metric methodology.)