Thomas Rhett Is a ‘Happy Man’ Atop Country Airplay Chart
The singer/songwriter reigns for a fifth time with "Die a Happy Man." "You never take these things for granted," he says.
Thomas Rhett achieves his fifth leader on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart (dated Jan. 2), as “Die a Happy Man” steps 3-1 (up by 8 percent to 46 million in audience, according to Nielsen Music).
The love song follows Rhett’s previous Country Airplay No. 1s “It Goes Like This” (2013), “Get Me Some of That” (2014), “Make Me Wanna” and “Crash and Burn” (both in 2015). He’s logged all his leaders consecutively (counting his releases in a lead role; in 2014, he reached No. 8 as a guest, with Justin Moore, on Brantley Gilbert‘s “Small Town Throwdown”).
With a speedy (for country radio) 13-week trip to the top, Rhett completes his quickest climb to No. 1 on Country Airplay, as “Man” easily eclipses the 23-week rise of “Crash.”
“I am blown away that ‘Man’ is No. 1,” Rhett tells Billboard. “You never take these things for granted. I am extremely grateful to everyone for embracing this song. This song is incredibly special to my wife and me. [That it’s No. 1 is] a great Christmas gift.”
The ballad continues its reign atop the airplay, sales and streaming-based Hot Country Songs chart, where Rhett’s first leader rules for a sixth frame, adding 58,000 downloads sold (up 19 percent) and 3.8 million U.S. streams (up 3 percent).
“Man” is also bubbling under the Adult Pop Songs airplay chart, crossing over thanks to, most prominently, spins at CBS Radio-owned WBMX Boston (60 in the tracking week ending Dec. 20) and WTIC Hartford, Conn. (49).