Continuing his unprecedented run.
Oliver Anthony made history last week when his viral hit “Rich Men North of Richmond” debuted at #1 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart, the first time in the chart’s history that an artist debuted at the top of their chart in their first appearance. He’s also the first artist not signed to a label to top the chart since Lisa Loeb in 1994.
And last week also marked only the second time in history that country songs claimed all three spots on the top of the charts, with Luke Combs‘ cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” and Morgan Wallen‘s “Last Night” rounding out the top 3.
Well this week’s chart was just released – and nothing has changed at the top.
For the second week in a row, “Rich Men North of Richmond” remains the top song in the country, continuing the song’s incredible run that’s seen Anthony’s original video rack up 46 million views on YouTube, and also become the subject of a question at the GOP presidential debate last week.
Meanwhile, Luke Combs’ version of “Fast Car” sits at #2 on the chart, having still not been able to break through and reach the top spot thanks to the viral success of “Rich Men North of Richmond” as well as Jason Aldean’s “Try That In a Small Town,” along with the record-breaking run of Wallen’s “Last Night.”
Wallen’s hit has previously spent 16 weeks at #1, the second-longest run in history. The record is currently held by Lil Nas X with his viral hit “Old Town Road,” and almost definitely would have been broken by Wallen already had it not been for both Aldean and Oliver Anthony getting massive boosts from the controversy and viral attention surrounding their songs.
Still, for only the third week in history, country songs hold all 3 of the top spots on the all-genre Hot 100 chart. (And yes, I know, people are going to claim that Morgan’s song isn’t country and neither is “Fast Car” because it’s a cover of a pop song, but whatever).
It’s an incredible run for country music, and especially for Oliver Anthony after many questioned whether the song was going to disappear as quickly as it burst onto the scene.
Judging by the charts, I guess that’s not happening.
