If you and Willie Nelson are the only people holding a record at country radio, you’re clearly doin’ something right.
Luke Combs scored his 18th #1 hit at U.S. country radio this past week with “Where The Wild Things Are,” a song from his 2023 Gettin’ Old album. Counting features, it’s Combs’ 20th #1 radio hit. He recently scored another #1 with Riley Green on “Different ‘Round Here.”
This marks the first time this century that an artist has replaced themselves with #1 hits on U.S. Country radio (it happened on the Mediabase chart)… and the only other artist to ever do that was last century, when Willie Nelson pulled it off twice:
“Luke Combs is officially the first artist this century to replace himself at #1 on US Country Radio (Mediabase).
He joins Willie Nelson as the only other artist to achieve the feat. Willie replaced himself on two separate occasions in 1976 & 1982 (via HUFF).”
Willie replaced himself on two separate occasions, in 1976 and 1982:
When Willie did it for the second time in May of 1982, his duet with Waylon Jennings “Just To Satisfy You” replaced Willie’s iconic song “Always On My Mind”:
The last time it happened: @WillieNelson & Waylon’s “Just To Satisfy You” succeeded Nelson’s cover of “Always On My Mind” pic.twitter.com/E5WRLQQXph
— Chris Huff (@HUFF) February 18, 2024
Yeah, not bad company for Mr. Combs…
In addition, every single Luke has ever sent to country radio has become a #1 hit, beginning back in 2016 with his debut single “Hurricane.” Alabama has the country music record at 21 consecutive chart-toppers, which they achieved over a 7-year span from 1980 to 1987.
And with Luke still in the absolute prime of his career, not even at the peak of his success, I’d say there is a good chance he can make a serious run at the all-time record with this insane momentum.
It’s unprecedented what he’s doing in terms of streaming numbers and radio hits, and there are no signs of slowing down anytime soon… and whatever he chooses next, it’s likely headed straight to #1, too.
“Where the Wild Things Are”
