He’s not wrong.
Though you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who says he’s one of the quintessential country acts of all time, there’s simply no denying the career Kenny Chesney has had over the past four decades. Beyond his recent induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame last year, the Tennessee native has additionally been named Billboard’s Top Country Artist of the 21st Century and the seventh-most popular touring act of the millennium by Pollstar.
Of course, this fails to mention the fact that Chesney has additionally scored 33 #1 hits throughout his career, sold over 100 million units in the U.S. alone, won a combined 23 CMA and ACM Awards over the past three decades and curated one of the most successful live shows in country music thanks to the dedication of his fanbase, No Shoes Nation. Despite having a staggering 33 #1 hits, the “Summertime” singer actually could have had nearly a dozen or so extra #1s throughout his career.
In a recent podcast appearance, Chesney sat down to talk about everything from his favorite songs throughout his career to being honored right next to the legendary Chet Atkins in their hometown of Luttrell, Tennessee.
Later in the podcast, the 57-year-old singer/songwriter would begin to lament the fact that he thinks that he has the most #2 hits in the history of music, estimating he has 14 or 15 throughout his career.
“I’ve had more #2 records than probably any act in the world. I mean, I’ve had like 14 or 15 songs that didn’t hit #1 that was #2.”
He’d then note the fact that “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems,” which has undoubtedly become one of his signature songs and received a 2x platinum certification from the RIAA, would also get stuck at #2 during the height of its popularity. This was thanks to Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett’s megahit, “It’s Five O’ Clock Somewhere,” which stayed at #1 for a lengthy eight straight weeks.
“It got stuck behind my friend, Jimmy Buffett, and Alan Jackson’s ‘Five O’Clock Somewhere’ for 8 straight weeks. Same label. Pissed me off, but that record was so hot, they couldn’t maneuver it.”
Interesting to hear him say the label couldn’t “maneuver it,” essentially confessing the quiet part out loud about how labels will push certain songs at certain times to try and maximize for #1 hits. Nothing we don’t know already, but you don’t always hear it out loud. Obviously, the “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” story is a fun anecdote that resulted in no bad blood between the artists, but it did get me thinking of just how many hits from Chesney fell just short of the top spot. Well, it turns out that he was pretty spot on in his assessment.
On Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart alone, he has a staggering 12 #2 hits. Some of these include the likes of career staples such as the aforementioned “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” as well as the likes of “American Kids,” “I Go Back” and “Get Along.” It should be noted, however, that both “American Kids” and “Get Along” did go #1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
Additionally, he has an extra two #2 singles on Billboard’s newer chart, Country Airplay, which began in 2012. These two tracks are his 2020 gold single, “Happy Does,” and his 2021 platinum single, “Knowing You,” which takes his career total to 12 #2 hits (if you count “American Kids” and “Get Along” both going #1 on this chart).
A full list of Chesney’s #2 hits is as follows:
- “Knowing You” – 2021
- “Happy Does” – 2020
- “Shiftwork” (with George Strait) – 2007
- “Who You’d Be Today” – 2005
- “The Woman With You” – 2004
- “I Go Back” – 2004
- “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” – 2003
- “Big Star” – 2003
- “Young” – 2001
- “That’s Why I’m Here” – 1998
- “When I Close My Eyes” – 1996
- “Me and You” – 1996
Before you go, fire up “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems.”
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