From Billboard · Paul Grein · · 1m 30s
When country hits the Hot 100 top five again
Three of this year's CMA single of the year nominees cracked the Hot 100 top five, something that has not happened in 50 years.
In brief
Three of this year's CMA single of the year nominees cracked the Hot 100 top five, something that has not happened in 50 years. Country's crossover power is cyclical, and streaming has pushed it back to a peak not seen since 1975. Originally reported by Billboard.
A 50 year first
Three of the five single of the year nominees at the 60th annual CMA Awards reached the Hot 100 top five. The last time that happened was 1975, when all five did.
Who made the cut
Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" tied the record with 22 weeks at No. 1. Taylor Swift's "I Knew It, I Knew You" spent two weeks on top, and Langley's "Be Her" hit No. 2.
The rest of the field
Cody Johnson's "The Fall" peaked at No. 26 in April. Lainey Wilson's "Somewhere Over Laredo" topped out at No. 36 back in December 2025.
1975 was the peak
Four of that year's nominees hit No. 1, including Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy" and John Denver's "Thank God I'm a Country Boy." The weakest, Jessi Colter's "I'm Not Lisa," still made No. 4.
Then the crossover died
By 1985, not one single of the year nominee even entered the Hot 100. Between 1985 and 1991, only Dan Seals' "Bop" charted at all, at No. 42.
Streaming reset the math
Country's Hot 100 fortunes have climbed again as streaming leveled the playing field. In 13 of the CMA's 60 years, two or more nominees were top 10 hits, starting with 1968.
“Streaming has leveled the playing field and improved country music's fortunes on the Hot 100 considerably in recent years.”
The big picture
Country's crossover power is cyclical, and streaming has pushed it back to a peak not seen since 1975.
