In today’s streaming and social media-dominated landscape, it seems as if #1 hits are becoming less and less relevant to truly gauge an artist’s success. With artists such as Eric Church and Chris Stapleton having less than 10 combined #1s despite selling out arenas across the country, it’s becoming clear that #1s aren’t everything.
With that being said, there are still some shocking songs that haven’t reached the top of Billboard’s country charts over the past decades. Here are 15 of the most surprising.
Amarillo By Morning – George Strait
It’s no stretch to say that “Amarillo By Morning” is one of the most iconic country songs of all time. Despite its legacy, it never actually reached #1 in the United States. Though it did hit #1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart, it peaked at #4 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in April of 1983.
Another fun fact about “Amarillo By Morning:” it is actually a cover of Terry Stafford’s original song. Read here for 14 other popular country songs you didn’t know were covers.
Whiskey Lullaby – Brad Paisley
It’s widely recognized that “Whiskey Lullaby” is the best song in Brad Paisley’s deep, underrated discography, being regarded as one of the saddest country songs of all time. Though it’s certified 2x platinum, it never went #1, peaking at #3. It was ultimately blocked from going #1 by Tim McGraw’s four-week #1 run with “Live Like You Were Dying.”
Red Solo Cup – Toby Keith
Arguably one of the most popular party country songs of all time, the 3x platinum track was one of the last hits of the late Toby Keith’s legendary career. The song shockingly barely cracked the Top 10, peaking at #9 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in February of 2012.
Fancy – Reba
“Fancy” is easily one of the most iconic songs in Reba’s discography, being her most streamed song on Spotify with over 119 million. Despite this, the song only peaked at #8 way back in 1991.
Crazy – Patsy Cline
“Crazy” is often regarded as one of the greatest country songs in the genre’s history, being up there with the likes of “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “Always on My Mind” and “I Walk the Line.” Unlike those tracks, “Crazy” somehow never topped the country charts, peaking at #2 and then #9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
My Kinda Party – Jason Aldean
Released during the height of Aldean’s massive popularity, the title track of his fourth studio album surprisingly never went #1 with it peaking at #2 in January 2011. It did, however, become the first of all five singles from the album to go either #1 or #2 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
Independence Day – Martina McBride
Like Reba, Martina McBride’s signature song also surprisingly did not go #1. Despite it being regarded as one of the most powerful country songs of all time, “Independence Day” failed to crack the Top 10, peaking at #12 in 1994.
Man! I Feel Like a Woman – Shania Twain
One would think that a song with over 580 million streams on Spotify alone, which is good for the 25th most in the country genre ever, would have gone #1 at some point in its history. That is not the case with “Man! I Feel Like a Woman.” Despite it charting in over a dozen countries, it never officially reached the top spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. It did hit #1 in New Zealand, however.
Heads Carolina, Tails California – Jo Dee Messina
As one of the most iconic nineties country songs, it might come as a surprise to many that “Heads Carolina, Tails California” never went #1. It was blocked by Brooks & Dunn’s equally as iconic hit, “My Maria” in May of 1996.
Gunpowder & Lead – Miranda Lambert
Despite being one of Miranda Lambert’s earliest and most iconic hits, “Gunpowder & Lead” shockingly was not a Top 5 hit for the “Kerosene” singer. The 3x platinum hit would peak at #7 in August 2008.
Troubadour – George Strait
Despite George Strait having a record 60 #1 hits throughout his four-decade career, “Troubadour” is not one of them. Widely regarded as one of his best songs, especially in the latter half of his career, the 3x platinum hit peaked at #7 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) – Big & Rich
Like Keith’s “Red Solo Cup,” “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” is widely viewed as one of the most popular party songs in the genre; however, it failed to crack the Top 10 back in 2004. The 2x certified platinum track peaked at just #11.
‘Ol Red – Blake Shelton
Despite being his self-proclaimed signature song and the name of his bar in downtown Nashville, Shelton’s cover of George Jones’ “‘Ol Red” failed to crack the Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart following its release in 2002. The 2x platinum hit peaked at #14 in August 2002.
All Summer Long – Kid Rock
Some may argue that Kid Rock’s signature hit, “All Summer Long,” isn’t country, but there’s no denying its popularity and crossover in the genre. The track would go #1 in many countries including the UK, Australia, Ireland and Scotland, but failed to grab a top spot on any major U.S. chart. It peaked at #4 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in October 2008.
Midnight In Montgomery – Alan Jackson
Jackson’s iconic ode to Hank Williams surprisingly never went #1. The song peaked at #3 in July 1992, being blocked by the likes of Wynonna’s “I Saw the Light” and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart.”