In February 2017, Sam Hunt released a groovy new single that would end up making country music history. Within months that song, titled “Body Like a Back Road,” would break multiple country chart records.
First, “Body Like a Back Road” broke a 55 year-long record previously held by Leroy Van Dyke’s “Walk on By.” The latter song had spent 20 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, but “Back Road” surpassed it. In doing so, Hunt became the solo country artist with the longest run at the top of that chart.
But it didn’t end there. The previous record holder for the most weeks at the top of the Hot Country Songs chart was Florida Georgia Line‘s “Cruise.” That song spent 24 weeks at number one, a record which stood for five years.
“Body Like a Back Road” broke and then surpassed that record, remaining at the top of the Hot Country Songs chart for 34 weeks.
After “Body Like a Back Road” set that record, it seemed unlikely that any other song could break it. But a year after Hunt established that record, it has already been shattered.
Florida Georgia Line has now reclaimed the record they previously held with “Cruise.” Their song “Meant to Be,” which is led by pop star Bebe Rexha and features the country duo, has now held on to the number one spot on the Hot Country Songs chart for 35 weeks.
Billboard reported the news on Monday (July 30). Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard spoke to the publication about the duo’s record-breaking achievement:
“I’m thankful to just be one of the many people who put so much energy and effort into making music history. Now, it’s time to get back in the studio and try to break the new record.“
This record is just the latest of many that “Meant to Be” has broken. When it debuted at the number one spot on the Hot Country Songs chart, it made Rexha the first-ever female artist to have a song accomplish such a feat.
In addition to all of that, the song allowed Florida Georgia Line to surpass a record long held by George Strait. Before “Meant to Be,” Strait held the record for the most total weeks spent at number one, adding up to 84 weeks over the course of his career. Thanks to “Meant to Be,” Florida Georgia Line was able to break that record, with 90+ weeks spent at number one.
“Meant to Be” shows no signs of slowing down, so we have a feeling that when it drops from the chart’s top spot, it will leave one seemingly impossible record to beat. Only time will tell how much longer it reigns supreme!