List of Top Country Albums number ones of 2020

Last updated

The Chicks reached number one with Gaslighter, their first new album since 2006 and their first since they changed their name from the Dixie Chicks. DixieChicksMSG062003.jpg
The Chicks reached number one with Gaslighter , their first new album since 2006 and their first since they changed their name from the Dixie Chicks.

Top Country Albums is a chart that ranks the top-performing country music albums in the United States, published by Billboard . In 2020, 16 different albums topped the chart, based on multi-metric consumption, blending traditional album sales, track equivalent albums, and streaming equivalent albums.

Contents

In the issue of Billboard dated January 4, Burl Ives topped the chart with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer , the soundtrack album of the 1964 Rankin/Bass television special of the same name. It was the first number-one country album for Ives, [1] a musician and Academy Award-winning actor who had died in 1995. [2] It was the first of two posthumous chart-toppers in 2020; Kenny Rogers, who died on March 20, [3] entered the chart at number one in the issue dated April 4 with The Best of Kenny Rogers: Through the Years. [4] The compilation album was the first number-one country album for Rogers since 1986. [5] Beginning with the January 11 issue, the number-one position was dominated in 2020 by Luke Combs, who spent 31 weeks in the top spot during the year with his album What You See Is What You Get ; no other act spent more than four weeks at number one. Combs's album also topped the all-genre Billboard 200 albums chart in November following the release of a deluxe edition with additional tracks; in the first week after that release the album set a new streaming record for a country music album. [6]

One act topped the chart for the first time in 2020: Morgan Wallen spent two non-consecutive weeks in the top spot with his debut full-length album If I Know Me . [7] [8] Two acts each reached number one for the first time since 2006: Jimmy Buffett with Life on the Flip Side and the Chicks with Gaslighter . [9] [10] The latter album was the all-female trio's first album of new material for fourteen years and their first since they changed their name from the Dixie Chicks. [11] [12] The year's final chart-topper was the Christmas album My Gift by Carrie Underwood. [13] Having spent a single week at number one in October, it returned to the peak position in the issue of Billboard dated December 12 and stayed there for the remainder of the year. It was one of two holiday albums to top the chart in 2020, along with A Holly Dolly Christmas by veteran country star Dolly Parton.

Chart history

Singer and actor Burl Ives spent a week at number one in January, nearly 25 years after he died. Burlives.jpg
Singer and actor Burl Ives spent a week at number one in January, nearly 25 years after he died.
Luke Combs dominated the top of the chart in 2020, spending more than half of the year at number one. Luke Combs interview.jpg
Luke Combs dominated the top of the chart in 2020, spending more than half of the year at number one.
Kenny Rogers topped the chart shortly after he died in March. KennyRogers.jpg
Kenny Rogers topped the chart shortly after he died in March.
Carrie Underwood ended the year at number one with her holiday album My Gift. Carrie Underwood Blown Away Tour.jpg
Carrie Underwood ended the year at number one with her holiday album My Gift .
Issue dateTitleArtist(s)Ref.
January 4 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Burl Ives [14]
January 11 What You See Is What You Get Luke Combs [15]
January 18 [16]
January 25 [17]
February 1 Nightfall Little Big Town [18]
February 8 What You See Is What You Get Luke Combs [19]
February 15 [20]
February 22 [21]
February 29 [22]
March 7 [23]
March 14 [24]
March 21 [25]
March 28 [26]
April 4The Best of Kenny Rogers: Through the Years Kenny Rogers [4]
April 11 What You See Is What You Get Luke Combs [27]
April 18 Southside Sam Hunt [28]
April 25 [29]
May 2 What You See Is What You Get Luke Combs [30]
May 9 [31]
May 16 Here and Now Kenny Chesney [32]
May 23 What You See Is What You Get Luke Combs [33]
May 30 Reunions Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit [34]
June 6 What You See Is What You Get Luke Combs [35]
June 13 Life on the Flip Side Jimmy Buffett [36]
June 20 What You See Is What You Get Luke Combs [37]
June 27 [38]
July 4 [39]
July 11 [40]
July 18 [41]
July 25 [42]
August 1 Gaslighter The Chicks [43]
August 8 [44]
August 15 If I Know Me Morgan Wallen [45]
August 22 Born Here Live Here Die Here Luke Bryan [46]
August 29 If I Know Me Morgan Wallen [47]
September 5 Here on Earth Tim McGraw [48]
September 12 What You See Is What You Get Luke Combs [49]
September 19 [50]
September 26 [51]
October 3 The Speed of Now Part 1 Keith Urban [52]
October 10 My Gift Carrie Underwood [53]
October 17 A Holly Dolly Christmas Dolly Parton [54]
October 24 What You See Is What You Get Luke Combs [55]
October 31 [56]
November 7 [57]
November 14 [58]
November 21 [59]
November 28 Starting Over Chris Stapleton [60]
December 5 What You See Is What You Get Luke Combs [61]
December 12 My Gift Carrie Underwood [62]
December 19 [63]
December 26 [64]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Home</i> (Dixie Chicks album) 2002 studio album by Dixie Chicks

Home is the sixth studio album by American country music band Dixie Chicks, released on August 27, 2002, through Monument and Columbia Records. It is notable for its acoustic bluegrass sound, which stands in contrast with their previous two country pop albums.

<i>Wide Open Spaces</i> (album) 1998 studio album by Dixie Chicks

Wide Open Spaces is the fourth studio album and the major label debut of American country music band Dixie Chicks. It was their first record with new lead vocalist Natalie Maines, and became their breakthrough commercial success. It received diamond status by the RIAA on February 20, 2003, in the United States, having shipped 13 million units worldwide, while spending more than six years in the Australian ARIA music charts Country Top 20.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islands in the Stream (song)</span> 1983 song by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

"Islands in the Stream" is a song written by the Bee Gees and recorded by American country music artists Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. Named after an Ernest Hemingway novel, it was released in August 1983 as the first single from Rogers's album Eyes That See in the Dark. The song was originally written for Diana Ross in an R&B style but later reworked for the duet by Rogers and Parton. The Bee Gees released a live version of the song in 1998 and a studio version in 2001.

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 2000.

<i>Taking the Long Way</i> 2006 studio album by Dixie Chicks

Taking the Long Way is the seventh studio album by American country music group Dixie Chicks. Released on May 23, 2006, through Columbia Nashville, it was also the group's last album released under the “Dixie Chicks” name. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 2.5 million copies in the U.S., being certified 2× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on July 11, 2007. It won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year in February 2007.

<i>Once Upon a Christmas</i> (Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton album) 1984 studio album by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

Once Upon a Christmas is a collaborative studio album by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. It was released on October 29, 1984, by RCA Nashville. The album was produced by Rogers with David Foster. It was Rogers' second Christmas album, following 1981's Christmas, and Parton's first. The album's release was accompanied by a CBS television special, Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember. The album was certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landslide (Fleetwood Mac song)</span> 1975 song by Fleetwood Mac

"Landslide" is a song written by Stevie Nicks and performed by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac. The song was first featured on the band's self-titled album Fleetwood Mac (1975). The original recording also appears on the compilation albums 25 Years – The Chain (1992) and The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac (2002), while a live version was released as a single 23 years later from the live reunion album The Dance (1997). "Landslide" reached No. 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart. "Landslide" was certified Gold in October 2009 for sales of over 500,000 copies in the United States. According to Nielsen Soundscan, "Landslide" sold 2,093,186 copies in the United States as of 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Chicks discography</span> Discography

The Chicks are an American country music band composed of Natalie Maines, along with Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire, who are sisters. Their discography comprises eight studio albums, two live albums and 28 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Chicks</span> American country band

The Chicks are an American country music band from Dallas, Texas. Since 1995, the band has consisted of Natalie Maines and sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer. Maguire and Strayer, both née Erwin, founded the band in 1989 in Dallas, Texas, with bassist Laura Lynch and vocalist and guitarist Robin Lynn Macy. They performed bluegrass and country music, busking and touring the bluegrass festival circuits and small venues for six years without attracting a major label. In 1992, Macy left and Lynch became the lead vocalist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Top Country Albums</span> Weekly country music rankings published by Billboard magazine in the United States

Top Country Albums is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. The 50-position chart lists the most popular country music albums in the country, calculated weekly by Broadcast Data Systems based on physical sales along with digital sales and streaming. The chart was first published in the issue of Billboard dated January 11, 1964, under the title Hot Country Albums, when the number one album was Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash by Johnny Cash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Rogers discography</span>

The discography of American singer Kenny Rogers (1938–2020), consists of 39 studio albums and 80 singles, 21 of which have reached Number One on the country chart. His longest-lasting Number Ones on that chart are "The Gambler" and "Coward of the County", at three weeks each. Two of his Number One country hits, "Lady" and "Islands in the Stream", a duet with Dolly Parton, also reached Number One on the Billboard Hot 100; "Lady" spent six weeks at the top, making it his longest running Number One single on any Billboard chart. More than just a US phenomenon, he found an audience around the world with two of his biggest songs, "Lucille" and "Coward of the County", both reaching Number One on the general sales chart in the UK. His albums The Gambler and Kenny each topped the country chart for at least 20 weeks, while his Greatest Hits was the only album by a solo country performer to top the Billboard 200 during the 1980s, reaching the summit in late 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morgan Wallen</span> American pop country musician (born 1993)

Morgan Cole Wallen is an American country music singer and songwriter. He competed in the sixth season of The Voice, originally as a member of Usher's team, but later as a member of Adam Levine's team. After being eliminated in the playoffs of that season, he signed to Panacea Records, releasing his debut EP, Stand Alone, in 2015.

<i>If I Know Me</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Morgan Wallen

If I Know Me is the debut studio album by American country music singer Morgan Wallen. It was released April 27, 2018, through Big Loud Records. The production on the album was handled by Joey Moi and features a guest appearance by Florida Georgia Line.

<i>Gaslighter</i> (album) 2020 studio album by the Chicks

Gaslighter is the eighth studio album by American country band The Chicks. It was released on July 17, 2020, by Columbia Records. Produced by Jack Antonoff and the Chicks, it is the group's first album in fourteen years, and first to be released under their new name The album was preceded by the release of three singles: "Gaslighter", "Julianna Calm Down", and "March March". The album received critical acclaim.

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2020.

References

  1. "Burl Ives Chart History: Top Country Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  2. Ruhlmann, William. "Burl Ives Biography & History". AllMusic . Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  3. Vinopal, David. "Kenny Rogers Biography & History". AllMusic . Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Country Albums chart for April 4, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  5. Trapp, Philip (April 1, 2020). "Kenny Rogers Lands No. 1 Country Album for First Time Since". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media . Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  6. Caulfield, Keith (November 1, 2020). "Luke Combs' 'What You See Is What You Get' Back at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Sets New Streaming Record". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  7. Deming, Mark. "Morgan Wallen Biography & History". AllMusic . Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  8. "Morgan Wallen Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  9. "Jimmy Buffett Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  10. "Dixie Chicks Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  11. Willman, Chris (June 25, 2020). "Dixie Chicks Officially Change Name to 'The Chicks'". Variety . Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  12. Yahr, Emily (July 16, 2020). "The 'Dixie' is gone. The Chicks are forever". The Washington Post . Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  13. Daniell, Mark (December 17, 2020). "Carrie Underwood sings holiday classics on 'My Gift': 'Christmas is needed now more than ever'". Toronto Sun . Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  14. "Country Albums chart for January 4, 2020". Billboard . Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  15. "Country Albums chart for January 11, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  16. "Country Albums chart for January 18, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  17. "Country Albums chart for January 25, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  18. "Country Albums chart for February 1, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  19. "Country Albums chart for February 8, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  20. "Country Albums chart for February 15, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  21. "Country Albums chart for February 22, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  22. "Country Albums chart for February 29, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  23. "Country Albums chart for March 7, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  24. "Country Albums chart for March 14, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  25. "Country Albums chart for March 21, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  26. "Country Albums chart for March 28, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  27. "Country Albums chart for April 11, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  28. "Country Albums chart for April 18, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  29. "Country Albums chart for April 25, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  30. "Country Albums chart for May 2, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  31. "Country Albums chart for May 9, 2020". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  32. "Country Albums chart for May 16, 2020". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  33. "Country Albums chart for May 23, 2020". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  34. "Country Albums chart for May 30, 2020". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  35. "Country Albums chart for June 6, 2020". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  36. "Country Albums chart for June 13, 2020". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  37. "Country Albums chart for June 20, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  38. "Country Albums chart for June 27, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  39. "Country Albums chart for July 4, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  40. "Country Albums chart for July 11, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  41. "Country Albums chart for July 18, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  42. "Country Albums chart for July 25, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  43. "Country Albums chart for August 1, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  44. "Country Albums chart for August 8, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  45. "Country Albums chart for August 15, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  46. "Country Albums chart for August 22, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  47. "Country Albums chart for August 29, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  48. "Country Albums chart for September 5, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  49. "Country Albums chart for September 12, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  50. "Country Albums chart for September 19, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  51. "Country Albums chart for September 26, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  52. "Country Albums chart for October 3, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  53. "Country Albums chart for October 10, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  54. "Country Albums chart for October 17, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  55. "Country Albums chart for October 24, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  56. "Country Albums chart for October 31, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  57. "Country Albums chart for November 7, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  58. "Country Albums chart for November 14, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  59. "Country Albums chart for November 21, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  60. "Country Albums chart for November 28, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  61. "Country Albums chart for December 05, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  62. "Country Albums chart for December 12, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  63. "Country Albums chart for December 19, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  64. "Country Albums chart for December 26, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2020.