Morgan Wallen’s hit single, “I’m the Problem,” continues to impress by dominating the Billboard Country Airplay chart for an impressive third consecutive week. The track is leading the chart dated May 10, amassing an audience of 30.5 million listeners, which reflects a 3% increase from April 25 to May 1, according to data compiled by Luminate. This remarkable performance underscores Wallen’s strong presence in the country music scene and his ability to connect with fans through relatable lyrics and catchy melodies.
The song “I’m the Problem” has earned Morgan Wallen his third Country Airplay No. 1 from his soon-to-be-released album of the same name, which is set to come out on May 16. Prior to this, Wallen’s earlier singles, “Love Somebody” and “Lies Lies Lies,” also reached the top of the charts, with “Love Somebody” enjoying a three-week reign in February and “Lies Lies Lies” leading for a week in November. In addition, his latest single, “Just in Case,” has made significant strides, moving up from 22 to 19 on the charts, attracting an audience of 9.1 million, marking a significant increase of 16%. Wallen’s ability to consistently produce chart-topping hits highlights his talent and appeal within the country music industry.
Morgan Wallen’s upcoming 37-track LP is set to exceed the length of his previous 2023 album, One Thing at a Time, which has impressively ruled the Top Country Albums chart for 84 weeks, making it the second-most successful album in the chart’s history. This achievement trails only his own record-setting album, Dangerous: The Double Album, which astonishingly held the No. 1 position for a record-breaking 97 weeks starting in January 2021. Wallen’s prolific output and success illustrate his significant impact on the country music scene and his ability to resonate with a wide audience.
“I’m the Problem” also stands as Wallen’s ninth Country Airplay No. 1 that has dominated the charts for three or more weeks. Notably, his longest-leading hit, “You Proof,” maintained its reign for an impressive ten weeks starting in October 2022. This remarkable achievement ties it for the longest stay at the top of the chart’s 35-year history, sharing this honor with Nate Smith’s “World on Fire,” which began its reign in December 2023. Wallen’s consistent success underscores his status as a leading figure in contemporary country music.
Brandon Lake’s Rising Success in Country Music
Brandon Lake’s single “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” featuring the talented Jelly Roll, has seen a notable rise, moving from 56 to 54 on the Country Airplay chart, reaching an audience of 979,000, which represents a 15% increase. This song marks Lake’s debut on the chart and has also enjoyed a remarkable 20-week reign on the Hot Christian Songs chart. Additionally, it has successfully broken into the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. A remix featuring Jelly Roll was released on February 7, and the duo performed the song live on ABC’s American Idol on April 20, further amplifying its reach and popularity among fans of both country and Christian music.
Brandon Lake has made history as the first core Christian music artist to break into Country Airplay since Chris Tomlin, who, as a featured artist on Thomas Rhett’s single “Be a Light,” along with Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, and Keith Urban, reached No. 2 in September 2020. In related news, Thomas Rhett’s duet with Forrest Frank, titled “Nothing Else,” ranked at No. 8 on the May 3 Hot Christian Songs chart, showcasing the ongoing crossover appeal of Christian and country music and their shared audiences.
