‘Meant To Be’ Tops Billboard’s List of 21st Century Country Hits

Billboard recently unveiled its latest list of the Top Hot Country Songs of the 21st Century, highlighting the most significant and influential country hits that have graced the airwaves between January 1, 2000, and December 28, 2024. Topping this prestigious ranking is the genre-defying track “Meant To Be” by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line, a song that made waves in the world of country-pop fusion and set new records in the industry.

Reflecting on the unexpected success of the song, Rexha shared with Billboard in 2018 that she never anticipated creating a hit that bridged the gap between pop and country genres. Originally, “Meant To Be” came to life as a result of a canceled session between Florida Georgia Line and Charlie Puth, highlighting the unpredictable nature of creativity. Rexha emphasized the importance of following intuition and breaking down musical barriers to allow for genuine artistic expression.

The chart-topping track “Meant To Be” made history by spending an unprecedented 50 weeks at the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, marking the longest consecutive reign on the list. Furthermore, the song received a Diamond certification from the RIAA, reached over one billion streams on Spotify, and amassed a billion views on YouTube. Notably, “Meant To Be” also soared to the Top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and garnered prestigious nominations at renowned award shows such as the Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, European Music Awards, and Country Music Awards.

Among the other standout tracks on the list are Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road,” which claimed the No. 1 spot for an impressive 34 weeks, Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” with a 24-week reign, Gabby Barrett’s “I Hope” taking the top position after a record-breaking 27-week climb, and Dan + Shay’s “Tequila,” which spent 54 weeks climbing to its peak. Walker Hayes made a memorable impact with his catchy tune “Fancy Like,” fueled by TikTok, enjoying a reign of 24 weeks starting in July of 2021, while Maren Morris’s heartfelt track “The Bones” held on to the No. 1 spot for 19 weeks, earning praise from the artist for resonating deeply with fans.

Morgan Wallen emerged as a dominant force on the list, securing three top-ten entries with hits like “Last Night,” “You Proof,” and “Wasted on You.” Wallen’s consistent presence on the charts and ability to cross genre boundaries underscored his enduring appeal and influence in the music industry.

Billboard’s ranking of the Top Hot Country Songs of the 21st Century serves as a testament to the diverse range of talent and creativity within the country music landscape, showcasing the enduring impact of these chart-topping hits on audiences worldwide. Each track highlighted on this list has left an indelible mark on the industry, solidifying its place in music history.