Today, we’re taking a look back on the past 365 days to celebrate the Top 10 country songs of 2024, according to Mediabase.
It’s been an exciting year for country fans as their favorite artists have gone above and beyond to create some of their best music to date. There are many lists that are compiled this time of year to recognize which songs came out on top and left a lasting impression on the genre, including those that dominated country radio.
The just-released list reveals the most-played songs on the airwaves throughout the year.
Sitting at No. 1 is Nate Smith with “World On Fire.” The fan-favorite track earned Smith his second consecutive chart-topping single in just a year and remained at No. 1 on the Mediabase chart for three weeks. Also featured among the lineup of hits is Warren Zeiders‘ “Pretty Little Poison” at No. 2, and Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson’s powerhouse duet, “Save Me.”
Closing out the Top 5 most played songs on country radio in 2024 are Sam Hunt’s “Outskirts” and Bailey Zimmerman’s “Where It Ends.”
See below for a list of the Top 10 Country Songs of 2024, according to Mediabase.
Nate Smith – “World On Fire”
Nate Smith’s scorching No. 1 hit, “World On Fire” has officially been declared the top country song on country radio in 2024. Penned by Smith with Ashley Gorley, Lindsay Rimes, and Taylor Phillips, the hard-hitting breakup anthem quickly gained momentum for its powerful narrative inspired by the 2018 wildfire that happened in Smith’s hometown of Paradise, California. The country singer earned his second consecutive chart-topping single in just a year when “World On Fire” shot up the charts and landed in the No. 1 spot. It remained on the Mediabase chart for three weeks and 10 weeks on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, thus tying Morgan Wallen for having longest-running number one single in the chart’s 34-year history.
Warren Zeiders – “Pretty Little Poison”
Co-penned by Warren Zeiders alongside Jared Keim and Ryan Beaver, “Pretty Little Poison” finds the rising star letting his smokey vocals come to life as he attempts to navigate his way through a toxic relationship. The single saw success right out of the gate as it debuted as “most added” at Country radio and went on to earn Zeiders several milestone achievements. In addition to being his first-ever No. 1 hit on the airwaves, the tune also achieved double platinum status and served as the lead single and title track to his acclaimed 2023 debut album with Warner Records.
Jelly Roll with Lainey Wilson – “Save Me”
Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson took the airwaves by storm upon the release of their collaboration, “Save Me.” It was most-added upon its debut to country radio, earning a whopping 60 first-week adds on stations around the country, and later received a nod for Musical Event Of The Year at the 57th Annual CMA Awards. Additionally, the tune earned Jelly Roll his first-ever GRAMMY nomination. Co-written by Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) with David Ray Stevens, the collaborative version of “Save Me” appears on the Antioch, TN native’s 2023 album, WHITSITT CHAPEL. The pair of artists come together to tackle the powerful narrative that features a set of pleading emotions as he puts his most vulnerable feelings on display while desperately searching for help with addiction.
Sam Hunt – “Outskirts”
In April of 2024, Sam Hunt earned his milestone 10th No.1 at country radio with his addicting single, “Outskirts.” Hunt co-wrote the nostalgia-filled tune alongside his frequent collaborators Zach Crowell, Jerry Flowers, and Josh Osborne. From this writing session was born a story so powerful that fans haven’t been able to stop singing it. The country star’s baritone vocals come out in full force as he tries to move on from a past love, but finds himself thinking about her all over again once he crosses the city limits signs.
Bailey Zimmerman – “Where It Ends”
After going through a brutal breakup, Bailey Zimmerman reflected on what went wrong and ended up realizing he had offered his ex too many chances and got nothing in return. With the help of co-writers, Grant Averill, Joe London and Joe Spargur, he poured out the emotions of this heartache in his fourth consecutive No. 1 hit, “Where It Ends.” The song has since earned a platinum-selling certification and appears on the Illinois native’s record-breaking debut album, Religiously. The Album.
Morgan Wallen – “Thinkin’ ‘Bout Me”
Morgan Wallen’s “Thinkin’ Bout Me” secured its elite place at the top of the Mediabase chart in October, cementing his 10th career No. 1. Throughout the post-breakup anthem, co-written by John Byron, Ashley Gorley, Taylor Phillips, and Ryan Vojtesak, the Tennessee native speaking to an ex, and wondering if he’s still lingering in the back of her mind even while she’s seeing someone else. The song that evolved into an addictive sing-along during Wallen’s sold-out life shows appears on his 36-track One Thing At A Time.
HARDY – “Truck Bed”
HARDY has always been known to produce music that reflects his desire to stretch the boundaries of country music, and he carried that into his half rock half country album, the mockingbird & THE CROW, in 2023. This collection of songs spawned the Mississippi native’s fourth No.1 single, “Truck Bed,” the anthem that leans heavily into his hard-hitting rock sound. Co-penned by HARDY with Ben Johnson, Hunter Phelps and Ashley Gorley, the single finds HARDY waking up after a night of heavy drinking to realize his actions have led to the ultimate demise of his character’s relationship.
Post Malone and Morgan Wallen – “I Had Some Help”
Post Malone sent fans into a frenzy when he unleashed his first official country single, “I Had Some Help” with Morgan Wallen and made history upon impact. The addictive summer breakup anthem earned 167 first-week adds at country radio, making it the first single to accomplish the feat since Garth Brooks‘ “Longneck Bottle” in 1997, and debuted at No. 15 on the Mediabase chart, the second-highest debut behind Brooks’ “More Than A Memory” in 2007. It then soared its way up the charts at a rapid pace, landing at No. 1 just eight weeks after it hit country radio and earning Malone his first-ever chart-topper at country radio. The pair of country stars served as co-writers alongside Louis Bell, Ryan Vojtesak, Ashley Gorley, Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters, and Hoskins. Fans can hear the boot-stomping, genre-defying track on Post Malone’s debut country album, F-1 Trillion.
Tyler Hubbard – “Back Then Right Now”
Tyler Hubbard offers a true taste of nostalgia with his third consecutive No.1 as a solo artist, “Back Then Right Now.” The Georgia native brought this song to life while reminiscing on stories from his youth alongside co-writers Jessie Jo Dillon, David Garcia and Geoff Warburton. A standout on his sophomore solo album, Strong, “Back Then Right Now” lends a feel-good energy that transports listeners back in time and encourages them to be present in the moment and appreciate the simpler things.
Jordan Davis – “Tucson Too Late”
Jordan Davis took a slightly more traditional route than his usual sound when creating the pain-stricken storyline of his seventh No. 1 hit, “Tucson Too Late.” He paints the picture from the perspective of a man who realized he may have let something (and someone) great slip through his fingers. The chart-topping tune was penned by Davis and his brother Jacob Davis alongside Matt Jenkins and Josh Jenkins, the same songwriting quartet responsible for his award-winning hit, “Buy Dirt.” Both fan-favorite songs appear on his platinum-selling album, Bluebird Days.
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