Loving Life Again adds to her haul. Plus, a new top 10 for Luke Bryan.
Article Editorial Team
Ella Langley’s burgeoning career continues its impressive ascent, marked by a significant new milestone with her single "Loving Life Again" reaching the top 10 of Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. This achievement not only adds another accolade to her rapidly growing resume but also underscores the broader resurgence of women in country music. The song’s climb to No. 8 on the chart, dated September 19, represents a four-spot jump and signals a strong performance with 18.6 million audience impressions between September 4-10, an increase of 14%, according to Luminate.
This latest success makes "Loving Life Again" Langley’s seventh top 10 hit on the Country Airplay chart. More notably, it is the fourth single from her album Dandelion to achieve this feat, positioning Dandelion as the first album by a female artist in the 2020s to generate four top 10s at the country radio format. This distinction highlights a significant moment for female artists in country music, a genre that has seen renewed focus on women’s contributions and chart performance in recent years.
The preceding singles from Dandelion that have reached the top 10 include three No. 1 smashes: "Choosin’ Texas," which held the top position for three weeks in February-March; "Be Her," which spent four weeks at No. 1 in June; and "I Can’t Love You Anymore," a collaboration with Morgan Wallen, which topped the chart for two weeks in August. The consistent success of these singles demonstrates a strong and sustained connection with country radio audiences and a strategic approach to album promotion.
Dandelion, released on April 10, has also enjoyed remarkable longevity on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, where it has held the No. 1 position for an impressive 17 weeks and counting. The album’s tracklist was notably enhanced with the inclusion of "I Can’t Love You Anymore" following its standalone single release on April 24, a decision that clearly paid dividends in terms of chart performance and overall album momentum.
The historical significance of Dandelion housing four Country Airplay top 10s is further amplified when considering its place within the broader landscape of country music. It marks the first time an album by a woman has achieved this since Kelsea Ballerini’s debut LP, The First Time, which produced four top 10 hits between 2015 and 2017. Ballerini’s successful singles from that album included the No. 1s "Love Me Like You Mean It," "Dibs," and "Peter Pan," alongside the No. 3-peaking "Yeah Boy." This comparison places Langley in esteemed company, highlighting her emergence as a significant new voice in contemporary country music.
Prior to Ballerini’s achievement, Carrie Underwood also demonstrated the power of an album to generate multiple top 10 hits from her 2015-2016 album Storyteller. That project yielded four Country Airplay top 10s, including the No. 1s "Heartbeat" and "Church Bells," and the No. 2 hits "Smoke Break" and "Dirty Laundry." The recurring pattern of female artists achieving such multi-single success from a single album reinforces the enduring appeal and impact of women’s voices within the genre.
Luke Bryan Joins Elite Company with New Top 10 Entry
Meanwhile, country music veteran Luke Bryan also celebrates a significant chart milestone. His latest single, "Country and She Knows It," has climbed to No. 10 on the Country Airplay chart, marking his 38th top 10 hit in his career. This achievement, which represents a one-place rise from the previous week, is particularly noteworthy as it ties him with Jason Aldean for the most top 10s on the chart dating back to their respective debuts in the tier on September 8, 2007. Kenny Chesney and Blake Shelton follow closely, each with 34 top 10s within the same timeframe. Bryan’s sustained presence in the upper echelons of the country music charts underscores his enduring popularity and ability to connect with audiences over an extended period.
The song’s continued performance on the Country Airplay chart is supported by 17.1 million audience impressions, a 3% increase from the previous reporting period. This steady growth indicates continued listener engagement and radio airplay, solidifying its position as a fan favorite. Bryan’s consistent success in achieving top 10 status not only reflects his individual artistry but also speaks to the strength and depth of the country music landscape, where established artists continue to thrive.
Luke Combs Extends Dominance at No. 1
In other chart news, Luke Combs’ heartfelt ballad "Be By You" continues its reign at the top of the Country Airplay chart, securing its fourth consecutive week at No. 1. The song garnered 33.1 million audience impressions, reflecting a modest 1% increase, demonstrating sustained listener demand. This marks the ninth time in Combs’ career that a No. 1 single has held the top spot for at least four weeks. Furthermore, "Be By You" is his sixth leader of the 2020s to achieve this level of longevity, placing him in a tie with Morgan Wallen for the most multi-week No. 1s this decade. Combs’ consistent ability to produce chart-topping hits solidifies his position as one of country music’s most dominant artists of the current era.
The success of "Be By You" highlights Combs’ talent for crafting emotionally resonant songs that deeply connect with his audience. His prolific output of No. 1 hits and his ability to maintain chart dominance are testament to his songwriting prowess and his strong connection with country music fans. As the decade progresses, Combs and Wallen are setting a high bar for sustained success at the pinnacle of country radio.
All Billboard charts dated September 19 will be updated and available on Billboard.com on Tuesday, September 15. This weekly update cycle provides a consistent pulse on the evolving landscape of popular music, reflecting the dynamic nature of the industry and the ongoing impact of artists like Ella Langley, Luke Bryan, and Luke Combs. The continued success of these artists, particularly the landmark achievements by Langley, underscores a vibrant and evolving country music scene where both established stars and emerging talents are making their mark. The resurgence of female artists on the charts, as evidenced by Langley’s accomplishments, is a particularly encouraging trend for the genre’s future diversity and appeal.