Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line’s “Meant to Be” (Warner Bros./Big Machine Label Group) leads Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart dated May for a 24th week, tying FGL’s own “Cruise,” which ruled for 24 weeks in 2012-13.
The reigns are the longest for a song by a duo or group in the chart’s 59-year history and the second-longest overall. Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road” holds the record with 34 weeks at No. 1 in 2017.
“Crazy to see how this song has taken on a life of its own and hear that it’s making chart history,” FGL’s Brian Kelley tells Billboard. “Bebe is part of our tribe now, and it’s been magic to see fans from all over the globe react to such a special song.”
Rexha and FGL’s Tyler Hubbard co-wrote “Meant” with Josh Miller and David Garcia. “As songwriters, BK [BrianKelley] and I aspire to create music that makes a difference,” says Hubbard. “For us to have not only one but two songs that tie each other has gone far beyond our wildest dreams.”
“Meant” extends its stay in the penthouse
on Hot Country Songs, which blends streaming, airplay and sales data, as it remains atop Country Streaming Songs for a 20th week, collecting 21.8 million U.S. streams (down 5 percent, according to Nielsen Music). On Country Digital Song Sales, which it led for 19 weeks, it dips to No. 2 (28,000 downloads sold, down 13 percent). On Country Airplay, which “Meant” topped April 28, it ranks in the top five for an eighth week, descending 3-5 (33.4 million in format audience, down 5 percent).
‘HEAVEN’-LY ASCENT Kane Brown notches his second Country Airplay No. 1 as “Heaven” (Zone 4/RCA Nashville) rises 2-1, increasing 4 percent to 45.3 million audience impressions. On Hot Country Songs, the song holds at its No. 2 high, tucked behind Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line’s “Meant to Be” for an eighth week.