I recently had an interesting conversation with a station employee many years my senior and somehow we got to talking about the power of a #1 song. He pointed out that the accomplishment isn't what it used to be.
In the 1960's, years passed when only four songs reached the top of the charts – the entire year. That means each song held on to #1 for an average of 13 weeks. Miranda Lambert may hold on to #1 for a third week this week, and that's a really, really big deal.
A couple of things changed the fabric of music charts. First, chart keepers developed a computer based system that detects and counts airplay instead of trusting Music Directors to do the counting.
More importantly, it became easier for regional artists to take their sound to Nashville and then to the world. In a few mouse clicks, every country station in America can have a copy of the new Taylor Swift single. Country “legends” had to hustle around the singles themselves.
I personally think #1 songs are a little overrated. Radio listeners don't care who's at the top of the charts and these songs tend to get there because they lean toward milktoast. Most people will keep the radio on when they hear it, but there's no requests or passion for the music.
Miranda Lamber is an exception. I once boldly proclaimed she would never have a #1 song because her music was to polarizing. Fans love her or hate her, but there isn't enough in between to drive the song up the charts. Well, she clearly proved me wrong... as her second straight song hits #1. “The House That Built Me” is a great song, but the tear it puts in my eye is more impressive than the money it puts in the songwriters bank account.
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