Stella Lefty's 'Boston' Shatters 22-Year Country Chart Record!

Stella Lefty's debut single "Boston" has achieved a remarkable milestone, holding the No. 1 position on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart for a second consecutive week, as of October 3. The song garnered 29.5 million audience impressions between September 18 and 24, according to Luminate. This achievement marks Lefty as the first solo-billed woman whose debut single has spent multiple weeks atop the Country Airplay chart since Gretchen Wilson’s iconic "Redneck Woman" ruled for five weeks in 2004.

Lefty now joins an exclusive group as only the sixth solo-credited woman whose first Country Airplay entry has led for more than one week. Her two-week reign with "Boston" ties with significant hits like Deana Carter’s "Strawberry Wine" (1996) and Trisha Yearwood’s "She’s in Love With the Boy" (1991) for the fourth-longest in this category. Historically, "Redneck Woman" leads with five weeks, followed by Faith Hill’s "Wild One" (four weeks, 1994) and Cyndi Thomson’s "What I Really Meant To Say" (three weeks, 2001).

Just a week prior, Lefty made headlines as the first solo-billed woman to reach No. 1 with a debut Country Airplay hit since Lainey Wilson’s "Things a Man Oughta Know" in 2021. "Boston," released via Atlantic Outpost, also distinguished itself by reaching the summit in just 22 weeks, marking the fastest climb for a debut No. 1 by a solo woman since Gretchen Wilson’s "Redneck Woman," which achieved the feat in a swift 12 weeks back in 2004.

Furthermore, Stella Lefty is now the fifth solo-billed woman this decade to achieve a multi-week No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart. She joins a distinguished list that includes Ella Langley, who had two multi-week No. 1s this year with "Choosin’ Texas" (three weeks) and "Be Her" (four weeks). Other artists in this group are Lainey Wilson with "Watermelon Moonshine" (three weeks, 2023), Gabby Barrett’s "The Good Ones" (three weeks, 2021), and Maren Morris’ "The Bones" (two weeks, 2020).

Beyond Lefty’s ongoing success, the Country Airplay chart also saw new entries. Luke Bryan and Luke Combs’ collaboration, "Finders Keepers," made its debut at No. 26 with 6.2 million audience impressions. This track is featured on Bryan’s ninth studio album, *Signs*, which was released on September 18. Kenny Chesney also marked a significant career moment with the debut of "Remember Me That Way" at No. 28, earning 5.6 million impressions. This entry represents his 101st career appearance on the chart, moving him past George Strait for the most entries since the Country Airplay chart began in January 1990.

While George Strait’s illustrious chart career predates the Country Airplay chart's inception by a decade, and he holds a leading 44 No. 1s on Hot Country Songs, Chesney's consistent presence is noteworthy. All charts dated October 3 are set to update on Tuesday, September 29, on Billboard.com.