Chicago's top country songs of 2018 may look similar, but not exactly the same as the national airplay charts like Billboard or Mediabase. While Kane Brown and Joran Davis topped most of the national publications, our Program Director Kenny Jay tells us why the top 10 counts the way it does. Scroll down for the entire top 50 countdown of Chicago's Hottest Country! Agree or disagree? Connect with Kenny on socials @KennyJayRadio or email Kenny@U99.com
10. DIERKS BENTLEY - Woman, Amen
Sometimes, the timing of a song can help its chart position in a year-end countdown. Woman, Amen came out in February, but also quickly became played more in Chicago than any other country radio station in the nation.
9. MORGAN EVANS - Kiss Somebody
This song ranks higher in Chicago - again, another case of US*99 playing it more than a lot of other stations based on your reaction. Morgan loves Chicago and had an amazing moment playing it at Tinley Park with his wife Kelsea Ballerini the moment he found out it went to #1!
8. DAN + SHAY - Tequila
Absolutely one of the largest releases of 2018, this solidified Dan + Shay as a duo on their way and started a run of great songs you'll hear from the album. One of my concert highlights of 2018 was you signing it back to the guys when they played Tinley Park with Rascal Flatts... I have goosebumps thinking about how cool that was! The video is equally as cool...
7. OLD DOMINION - Written In The Sand
It was the last song to make their 2017 record Happy Endings and may end up being their largest career hit! One of these songs that once people truly heard it, they couldn't get enough of it. I mean who hasn't been miffed by seeing text bubbles (like you're texting me) and not getting a reply. Let's see how loud you can sing it to the guys when they play Allstate Arena on January 18th.
6. JORDAN DAVIS - Singles You Up
When Jordan joined us for a First Listen event at Joe's Bar in May - we kind of understood what was going on. Then we saw the show... and wow, what a song and what an album full of hit songs.
5. THOMAS RHETT - Unforgettable
Was it the feel of this song that you never got sick of? Especially since it sounded so good this past summer? It sounded extra awesome on stage at Soldier Field as well... and with Thomas notching three songs in the top 50 of 2018, proves that he's the next performer worthy of taking the stage at the United Center.
4. FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE - Meant To Be
The release timing is the only reason this isn't number one. It was released in 2017, but played so much in 2018 that it made the top 5 of our Top 50 Countdown. Look for new music from the guys in February of 2019.
3. KANE BROWN - Heaven
It seems like some artists can do no wrong and put Kane in that conversation right now. He's on a roll and 2019 will bring a couple of songs in the top 50 from his new album that was released in late 2018.
2. RUSSELL DICKERSON - Yours
Another unreal concert moment - you singing this back to Russell at LakeShake. What a moment and what a song that we got to see in concert a couple times in 2018... and will get to see again in 2019 when Russell comes back to the United Center with Thomas Rhett.
1. LUKE COMBS - One Number Away
A song that you never got tired of... and actually sang louder than Luke could at the Chicago Theatre when he played Stars and Strings. By all accounts, an absolute smash from an artist who shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon!
Let me know if your favorite made the countdown. Now for the rest of the top 50:
11. HIGH VALLEY - She's With Me
12. CHRIS LANE - Take Back Home Girl
13. LUKE BRYAN - Most People Are Good
14. DYLAN SCOTT - Hooked
15. COLE SWINDELL - Break Up In The End
16. SUGARLAND - Babe f/Taylor Swift
17. JASON ALDEAN - You Make It Easy
18. KENNY CHESNEY - Get Along
19. OLD DOMINION - Hotel Key
20. THOMAS RHETT - Marry Me
21. MAREN MORRIS - Rich
22. FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE - Simple
23. RUSSELL DICKERSON - Blue Tacoma
24. BRETT ELDREDGE - The Long Way
25. LANCO - Born To Love You
26. DAVID LEE MURPHY/KENNY CHESNEY - Everything's Gonna Be Alright
27. CHRIS YOUNG - Hangin' On
28. MITCHELL TENPENNY - Drunk Me
29. DAN + SHAY - Speechless
30. LUKE COMBS - She Got The Best Of Me
31. THOMAS RHETT - Craving You
32. KANE BROWN - Lose It
33. MORGAN WALLEN - Up Down
34. CHRIS JANSON - Drunk Girl
35. JAKE OWEN - I Was Jack (You Were Diane)
36. LUKE BRYAN - Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset
37. JASON ALDEAN/MIRANDA LAMBERT - Drowns The Whiskey
38. DIERKS BENTLEY Feat BROTHERS OSBORNE - Burning Man
39. KEITH URBAN - Coming Home
40. BRETT YOUNG - Mercy
41. DEVIN DAWSON - All On Me
42. CHRIS STAPLETON - Broken Halos
43. JORDAN DAVIS - Take It From Me
44. TYLER RICH - The Difference
45. JIMMIE ALLEN - Best Shot
46. LUKE COMBS - When It Rains It Pours
47. CARLY PEARCE - Hide The Wine
48. SAM HUNT - Downtown's Dead
49. OLD DOMINION - Make It Sweet
50. MICHAEL RAY - One That Got Away
