Stella Lefty’s ‘Boston’ Earns Country Chart Honor Last Achieved 22 Years Ago

Stella Lefty’s “Boston” holds for a second week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart (dated Oct. 3), with 29.5 million audience impressions Sept. 18-24, according to Luminate.

Lefty becomes the first solo-billed woman with a debut single that has spent multiple weeks atop Country Airplay since Gretchen Wilson, whose “Redneck Woman” ruled for five weeks in 2004 (a good year for Boston, by the way).

“Boston” also makes Lefty just the sixth solo-credited woman whose first Country Airplay entry has led for more than one week. Its two-week reign matches Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine” (1996) and Trisha Yearwood’s “She’s in Love With the Boy” (1991) for the fourth-longest among that group. “Redneck Woman” leads with five weeks, followed by Faith Hill’s “Wild One” (four, 1994) and Cyndi Thomson’s “What I Really Meant To Say” (three, 2001).

A week ago, Lefty became the first solo-billed woman to reach No. 1 with a first Country Airplay hit since Lainey Wilson did so with “Things a Man Oughta Know” in 2021. “Boston” reached the summit in 22 weeks, the fastest climb for a debut No. 1 by a solo woman since “Redneck Woman” (12 weeks, 2004).

Lefty also becomes just the fifth solo-billed woman this decade to score a multiweek Country Airplay No. 1, joining Ella Langley, Wilson, Gabby Barrett and Maren Morris. Langley led with “Choosin’ Texas” (three weeks) and “Be Her” (four), both this year. Wilson’s “Watermelon Moonshine” spent three weeks at No. 1 in 2023, following Barrett’s “The Good Ones” (three, 2021) and Morris’ “The Bones” (two, 2020).

Keepin’ Up

Luke Bryan and Luke Combs’ “Finders Keepers” is the top Country Airplay debut at No. 26 (6.2 million). The song is from Bryan’s ninth studio album, Signs, released Sept. 18.

Plus, Kenny Chesney’s “Remember Me That Way” debuts at No. 28 (5.6 million). It marks his 101st career entry, lifting him out of a tie with George Strait for the most since Country Airplay began in January 1990. (Strait’s chart career dates back a decade earlier; he boasts a leading 44 No. 1s on Hot Country Songs.)

All charts dated Oct. 3 will update Tuesday, Sept. 29, on Billboard.com.