Taylor Swift eyes first country radio #1 since ‘Love Story’
Taylor Swift has been a staple of the Australian radio airplay charts for over half a decade, but now she’s eyeing off the summit of country radio with new single ‘cardigan’.
Despite multiple #1 hits on the TMN Hot 100 powered by Radio Monitor, Swift’s move away from country and into pop has meant she’s been absent from the genre’s Aussie radio charts.
This week ‘cardigan’ moves into the #4 spot on the TMN Country Hot 50, a stone’s throw away from being her first #1 on the chart since 2008 release ‘Love Story’.
That single spent a whopping 33-weeks at the summit and was still charting six years later in 2014, making it one of the most successful singles in Australian country radio history.
‘cardigan’ represents her first time returning to the chart since ‘Lover’ made it to #13 last year.
The closest Swift has gone to the top of the country airplay chart since 2014 was as a featured artist on Sugarland’s ‘Babe’ in 2018.
In terms of local acts, Brad Cox regains the top spot with ‘Drinking Season’, while Hayley Jensen makes her debut in the Top 10 of the chart with new single ‘Breakin Hearts’.
In the TMN Hot 100, Sia is one spot from becoming the second Aussie act to top the chart in 2020. ‘Together’ rises one frame to #2 this week, and has now spent 15 weeks on the chart.
The only other local act to top the chart this year is Tones And I, who landed her second #1 at radio in January with ‘Never Seen The Rain‘.
Country Hot 50 powered by Radio Monitor
#1. Brad Cox – ‘Drinking Season’ (SME)
#2. Cass Hopetoun – ‘Typical Bride’ (UMA)
#3. The McClymonts – ‘Free Fall’ (ISL/UMA)
#4. Taylor Swift – ‘cardigan’ (UMA)
#5. Andrew Swift – ‘Never Meant To Break Your Heart’ (UMA)