In a year filled with what seems like nothing but steady bad news, there are some things that can and should be celebrated, among them Lindsay Ell’s new #1 song and a historic year for Canadian country music.

First, with today’s publication of the Billboard Canada National Airplay chart for the week of Dec. 12, the singer, songwriter, performer and fierce guitar playe has received her second #1 hit with her current single “Want Me Back.”  It follows her first chart-topper, “Criminal,” in April 2018.  In a press release, Lindsay describes her achievement as “the best early Christmas present ever!”  BTW, Kane Brown is one of Ell’s co-writers on the track.  Congrats, Linds!

And when Lindsay’s new #1 is added to the list of Canadian songs that topped the Billboard chart this year, it adds to the best year Canadian country music has had since the chart began in 2013.  Back then, only two Canadian songs reached the top.  In the next year, nothing…nada…zip…zilch…zero.  Not a single Canadian country song reached #1.  Last year, however, set a record.  2019 saw a record dozen songs peak at the summit.  But this year, with “Want Me Back” added to the total, 2020 has smashed that record with 14 Canadian songs reaching #1.

A few other chart notes:  Dallas Smith and Tyler Joe Miller reached #1 twice each this year…Jess Moskaluke, Jade Eagleson and TJM all scored their first #1’s in 2020.

Here are the 14 Canadian chart-toppers this year:

-Jan. 25 – Brett Kissel, “Drink About Me”

-Feb. 21 – Tenille Townes, “Jersey on the Wall (I’m Just Asking)”

-Feb. 29 – Dallas Smith, “Timeless”

-Mar. 14 – Jess Moskaluke, “Country Girls”

-Mar. 21 – Jade Eagleson, “Lucky”

-May 16 – Tyler Joe Miller, “Pillow Talkin’”

-June 6 – Dean Brody & The Reklaws, “Can’t Help Myself”

-July 4 – Tim Hicks, “No Truck Song”

-July 25 – MacKenzie Porter, “Seeing Other People”

-Aug. 15 – High Valley, “Grew Up on That”

-Aug. 22 – Dallas Smith, “Like a Man”

-Sept. 26 – Dean Brody, “Canadian Summer”

-Oct. 31 – Tyler Joe Miller, “I Would Be Over Me Too”

-Dec. 12 – Lindsay Ell, “Want Me Back”

 

Thanks, Lindsay, and all the Canadian artists who reached #1 in this record-setting year.  We needed something to celebrate in 2020.

-Randy Owen