Released as the seventh single from his 2025 album I'm the Problem, “20 Cigarettes” rises from No. 3 to the summit on the Country Airplay tally, which measures audience impressions at country radio stations nationwide. The chart is widely regarded as one of the genre’s most competitive indicators of sustained radio success.
A Milestone 20th Leader
With “20 Cigarettes” now in charge, Wallen reaches 20 career No. 1s on Country Airplay. The latest addition joins a long list of chart-toppers, including:
- “Whiskey Glasses”
- “Chasin’ You”
- “Sand in My Boots”
- “Wasted on You”
- “You Proof”
- “Last Night”
- “Thinkin’ Bout Me”
- “Thought You Should Know”
- “More Than My Hometown”
- “Up Down” (with Florida Georgia Line)
- “Man Made a Bar” (with Eric Church)
- “Mamaw’s House” (with Thomas Rhett)
- “I Had Some Help” (with Post Malone)
- “Cowgirls” (with Ernest)
- “Lies, Lies, Lies”
- “Love Somebody”
- “I’m the Problem”
- “Just in Case”
- “I Got Better”
- “20 Cigarettes”
Joining Country Heavyweights
Reaching 20 Country Airplay No. 1s places Wallen in elite company. He now ties Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, and Toby Keith for the tenth-most leaders in the chart’s history.
He still trails the all-time leaders on the tally. Kenny Chesney holds the record with 33 No. 1 hits, while Blake Shelton recently became just the second act to reach 30 leaders, moving ahead of Tim McGraw, who sits in third place with 29.
‘I’m the Problem’ Extends Its Radio Run
“20 Cigarettes” becomes the sixth Country Airplay No. 1 from I’m the Problem. Previous leaders from the album include “Lies, Lies, Lies,” “Love Somebody,” “I’m the Problem,” “Just in Case,” and “I Got Better,” underscoring the project’s remarkable radio performance.
The only official single from the album that failed to reach the summit was “What I Want,” Wallen’s collaboration with Tate McRae. Though it stalled at No. 55 on Country Airplay, the crossover track found major success at pop radio and even topped the Billboard Hot 100.
Half of Wallen’s 20 Country Airplay No. 1s have spent just one week at the summit — a group that now includes “20 Cigarettes.” However, the single is just beginning its reign and could extend its stay in the weeks ahead.
Gains Across Multiple Charts
Beyond country radio, “20 Cigarettes” is gaining traction across other Billboard rankings. The single climbs from No. 13 to No. 11 on the all-genre Radio Songs chart. It also rises to No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reenters the Streaming Songs tally at No. 38.
At the same time, the track remains inside the top 10 on both Hot Country Songs and Country Streaming Songs, even as it slips slightly on those lists.
With 20 Country Airplay No. 1s now to his name — and more singles still in rotation — Wallen’s run shows little sign of slowing, further solidifying his status as one of the defining country hitmakers of his generation.