2025 marks the quarter mark of the 21st century. In these 25 long years, we've had a lot of good country music. But only one album, however, takes the top spot of the century so far according to Billboard, and I'm sure you guess which one it is.
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The century has a long way to go yet, but Billboard has made the list of the top country albums of the century already. Ranking 100 country albums, the chart is based on "performance on the weekly Top Country Albums chart from the start of 2000 through the end of 2024."
I like to see this list as a footnote chart. Something to look back on when we hit the 22nd century to see how the charts have shifted throughout the 100 years of country music. It's incredibly strange thinking so far ahead in the future. I'm sure most don't believe humans will exist that long.
Anyhow, the best country album of the century so far, is Chris Stapleton's Traveller.
That's right, his Stapleton's 2015 LP has dominated the ranking of the century. But you probably guessed this one, did you?
Chris Stapleton's 'Traveller' Had An Incredibly Impressive Run
Per Billboard, Chris Stapleton's Traveller has had a staggeringly impressive run since it's release 10 years ago.
Traveller has spent a comfortable 525 weeks on the Top Country Albums ranking. Just a reminder, there are 52 weeks in a year... and the album has been out for ten. You do the math.
So it's no wonder that Traveller has dominated the century despite being only around for 15 years of it so far. There is only one other LP that has managed to accumulate over 500 weeks on Top Country Albums: Willie Nelson's Stardust collection.
Although Stardust has hit the list 551 times, it was launched in 1964. This makes Chris Stapleton's success here even more impressive.
I know that people are bored of seeing Chris Stapleton win awards and such, but everyone keeps listening to his music. If he keeps releasing bangers that stand the test of time, even ten years later, then does he not deserve to keep winning?
