CML Chart Top 100 for 2008: #30 to #21
Yes, it’s the second week of February and I’m talking about 2008, still. Not too much longer and the entire Top 100 will be revealed!
#30- “Love Is A Beautiful Thing”
CML: 2
Billboard: 2
Opinion: Just about right
Overview: I loved the Paul Brandt version of this song from the late 90s and thought it should have gotten this high then. Phil Vassar’s version updated the sound (and lyrics in one spot) to fit it into 2008 and got the success the song deserved.
#29- “Every Day” by Rascal Flatts
CML: 1
Billboard: 2
Opinion: Just about right
Overview: There were 29 songs that made it to #1 in 2008 (Brad Paisley’s duet with Keith Urban was #1 for two weeks in 2009 in addition to the final week of 2008, so it doesn’t count as a 2008 #1 for the purposes of the Top 100). This was one of 3 songs that did not make it to #1 on Billboard, but the “math” for the CML Chart gave it the top spot. Not that it didn’t deserve it, as it was a great song from Rascal Flatts.
#28- “Here” by Rascal Flatts
CML: 1
Billboard: 1 (2 weeks)
Opinion: Right on
Overview: This song is the reason why my Top 100 had to wait until the end of January/beginning of February. Reaching #1 in the next to last week of 2008, the song almost regained that spot a couple weeks into 2009 and held on long enough to gain enough points to pass “Every Day” for #28 overall. This was another great song from Rascal Flatts, who, along with their “people” pulled “Bob That Head” in favor for this song. That was the best move of 2008.
#27- “Watching Airplanes” by Gary Allan
CML: 1
Billboard: 2
Opinion: Underplayed
Overview: I was rooting hard for this song to make it to #1 as I thought it was Gary’s best single ever (and still do). Unfortunately, it got as close as you can without making it. However, I did take a little consolation in the fact it did make it to #1 on the CML Chart.
#26- “Waitin’ On A Woman” by Brad Paisley
CML: 1
Billboard: 1
Opinion: Right on
Overview: I was really happy to see this song released as a single because I thought it was a surefire #1 when it was on Time Well Wasted. Added to later presses of 5th Gear, this song continued Brad’s impressive streak of consecutive #1 singles (now at 9 in a row after “Start A Band”, a modern era record).
#25- “Stay” by Sugarland
CML: 1
Billboard: 2
Opinion: Just about right
Overview: This song showed everyone how good Jennifer Nettles can sing. Without much “backup,” Jennifer sang this song way up the charts and propelled Sugarland to superstar status.
#24- “Love Story” by Taylor Swift
CML: 1 (3 weeks)
Billboard: 1 (2 weeks)
Opinion: Right On
Overview: This song spent 13 weeks on the CML Chart, making #1 in only its 9th week. That’s wonderful, but the CML Top 100 is more about a long term impact, not a “flash in the pan” impact. This was a great song and earned its status, but it’s down this far because it wasn’t on the charts long enough.
#23- “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven”
CML: 1 (2 weeks)
Billboard: 1 (2 weeks)
Opinion: Right on
Overview: Another great song who’s Top 100 cred was hurt by a quick rise up the charts. Kenny’s good at these laid back songs that relate to almost every music fan out there.
#22- “I Saw God Today” by George Strait
CML: 1
Billboard: 1 (2 weeks)
Opinion: Right on
Overview: A great song that gave George a legendary mark–the most #1’s by a country artist (includes #1’s on all US charts).
#21- “All I Want To Do” by Sugarland
CML: 1 (3 weeks)
Billboard: 1
Opinion: Right oOn
Overview: This song had a contagious melody that stuck in your head for hours after hearing it (and probably singing it along with the radio). This song added to Sugarland’s newfound superstar status.
Coming Soon: #20 to #11
