It’s official: Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” spends its 19th consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, tying the all-time record set by Lil Nas X’s Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Old Town Road” .
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The song held the No. 1 spot the same week that his new single “Good News” debuted at No. 71 on the Hot 100 chart. After a night in which he performed and was nominated multiple times, he made headlines at the awards show for being the subject of several on-stage jokes that boasted his name in ways that some found distasteful.
Will Shaboozey’s new single be a success on its own? Will “Pub Song” finally stay at No. 1 for 20 weeks?
1. Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song” ties the Hot 100’s record of 19 weeks at No. 1.
Kyle Dennis:10.This may be the greatest advertising billboard Chart achievement; this is a very important moment. Especially considering that Shaboozey, as a new artist, hasn’t done any high-profile remixes. It does feel a little dull since 2019 was only five years ago, but little can really take away from the crazy feeling that two of the longest-running Hot 100 songs of all time were both hip-hop-infused country songs.
Jason Lipshutz:A10. levels – spanning Hot 100 history. For several months. Shabz should enjoy this moment, but so should all pop watchers.
Melinda Newman: I would give it a 9. In the 66-year history of the Hot 100, he has set a record for consecutive weeks at No. 1.
Jessica Nickerson7. Like “Old Town Road” before it, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song” is this year’s inevitable hit, with both songs fronted by black artists who each blend elements of country, pop and rap to create The hit song struck a chord with just about everyone, proving that mixing these genres is a winning formula.
Andrew Vinterberg: I would say 9 points. Huge progress has been made. But 19 weeks at No. 1 is 19 weeks at No. 1, and “A Bar Song” was one of the most captivating singles of the year even before it began its incredible chart run, so it’s definitely a thing Very, very important thing.
2. Let’s say it’s Thanksgiving this week and one of your friends or relatives who doesn’t know much about pop or country music asks what this song is about. In one sentence, how would you explain to them the popularity of this song?
Kyle Dennis: Country and Western sounds and aesthetics have defined every aspect of pop culture this year, and “Bar Song” captures all that energy into a literal, catchy bar song.
Jason Lipshutz: “It’s an anthemic, undeniable chorus that appeals to fans of all kinds—country fans, pop fans, hip-hop fans, J-Kwon’s impeccable 2004 jam “Tipsy” fans – and clicked every time they consumed it, becoming the biggest song in history. It’s a long sentence, but a sentence nonetheless.
Melinda Newman: Even though this song is ostensibly about drinking away your troubles, it’s so addictive that even if you’re far from the bar or have no history with Jack Daniel’s, you can’t help but tap your toes and sing along.
Jessica Nickerson: This song blends weekend bar party beats with lyrics full of laid-back, workweek escapism, all rolled into one.
Andrew Vinterberg: Whether you’re a pop, rock, country or hip-hop fan, or best of all, if you’re all four, everyone loves singing along in a bar.
3. Shaboozey’s “Good News” also debuts on the Hot 100 this week. We won’t ask if it will match the unprecedented success of its predecessor, but what chance would you give it to quickly disqualify Shabuz from any One-hit Wonder consideration?
Kyle Dennis: It seems it’s still early. Honestly, it feels unfair to even begin speculating on how Shaboozey’s new single will perform as long as it has to exist in the overbearing shadow of “Bar Song.” “Good News” strengthens Shaboozey’s country framework and moves away from the up-tempo hip-hop of “Tipsy,” which might have limited how crossover it could go. Prior to “A Bar Song,” Shaboozey’s songs had not charted on the Hot 100 after the first week, so “Good News” was already doing well. Even if the song wasn’t his second hit, that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t have chosen a song with a different tune.
Jason Lipshutz: I like “Good News” – it’s essentially “A Pub Song (Sad)”, with Shaboozey’s impressive vocals and some nice violin work throughout the production – but I’m not sure it will Copy a tenth of it. “Good News” has climbed to the top of the charts with enduring hits, a new album from Kendrick Lamar and an upcoming onslaught of holiday music. While I’m not sure Shaboozey’s latest will be able to last through January and push the charts, I’m pretty confident he’ll follow up “A Bar Song” with other songs in 2025 to put the single to rest.
Melinda Newman:Here’s the “good news”: With “Bar Song,” Shaboozey has established himself as someone who is instantly recognizable. I heard “Good News” and knew it was him without waiting for the song to be recognized. That being said, it will take more than one hit and a few years for Shabz to escape his one-hit wonder status. No matter how many hits he gets, this will be his signature song, but that’s not a bad thing. I doubt Garth Brooks complained about fans waiting the entire show to hear “Friends at the Bottom.”
Jessica Nickerson: The song has already made serious inroads on the Hot Country Songs chart, debuting in the Top 20, so the song will likely dispel any potential “one-hit wonder” notions. Like “A Bar Song,” “Good News” features a chorus and a country-style acoustic guitar rhythm, which will also bring some familiarity to “A Bar Song” fans.
Andrew Vinterberg: Between its stirring chorus and capo acoustic guitar melody – and the hint of more than just Zach Bryan on the verse – it definitely feels like it can (and should) be found on streaming, radio, or both Lots of fans. That doesn’t mean it necessarily will – a lot of previous non-“pub song” Shaboozey songs have been worthy singles but didn’t really end up taking off – but I like its chances.
4. While this was a triumphant, high-profile moment for Shaboozey, he was also in the news for last week’s CMA Awards, where he walked away empty-handed and used his Names as jokes. Do you think the CMA thing tainted Shaboozey’s moment, or will it soon become a footnote to his and his songs’ historic achievements?
Kyle Dennis: This is a footnote and only reflects well on the CMA. Hopefully this moment will help crystallize Beyoncé’s true goals Cowboy Carter —or at least that’s what I think she was trying to say. Through a broad vision of Western and American aesthetics and collaborations with cross-genre artists such as Shaboozey, Cowboy Carter Find Beyoncé trying to remind us that “country” and country music are so much more important than the CMAs or Nashville or any other institution. Shaboozey played the game and won one of the two biggest hits of 2017 advertising billboard history — which still isn’t enough to gain basic respect at his genre’s biggest awards show. Why continue to grovel for a seat at their table when you can build a few restaurants elsewhere in the vast country music landscape?
Jason Lipshutz: This was definitely a weird moment and might have left a bad impression on Shaboozey, but I bet every other artist at the CMA Awards would have wanted a No. 1 for 19 weeks instead of the trophy that night. I guess Shaboozey has a good chance of winning a Grammy for Best New Artist, and “Bar Song” was one of the most popular songs of the year – that might be some kind of redemption, although not even losing at the Grammys Diminishes the impact of the song.
Melinda Newman: Definitely a footnote. He’s already been graceful with his jokes on social media, and the simple fact is that 80% of nominees fail, so there’s no shame in going home empty-handed. He gave a great performance in “Highway/Bar Song,” and overall, the performance is what drives sales/streaming after the awards show, not the name that’s called when the envelope is opened.
Jessica Nickerson: In the short term, considering all the major milestones he’s achieved this year, from appearing on Beyoncé’s show, this does feel like it’s temporarily tainting the moment. Cowboy Carter album, and his massive performance at CMA Fest, which led to the closure of Lower Broadway in Nashville this summer, his advertising billboard Covers, sold-out shows and his Grammy Award nomination. But in the long run, this will likely become a footnote given “Bar Song’s” historic chart performance and Shaboozey’s musical talent, which could give us more hits in the years to come.
Andrew Vinterberg: Now it’s part of his story, but obviously not as important as having one of the two longest No. 1 singles in Hot 100 history. You just hope everyone learns from this moment and that at the next awards show like this, Shabuze is more of an insider than an outsider.
5. The Hot 100 is already crowded from the Christmas rush, and now Shaboozey has a new Kendrick Lamar album to deal with. Do you think “Pub Song” can stay at No. 1 for a record-breaking 20 weeks?
Kyle Dennis It’s possible! Kendrick might take over for a week or two before holiday songs start to take over, so if I were on Team Boozey, I’d be keeping an eye on January. Release remix – maybe J-Kwon gets the call? Teasing Beyoncé’s version during their respective NFL halftimes? — As the holiday songs begin to fade, but before Kendrick gets a double whammy, February features the Grammys (February 2) and the Super Bowl (February 9) in back-to-back weeks.
Jason Lipshutz: Look, I’m the one who says, “It can’t be 10 weeks,” “It can’t be 15 weeks,” “It can’t be 19 weeks.” Did you know? I call it: “The Pub Song” that somehow lasted 20 weeks! I’m drinking whiskey right now and heading to a party downtown near Fifth Street.
Melinda Newman: Sadly, no. While sales of “A Bar Song” are on the rise, its traffic is slowing and seems unlikely to stop Kendrick Lamar’s juggernaut, and most notably, “A Bar Song” from Lamar’s new album Squabble Up”. Additionally, Christmas songs will start to re-enter the charts and soar. But that doesn’t take away from his extraordinary achievements.
Jessica Nickerson: Despite its stellar results, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” seems to be a bummer between its surge on the holiday song charts and the buzz surrounding Kendrick Lamar’s new album Probably overshadowed in the Hot 100.
Andrew Vinterberg: I don’t think it will be in 2024. But we’re probably in for a sleepy January, and I’d bet there’s at least another week left until then.
