Country radio definitely loved Kelsea Ballerini’s debut single like it meant it.
“Love Me Like You Mean It” has officially been crowned the new #1 song on Mediabase’s country radio singles chart.
The song, which rises one place from last week’s position, received ~8,403 spins and ~59.030 million audience impressions during the June 14-20 tracking week. The weekly spin total bests last week’s count by a format-leading 975 and sets an all-time record for the Mediabase panel.
Not since Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” has a solo female’s debut single reached the top of the Mediabase country chart. That feat occurred in 2006.
“Love Me Like You Mean It” also ranks as the first debut from a solo artist–male or female–to reach #1 since Sam Hunt’s “Leave the Night On” did so last year. It follows Maddie & Tae’s “Girl in a Country Song” as the most recent chart-topper from a debuting female act.
The track gives independent label Black River Entertainment its first #1 on record.
If “Love Me Like You Mean It” tops Billboard’s corresponding, audience-driven Country Airplay chart — and it is currently on track to do so — it will be the first solo female release to do so since Carrie Underwood’s 2012 hit “Blown Away.” The aforementioned Mediabase records would also apply.
Also in the top five this week: Blake Shelton’s “Sangria” (#2), Carrie Underwood’s “Little Toy Guns” (#3), Easton Corbin’s “Baby Be My Love Song” (#4) and Tim McGraw’s “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools (with Catherine Dunn)” (#5).
