Songs from Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Lady A and Brett Young and others have reached the milestone of 10 million certified units in the U.S.
Luke Combs David Bergman
As country music consumption on streaming services has surged in recent years, so has the slate of country songs reaching the coveted milestone of being certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying 10 million units moved (with each permanent digital download counting as one unit, while 150 on-demand audio and/or video streams count as one unit).
Earlier this week, it was revealed that Luke Combs notched the 10th and 11th country singles to earn Diamond status from the RIAA, with his songs “Hurricane” and “When It Rains It Pours.” These are added to his previous RIAA Diamond-certified song “Beautiful Crazy,” which reached the milestone last year, making Combs the country artist with the most Diamond-certified singles.
RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier said in a statement, “The power of artists’ voices and their ability to create connections with fans through music resonates across live shows and playlists that builds community and shapes culture. RIAA has the honor of celebrating the impact of those moments, and today we acknowledge the 10th (and 11th) country singles to earn Diamond recognition for US sales and streams — each surpassing 10 million. Congratulations to these amazing artists and incredible label partners who continue serving hits to loyal fans and those just discovering them!”
In addition to Combs, the country artists who have had songs reach the RIAA Diamond milestone include Lady A, Kane Brown, Brett Young and Darius Rucker.
During a celebration held in Nashville in March to celebrate the Diamond certification for Brett Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know,” the singer-songwriter stated, “This has truly been the song that keeps on giving. As grateful as I am to this song, and what it is meant to my career, I’m even more grateful to all the people behind the scenes that works so hard to make sure it would be the successful. I think we all had high hopes, but never imagined this song earning an RIAA Diamond certification. Thank you to everybody that came out, and everybody that had a hand in all of the success.”
Notably, the Bebe Rexha/FGL hit “Meant to Be,” which is certified Diamond by the RIAA and topped the Hot Country Songs chart for 50 weeks (and rose to No. 2 on the Hot 100), is classified in the pop genre in the RIAA’s tally, while the Diamond-certified Lil Nas X/Billy Ray Cyrus collaboration “Old Town Road” is classified in the country genre in the RIAA’s tally — based on how the songs were classified when submitted for certification. There are, of course, more country songs on the cusp of being added to the Diamond club, such as Morgan Wallen’s “Whiskey Glasses,” which is currently certified 9x Platinum by the RIAA. Meanwhile, songs from Taylor Swift, pre-pop stardom ascension, are also close in the running, such as “Love Story,” which has been certified 8x Platinum.
Here, we look at the 11 country songs that have earned the Diamond certification distinction from the RIAA, starting with the most recently certified.
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Luke Combs, “When It Rains It Pours”
RIAA Diamond Certification Date: Aug. 14, 2024
This 2017-released song previously spent two weeks atop Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart.
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Luke Combs, “Hurricane”
RIAA Diamond Certification Date: Aug. 14, 2024
This 2016-released song marked Combs’s breakthrough hit, spending two weeks atop Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart and earning nominations for the CMT Music Awards and the iHeartRadio Music Awards.
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Brett Young, “In Case You Didn’t Know”
RIAA Diamond Certification Date: March 19, 2024
In 2017, “In Case You Didn’t Know” reached the top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, and spent two weeks atop the Country Airplay chart.
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Kane Brown, “Heaven”
RIAA Diamond Certification Date: December 7, 2023
This 2017-released hit was nominated for single of the year at the ACM Awards, and was named favorite country song at the American Music Awards. The song also reached the top 15 on the Hot 100 chart.
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Sam Hunt, “Body Like a Back Road”
RIAA Diamond Certification Date: July 27, 2023
This 2017-released song, from Hunt’s second studio album Southside, spent 34 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. The song won single of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards, and was nominated twice for song of the year at the CMA Awards. It has now been certified 11x Platinum by the RIAA.
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Lady A, “Need You Now”
RIAA Diamond Certification Date: April 17, 2023
Country trio Lady A’s Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott’s simmering, yearning ballad was inescapable when it was released in 2009. The song reached No. 2 on the Hot 100 and won Grammys for record of the year, song of the year, best country song and best country performance by a duo or group with vocals. The song was certified 12x Platinum by the RIAA in November 2023.
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Luke Combs, “Beautiful Crazy”
RIAA Diamond Certification Date: June 12, 2023
Combs’ 2018-released love ballad has made an enduring impact, and has become a fan favorite. “Beautiful Crazy” won song of the year at the CMA Awards and spent 11 weeks atop the Hot Country Songs chart.
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Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”
RIAA Diamond Certification Date: Oct. 27, 2022
Though Rucker is known for enduring hits including “Hold My Hand” and “Let Her Cry” as part of Hootie & the Blowfish, as a solo country artist, he’s added to his arsenal of signature hits with his version of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel,” released in 2013. The song is now certified 11x Platinum by the RIAA.
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Chris Stapleton, “Tennessee Whiskey”
RIAA Diamond Certification Date: Dec. 14, 2021
Back in 2015, Stapleton’s career skyrocketed after he teamed with pop crooner Justin Timberlake at the CMA Awards, in a performance that included Stapleton’s soulful version of this song, which had previously been recorded by David Allan Coe and George Jones. Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” was nominated for song of the year at the ACM Awards, and has now been certified 14x platinum by the RIAA.
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Lil Nas X, “Old Town Road” (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus)
RIAA Diamond Certification Date: Oct. 22, 2019
This collaboration became a smash hit, leading the Hot 100 for 19 weeks back in 2019, and winning at the Billboard Music Awards in categories including top Hot 100 song and top streaming song. The song also won Grammys for best pop duo/group performance and best music video. The song is currently certified 17x Platinum by the RIAA.
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Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise”
RIAA Diamond Certification Date: April 1, 2016
The former country duo Florida Georgia Line earned a breakthrough hit in 2012 with their debut single “Cruise.” The song was named single of the year by the Country Music Association. “Cruise” is now certified 14x Platinum by the RIAA.
