Beyonce‘s foray into Country music has been nothing short of historic.
Beyond watching the single ‘16 Carriages‘ ride her into history books for being one of few female singers with over 50 top 40 hits, the Killah B-produced ‘Texas Hold ‘Em‘ took hold of the Hot 100’s top spot this week – a feat that made her the first Black woman to occupy the hitlist’s summit with a Country tune.
As if that’s not enough to boast, she joins Taylor Swift as the only women to top the all-genre chart with a Country hit this century.
And, while her beloved fanbase – affectionately call the #Beyhive – continue to buzz over the aforementioned triumphs, there may be an even bigger reason to celebrate.
The music industry has been the subject of criticism for ageism for decades.
Blasted for opting out of playing acts of a certain age bracket on the radio, women have seemingly received the biggest brunt of this mistreatment.
For context, before Mariah Carey was lifted to the top of the Hot 100 in 2019 with her perennial hit, ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You,’ it had been 3 years since a woman over 40 held the chart’s top position (Sia with the 2016 hit ‘Cheap Thrills‘).
Before that, Madonna‘s 2000 smash ‘Music‘ – when she was 42-years-old – was the last time a lady in that age range went to #1 on the all-genre chart.
And while a few like Madge, Sia, and Carey have managed to break through the mold, Beyonce has been a particular beacon as ‘Texas’ marks her second #1 hit over the age of 40 – a first in music history among females.
Women with Hot 100 #1 Hits Over 40
Mariah Carey – ‘All I Want for Christmas is You‘ (Age 54)
Tina Turner – ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’ (Age 44)
Cher – ‘Believe’ (Age 52)
Madonna – ‘Music’ (Age 42)
Sia – ‘Cheap Thrills’ (Age 40)
Dionne Warwick & Gladys Knight – ‘That’s What Friends are For’ (Age 45, Age 41)
Aretha Franklin – ‘I Knew You Were Waiting’ (Age 45)
Bette Midler – ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ (Age 43)
Patti LaBelle – ‘On My Own’ (Age 42)
Brenda Lee – ‘Rockin Around the Christmas Tree‘ (Age 78)
Beyonce – ‘Break My Soul‘ (Age 40)
Beyonce – ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ (Age 42)
While we can only hope the victory is a sign of better things to come, you can look below to see who else had a good week on the refreshed Hot 100.