Country Legend Blake Shelton's Second No. 1 Hit Topped Charts 23 Years Ago

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Country music star Blake Shelton achieved his second No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 2003 with his song "The Baby." The track, an emotional ballad about a boy growing up as the youngest sibling, spent three weeks at the top of the chart. This came two years after Shelton's debut single "Austin" also reached No. 1 and stayed there for five weeks. Over his decades-long career, Shelton has now amassed 14 No. 1 hits on the country chart, with his most recent being "God's Country" in 2019.

Why it matters

Shelton's early career success with "The Baby" and "Austin" hitting No. 1 helped establish him as a rising star in the country music genre. His ability to achieve multiple chart-topping hits over the years has solidified his status as a country music legend, with his music resonating with fans for over two decades.

The details

"The Baby" was released in October 2002 as the lead single from Shelton's second studio album "The Dreamer." The song slowly gained popularity over the following months before reaching the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart on February 22, 2003, where it remained for three weeks. Other singles from "The Dreamer" album included "Heavy Liftin'" and "Playboys of the Southwestern World." The album itself reached the second spot on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and peaked at number 8 on the overall Billboard 200.

• "The Baby" was released on October 28, 2002.
• "The Baby" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart on February 22, 2003, where it remained for 3 weeks.
• Shelton's debut single "Austin" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart on August 11, 2001, where it stayed for 5 weeks.
• Shelton's self-titled debut album was released on July 31, 2001.