Chart Rewind: In 2014, Sam Hunt’s ‘Leave the Night On’ Rallied to No. 1

On Nov. 15, 2014, Sam Hunt’s breakthrough hit “Leave the Night On” lifted to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

Hunt co-authored the song with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. McAnally co-produced it with Zach Crowell. It was released as the lead cut from Hunt’s debut album, Montevallo, which produced five hit singles. The LP arrived at the Top Country Albums summit, also on Nov. 15, 2014, and reigned for nine weeks.

Montevallo sophomore single “Take Your Time” dominated Hot Country Songs for 11 frames, followed by “House Party,” which ruled for six. “Break Up in a Small Town” and “Make You Miss Me” rounded out the set’s singles, both peaking at No. 2.

On Country Airplay, Hunt banked four No. 1s off his rookie album, starting with “Leave the Night On.”

To date, Hunt boasts 10 Country Airplay No. 1s, through “Outskirts” this May. He has earned four leaders on Hot Country Songs No. 1s and two on Top Country Albums.

Hunt was born on Dec. 8, 1984, in Cedartown, Ga. He was a star quarterback during high school before playing college ball at Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In 2014, he signed with MCA Nashville, his label home since. Before rattling off his own hits, her was an accomplished songwriter, penning tracks for Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington and Keith Urban, among others.

Hunt and his wife since 2017, Hannah Lee Fowler, have two children — daughter Lucy Louise and son Lowry Lee.

Hunt’s latest single, “Country House,” which he co-wrote, ranks at No. 50 on the latest, Nov. 23-dated Country Airplay chart (1.8 million in audience, up 2% week-over-week, according to Luminate).