Every Number One Country Song of 2000
Every country song that reached No. 1 in 2000, including chart dates, total weeks at the top, and the year’s biggest chart runs.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Last Updated: July 5, 2026
The year 2000 brought a mix of crossover hits, country staples, powerhouse female artists, and major names to the top of the country chart. From Faith Hill opening the year with “Breathe” to Tim McGraw closing it with “My Next Thirty Years,” 19 songs reached No. 1 across 53 chart weeks. This guide looks back at every country song that topped the chart in 2000, ranked by chart date, with each song’s total weeks at No. 1.
Full List of 2000 No. 1 Country Songs
Faith Hill — “Breathe”
Faith Hill extended her stay at number one into 2000. “Breathe” had already spent one week at number one in 1999, then it spent 5 weeks at the top in 2000. The song would also go to become the most-played song in any genre in 2000.
Weeks at No. 1: 5*
Chart Date: January 1 - 29
*“Breathe” spent a total of 6 weeks at number one, counting the one week in December 1999.
The Chicks — “Cowboy Take Me Away”
Their album, Fly, would end 2000 as the best-selling country album of the year thanks to hits like “Ready To Run” and “Cowboy Take Me Away”, which spent 3 weeks at number one.
Weeks at No. 1: 3
Chart Date: Feb 5 - 19
Tim McGraw — “My Best Friend”
The third single from his A Place in the Sun album continued Tim McGraw’s streak of number one hits. This would mark the third consecutive chart-topper from the album, which had been named Album of the Year in 1999 by the Country Music Association.
Weeks at No. 1: 2
Chart Date: February 26 - March 4
Lonestar — “Smile”
Lonestar would take “Smile” to number one while their hit “Amazed” began it’s ascend on the pop charts, after peaking at the top for eight weeks at country radio.
Weeks at No. 1: 1
Chart Dates: March 11
Toby Keith — “How Do You Like Me Now?!”
It’s a hit that elevated Toby Keith’s career into superstar status. “How Do You Like Me Now?!” became the most-played country song of 2000.
Weeks at No. 1: 5
Chart Date: March 18 - April 15
George Strait — “The Best Day”
George Strait earned the 36th number one of his career with “The Best Day,” one of two new songs from his Latest Greatest Straits Hits compilation.
Weeks at No. 1: 3
Chart Dates: April 22 - May 6
Kenny Rogers with Alison Krauss & Billy Dean — “Buy Me A Rose”
61-year-old Kenny Rogers made history by becoming the oldest singer to have a song reach number one on the country charts. Alison Krauss and Billy Dean provided background vocals for the hit.
Weeks at No. 1: 1
Chart Dates: May 13
Faith Hill — “The Way You Love Me”
Notching the eighth number one hit of of her career, Faith Hill would also take “The Way You Love Me” to the top ten on both the Billboard Adult Contemporary and Adult Pop charts.
Weeks at No. 1: 4
Chart Dates: May 20, 27, June 3, 10
Chad Brock — “Yes”
After landing several top forty hits, including 1998’s “Ordinary Life,” Chad Brock achieved the first number one hit of his career with “Yes.”
Weeks at No. 1: 3
Chart Date: June 17, 24, July 1
Lee Ann Womack with Sons of the Desert — “I Hope You Dance”
“I Hope You Dance” became an anthem in music when it was released in 2000. From the Noble Peace Prize Ceremony to the Capitol Fourth Celebration, Lee Ann Womack performed her award-winning hit just about everywhere. It would be named Single and Song of the Year by both the CMA and ACM.
Weeks at No. 1: 5
Chart Dates: July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5
Lonestar — “What About Now”
Lonestar makes it three number one hits in a row with “What About Now,” the fourth release from their Lonely Grill album.
Weeks at No. 1: 4
Chart Date: August 12, 19, 26, September 2
Alan Jackson — “It Must Be Love”
“It Must Be Love,” originally went to number one for Don Williams in 1979. The song was written by Bob McDill, who wrote Alan’s 1994 chart-topper “Gone Country.”
Weeks at No. 1: 1
Chart Dates: September 9
Jo Dee Messina — “That’s The Way”
Jo Dee Messina became a headlining arena act thanks to the success of her third album, Burn, which featured “That’s The Way” as the lead single.
Weeks at No. 1: 4
Chart Dates: September 16, 23, 30, October 7
Aaron Tippin — “Kiss This”
Aaron Tippin returned to number one for the first time since 1995. The success of “Kiss This” would prompt his album People Like Us to be released earlier than planned.
Weeks at No. 1: 2
Chart Dates: October 14, 21
John Michael Montgomery — “The Little Girl”
“The Little Girl” became one of the most-talked about songs in country music in 2000, and would result in a gold album, Brand New Me. The song also featured Alison Krauss on backing vocals, the second number hit of the year she contributed to.
Weeks at No. 1: 3
Chart Dates: October 28, November 4, 11
Travis Tritt — “Best of Intentions”
You would have to go back to 1994 to find the last time Travis Tritt topped the country radio charts. His song “Best of Intentions” would pave the way for nominations for Album and Male Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.
Weeks at No. 1: 1
Chart Dates: November 18
Phil Vassar — “Just Another Day in Paradise”
After writing number one hits for acts like Alan Jackson, Collin Raye, Jo Dee Messina, and Tim McGraw, Phil Vassar took his second single “Just Another Day In Paradise” to the top.
Weeks at No. 1: 1
Chart Dates: November 25
Brad Paisley — “We Danced”
After being crowned the CMA’s Horizon Award in the fall of 2000, Brad Paisley continued his path to superstardom with “We Danced,” his second number one hit.
Weeks at No. 1: 2
Chart Dates: December 2 and 9
Tim McGraw — “My Next Thirty Years”
The final single from his 4x platinum album "A Place in the Sun,” Tim McGraw scored the 12th number one hit of his career.
Weeks at No. 1: 3
Chart Dates: December 16, 23, 30
Which Country Song Spent the Most Weeks at No. 1 in 2020?
Three songs tied for the most-played country song of 2000: “Breathe” by Faith Hill, Toby Keith’s “How Do You Like Me Now?!” and “I Hope You Dance” from Lee Ann Womack. Each song spent five weeks at number one in 2000.
Which country artist spent the most weeks at number one in 2000?
Faith Hill spent the most weeks at number one with a total of 9 weeks.
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