The late legend scored 21 No. 1s on the Hot Country Songs chart.
Kenny Rogers, who died March 20 at age 81, forged an extraordinary career on multiple Billboard charts, most notably on the Hot Country Songs survey.
The legend tallied 21 Hot Country Songs No. 1s, among 36 top 10s, from “Lucille,” in 1977, through “Buy Me a Rose,” with Alison Krauss and Billy Dean, in 2000.
Rogers first reached the ranking dated July 19, 1969, with “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” credited to Kenny Rogers and The First Edition (before he went solo in 1973). He most recently appeared on the chart dated May 5, 2007, with “Calling Me,” featuring Don Henley.
Rogers scaled the chart with duets with fellow country icons Dottie West, Dolly Parton and Ronnie Milsap, among others, while, reflecting his sonic versatility, he recorded songs written by Lionel Richie (“Lady”), Bee Gees (“Islands in the Stream”) and a nascent Richard Marx. “Crazy,” which the pair co-penned, topped Hot Country Songs in 1985, two years before Marx’s own breakthrough as an artist.
On Top Country Albums, Rogers earned 12 No. 1s, among 26 top 10s, first leading with his self-titled set in 1977. He most recently reached the top 10 with You Can’t Make Old Friends (No. 9, 2013).
On the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, Rogers banked 42 titles between 1968 and 2006. He reached the Hot 100 before Hot Country Songs, with two titles credited to The First Edition: “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In),” a No. 5 hit in 1968, and “But You Know I Love You” (No. 19, 1969). Rogers notched 11 Hot 100 top 10s, including two No. 1s: “Lady,” for six weeks in 1980, and “Islands in the Stream,” with Parton (two weeks, 1983).
Rogers’ pop crossover appeal extended to his version of Bob Seger’s “We’ve Got Tonight,” which he covered with Sheena Easton (No. 6 on the Hot 100, 1983), and he took a turn as one of the soloists on USA for Africa’s all-star “We Are the World,” which ruled the Hot 100 for four weeks in 1985.
On the all-genre Billboard 200 albums chart, Rogers posted 44 titles, including four top 10s, one of which reigned: Kenny Rogers’ Greatest Hits, for two weeks in 1980.
Rogers additionally achieved 28 top 10s on the Adult Contemporary airplay chart, including eight No. 1s. He graced the chart as recently as 2016, when “Here It Is Christmas”/”Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” featuring Jennifer Nettles, hit No. 18.
In honor of the musical titan, here is a recap of Rogers’ 40 biggest hits on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart.
Kenny Rogers’ Biggest Billboard Hits
1, “Islands in the Stream,” with Dolly Parton, No. 1 peak (2 weeks), 1983
2, “Coward of the County,” No. 1 (3 weeks), 1980
3, “She Believes in Me,” No. 1 (2 weeks), 1979
4, “Morning Desire,” No. 1 (1 week), 1986
5, “Real Love,” Dolly Parton with Rogers, No. 1 (1 week), 1985
6, “The Gambler,” No. 1 (3 weeks), 1978
7, “Love Will Turn You Around,” No. 1 (1 week), 1982
8, “I Don’t Need You,” No. 1 (2 weeks), 1981
9, “Tomb of the Unknown Love,” No. 1 (1 week), 1986
10, “Love or Something Like It,” No. 1 (1 week), 1978
11, “What Are We Doin’ in Love,” Dottie West with Rogers, No. 1 (1 week), 1981
12, “Every Time Two Fools Collide,” Rogers & Dottie West, No. 1 (2 weeks), 1978
13, “We’ve Got Tonight,” Rogers & Sheena Easton, No. 1 (1 week), 1983
14, “I Prefer the Moonlight,” No. 2, 1987
15, “All I Ever Need Is You,” Rogers & Dottie West, No. 1 (1 week), 1979
16, “Lady,” No. 1 (1 week), 1980
17, “Lucille,” No. 1 (2 weeks), 1977
18, “Twenty Years Ago,” No. 2, 1987
19, “Don’t Fall in Love With a Dreamer,” No. 3, 1980
20, “A Love Song,” No. 3, 1982
21, “Anyone Who Isn’t Me Tonight,” Rogers & Dottie West, No. 2, 1978
22, “Make No Mistake, She’s Mine,” Rogers & Ronnie Milsap, No. 1 (1 week), 1987
23, “Crazy,” No. 1 (1 week), 1985
24, “You Decorated My Life,” No. 1 (2 weeks), 1979
25, “Daytime Friends,” No. 1 (1 week), 1977
26, “Through the Years,” No. 5, 1982
27, “Buy Me a Rose,” with Alison Krauss & Billy Dean, No. 1 (1 week), 2000
28, “Love the World Away,” No. 4, 1980
29, “The Factory,” No. 6, 1988
30, “Share Your Love With Me,” No. 5, 1981
31, “Scarlet Fever,” No. 5, 1983
32, “Till I Can Make It on My Own,” Rogers & Dottie West, No. 3, 1979
33, “Buried Treasure,” No. 3, 1984
34, “The Vows Go Unbroken (Always True to You),” No. 8, 1989
35, “Blaze of Glory,” No. 9, 1982
36, “Sweet Music Man,” No. 9, 1977
37, “If You Want to Find Love,” No. 11, 1992
38, “All My Life,” No. 13, 1983
39, “Evening Star,” No. 11, 1984
40, “I Can’t Unlove You,” No. 17, 2006
Kenny Rogers’ Biggest Billboard Hits are based on actual performance on the weekly Hot Country Songs chart, through the March 21, 2020, ranking. Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at lower ranks earning lesser values. Due to changes in chart methodology over the years, certain eras are weighted to account for different chart turnover rates over various periods.