15-05-2025
Willie Nelson Scores A New No. 1 Album After First Missing The Top Spot
Just last week, Willie Nelson nearly secured a new No. 1 album in the United Kingdom. The legendary singer-songwriter missed out on the throne by just one space, as Oh, What a Beautiful World had to settle for the runner-up slot.
Typically, where an album debuts on the charts ends up being its all-time peak. Interest in a musician's newest offering is usually greatest right after its release — during the initial promotional period and when it's brand new — when diehard supporters rush to both stream and buy the collection. That's not always the case, however, and Nelson benefits from a fairly unusual climb this time around, one that shows yet again just how hugely popular he remains into his nineties.
Oh, What a Beautiful World climbs one space on the Official Country Artists Albums chart this week. The set lifts from No. 2, where it began, to No. 1 on the ranking of the biggest full-lengths in the U.K. from artists typically known for creating country music.
Last frame, Send a Prayer, My Way by Julien Baker and Torres led the charge on the Official Country Artists Albums chart. That set spent its first two turns at No. 1. Now, it trades places with Oh, What a Beautiful World.
With this latest champion, Nelson earns his eighth No. 1 on the Official Country Artists Albums list. He has previously reached the summit with all of the following releases: Spirit, Heroes, To All the Girls, Ride Me Back Home, First Rose of Spring, That's Life, and Last Leaf on the Tree.
It's been less than a year since Nelson collected his most recent chart-topper. Last Leaf on the Tree debuted in November 2024 and quickly reached the summit.
While Oh, What a Beautiful World climbs on the Official Country Artists Albums chart, it drops on the Official Americana ranking. After debuting at No. 11 last time around, it now dips to No. 34.
Two of Nelson's other collections — Legend: The Best Of and Greatest Hits — sit side-by-side at Nos. 7 and 8, respectively, on the Official Country Compilations list in the U.K.
