Billboard Hot 100 8/12/17

[Someone]

Jul 28, 2017 11:49:59 GMT -5 Christopher said:

Jul 27, 2017 8:54:55 GMT -5 Someone said:

I hope Feel it still does good. It's crazy how the only reason it exploded on iTunes was because of a YouTuber used it.

I had no idea. Who was it? And link maybe?

david dobrik used it in "Girlfriend surprises me for 21st birthday!" I only know about it bc the music video for fill it still is flooded with "Like if David sent you!!"

[Dylan :)]

Jul 25, 2017 15:58:39 GMT -5 areyoureadytojump said:

Taylor Swift is carefully watching the Hot 100 and will debut her new single when it can debut at #1.

SIO debuted August 18, 2014. I expect an August release date.

My birthday Which is also a Friday this year so fingers crossed for another Taylor birthday present

[MilesW1998]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlh-dzB2U4Y

A music video for LOYALTY- Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna was just released on YouTube about a half hour ago.

[Deleted]

Jul 28, 2017 5:34:45 GMT -5 fhas said:

Unforgettable discounted again. Top 3 is coming next week.

[kcdawg13]

Halsey is really great at deflecting comments that make her look bad, and it looks like the public is deflecting Now or Never from getting past #17.

[85la]

Jul 28, 2017 12:19:47 GMT -5 Someone said:

Jul 28, 2017 11:49:59 GMT -5 Christopher said:

I had no idea. Who was it? And link maybe?

david dobrik used it in "Girlfriend surprises me for 21st birthday!" I only know about it bc the music video for fill it still is flooded with "Like if David sent you!!"

Yeah, I hadn't heard this song before, and when my alarm went off this morning, this song was playing, and I was like "whooa, what is this hot new jam!". I could see it becoming huge.

[Leo ✔]

I hope "The Fighter" can re.enter to the Hot 100

[KeepDeanWeird]

Jul 28, 2017 22:54:37 GMT -5 Leo ✔ said:

I hope "The Fighter" can re.enter to the Hot 100

Billboard's arbitrary system of removing songs that have reached 21 weeks, but are still active is bizarre. Considering last week and this week were part of final push for TF, I'm surprised the label didn't say something.

[Christopher]

I'm into Feel it still right now. It reminds me of Happy and Pumped Out Kicks (musically). I didn't care much for the former and the latter was ok.

[MilesW1998]

Top 20 US Overall AI 7/29/17:

1. Despacito 186.521 (-0.092)
2. That's What I Like 157.918 (-1.527)
3. There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back 146.877 (+2.675) +1
4. Wild Thoughts 146.542 (+1.990) -1
5. Stay 143.831 (+0.104)
6. Believer 140.306 (+0.950)
7. Shape Of You 135.256 (-0.607)
8. Something Just Like This 122.194 (+0.139)
9. I'm The One 119.924 (-1.941)
10. Attention 116.505 (+3.058) +1
11. Body Like A Back Road 115.732 (+0.844) -1
12. Now Or Never 109.990 (+0.513)

13. It Ain't Me 102.103 (-0.758)

14. Redbone 100.842 (-0.085)

15. Castle On The Hill 97.270 (-0.730)

16. Unforgettable 95.737 (+1.261)

17. Say You Won't Let Go 87.450 (-0.397) 

18. HUMBLE 74.017 (-0.789)

19. Slow Hands 72.994 (+1.281)

20. The Fighter 61.464 (+1.105) +1

Outliers:

22. Issues 59.511 (-1.621) -2

26. My Girl 52.923 (-1.350) -1

27. Versace On The Floor 52.287 (+1.092) +1***

29. Feels 52.064 (+1.344) +1

30. 2U 48.997 (-1.119) +1

33. Yours If You Want It 47.691 (-3.282) -4

47. Mask Off 40.333 (-1.088) -2

48. Every Time I Hear That Song 38.401 (-1.024)

60. Malibu 28.673 (-3.114) -7

75. Praying 23.501 (+1.224) +7

89. Bad Liar 20.553 (-2.338) -13

155. Sorry Not Sorry 12.385 (+1.070) +12

309. Unforgettable (Thomas Rhett) 4.943 (NEW)  

[Normi]

Wow what

[imbondz]

Makes no sense to me how The Fighter wasn't a huge hit reflected on the Hot 100. It's been my main song for the past 5 months.

[Au$tin]

Jul 29, 2017 8:59:59 GMT -5 imbondz said:

Makes no sense to me how The Fighter wasn't a huge hit reflected on the Hot 100. It's been my main song for the past 5 months.

I mean, it wasn't released anywhere outside of the country music scene, so it's not that surprising. Rarely ever do country songs venture out of their niche market without an actual push to do so.

[feoba]

Hopefully LOYALTY. gets a push due to the music video.

[Baby Yoda Hot100Fan]

According to kworb's radio update, There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back has edged Wild Thoughts for #3. We'll see if it can manage to keep that position in Radio Songs. Plus, Attention has reached #10.

[MilesW1998]

The reason why is because TNHMB is gaining more on pop radio with over 100 million in it's audience, compared to WT with over 60 million.

[Deleted]

Odds of Attention dethroning Despacito?

[Deleted]

Jul 30, 2017 0:31:52 GMT -5 @walker9 said:

Odds of Attention dethroning Despacito?

1 in 39520153

[jayhawk1117]

Jul 30, 2017 0:31:52 GMT -5 @walker9 said:

Odds of Attention dethroning Despacito?

0. O chance that happens

[.It'sGriffin]

Jul 30, 2017 0:31:52 GMT -5 @walker9 said:

Odds of Attention dethroning Despacito?

1 in 477327102

[Daniel Collins]

2017/07/30


*** = dropped or added a format


1. LUIS FONSI - Despacito f/Daddy Yankee: 185.645 (-0.876)
2. BRUNO MARS - That's What I Like: 156.331 (-1.587)
3. DJ KHALED F/RIHANNA/B. TILLER - Wild Thoughts: 148.740 (+2.198) ▲
4. SHAWN MENDES - There's Nothing Holdin' Me...: 147.639 (+0.762***) ▼
5. ZEDD & ALESSIA CARA - Stay: 143.572 (-0.259)
6. IMAGINE DRAGONS - Believer: 141.146 (+0.840)
7. ED SHEERAN - Shape Of You: 135.317 (+0.061)
8. THE CHAINSMOKERS & COLDPLAY - Something Just Like This: 121.149 (-1.045)
9. CHARLIE PUTH - Attention: 119.348 (+2.843) ▲
10. DJ KHALED - I'm The One f/Bieber/Quavo...: 117.705 (-2.219) ▼

11. SAM HUNT - Body Like A Back Road: 116.123 (+0.391)
12. HALSEY - Now Or Never: 110.576 (+0.586)
13. KYGO X SELENA GOMEZ - It Ain't Me: 101.970 (-0.133)
14. CHILDISH GAMBINO - Redbone: 101.432 (+0.590)
15. FRENCH MONTANA - Unforgettable f/Swae Lee: 97.532 (+1.795) ▲
16. ED SHEERAN - Castle On The Hill: 96.525 (-0.745) ▼
17. JAMES ARTHUR - Say You Won't Let Go: 87.224 (-0.226)
18. NIALL HORAN - Slow Hands: 74.343 (+1.349) ▲
19. KENDRICK LAMAR - Humble.: 73.015 (-1.002) ▼
20. KEITH URBAN - The Fighter f/Carrie Underwood: 62.106 (+0.642)

21. BILLY CURRINGTON - Do I Make You Wanna: 61.159 (+0.533)
22. JULIA MICHAELS - Issues: 57.979 (-1.532)
23. THOMAS RHETT - Craving You f/Maren Morris: 57.412 (-0.086)
24. LIAM PAYNE - Strip That Down f/Quavo: 56.680 (+0.754)
25. COLE SWINDELL - Flatliner: 53.950 (+0.541)
26. CALVIN HARRIS - Feels f/Pharrell/Katy/Big Sean: 53.425 (+1.361) ▲
27. BRUNO MARS - Versace On The Floor: 52.973 (+0.686)
28. DYLAN SCOTT - My Girl: 52.244 (-0.679) ▼
29. ALESSIA CARA - Scars To Your Beautiful: 51.787 (-0.478) ▼
30. MIDLAND - Drinkin' Problem: 49.632 (+0.742) ▲

31. MAROON 5 - Don't Wanna Know f/K. Lamar: 48.010 (+0.203) ▲
32. JUSTIN MOORE - Somebody Else Will: 47.921 (+0.495) ▲
33. LADY ANTEBELLUM - You Look Good: 47.702 (+0.158) ▲
34. DAVID GUETTA - 2U f/Justin Bieber: 47.544 (-1.453) ▼
35. OLD DOMINION - No Such Thing As A Broken...: 47.157 (+0.238) ▲
36. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE - Can't Stop The Feeling: 46.140 (+0.192) ▲
37. DUSTIN LYNCH - Small Town Boy: 45.480 (+0.414) ▲
38. LIL UZI VERT - XO Tour Llif3: 45.212 (-0.173)
39. RASCAL FLATTS - Yours If You Want It: 44.390 (-3.301) ▼
40. ADELE - Water Under The Bridge: 44.330 (-0.168)

41. POST MALONE - Congratulations f/Quavo: 42.575 (+0.155)
42. SIA - Cheap Thrills: 42.120 (+0.108)
43. THE CHAINSMOKERS - Closer f/Halsey: 41.119 (-0.729)
44. LUKE COMBS - Hurricane: 40.663 (-0.603)
45. YFN LUCCI - Everyday We Lit f/PnB Rock: 40.070 (-0.674)
46. BRETT YOUNG - In Case You Didn't Know: 39.859 (-0.569)
47. FUTURE - Mask Off: 39.348 (-0.985)
48. BLAKE SHELTON - Every Time I Hear That Song: 37.584 (-0.817)
49. DJ SNAKE - Let Me Love You f/J. Bieber: 35.030 (+0.415)
50. JON PARDI - Heartache On The Dance Floor: 34.735 (+0.497)

51. JASON ALDEAN - They Don't Know: 33.735 (+0.186)
52. KHALID - Location: 32.817 (+0.447) ▲
53. RIHANNA - Love On The Brain: 32.703 (-0.297) ▼
54. SHAWN MENDES - Treat You Better: 30.900 (+0.223)
55. KENDRICK LAMAR - LOYALTY. f/ Rihanna: 30.325 (+0.043)
56. BROTHERS OSBORNE - It Ain't My Fault: 30.060 (+0.306)
57. SZA - Love Galore f/Travis Scott: 29.665 (+0.623)
58. PORTUGAL. THE MAN - Feel It Still: 29.196 (+0.997) ▲
59. KIP MOORE - More Girls Like You: 29.079 (+0.341)
60. THE WEEKND - I Feel It Coming f/Daft Punk: 28.252 (-0.577) ▼

61. BRUNO MARS - 24K Magic: 27.716 (-0.538)
62. MIGOS - Slippery f/Gucci Mane: 27.408 (+0.298) ▲
63. J BALVIN - Mi Gente f/Willy William: 27.333 (+0.653) ▲
64. CHEAT CODES - No Promises f/Demi Lovato: 27.294 (+0.704) ▲
65. JON PARDI - Dirt On My Boots: 27.009 (-0.121) ▼
66. CHRIS LANE - For Her: 26.989 (+0.314)
67. YO GOTTI F/NICKI MINAJ - Rake It Up f/Nicki Minaj: 26.747 (+1.338) ▲
68. LOGIC - 1-800-273-8255 f/A.Cara/Khalid: 26.672 (+0.882)
69. MILEY CYRUS - Malibu: 25.557 (-3.116) ▼
70. KENNY CHESNEY - All The Pretty Girls: 25.257 (+0.647) ▲

71. KESHA - Praying: 24.934 (+1.433***) ▲
72. MEEK MILL - Whatever You Need: 24.681 (+0.744) ▲
73. ZAYN/TAYLOR SWIFT - I Don't Wanna Live Forever: 24.642 (-0.898) ▼
74. CARLY PEARCE - Every Little Thing: 23.902 (+0.308)
75. SHAWN MENDES - Mercy: 23.813 (-0.186) ▼

147. DEMI LOVATO - Sorry Not Sorry: 13.460 (+1.075)
243. SELENA GOMEZ - Fetish f/Gucci Mane: 7.157 (+1.041)

[MilesW1998]

Top 20 US Overall AI 7/30/17:

1. Despacito 185.645 (-0.876)
2. That's What I Like 156.331 (-1.587)
3. Wild Thoughts 148.740 (+2.198) +1
4. There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back 147.639 (+0.762) -1***
5. Stay 143.572 (-0.259)
6. Believer 141.146 (+0.840)
7. Shape Of You 135.317 (+0.061)
8. Something just Like This 121.149 (-1.045)
9. Attention 119.348 (+2.843) +1
10. I'm The One 117.705 (-2.219)
11. Body Like A Back Road 116.123 (+0.391)
12. Now Or Never 110.576 (+0.586)
13. It Ain't Me 101.970 (-0.133)
14. Redbone 101.432 (+0.590)
15. Unforgettable 97.532 (+1.795) +1
16. Castle On The Hill 96.525 (-0.745) -1
17. Say You Won't Let Go 87.224 (-0.226)
18. Slow Hands 74.343 (+1.349) +1
19. HUMBLE 73.015 (-1.002) -1
20. The Fighter 62.106 (+0.642)

Outliers:

22. Issues 57.979 (-1.532)
26. Feels 53.425 (+1.361) +3
34. 2U 47.544 (-1.453) -4
39. Yours If You Want It 44.390 (-3.301) -6
69. Malibu 25.557 (-3.116) -9
71. Praying 24.934 (+1.433) +4***

[Golden Bluebird]

Jul 29, 2017 9:41:02 GMT -5 Au$tin said:

Rarely ever do country songs venture out of their niche market without an actual push to do so.

I get what you're trying to say here, but "niche" is a wrong word to use for one of the BIGGEST music genres in America.

[imbondz]

Jul 30, 2017 8:24:33 GMT -5 Golden Bluebird said:

Jul 29, 2017 9:41:02 GMT -5 Au$tin said:

Rarely ever do country songs venture out of their niche market without an actual push to do so.

I get what you're trying to say here, but "niche" is a wrong word to use for one of the BIGGEST music genres in America.

Agreed. And the song is about 2% country. The only thing country about the song is that Urban and Underwood sing it. It's a great pop song in my opinion and had tons of exposure on tv. I don't get the disconnect.

[NeRD]

Hopefully Wild Thoughts can claim #1 airplay in 2-3 weeks.

[fhas]

Final predictions by simmnfierzig

1 Despacito 631 (=) -7%
2 Wild Thoughts 384 (=) -2%
3 I'm The One 315 (+1) +0%
4 That's What I Like 313 (-1) -6%
5 Unforgettable 284 (=) -8%
6 Believer 279 (+1) +0%
7 Shape Of You 265 (-1) -5%
8 There's Nothing Holdin Me Back 265 (=) +1%
9 Attention 260 (+1) +3%
10 Body Like A Back Road 251 (-1) -2%
11 Congratulations 228 (+1) -4%
12 Redbone 218 (+1) -1%
13 Humble 218 (-2) -8%
14 Stay 206 (=) -5%
15 Something Just Like This 199 (=) -7%
16 XO Tour Lif3 195 (=) -9%
17 Strip That Down 194 (+8) +31%
18 Slow Hands 185 (+1) +4%
19 Now Or Never 179 (-2) -4%
20 Mask Off 156 (-2) -14%

21 Castle On The Hill 152 (+1)
22 Say You Won't Let Go 151 (-2)
23 It Ain't Me 151 (-2)
24 Feels 149 (+2)
25 Sorry Not Sorry 147 (-2)
26 Location 145 (-2)
27 Bank Account 137 (+7)
28 Mi Gente 124 (+14)
29 Rake It Up 122 (+12)
30 Magnolia 122 (-1)
31 2U 122 (+1)
32 Everyday We Lit 120 (+1)
33 Slippery 119 (+2)
34 Bodak Yellow 118 (+15)
35 Issues Julia Michaels 116 (-7)
36 Numb 110 (re-entry)
37 Fetish 110 (-10)
38 In The End 108 (re-entry)
39 Closer 102 (-3)
40 Praying 100 (=)

41 In Case You Didn't Know 99 (-4)
42 Malibu 98 (-11)
43 Drowning 97 (-5)
44 Versace On The Floor 96 (+3)
45 Bad And Boujee 95 (=)
46 Heavy 93 (re-entry)
47 Craving You 92 (-3)
48 Rolex 90 (-5)
49 Love Galore 87 (+4)
50 Back To You 87 (debut)
51 Bad Liar 86 (-21)
52 Small Town Boy 86 (=)
53 My Girl 83 (-14)
54 Feel It Still 80 (+9)
55 DNA 78 (-4)
56 Whatever You Need 78 (+33)
57 Felices Los 4 76 (-9)
58 1-800-273-8255 76 (-3)
59 Drinkin Problem 75 (-5)
60 Do I Make You Wanna 72 (-3)

61 It's A Vibe 70 (-5)
62 What Ifs 68 (+3)
63 Flatliner 67 (+3)
64 Loyalty 67 (-2)
65 Butterfly Effect 66 (-5)
66 Thunder 66 (-7)
67 You Look Good 65 (=)
68 No Such Thing As A Broken Heart 65 (-4)
69 No Promises 65 (-1)
70 Most Girls 64 (-12)
71 Escapate Conmingo 61 (-1)
72 Crew 58 (+10)
73 Heartache On The Dance Floor 57 (+8)
74 Love 56 (+3)
75 Somebody Else Will 54 (+9)
76 Privacy 54 (=)
77 Issues Meek Mill 53 (debut)
78 Wins & Losses 52 (debut)
79 04:44 51 (-18)
80 First Day Out 51 (-11)

81 The Story Of OJ 50 (-9)
82 Know No Better 49 (re-entry)
83 Glorious 49 (+16)
84 Swalla 49 (-5)
85 Passionfruit 48 (-11)
86 Young Dumb & Broke 48 (+5)
87 Down 46 (-9)
88 God, Your Mama And Me 45 (-8)
89 1942 Flows 45 (debut)
90 4 AM 45 (-7)
91 Who Dat Boy 44 (debut)
92 New Rules 43 (debut)
93 Every Time I Hear That Song 43 (-8)
94 Subeme La Radio 43 (+1)
95 It Ain't My Fault 42 (-1)
96 Heavy Heart 42 (debut)
97 El Amante 42 (-5)
98 Talking To Myself 41 (debut)
99 For Her 41 (debut)
100 Imitadora 41 (debut)

Others

Crying In The Club 41
Symphony 40
Reminder 39
Signs 38
The Cure 37
I Could Use A Love Song 34

Going recurrent

24k Magic, iSpy

[Normi]

Praying being so high on Radio

[Au$tin]

Jul 30, 2017 8:24:33 GMT -5 Golden Bluebird said:

Jul 29, 2017 9:41:02 GMT -5 Au$tin said:

Rarely ever do country songs venture out of their niche market without an actual push to do so.

I get what you're trying to say here, but "niche" is a wrong word to use for one of the BIGGEST music genres in America.

What word would you use to describe a market that doesn't do anything outside of itself? I mean, sure, the country market is large, but you can still have large niches. The fact of the matter is, the market caters only to itself. It doesn't care about the trends of other markets. It doesn't even care about major trends in the business. They're so slow to catch on to what's happening. Only now are country songs regularly doing well in digital sales, for example. They don't even try to branch out. There wouldn't be anything wrong with a few country songs crossing over every year, even if it's just to the adult contemporary markets, but they don't even attempt it. The market has secluded itself, and because of this, it's also one of the most hated genres in the world. "Ew, country is terrible." "I like all music except country." "Country music sucks." Typical phrases from people not in the niche who don't even give the genre a chance because they know very little about it since the market doesn't attempt to make itself known to anyone outside of the country world. And when an artist actually does branch out, they're met with scorn. You think Taylor Swift could ever get a major country hit again if she went back to her country roots? I seriously doubt it. Dixie Chicks tried to get political? Banned. It's kind of ridiculous.

Jul 30, 2017 8:33:12 GMT -5 imbondz said:

Jul 30, 2017 8:24:33 GMT -5 Golden Bluebird said:

I get what you're trying to say here, but "niche" is a wrong word to use for one of the BIGGEST music genres in America.

Agreed. And the song is about 2% country. The only thing country about the song is that Urban and Underwood sing it. It's a great pop song in my opinion and had tons of exposure on tv. I don't get the disconnect.

Well, you just answered your own question. Those are two of the biggest country music acts of the last two decades. They literally could have sang "Shape of You" instead of Ed Sheeran, but unless it got an actual push outside of country radio, it wasn't going to do anything on its own with their names attached to it. A radio programmer for any pop station would look at those names and just trash it. Hell, I remember when "Cowboy Casanova" came out and was such a big country hit. This was just after "Before He Cheats" was this major pop hit as well and so many fans wondered why it wasn't crossing over too. When someone actually emailed a pop station's programming director about it, his response was "We would love to play it, but we're concerned about the steel guitar in it. If that were taken out, we'd start playing it." Literally one instrument was stopping this station from playing a song that should have crossed over because that instrument is seen as "too country." If I remember right, The Band Perry's "If I Die Young" only crossed over after its push included a "pop mix" that just took out the fiddle and changed nothing else. It's so sad.

[imbondz]

Jul 30, 2017 10:19:46 GMT -5 Au$tin said:

Jul 30, 2017 8:24:33 GMT -5 Golden Bluebird said:

I get what you're trying to say here, but "niche" is a wrong word to use for one of the BIGGEST music genres in America.

What word would you use to describe a market that doesn't do anything outside of itself? I mean, sure, the country market is large, but you can still have large niches. The fact of the matter is, the market caters only to itself. It doesn't care about the trends of other markets. It doesn't even care about major trends in the business. They're so slow to catch on to what's happening. Only now are country songs regularly doing well in digital sales, for example. They don't even try to branch out. There wouldn't be anything wrong with a few country songs crossing over every year, even if it's just to the adult contemporary markets, but they don't even attempt it. The market has secluded itself, and because of this, it's also one of the most hated genres in the world. "Ew, country is terrible." "I like all music except country." "Country music sucks." Typical phrases from people not in the niche who don't even give the genre a chance because they know very little about it since the market doesn't attempt to make itself known to anyone outside of the country world. And when an artist actually does branch out, they're met with scorn. You think Taylor Swift could ever get a major country hit again if she went back to her country roots? I seriously doubt it. Dixie Chicks tried to get political? Banned. It's kind of ridiculous.

Jul 30, 2017 8:33:12 GMT -5 imbondz said:

Agreed. And the song is about 2% country. The only thing country about the song is that Urban and Underwood sing it. It's a great pop song in my opinion and had tons of exposure on tv. I don't get the disconnect.

Well, you just answered your own question. Those are two of the biggest country music acts of the last two decades. They literally could have sang "Shape of You" instead of Ed Sheeran, but unless it got an actual push outside of country radio, it wasn't going to do anything on its own with their names attached to it. A radio programmer for any pop station would look at those names and just trash it. Hell, I remember when "Cowboy Casanova" came out and was such a big country hit. This was just after "Before He Cheats" was this major pop hit as well and so many fans wondered why it wasn't crossing over too. When someone actually emailed a pop station's programming director about it, his response was "We would love to play it, but we're concerned about the steel guitar in it. If that were taken out, we'd start playing it." Literally one instrument was stopping this station from playing a song that should have crossed over because that instrument is seen as "too country." If I remember right, The Band Perry's "If I Die Young" only crossed over after its push included a "pop mix" that just took out the fiddle and changed nothing else. It's so sad.

Interesting. I definitely wondered why Cowboy Casanova didn't cross over. Not sure how Before He Cheats is 'less country' sounding than CC tho. If I Die Young is just a great song with insanely good lyrics. What I hear you're saying though is that pop radio is stuck in its 'genre' and won't branch out.

Usually young-ens don't like country music. I used to hate it until I got older. Now I love it. But a good buddy of mine grew up in the backroads of TN and always says country music today isn't country. He hates 'pop' country. I love it way more than 'old' country.

[Golden Bluebird]

Jul 30, 2017 10:19:46 GMT -5 Au$tin said:

Jul 30, 2017 8:24:33 GMT -5 Golden Bluebird said:

I get what you're trying to say here, but "niche" is a wrong word to use for one of the BIGGEST music genres in America.

What word would you use to describe a market that doesn't do anything outside of itself? I mean, sure, the country market is large, but you can still have large niches. The fact of the matter is, the market caters only to itself. It doesn't care about the trends of other markets. It doesn't even care about major trends in the business. They're so slow to catch on to what's happening. Only now are country songs regularly doing well in digital sales, for example. They don't even try to branch out. There wouldn't be anything wrong with a few country songs crossing over every year, even if it's just to the adult contemporary markets, but they don't even attempt it. The market has secluded itself, and because of this, it's also one of the most hated genres in the world. "Ew, country is terrible." "I like all music except country." "Country music sucks." Typical phrases from people not in the niche who don't even give the genre a chance because they know very little about it since the market doesn't attempt to make itself known to anyone outside of the country world. And when an artist actually does branch out, they're met with scorn. You think Taylor Swift could ever get a major country hit again if she went back to her country roots? I seriously doubt it. Dixie Chicks tried to get political? Banned. It's kind of ridiculous.

Like I said, I understand the point you're making here and I agree. Country is indeed a genre with very little crossover appeal due to it being so secluded from the major trends in the music industry. And while I get why you would use the word "niche" to describe this market based on that point, I still don't think it's the right word to use for such a large market.