Chart Rewind: In 2016, Dierks Bentley’s ‘Black’ Eyed No. 1 on Top Country Albums

In the wake of Dierks Bentley’s 10th wedding anniversary in 2015, he wrote a song inspired by his wife, Cassidy, branding it “Black” in recognition of her maiden name.

That song emerged as the title track of his eighth Capitol Nashville album, and on June 18, 2016, Black topped Billboard’s Top Country Albums in its first chart week, becoming the sixth of Bentley’s seven trips to the list’s top spot.

Produced by Ross Copperman (Darius Rucker, Gabby Barrett), the project was shaped around the topics of love and sex, exploring some of the dark feelings and inner fears that are, at times, tested by relationships. The first single, “Somewhere on a Beach,” burned its way to No. 1 on Hot Country Songs for three weeks beginning on the April 30, 2016, chart, ahead of the album’s May 27 release. “Different for Girls,” a collaboration with Elle King, rose to No. 3, while “Black” painted the chart’s canvas at No. 4.

King wasn’t alone among the album’s familiar contributors. Also on the Black list were Maren Morris, who showed up on “I’ll Be the Moon,” and New Orleans’ Trombone Shorty, on “Mardi Gras.” Black earned a Gold album from the RIAA on Feb. 22, 2017, and was elevated to Platinum status on Oct. 28, 2022.

Bentley’s inaugural run to No. 1 on Top Country Albums came with Modern Day Drifter, which led the chart dated May 28, 2005. His most recent return to the summit came with The Mountain, which scaled the ranking dated June 23, 2018.