Putting a wrap on a record-breaking album cycle.
It’s pretty safe to say that the release of Morgan Wallen’s fourth studio record, I’m The Problem, last year will go down in history as one of the most successful album cycles in country music history.
Upon its release on May 16th (and the weeks following), I’m The Problem broke Wallen’s previously set record of most songs charted on the Billboard Hot 100 in a single week (37). Additionally, he became the first artist ever to spend at least 10 weeks atop the all-genre Billboard 200 chart with three consecutive albums and even skyrocketed all the way up to eighth-most weeks spent on the chart by any artist in its history. Additionally, he also became the first solo act in history to score multiple 20-week #1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with “What I Want” featuring Tate McRae.
In case that wasn’t enough, he’s since scored a staggering seven #1 hits on country radio from the album, with “Lies Lies Lies,” “Love Somebody,” “I’m The Problem,” “Just In Case,” “I Got Better,” “20 Cigarettes” and “Don’t We” all reaching the top of Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
Of course, this isn’t even mentioning the fact that I’m The Problem’s monster success also allowed Wallen to become the the highest-selling country artist of all time (4th all-genre), score the most-listened-to album on Apple Music globally as well as the #1 most-listened-to album in the U.S. on Spotify and become the second male country artist in history to be named Billboard’s Top Artist of the Year in 2025.
With all of that being said, it’s pretty safe to say that it will be a pretty tough task to follow up on so much success. However, it looks like the “Chasin’ You” singer is ready to do that incredibly soon.
Over the weekend, Wallen not only made history by becoming the first artist in history to perform back-to-back nights at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, but he also entered the next era of his career with the release of his brand new single, “Been By Now,” which is battling with Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” for a debut at #1 on the Hot 100 next week.
Before performing the brand new track during night one at the Big House, Wallen would preface it by speaking to the crowd for a moment.
@up2datecountry.live Update: Before performing “Been By Now” at Michigan Stadium, @morganwallen talked about the release and how it begins his next musical chapter #morganwallen ♬ original sound – up2datecountry.live
With only two shows remaining on the Still The Problem Tour after Michigan Stadium, the 33-year-old singer/songwriter would note how bittersweet the moment was. More notably, he’d confirm that the I’m The Problem era is officially coming to a close with the end of the tour (along with the release of “Been By Now”). With that being said, however, Wallen would confirm that he’s been making a “lot of music” that he’s excited about — though he’s “not really sure” what he’s going to do next.
“It’s a little bittersweet, ’cause we’re getting close to the end of this tour. [It’s] kinda the end of this album’s era, I guess you could say. I ain’t really sure exactly what I’m gonna do next, but I do know that I’ve been in the studio. I’ve been making a lot of music. I’m excited about it.”
Additionally, Wallen would give some insight about “Been By Now” and the future of his music. After explaining that he knew he had a hit on his hand when he, Charlie Handsome, John Byron, Blake Pendergrass, Rocky Block and Taylor Phillips wrote it, the Tennessee native would note that he wanted to base his next album around the track.
“The day we wrote this song, I kinda had a good feeling about it. I wanted to base a lot of my next stuff around it. I’m glad this day is here finally.”
Given the fact that “Been By Now” sees Wallen leaning in even harder into pop and his producer, Charlie Handsome, recently going on record saying he wants to turn the “Last Night” singer into a full-blown pop star, it’s definitely something to keep an eye on as his fifth album begins to form in the coming months.
“Been By Now”
‘Still The Problem’ Tour Dates
July 31 || Philadelphia, Penn. || Lincoln Financial Field w/ Brooks & Dunn, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten
August 1 || Philadelphia, Penn. || Lincoln Financial Field w/ Ella Langley, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten
