Jason Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart on 30 July 2011, despite scepticism that its spoken, rap-influenced verses would not suit country radio. Its success reinforced Aldean’s reputation for stretching country music’s stylistic boundaries and became his sixth chart-topper at that stage of his career.

The song was first recorded by Colt Ford, who wrote it with Brantley Gilbert; Gilbert shaped much of its rock-leaning chorus while Ford developed the rap-style verses. Aldean chose to record it after seeing audiences sing along to Ford’s version, and his recording was later certified quadruple-Platinum in the US. The article notes that Aldean has since accumulated 10 Hot Country Songs leaders and 27 Country Airplay No. 1s.