George Strait's Twang Is Nation's No. 1 Album

Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" Continues as Top Country Song

August 22, 2009; Written by Edward Morris

George Strait

The reliably astounding George Strait has done it again. This week his new album, Twang, tops not only Billboard's country chart but also the trade magazine's all-genre Billboard 200 list. Twang sold just over 155,000 copies its first seven days out, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Another prize performer, Taylor Swift, enjoys her second week at No. 1 on Billboard's country song chart via her co-penned "You Belong With Me."

Newcomer Justin Moore scores a very impressive debut with his self-titled CD. It screeches in at No. 3. The week's third and final new album is Willie Nelson's Lost Highway, which bows at No. 29.

There are five first-time songs: Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" (popping in at No. 50), Jamey Johnson's "My Way to You" (No. 56), Big Kenny's "Long After I'm Gone" (No. 57), Steel Magnolia's "Keep On Lovin' You" (No. 58) and Blaine Larsen's "It Did" (No. 59).

Albums returning to the chart are Bill Gaither Presents: Country Bluegrass Homecoming volumes one and two resurfacing at No. 49 and No. 52, respectively, Jimmy Wayne's Do You Believe Me Now (No. 70), Ronnie Milsap's Then Sings My Soul: 24 Favorite Hymns and Gospel Songs (No. 72) and Hank Williams III's Damn Right Rebel Proud (No. 74).

Rounding out this week's Top 5 albums are Swift's Fearless (No. 2), Sugarland's Live on the Inside (No. 4) and the Zac Brown Band's The Foundation (No. 5).

The No. 2 through No. 5 songs, in that order, are Darius Rucker's "Alright," Jason Aldean's "Big Green Tractor," Rascal Flatts' "Summer Nights" and Billy Currington's "People Are Crazy."