After Passing Away From Coronavirus, Joe Diffie Makes Triumphant Returns To The Charts

It’s been over a week since country musician Joe Diffie died of coronavirus at the too-young age of 61. He was one of the first high-profile artists to succumb to the new virus, and fans are still reeling. Now, he is back on a number of Billboard charts as his followers and those who have adored his work throughout the years rush to buy and stream his biggest hits.

Billboard 200

During his life, Diffie placed seven full-lengths onto the Billboard 200, and now that he’s gone he adds one more and hits a new high at the same time. The aptly-titled 16 Biggest Hits opens at No. 38 on the new edition of the chart, and the set now ranks as his best-performing project and his only top 40 release.

Top Album Sales

16 Biggest Hits debuts at No. 17 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart, which only looks at the bestselling titles in the country every tracking frame. This frame marks his first and only appearance inside the top 20 on the list, and it is not his only title present on the tally.

Down at No. 81, The Ultimate Collection, another popular compilation, arrives as well.

Digital Song Sales

Billboard’s Digital Song Sales chart didn’t exist when Diffie was in his prime, so the three songs of his that rank on the tally this frame are his only placements on the list, and they will likely remain his only appearances. Up first among the trio is “John Deere Green,” which launches at No. 13, a lucky introduction to the roster. Up next is “Pickup Man” at No. 19, followed by “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die),” which lands at No. 25.

Top Country Albums

Diffie was very successful on Billboard’s country rankings chart throughout his career, but he still improves his standing this time around on the Top Country Albums list, a sales-only tally. 16 Biggest Hits enters the race this week at No. 4, becoming his third-ever top 10 title and his highest-charting of the bunch. He previously rose as high as No. 6. 

Country Digital Song Sales

The week after his passing, Diffie owns the most real estate on the Country Digital Song Sales chart, which, like the all-genre Digital Song Sales ranking, hadn’t been established when the musician was in his prime. This frame, he places five tracks onto the tally, including three inside the top 10.

Leading the way among all of his current wins is “John Deere Green,” which debuts at No. 2, narrowly missing out on becoming his first leader on the list. Three rungs down comes “Pickup Man,” followed closely by “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die)” at No. 7. Below the top 10, but still on the chart, are “Third Rock From the Sun” and “Ships That Don’t Come In,” which land at Nos. 17 and 23, respectively.