"I Saw God Today" George Strait

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STRAIT IN AT NO. 19: Even veteran artists can find new mountains to climb. George Strait's 108th chart entry on Hot Country Songs is the highest-debuting title of his 27-year career. "I Saw God Today" (MCA) bows at No. 19, making it the highest new entry of 2008 and the seventh song in the history of this tally to open in the top 20.

Previously, Strait's best first-week position was No. 30. That's where "You'll Be There" debuted in April 2005 and "It Just Comes Natural" entered in October 2006.

The seven songs that have started their chart lives in the top 20 on Hot Country Songs are, in order of how high they debuted:

No. 1: "More Than a Memory," Garth Brooks (2007)
No. 16: "Don't Blink," Kenny Chesney (2007)
No. 17: "Once in a Lifetime," Keith Urban (2006)
No. 18: "Good Ride Cowboy," Garth Brooks (2005)

No. 19: "The Thunder Rolls," Garth Brooks (1991)
No. 19: "I Saw God Today," George Strait (2008)
No. 20: "So Small," Carrie Underwood (2007)

"I Saw God Today" is one of two Strait songs in this week's top 20. "Shiftwork" (BNA), his duet with Kenny Chesney, earns a backward bullet as it dips 5-6.

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STRAIT UP: Like the Rolling Stones, George Strait doesn't have to worry about losing his lead over other artists when it comes to a specific chart feat. Strait already has had more No. 1 titles on Top Country Albums than any other artist but his lead widens, as he scores his 22nd chart-topper with "Troubadour" (MCA). It's his first country No. 1 since "It Just Comes Natural" topped the survey in October 2006.

"Troubadour" also debuts at No. 1 on The Billboard 200, where it is Strait's fourth album to go all the way, following "Carrying Your Love With Me" (1997), "50 Number Ones" (2004) and "Somewhere Down in Texas" (2005).

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