2000s Rock Band Reacts to 25th No. 1 Single Over Two Decades After Forming
More than 20 years after forming in Jacksonville, Shinedown is still making rock chart history.
The band recently celebrated its 25th No. 1 song on the Mediabase Active Rock chart with "Safe and Sound," marking another major milestone in a career that began in 2001. The achievement comes just days before the release of the group's upcoming eighth studio album, Ei8ht, arriving May 29.
On Instagram, the band shared a poster announcing the accomplishment and thanked fans and radio stations for helping them reach the record-setting moment.
"We are BEYOND grateful for having 25 #1's at active rock radio… THANK YOU RADIO, we appreciate your support and love so much. Thank you Shinedown Nation. We wouldn't be here without you. 🙏🙏🙏🙏 ❤️❤️❤️❤️"
The latest success adds to an already historic run for the Florida rock band. According to Billboard, "Safe and Sound" also became Shinedown's 23rd No. 1 song on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, extending the group's all-time record for the most chart-toppers in the format's history.
The song follows a streak of recent hits including "Searchlight," "Killing Fields" and "Dance, Kid, Dance," all tied to the band's upcoming album.
Shinedown Extends Record on Billboard Rock Charts
Billboard reported that "Safe and Sound" climbed to the top spot on the May 30 Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. The single became the band's third straight No. 1 and second chart leader of 2026.
Shinedown first reached No. 1 on the chart in 2005 with "Save Me," which stayed at the top for 12 weeks. Since then, the group has continued building one of the most successful rock radio careers of the modern era.
The band now stands ahead of several major rock acts in total Mainstream Rock Airplay No. 1 songs:
- Shinedown – 23
- Three Days Grace – 20
- Five Finger Death Punch – 17
- Foo Fighters – 16
- Metallica – 14
"Safe and Sound" also moved up on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart, reaching No. 6 with 3.5 million audience impressions during the tracking week.
The single is the fourth song from Ei8ht to hit No. 1 on Mainstream Rock Airplay, showing the album's strong momentum before its official release.
The latest chart achievement arrives during one of the busiest years of Shinedown's career.
In recent weeks, the band performed during the finale of American Idolalongside finalist Philmon Lee and also headlined the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival.
The group recently launched its Dance Kid Dance Act II world tour, which includes more than 50 dates across North America and Europe. As part of the tour, Shinedown announced that $1 from every ticket sold will go to City of Hope, a cancer research and treatment organization in the United States.
The band has also continued connecting closely with longtime fans during the tour.
During a concert in Madison, the group surprised concertgoers by performing "Junkies for Fame" live for the first time in 18 years after a fan named Anthony requested it during his 102nd Shinedown concert.
"What he means by that is we have not played this song in 18 years and I mean legitimately 18 years," guitarist Zach Myers told the crowd.
Singer Brent Smith added, "You are the number one tonight, my brother."
The emotional moment quickly spread online and showed the band's continued bond with fans more than two decades after its formation.
Shinedown formed in 2001 after Brent Smith's previous band, Dreve, dissolved. Smith later recruited drummer Barry Kerch and eventually built the lineup that helped launch the band into mainstream rock success.
Their debut album, Leave a Whisper, arrived in 2003 and produced rock radio hits including "45," "Simple Man" and "Burning Bright." The band later broke through even further with Us and Them and the chart-topping single "Save Me."
Over the years, Shinedown released several successful albums including The Sound of Madness, Amaryllis, Threat to Survival, Attention Attention and Planet Zero.
The band has sold more than 10 million records worldwide and was ranked by Billboard in 2021 as the Greatest of All Time Mainstream Rock Artist during the chart's 40th anniversary celebration.
Now, with "Safe and Sound" becoming another No. 1 hit, Shinedown continues proving its staying power in modern rock music.
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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 9:37 PM.