Country Star Is Suddenly Climbing the Charts 13 Years After Beginning Career

Riley Green is climbing the charts again, more than a decade after he first began his music career.

The country star’s song “Think As You Drunk” has re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 94, giving the Alabama singer another major chart moment as his career reaches a new high. The song previously peaked at No. 91 and has now spent three weeks on the chart.

Green began his career in 2013, when he released his self-titled EP. Since then, he has built a steady career through several EPs, hit singles, studio albums, major tours and award wins. His latest chart rise shows how far he has come since those early days.

The timing also comes as Green prepares to release his fourth studio album, That’s Just Me, on Sept. 18, 2026. “Think As You Drunk” is one of the songs set to appear on the new record.

The song has also gained attention because of its connection to the late country star Toby Keith. Green said the song was inspired by the kind of fun, rowdy country music that Keith was known for. The track ends with a sample of Keith singing his 2005 hit “As Good as I Once Was.”

“The best compliment I can give a song is ‘Man, this feels like a Toby Keith song,’” Green told Billboard. “Especially as a songwriter, I don’t know if there was a bigger influence on me.”

Green said the song was written with Erik Dylan, Wyatt McCubbin and Jessi Alexander in about 20 minutes. After hearing the finished song, Green’s team played it for Keith’s manager and family. According to Green, they saw it as a tribute to the late singer and wanted his vocal included.

“They completely thought it was a tip of the cap to Toby, so they wanted to have his vocal on it,” Green said. “Think” now ends sampling Keith singing his 2005 smash, which Green’s father used to joke was written about him. “So, it’s really a full-circle moment for me to have Toby’s vocal on that song.”

Riley Green’s ‘Think As You Drunk’ Gets a Boost

The song’s chart return comes as Green continues to keep fans talking with new music and a busy schedule.

A music video for “Think As You Drunk,” directed by Wes Edwards, adds a comedy-driven story to the song. Parts of the video were filmed at Green’s Duck Blind bar in Nashville.

In the clip, Green plays an increasingly drunk version of himself who causes trouble around the bar. At one point, he mistakes his corgi, Carl, for the bartender. He also shows off some awkward dance moves while the people around him try to avoid getting involved.

The video also features Green performing the song inside the club. The story later takes him onto a riding mower, to a girlfriend’s home and into an encounter with police before he eventually finds his way back to the bar and the stage.

The Toby Keith connection is also included in the video. Bar patrons sing the lyrics from “As Good as I Once Was” while the camera shows a photo of Keith holding a red Solo cup.

The new chart movement comes during one of the busiest periods of Green’s career. He is currently on his Cowboy As It Gets Tour, with dates running through August 2026. He has also expanded his work beyond music with a television role.

Green made his acting debut in 2026 as Garrett in Marshals, appearing in a four-episode arc. His character was later killed off after five episodes, leaving some fans disappointed. During a July tour stop in Utah, Green brought actress Ash Santos, who played Andrea Cruz, onstage for a special moment that connected back to their time on the show.

Green is also set to join The Voice as a coach in the show’s 30th season later in 2026.

His growing profile has also led to more attention around his personal life. During an appearance on the This Past Weekend w/Theo Von podcast, Green said his busy career makes dating difficult.

“It’s really not that easy to meet a girl when you’re doing what we’re doing,” Green said, per Taste of the Country.

He explained that his life on the road and his fame make it harder to meet someone naturally. He also said he feels anxious when people recognize him in public and give him attention outside of his performances.

For now, Green appears focused on his career. He said his schedule may need to change before he can settle into a quieter life.

Related: Country Star’s Hit Song Returns to No. 1 Amid 2026 Tour