Maxwell‘s “Simply Beautiful” holds onto the No. 1 spot for a second consecutive week on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart.
The Grammy winner’s thrilling rendition of Al Green‘s 1972 classic repeats the success of his 2022 hit “Off,” which spent two weeks atop the same chart.
Maxwell’s “Fistful of Tears” is the only other song to have spent just two weeks at the top of this chart. It first topped during the week of April 17, 2010, and remained there for an additional week until April 24, 2010.
View this post on Instagram
“Simply Beautiful” is Maxwell’s ninth No. 1. He ties with Tank and Usher for the second-most No. 1s among male artists. Charlie Wilson leads with 10.
Among all artists, Alicia Keys has the most No. 1 hits with 14, followed by Toni Braxton with 11.
Here are Maxwell’s nine No. 1s on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart, listed by longest run:
- “Fortunate,” No. 1 for 18 weeks (1999)
- “Lifetime,” No. 1 for 15 weeks (2001-2002)
- “Pretty Wings,” No. 1 for 12 weeks (2009)
- “Lake By The Ocean,” No. 1 for 10 weeks (2016)
- “Bad Habits,” No. 1 for nine weeks (2009)
- “Fire We Make,” with Alicia Keys, No. 1 for seven weeks (2013)
- “Fistful of Tears,” No. 1 for two weeks (2010)
- “Off,” No. 1 for two weeks (2022)
- “Simply Beautiful,” No. 1 for two weeks so far (2024)
Maxwell is enjoying even more Billboard success for his splendid remake. On the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, “Simply Beautiful” moves to No. 11 in its ninth week. It could become his first top 10 entry on this chart in 15 years.
Released Aug. 2, “Simply Beautiful” marked Maxwell’s return single after a nearly three-year hiatus. He co-produced the remake with longtime collaborators Hod David and Shedrick Mitchell.
“The first time I heard Al Green’s music, I was amazed,” Maxwell shared about his cover version. “He is such an icon, I mean what a brilliant musician and songwriter. It’s been an honor to get in the studio and record one of his songs.”
Following the news of going No. 1 last week, Maxwell hinted that a remix of “Simply Beautiful” was on the way. The remix will be created by South African DJ and producer MÖRDA. No release date has been announced.
Maxwell is on his headlining Serenade Tour, with support from Jazmine Sullivan and October London. The U.S. tour concludes Oct. 27 in Los Angeles.
In February 2025, Maxwell heads off for his second annual Urban Hang Suite Cruise. He will perform as well as Anthony Hamilton, Marsha Ambrosius, Lalah Hathaway, Terrace Martin, Avery*Sunshine, and others.
Listen to Maxwell’s remake of “Simply Beautiful” below.
