2001 Crossover Classic, Among the Most Powerful Funeral Songs, Was a No. 1 Hit 25 Years Ago Today Melinda LorgeTue, March 10, 2026 at 4:06 AM UTC 0 (Getty Images) On March 10, 2001, 25 years ago today, Diamond Rio rose to the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart (Hot Country Songs chart) with "One More Day." This milestone marked the Grammywinning country band's first charttopper in four years. "One More Day" spent two nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1, first on March 10 and again on March 31 of that year.
2001 Crossover Classic, Among the Most Powerful Funeral Songs, Was a No. 1 Hit 25 Years Ago Today
Melinda LorgeTue, March 10, 2026 at 4:06 AM UTC
0
(Getty Images)
On March 10, 2001, 25 years ago today, Diamond Rio rose to the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart (Hot Country Songs chart) with "One More Day." This milestone marked the Grammy-winning country band's first chart-topper in four years.
"One More Day" spent two non-consecutive weeks at No. 1, first on March 10 and again on March 31 of that year. The beloved Grammy-nominated country ballad celebrated crossover status when it peaked at No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
RELATED: 1975 Hit Ranked Among 'Greatest Songs of All Time' Was Just Reimagined by Ella Langley
Written by Bobby Tomberlin and Steven Dale Jones, and produced by the band alongside Michael D. Clute, "One More Day" served as the second single and title track from the group's album of the same name, released in October 2000.
The Song Was Pitched to Other Artists
Surprisingly, it took a while for the song to end up in the band's hands. In fact, the tune made its way through several artists before landing with Diamond Rio. Alabama nearly recorded it first, followed by Mark Wills, and Brooks & Dunn, but Jones ultimately felt it belonged with Diamond Rio.
"I remember saying, 'This is going to be a Diamond Rio single, and I hope you hear it so much you get tired of hearing it,'" Jones said of his plans for the song, according to Billboard.
Advertisement
Behind the Lyrics
Featuring soft picking acoustic guitars, fluttering mandolins, plucking piano, and stunning harmonies, "One More Day" finds the band's lead singer, Marty Roe, sending out a wish to have more time with someone who has gone away that he considers to be close to him.
"One more day, one more time / One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied / But then again, I know what it would do / Leave me wishing still for one more day with you / One more day," the chorus goes.
The Ballad Has Taken on a Life of Its Own
While a touching ode to a loved one, "One More Day" has become much more than that. The song has gone on to impact people across the country as a ballad often used for memorials and funerals, including tributes following the death of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt at the Daytona 500.
"One More Day" also experienced a resurgence in the tragic aftermath of the September 11th attacks, as radio stations replayed the emotional song while Americans mourned those lives that were lost.
"One More Day" was one of a string of hit singles by Diamond Rio, formerly known as the Grizzly River Boys and the Tennessee River Boys. The success of the tune followed previous hits "Meet in the Middle" and "How Your Love Makes Me Feel."
Following "One More Day," the band would go on to score two more major hits with "Beautiful Mess" and "I Believe."
Related: 1970 Hit Ranked as a 'Greatest Song of All Time' Was Inducted Into the Grammy Hall of Fame 28 Years Ago Today
This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: March 10, 2026 at 09:45AM on Source: MANUEL MAG
#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle