Bobbi Storm’s Michael McDonald-Sampling ‘We Can’t Forget Him’ Tops Hot Gospel Songs Chart

Bobbi Storm debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Gospel Songs chart (dated Dec. 9) with “We Can’t Forget Him.”

It’s the Detroit native’s first entry on Hot Gospel Songs and the chart’s first No. 1 arrival in over a year since DJ Khaled’s “Use This Gospel (Remix)” featuring Kanye West and Eminem in September 2022. A woman without any collaborators had not made such an entrance since Queen Naija with “War Cry” in December 2018.

“We Can’t Forget Him” drew 6.3 million in radio airplay audience and 108,000 official U.S. streams Nov. 24-30, according to Luminate. On Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, it holds at its No. 14 high (up 1% in plays); on Rhythmic Airplay, it ranks at No. 28 (up 6%).

Notably, the song samples Michael McDonald’s No. 4-peaking 1982 Billboard Hot 100 classic “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near).” Alonza Wilmore Allen, Stefanee Bobbi Morrison and Kasey Rashel Sims co-wrote “We Can’t Forget Him,” with the writers of McDonald’s hit – McDonald, Warren Griffin, Nathaniel Hale, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stroller – also credited.

A bit of drama surrounded Storm recently, as she posted a since-deleted video on Instagram Nov. 10 of herself performing “We Can’t Forget Him” on a Delta Air Lines plane. She was told to sit down, with a flight attendant warning her, “If you’re not able to follow my instructions, you will not be able to take this flight.” Storm took her seat and noted that she’s “up for two Grammys,” and sang her hit at a soft volume.

Storm is a featured vocalist on a pair of tracks on Maverick City Music’s The Maverick Way, which is nominated for best gospel album at the 2024 Grammy Awards, although she is not nominated for any awards individually. The set debuted at No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums in November and has dominated for three weeks.

Storm’s first solo album, Holy Mixes, is due early next year.