Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” has officially made history, securing a record-extending 24th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The country-and-then-some heartbreak song, which was released last October, has become the undisputed biggest hit of 2026. After initially claiming the title for the longest-running No. 1 hit in the history of the all-genre Billboard Hot 100—a chart that has tracked music since August 1958—the track has continued to distance itself from previous record holders.
Billboard Hot 100 Record
The song’s path to the top has been marked by remarkable momentum. “Choosin’ Texas” first reached No. 1 on Valentine’s Day 2026. Following that initial breakthrough, the song recaptured the throne six times, eventually settling into a sustained residency at the top starting in early July. By reaching its 23rd week at the summit, the track surpassed the previous record of 22 weeks held by Mariah Carey’s holiday classic, All I Want for Christmas Is You.
While Carey’s hit accumulated its 22 weeks across multiple chart-year runs from 2019 through 2026, Langley’s achievement has unfolded within a single calendar year.
Mariah Carey and Billboard Chart Performance
The magnitude of this feat is underscored by the company the song has outpaced. In addition to eclipsing Mariah Carey, “Choosin’ Texas” has surpassed the records set by other major hits, including Shaboozey’s A Bar Song (Tipsy),
which held 19 weeks; Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” also with 19 weeks; and Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You,
along with Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day,” both of which reached 16 weeks. The song’s dominance is further reflected in its performance on other charts, as it has held the top spot for 40 weeks on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs tally, while Langley’s album, Dandelion, has retaken the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 for a third week.
Langley, 27, has expressed both surprise and gratitude regarding her sudden ascent to the top of the music industry. In an Instagram video posted from beside her pool just hours after the 23rd-week record was announced, the Alabama native shared her reaction to the milestone. I’m genuinely trying to find the words to help explain what’s going on in my brain today,
she stated. Reflecting on the impact of the song, she added, Ella Langley credited her hit song ‘Choosin’ Texas’ for ‘changing her life’ after she broke Mariah Carey’s record for the longest run at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Hot 100 Top 10
Industry observers attribute the song’s unprecedented success to its laid-back sound, cross-genre appeal, and its relatable heartache narrative. Despite being relatively early in her career, Langley has already landed on the Hot 100 chart five times. However, “Choosin’ Texas” stands as her first Top 10 hit, a significant accomplishment given that, according to industry reporting, only 12 women or all-female groups have charted in the Hot 100’s top 10 with a country song. The feat is considered particularly notable because country music is often viewed as a challenging genre to market on the all-genre Hot 100 chart.
Because All I Want for Christmas Is You
is a holiday staple, industry analysts note that the song will likely add more weeks to its own tally when the holiday season arrives at the end of the year.
Academy of Country Music Awards
The success of “Choosin’ Texas” has arrived amidst a busy year for the artist. Langley’s profile has been bolstered by appearances at major industry events, including the 61st annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 17, 2026, where she won the award for Female Artist of the Year. She also attended the iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles on March 26, 2026. Her rapid rise has also seen her old TikTok videos go viral as fans react to her career transformation.
Ultimately, the song’s performance in 2026 has reset the expectations for longevity on the Billboard charts. By holding the No. 1 spot on and off for more than half of the year, Langley has eclipsed the achievements of major pop stars, including Taylor Swift, Whitney Houston, and Justin Bieber. As the industry continues to track the song’s progress, “Choosin’ Texas” remains the definitive song of the summer and the most significant chart story of the year.