Ella Langley’s "Choosin’ Texas" Claims 22nd Week at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, Matching Mariah Carey’s Record

Ella Langley’s "Choosin’ Texas" has achieved a monumental milestone, securing its 22nd consecutive week atop the Billboard Hot 100. This unprecedented run for a non-holiday song ties the all-time record for the longest reign at the chart’s summit, a feat previously held solely by Mariah Carey’s enduring holiday classic, "All I Want for Christmas Is You." The sustained dominance of "Choosin’ Texas" underscores its significant cultural impact and broad appeal, solidifying its place in music history.

A Historic Chart Ascent

The journey of "Choosin’ Texas" to this record-tying position has been a testament to its widespread popularity and sustained momentum. The track first entered the Billboard Hot 100 on the chart dated November 1, 2025. Its ascent was steady, breaking into the top 10 in January of the following year. By February, "Choosin’ Texas" had captured the No. 1 spot for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in Langley’s career and initiating a cascade of chart records.

Earlier in its run, on the chart dated September 14, 2026, "Choosin’ Texas" already etched its name in the history books by surpassing the previous record for the most weeks at No. 1 for a non-holiday song. With its 20th week in the top position, it eclipsed the celebrated tenures of Shaboozey’s "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" and Lil Nas X’s record-breaking collaboration with Billy Ray Cyrus, "Old Town Road." These previous chart-toppers, known for their significant cultural impact and lengthy stays at number one, now stand behind Langley’s contemporary hit in terms of sustained dominance.

The Pantheon of Longest-Leading Hits

The Billboard Hot 100, established in August 1958, serves as the definitive measure of song popularity in the United States, incorporating data from radio airplay, sales, and streaming. Over its decades-long history, only a select few songs have managed to command the top spot for extended periods. "Choosin’ Texas" now joins an elite group, with its 22-week reign placing it in rarefied air alongside other iconic tracks that have defined generations.

The current hierarchy of the longest-leading hits on the Billboard Hot 100, ranked by weeks spent at No. 1, includes:

• "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey: This perennial holiday anthem has achieved multiple stints at No. 1, with its most recent prolonged run culminating in a significant number of weeks, now matched by Langley. Its ability to resurface and dominate the charts year after year is a testament to its timeless appeal.
• "Choosin’ Texas" by Ella Langley: The country-infused hit has demonstrated remarkable staying power, appealing to a broad audience beyond its genre roots.
• "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus: This genre-bending smash previously held the record for the longest run at No. 1 for a non-holiday song, a testament to its viral phenomenon status.
• "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozey: Another recent hit that captured the public’s imagination, "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" also enjoyed a significant period at the top of the charts.
• "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber: This global Latin music phenomenon set records for its extended stay at No. 1, highlighting the growing influence of Spanish-language music on the U.S. charts.
• "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men: This powerful ballad from the mid-1990s held the record for many years before being surpassed, showcasing its emotional resonance and widespread appeal.
• "Uptown Funk!" by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars: This infectious retro-funk track was a commercial juggernaut, dominating airwaves and charts for an impressive duration.
• "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas: A feel-good anthem that defined a summer, this song also achieved a remarkable run at the top.
• "Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)" by Los del Río: This global dance craze was a cultural phenomenon in the late 1990s, spending an extended period at No. 1.
• "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston: The iconic ballad from "The Bodyguard" soundtrack was a massive commercial success and spent a significant amount of time at the top of the charts.

The inclusion of "Choosin’ Texas" in this esteemed list signifies a significant achievement for Ella Langley and highlights the evolving landscape of popular music, where artists can achieve sustained success through a combination of compelling songwriting, effective promotion across multiple platforms, and a deep connection with their audience.

Cross-Genre Appeal and Radio Domination

The success of "Choosin’ Texas" extends beyond its digital and sales performance. The song has demonstrated remarkable crossover appeal, resonating with audiences across various radio formats. While it initially found a strong foothold on country radio, topping the Country Airplay chart for three weeks in February-March 2026, its reach has broadened significantly.

Currently, "Choosin’ Texas" is making waves on mainstream pop radio, securing a position within the top 10 on the Pop Airplay chart. Furthermore, its appeal has extended to adult contemporary audiences, where it is also charting within the top 10 on the Adult Pop Airplay and Adult Contemporary charts. This multi-format success is a critical factor in its sustained presence at No. 1 on the overall Hot 100, indicating a broad listener base that transcends specific genre preferences.

This widespread adoption across different radio formats is a testament to the song’s universal themes and infectious melody. It suggests that "Choosin’ Texas" has managed to capture the zeitgeist, offering a sound that is both familiar and fresh, and appealing to a demographic that actively engages with music across various platforms.

A Nod to a Holiday Icon

The comparison of "Choosin’ Texas" to Mariah Carey’s "All I Want for Christmas Is You" is particularly noteworthy. Carey’s holiday standard, released in 1994, has become a cultural touchstone, re-emerging each year to dominate the charts during the festive season. Its initial climb to No. 1 in 2019 marked a significant moment, and it has continued to top the Hot 100 during subsequent holiday periods.

The fact that a contemporary country-pop crossover hit can now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with such an enduring holiday classic speaks volumes about the power of "Choosin’ Texas." While "All I Want for Christmas Is You" benefits from the annual surge in holiday-themed music consumption, "Choosin’ Texas" has maintained its momentum through consistent engagement and broad appeal throughout the year. It remains to be seen whether "All I Want for Christmas Is You" will reclaim the top spot in the upcoming holiday season, potentially adding to its own impressive total and further solidifying its legacy. However, the current achievement by Langley is undeniable.

Karol G’s "BbY WOW" Enters Top 10

In addition to Langley’s record-tying achievement, the Billboard Hot 100 for the week dated September 19, 2026, sees another notable debut in the upper echelon. Karol G’s latest single, "BbY WOW," featuring Judeline and rusowsky, has surged into the top 10, climbing to the No. 10 position. This marks a significant accomplishment for the Colombian superstar, further cementing her status as a global music force and highlighting the continued strength of Latin urban music on the charts. The track’s entry into the top 10 signifies strong streaming and sales numbers, indicating a positive reception from her dedicated fanbase and a growing appeal to a wider audience.

The Mechanics of the Billboard Hot 100

The Billboard Hot 100 is a comprehensive chart that reflects the popularity of songs across the United States. Its methodology combines data from three primary sources:

• Streaming: This includes official audio and official video streams from major digital music platforms.
• Radio Airplay: This metric measures the number of times a song is played on a panel of U.S. radio stations across various formats.
• Sales: This encompasses purchases of physical singles and digital tracks from full-service digital music retailers. Notably, digital single sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites are excluded from chart calculations.

The charts dated September 19, 2026, are scheduled to update on Billboard.com tomorrow, September 15. For ongoing chart news and updates, followers can track @billboard and @billboardcharts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Detailed explanations of chart rules and methodologies are available on Billboard’s website.

Data Integrity and Chart Accuracy

Luminate, the independent data provider for the Billboard charts, plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the rankings. Luminate conducts a thorough review of all submitted data, verifying and authenticating information before it is used in chart calculations. In partnership with Billboard, any data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is rigorously removed according to established criteria, guaranteeing that the published chart reflects genuine consumer engagement and popularity. This meticulous process ensures that the achievements on the Billboard charts are a true representation of music’s performance in the marketplace.

The sustained success of "Choosin’ Texas" and the ongoing evolution of the Billboard Hot 100 continue to captivate music enthusiasts worldwide. Ella Langley’s record-tying achievement is a significant moment, underscoring the power of a well-crafted song to resonate deeply with listeners and leave an indelible mark on music history. As the year progresses, the charts will undoubtedly continue to reflect the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of popular music.