Ella Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas’ Sets All-Time Billboard Hot 100 Record

Key points

• ‘Choosin’ Texas’ reached its 23rd week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, ending a 68-year record held by Mariah Carey’s holiday classic, which had led for 22 weeks.
• The track, released in October 2025 as the lead single from Langley’s album ‘Dandelion,’ was co-written by Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, and Joybeth Taylor.
• Langley, 27, described the chart dominance as ‘surreal,’ crediting fans for sustaining the song’s momentum across multiple platforms.
• The song also holds the record for the longest reign on the Digital Song Sales chart, tying BTS’s ‘Dynamite’ and ‘Butter’ at 18 weeks.
• ‘Choosin’ Texas’ simultaneously topped the Hot Country Songs chart for a 41st week, highlighting its cross-genre appeal.

Background

Our archive from August 2026 noted that ‘Choosin’ Texas’ had already become the longest-leading non-holiday song in chart history by reaching 20 weeks at No. 1. By September 14, it tied the all-time record at 22 weeks before finally breaking it on September 22.

How outlets are covering it

While The Guardian and The New York Times emphasize the song’s nostalgic, traditional country roots and its departure from modern hybridized styles, Billboard provides granular data on its streaming and radio performance. The BBC highlights a broader industry concern, noting that such long chart reigns may indicate a stagnation in the discovery of new music due to streaming algorithms favoring familiar playlists. All sources agree on the factual record-breaking achievement but differ in their focus on the song’s cultural impact versus its commercial mechanics.

Why it matters

This milestone marks a significant shift in the Billboard Hot 100’s history, as a traditional country ballad has outlasted a decades-long holiday staple. It reflects changing listener habits and the enduring power of classic songwriting structures in the streaming era.

What to watch

Analysts will watch if ‘Choosin’ Texas’ continues to hold the No. 1 spot or if new releases can break its streak. The song’s performance in the upcoming holiday season will also be a key indicator of its longevity.