Ella Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas’ Breaks Billboard Hot 100 Record With 23 Weeks at No. 1
Ella Langley has made Billboard Hot 100 history. Her country hit “Choosin’ Texas” has reached its 23rd week at No. 1, breaking the record previously held by Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
The milestone, announced Tuesday, September 22, gives Langley the longest-running No. 1 song in the history of the all-genre U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Carey’s holiday classic had held the record with 22 weeks at the top, accumulated across multiple holiday seasons.
The achievement marks a remarkable crossover moment for Langley and country music, with “Choosin’ Texas” becoming one of the defining chart stories of 2026.
‘Choosin’ Texas’ Makes Billboard History
“Choosin’ Texas” was released in October 2025 and first appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 the following month. The song reached the top 10 in January 2026 before taking the No. 1 position in February.
After periods away from the top spot, the song returned to No. 1 on the July 4 chart and remained there through the latest chart week, giving Langley the record-breaking 23rd week atop the Hot 100.
That puts the song ahead of a string of major chart hits, including Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” which each spent 19 weeks at No. 1.
How Langley Passed Mariah Carey
Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” previously held the Hot 100 record with 22 weeks at No. 1. Because the song is a holiday staple, those weeks were accumulated across different Christmas seasons rather than during one uninterrupted run.
Langley’s achievement therefore represents a new benchmark for the chart, with “Choosin’ Texas” now sitting alone at the top of the all-time list at 23 weeks.
The Billboard Hot 100 measures song popularity in the United States using a combination of streaming, radio airplay and sales data.
Why ‘Choosin’ Texas’ Became Such a Massive Hit
The song’s success has extended well beyond the traditional country audience.
The Associated Press reported that “Choosin’ Texas” had accumulated more than 911 million U.S. streams and 1.26 billion global streams by mid-2026. Its appeal has been linked to its country foundation combined with elements that reach listeners outside the genre.
The track was co-written by Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert and Joybeth Taylor. Lambert was also involved in the production alongside Langley and Ben West.
Langley has previously described the song’s impact on her career as surreal, telling Billboard that fans had effectively changed the trajectory of her career through their response to the track.
A Major Moment for Country Music
The record arrives during an unusually strong period for country music on the Hot 100.
“Choosin’ Texas” has not been the only country-driven success story of 2026. The Los Angeles Times noted that country songs recently occupied all five positions in the Hot 100’s top five, underscoring the genre’s broader presence on the all-genre chart.
Langley has also continued building momentum beyond the single, including touring activity and additional successful songs.
What Happens Next for Ella Langley?
The immediate question is how far “Choosin’ Texas” can extend its record.
At 23 weeks, Langley now has a new benchmark to defend on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s continued streaming, radio performance and sales will determine whether it can add more weeks to its historic total.
Langley is also scheduled for a major awards season, with nine CMA Award nominations reported for November, including a nomination for Entertainer of the Year.
For now, however, the headline is clear: “Choosin’ Texas” is officially the longest-running No. 1 song in Billboard Hot 100 history.
Ella Langley has moved past Mariah Carey and established a new 23-week record for one of the most important music charts in the United States.
