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Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” has made Billboard history. The country hit earned its 23rd week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the longest reign in the chart’s history.
The achievement moves Langley past Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Carey’s holiday standard previously held the record with 22 total weeks at No. 1.
“Choosin’ Texas” Sets a New Hot 100 Standard
The Billboard Hot 100 measures the most popular songs in the United States. Its rankings combine streaming activity, radio audiences and song sales.
“Choosin’ Texas” reached its record across 23 nonconsecutive weeks at the summit. It first rose to No. 1 in February after entering the top 10 in January.
The song also passed two modern crossover hits with lengthy chart runs. Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, led for 19 weeks in 2019. Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” later matched that total.
Both songs blended country influences with sounds from other genres. However, Langley’s hit keeps a more traditional country identity through its steel guitar, Southern vocals and story-driven lyrics.
The achievement is especially notable because the Hot 100 began in August 1958. “Choosin’ Texas” now holds the longest No. 1 run across nearly seven decades of chart history.
Streaming, Radio and Social Media Drive the Hit
Released in October 2025, “Choosin’ Texas” found listeners across several platforms. Its momentum grew through radio airplay, streaming playlists and social media.
The song has surpassed 1.5 billion worldwide streams, according to Billboard Canada. Luminate also recorded more than 977,000 radio spins and a cumulative airplay audience approaching 2.25 billion.
That wide reach helped the song move beyond country radio. It appeared on major playlists covering pop, driving music and other listening categories.
The track also arrived as country music continues expanding its mainstream audience. Recent hits from artists including Morgan Wallen and Shaboozey have achieved major success across streaming and pop radio.
A Heartbreak Story With Texas Roots
“Choosin’ Texas” centers on a woman who realizes her partner remains drawn to someone else. Its references to Texas and Abilene give the heartbreak story a distinct setting.
Langley co-wrote the track with Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick and Joybeth Taylor. Lambert also helped produce Langley’s album Dandelion, which features the record-breaking single.
The arrangement combines classic country storytelling with elements of pop, rock and soul. That balance helped the song connect with listeners outside one genre, according to music experts interviewed by The Associated Press.
The record builds on Langley’s earlier breakthrough with “You Look Like You Love Me,” her 2024 collaboration with Riley Green. That song introduced a wider audience to the Alabama singer-songwriter.
Mariah Carey Could Reclaim the Record
Langley holds the Hot 100 record outright, but the standings may change. Carey’s Christmas hit regularly returns to the chart during the holiday season.
“All I Want for Christmas Is You” accumulated its 22 weeks through recurring trips to No. 1 beginning in 2019. Another holiday surge could allow the song to match or surpass Langley’s total.
For now, “Choosin’ Texas” stands alone. Its record reflects country music’s growing national reach while giving a Texas-themed story a historic place in American popular music.