Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” has made Billboard Hot 100 history.
On the chart dated September 26, 2026, the song secured its 23rd total week at No. 1. It now holds the longest cumulative reign by any song since the Hot 100 began in 1958, moving ahead of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You”, which has spent 22 total weeks on top.
The milestone changes the story we reported when “Choosin’ Texas” tied Carey’s record on the September 19 chart. One week later, Langley holds the record outright.
One release cycle, 23 weeks on top
Carey’s 22 weeks accumulated across multiple holiday seasons, as “All I Want for Christmas Is You” returned to No. 1 year after year. “Choosin’ Texas” has reached 23 weeks during one sustained release cycle. Billboard’s count covers total weeks at No. 1; the distinction here is how the two songs assembled those totals.
Before Langley’s run, the leading non-holiday songs were Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Old Town Road” and Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”, each with 19 weeks at No. 1. “Choosin’ Texas” has now passed that mark by four weeks.
From No. 39 to the record book
Released in October 2025, “Choosin’ Texas” debuted at No. 39 on the Hot 100. It climbed to No. 1, giving Langley her first leader on the all-genre chart, and then kept returning to or holding the summit.
Chartline’s database showed 47 total chart weeks and 22 weeks at No. 1 through the chart dated September 19. The newly announced 23rd week belongs to the September 26 chart. Those dates matter: the database figure describes the earlier snapshot, while Billboard’s latest report establishes the new record.
The song had already set milestones during its ascent. It became the longest-running non-holiday No. 1 by a woman and surpassed previous country crossover hits in total weeks atop the Hot 100. Its 23rd week removes the qualifiers. No song from any genre has spent more total weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
A new benchmark for every future No. 1
For decades, 16 weeks was the mark to beat, established by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day”. “Old Town Road” reached 19 weeks in 2019. Carey’s holiday hit eventually accumulated 22. Langley has now pushed the overall benchmark to 23.
“Choosin’ Texas” was written by Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert and Joybeth Taylor. Its country storytelling reached an audience far beyond one genre, turning a Top 40 debut into the longest-leading song in Hot 100 history.
The record is a snapshot, not a prediction about future chart weeks. Carey’s seasonal hit could return to No. 1 in a future holiday season, and “Choosin’ Texas” could add to its own total. As of the chart dated September 26, 2026, Langley stands alone at 23 weeks.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published September 20, 2026, when “Choosin’ Texas” tied the 22-week record. It was updated September 23 to reflect Billboard’s announcement of the chart dated September 26. Chartline’s cited database snapshot runs through September 19.
Every published article is reviewed, fact-checked, and approved by a human editor. Chartline remains responsible for the accuracy, originality, and editorial judgment of its work.
Last updated September 23, 2026.