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Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” Challenges Historic Chart Records

Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” has officially spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a significant milestone in contemporary music. This achievement ties the longest run ever attained by a non-holiday single by a female artist. Langley’s chart dominance now matches the legendary runs of Whitney Houston with her 1992 classic “I Will Always Love You” and Mariah Carey‘s 2005 hit “We Belong Together.” Currently, the only song by a woman to hold the top spot for longer is Carey’s perennial holiday favorite, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which has accumulated 22 weeks at No. 1.

Since first ascending to the top of the Hot 100 in February, “Choosin’ Texas” has resonated with audiences through its classic pop-country structure. The track features a rich, melodic composition, the signature sound of a weeping steel pedal guitar, and poignant lyrics centered on themes of lost love. Langley collaborated on the songwriting with industry veterans Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, and Joybeth Taylor.

The Rise of Country Music Dominance

Langley’s success arrives during a period where country music is exerting a powerful influence on the charts. For the week of July 21, half of the songs within the Hot 100’s top 10 are country tracks. This includes new entries such as Taylor Swift‘s “I Knew It, I Knew You”—composed for the upcoming Toy Story 5—and “Boston” by rising artist Stella Lefty. The broader top 40 remains a mix of established pop and hip-hop figures, including Olivia Dean, Zara Larsson, PinkPantheress, Future, Drake, Harry Styles, and Olivia Rodrigo.

Shifting Trends in Chart Longevity

The extended chart life of “Choosin’ Texas” reflects a broader trend observed in the industry. As noted by writer David Renshaw in 2025, songs on the Billboard Hot 100 are spending significantly more time on the charts than in previous years. The average duration for a song in the top 20 has risen to over 30 weeks, a shift largely attributed to the prevalence of curated streaming playlists and the evolving difficulty of traditional radio promotion.

As Langley continues her momentum, she remains on the road for her sold-out Dandelion Tour through October, with upcoming performances scheduled across Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and New Hampshire.