Ella Langley’s heartbreak track “Choosin’ Texas” has made Billboard Hot 100 history, spending 23 weeks on the chart and breaking the record for the longest-running No. 1 song in the chart’s 68-year history. The single surpassed Mariah Carey’s holiday standard “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which previously topped the charts for 22 weeks across multiple chart-year runs.
How “Choosin’ Texas” Broke the Billboard Record
Released last October as the lead single on the 27-year-old singer-songwriter’s album Dandelion, “Choosin’ Texas” first appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 last November. The track reached No. 1 on Valentine’s Day, recaptured the throne six times, and ultimately settled at the top in early July, where it has remained since. Co-written by Langley alongside Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, and Joybeth Taylor, the song’s commercial milestone makes it the first non-holiday single to hit the milestone.
Did you know?
“Choosin’ Texas” is certified six times platinum and has spent 28 weeks atop Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, placing it among a select group of only 32 songs to lead both the pop and country tallies.
The Origins and Lyrics Behind the Hit
The song follows a Tennessee-based narrator watching her partner leave for another woman in Texas. Langley told Billboard that the track was written during her first writing retreat with Miranda Lambert. According to Langley, the collaboration sparked after Lambert shared a story about getting pulled over with a pet kangaroo in the passenger seat. “The kangaroo got her out of a ticket and she said, ‘Of course, I had Texas plates, too.’ I went, ‘Well, she’s from Texas, I can tell … ’ Forty-five minutes later, we had the song written,” Langley explained to Billboard.
The lyrics weave distinct regional references into the narrative:
- “Just when I thought I got him to fall in love with Tennessee / I shoulda known better than to take him back to Abilene,” Langley sings in the opening verse.
- Additional references include “Smoky Mountain rain,” “Memphis blues,” and Tennessee’s Jack Daniel’s whiskey.
Industry Perspective on the Song’s Simplicity
Victoria Banks, a Nashville-based songwriter instructor at Belmont University, attributed the track’s massive appeal to its classic songwriting structure. “Everything about the song throws back to a simpler time in country music that people are really craving,” Banks told the Guardian. She added that the collective experience of the writers in the Nashville market helped shape a track that pulls listeners in naturally through well-honed instincts.
All-Time Hot 100 Longevity Rankings
With its 23rd week at No. 1, “Choosin’ Texas” sits alone at the top of Billboard’s historical records. The updated top tier of the longest-running No. 1 hits includes:
- “Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley (23 weeks, 2026)
- “All I Want for Christmas Is You” – Mariah Carey (22 weeks, 2019–26)
- “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey (19 weeks, 2024)
- “Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus (19 weeks, 2024)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote “Choosin’ Texas”?
The song was co-written by Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, and Joybeth Taylor.
Which album features “Choosin’ Texas”?
The track serves as the lead single on Ella Langley’s sophomore album, Dandelion, released via Columbia Records’ Sawgod imprint.
Can Mariah Carey reclaim the record?
Carey could potentially retake the longevity record in December when “All I Want for Christmas Is You” traditionally returns to the charts for the holiday season.
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