Ella Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas’ Named Billboard’s No. 1 Song of the Summer 2026 as Country Music Sweeps Top Three

Country star Ella Langley has officially claimed the soundtrack to the season, as her crossover hit "Choosin' Texas" was named Billboard's No. 1 Song of the Summer for 2026.  

The announcement caps a historic run for the Alabama-born singer-songwriter, whose multi-platinum single led an unprecedented country sweep of the top three positions on Billboard's seasonal tracking chart for the first time in the publication's history.  

A Record-Setting Reign Atop the Charts

Originally released late last year as the lead single for her sophomore album Dandelion, "Choosin' Texas"—co-written alongside Luke Dick, Joybeth Taylor, and country icon Miranda Lambert—became a global streaming juggernaut throughout 2026.  

The track’s dominance across radio, physical sales, and digital streaming translated into extraordinary chart milestones:

• 21 Weeks at No. 1: "Choosin' Texas" has logged 21 non-consecutive weeks atop the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, making it the longest-running Hot 100 No. 1 hit by a female country artist in chart history.  
• 35-Week Country Reign: Over on the Hot Country Songs chart, the single extended its top spot run to 35 weeks, cementing its place among the most dominant country releases of the modern streaming era.  
• Triple Airplay Simultaneous Cap: Langley became the first female artist in history to simultaneously top the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, and Country Airplay charts with the same track.  

Country Music's Mainstream Takeover

The seasonal victory highlights a broader structural shift in global music consumption, where country storytelling and organic instrumentation continue to dictate mainstream pop radio and streaming algorithms.

Supported by a massive viral run on short-form video platforms and international pop crossover play across Europe and Australia, "Choosin' Texas" outpaced heavy releases from pop and hip-hop mainstays throughout the June-to-Labor Day tracking window.  

"The way fans embraced this song over the last year has been completely life-changing," Langley shared following the announcement. "To see a country track take the top spot for the whole summer is a testament to the fans and where the genre is at right now."

With Dandelion remaining a fixture in the top tier of the Billboard 200, label partners Columbia Records and Sony Music Nashville are preparing to launch Langley's global arena headlining tour later this fall.