RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Ella Langley ’s “Choosin’ Texas” has dominated the Billboard Hot 100 in record fashion, ruling the Aug. 15-dated chart for a 17th week , the fourth-longest No. 1 run in the chart’s history. Among its latest triumphs, it rewrites the record for the most weeks on top for a non-holiday song by a woman, breaking out of a tie with Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s mid-‘90s classic, “One Sweet Day.”
Starting on the Hot 100 dated Feb. 14 (ironically, given Langley’s resignation in the losing-love song’s lyrics), “Choosin’ Texas” has made six ascents to No. 1, the most separate chart-topping stays ever for a title over a single release cycle.
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Along the way, Langley has also earned three No. 1s on the Country Airplay chart: “Choosin’ Texas” reached the summit the same week that it first led the Hot 100, reigning for three total weeks; “Be Her” led for four weeks in June; and “I Can’t Love You Anymore,” with Morgan Wallen, takes over atop the latest radio ranking for the format.
Still, 2026 has so far been a notable year for spreading the wealth at No. 1 on the Hot 100, as reflected by “Choosin’ Texas” having yo-yoed to and from the top.
At the mid-point of August, 10 songs have risen to No. 1 on the Hot 100 for the first time since January. How does that stack up among other years?
Here’s a rundown of how many songs have hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 over the first eight-and-a-half months of every year this century:
2026 — 10
2025 — 6
2024 — 13
2023 — 8
2022 — 8
2021 — 12
2020 — 12
2019 — 6
2018 — 7
2017 — 7
2016 — 8
2015 — 4
2014 — 6
2013 — 6
2012 — 7
2011 — 9
2010 — 9
2009 — 7
2008 — 8
2007 — 12
2006 — 12
2005 — 5
2004 — 7
2003 — 7
2002 — 4
2001 — 9
2000 — 12
2026, thus, is one of only seven years since 2000 in which 10 or more songs have made initial climbs to No. 1 on the Hot 100 through mid-August, a 26% success rate.
At the same time, 2026 is squarely in the middle of the pack this decade: Three years since 2020 have had more Hot 100 No. 1s by charts dated Aug. 15 and three years have had fewer.
Comparing a quarter-century -plus of hits can be tricky, as chart outcomes in that span have resulted from varying dominant trends in consumption. The early 2000s were heavily radio-driven, the later part of the decade was at times powered by high download sales and the last decade has been generally ruled by streaming.
Still, the numbers above show that 2026 is on the higher end of artists tasting success atop the Hot 100.
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Among the year’s victories so far: Bruno Mars joined the exclusive club of artists with at least 10 career Hot 100 No. 1s when “I Just Might” launched atop the chart in January; Ariana Grande did the same when “Hate That I Made You Love Me” opened at the summit in June; and Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” also premiered at No. 1 in June, lifting her into sole possession of the third-most leaders ever, 15, after only The Beatles (20) and Carey (19).
Plus, in February, Bad Bunny’s “DtMF” became just the fourth all or mostly Spanish-language Hot 100 No. 1 in the chart’s history, which dates to 1958, and the first by a soloist and no other billed acts.
Also making a splash, “SWIM” in April became BTS’ seventh Hot 100 No. 1, the most among groups in nearly half a century, since the Bee Gees banked their nine career leading songs in 1971-79.
Every other Hot 100 No. 1 this year also carries its own honors, a list rounded out by Harry Styles’ “Aperture,” Swift’s “Opalite,” Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drop Dead” and Drake’s “Janice STFU.”
Looking a bit ahead, it should continue to be a mix of “Choosin’ Texas” and company vying for the top of the Hot 100, with albums by high-profile acts still to come and Langley’s steady strong metrics, even deep into the song’s already-record run .
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