As previously reported, Ella Langley's “Choosin' Texas†overhauls the record for the longest No. 1 run ever on the Billboard Hot 100, as it achieves a 23rd week atop the chart (dated Sept. 26). The country crossover smash surpasses Mariah Carey's perennial “All I Want for Christmas Is You,†which has collected 22 weeks at No. 1.
“Choosin' Texas†takes its place among 10 other hits that established new highs for the most weeks totaled at No. 1 on the Hot 100, dating to the chart's inaugural leader, Ricky Nelson's “Poor Little Fool†on the list dated Aug. 4, 1958.
Among other milestones, Debby Boone's “You Light Up My Life†became the first single ever to rule the Hot 100 for at least 10 weeks and “All I Want for Christmas Is You†became the first 20-week No. 1.
Meanwhile, the record for the most time spent atop the Hot 100 has been rewritten three times since 2019. Before that, Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men's “One Sweet Day†solely held or shared the honor the longest, for 23 years, four months and two weeks, dating to March 1996. Thanks to that classic ballad, “All I Want for Christmas Is You†and Boyz II Men's “End of the Road,†Carey and the vocal group are the only acts that have each overtaken the record more than once.
Below, Billboard runs down every elite hit that, at the time, became the longest-leading title in the Hot 100's history. (Songs that tied existing marks are not listed; every No. 1 of 10 or more weeks is recapped here.)
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“Choosin' Texas,†Ella Langley
Image Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images First to 23 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, on the chart dated Sept. 26, 2026
The song “feels especially cohesive, familiar and memorable as it unfolds,†David Penn, co-founder of Hit Songs Deconstructed, told Billboard in April. “It also lends the track a subtle two-step sway, making lyrics like ‘two-steppin' 'round the room' feel especially natural. And when that rhythmic pattern is strategically broken at pivotal moments, such as leading into the chorus and spotlighting the ‘he's choosin' Texas, I can tell' hook at the end, the payoff lands even harder.â€
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“All I Want for Christmas Is You,†Mariah Carey
First to 20, 21 & 22 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, on charts dated Dec. 20 & 27, 2025 & Jan. 3, 2026
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“Old Town Road,†Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus
First to 17, 18 & 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, on charts dated Aug. 3, 10 & 17, 2019
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“One Sweet Day,†Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men
Image Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images/NFL First to 15 & 16 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, on charts dated March 9 & 16, 1996
“That it topped the Hot 100 for a then-record 16 weeks has the danger of reducing “One Sweet Day†to just the answer to a trivia question,†Billboard's Andrew Unterberger wrote in 2020. “Really, it's simply one of the greatest singles of the ‘90s: an event vocal showcase for two of the preeminent vocal artists of the decade, but one whose jaw-dropping showiness never dwarfs its genuine emotion, inspired by real loss on both sides, and heartbreakingly evident in every run, harmony and high note.â€
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“I Will Always Love You,†Whitney Houston
First to 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, on the chart dated Feb. 27, 1993
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“End of the Road,†Boyz II Men
Image Credit: Ron Wolfson/Dick Clark Productions First to 11, 12 & 13 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, on charts dated Oct. 24 & 31 & Nov. 7, 1992
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“You Light Up My Life,†Debby Boone
First to 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, on the chart dated Dec. 17, 1977
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“Mack the Knife,†Bobby Darin
First to 7, 8 & 9 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, on charts dated Nov. 23 & 30 & Dec. 7, 1959
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“It's All in the Game,†Tommy Edwards
First to 6 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, on the chart dated Nov. 3, 1958
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“Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare),†Domenico Modugno
First to 3, 4 & 5 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, on charts dated Sept. 8, 15 & 22, 1958
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“Poor Little Fool,†Ricky Nelson
First to 1 & 2 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, on charts dated Aug. 4 & 11, 1958
“How cool is that? The very first No. 1,†Nelson's son Gunnar told Billboard in 2020. He and twin brother Matthew, as Nelson, earned their own leader in 1990 with “(Can't Live Without) Your Love and Affection.†“We're Nelsons,†Gunnar mused. “I'd be nothing without my family. That's what we're all about, right?â€
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