Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” has continued its record-setting dominance of the Billboard Hot 100, spending a 17th week at No. 1 on the Aug. 15-dated chart, giving it the fourth-longest reign in the chart’s history. Among its newest achievements, the song has established a new record for the most weeks at the summit by a non-holiday song performed by a woman, ending its tie with Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s mid-‘90s hit, “One Sweet Day.”
Beginning with the Hot 100 dated Feb. 14, fittingly given Langley’s resignation in the lyrics of the song about lost love, “Choosin’ Texas” has returned to No. 1 six separate times, the highest number of individual chart-topping runs ever recorded by a song during one release cycle.
During that run, Langley has also collected three No. 1s on the Country Airplay chart. “Choosin’ Texas” reached the top during the same week it first topped the Hot 100 and remained there for three weeks; “Be Her” spent four weeks at No. 1 in June; and “I Can’t Love You Anymore,” her collaboration with Morgan Wallen, now takes over the top position on the latest format radio ranking.
Even so, 2026 has so far stood out for the broad distribution of No. 1 success on the Hot 100, something reflected by the repeated movement of “Choosin’ Texas” between the summit and other positions.
By the middle of August, 10 songs have reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 for the first time since January. How does that compare with other years?
Below is a breakdown of the number of songs that reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 during the first eight-and-a-half months of each 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
As a result, 2026 is one of just seven years since 2000 in which at least 10 songs have made their initial ascent to No. 1 on the Hot 100 by mid-August, representing a 26% success rate.
At the same time, 2026 sits firmly in the middle of the range for this decade. Since 2020, three years have recorded more Hot 100 No. 1s by charts dated Aug. 15, while three have recorded fewer.
Making comparisons across more than 25 years of chart hits can be complicated because the results have been shaped by different dominant methods of music consumption. The early 2000s were largely driven by radio, the latter part of that decade was at times fueled by strong digital download sales, and streaming has generally dominated during the past decade.
Even with those differences, the figures indicate that 2026 has been a relatively strong year for artists reaching the top of the Hot 100.
Among this year’s notable achievements, Bruno Mars entered the select group of performers with at least 10 career Hot 100 No. 1s when “I Just Might” debuted at the top in January. Ariana Grande joined the same group when “Hate That I Made You Love Me” opened at No. 1 in June. Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” likewise debuted at No. 1 in June, moving her into sole possession of third place for the most leaders in chart history with 15, behind only The Beatles (20) and Carey (19).
Additionally, Bad Bunny’s “DtMF” became only the fourth all or predominantly Spanish-language song to top the Hot 100 in the chart’s history, which dates back to 1958, and was the first to accomplish the feat as a solo artist without any other billed acts.
Another major milestone came in April, when “SWIM” became BTS’ seventh Hot 100 No. 1, giving the group the most chart-toppers among groups in nearly 50 years, since the Bee Gees accumulated their nine career No. 1 songs between 1971-79.
Every other Hot 100 No. 1 this year has also brought its own distinction, with the list completed by Harry Styles’ “Aperture,” Swift’s “Opalite,” Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drop Dead” and Drake’s “Janice STFU.”
Looking forward, the Hot 100 is likely to remain a contest between “Choosin’ Texas” and the other current contenders, with albums from several major artists still scheduled to arrive and Langley continuing to post strong numbers despite the song already establishing a record-setting run.