Ella Langley's Country Hit Achieves Second-Longest Hot 100 Reign
Ella Langley's single has now spent 20 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, surpassing records by Shaboozey and Lil Nas X. It is the longest-running chart-topper by a female country artist. Mariah Carey's holiday classic still holds the all-time record with 22 weeks.
Langley’s rise began with the song’s October 2025 release, though it only reached number one in February. Its true surge came this summer, holding the top spot for nine straight weeks since July 4. The achievement places her ahead of Shaboozey and Lil Nas X, who each managed 19 weeks. Carey’s holiday perennial remains the sole barrier to a new all-time mark, with 22 weeks accumulated through seasonal returns.
The record also marks a milestone for women in country music, as no female artist in the genre had previously sustained such a lengthy chart reign. Langley’s success reflects broader crossover appeal, blending country storytelling with mainstream pop accessibility. Her streak has been powered by steady streaming and radio play, with no signs of slowing as the year closes.
This milestone may reshape how the music industry views country artists’ commercial ceiling, particularly for women. It could encourage labels to invest more in female country acts, knowing a long-running hit is possible. Listeners may see more genre-blending singles aiming for similar longevity, while chart-watchers will likely debate whether any non-holiday song can ever surpass Carey’s record. The achievement also reinforces the Hot 100’s growing reliance on sustained streaming habits rather than single-week spikes.