Is ‘Choosin’ Texas’ Really the Most Popular Single of All Time?
The criteria—and meaning—of a No. 1 hit are always changing.
Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" spent 23 weeks as the No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, breaking a record for the longest-running No. 1 in the chart's history. The singer expressed surprise at the song's popularity, saying, "Choosin' Texas. Wow. That's the one, huh?" However, many listeners claimed they had never heard the ballad, or had forgotten it altogether.
Some critics even accused listeners of snobbery, arguing that not knowing the song was a declaration of musical taste. Despite the confusion over its popularity, the song's success can be attributed to streaming platforms, where it was played passively through playlists and algorithmic recommendations. The country audience also grew in popularity on streaming services, giving country artists an outsized influence on the charts.
Written by urgent.news from The Atlantic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
