Calling It Now: Ella Langley Has the 2026 “Song of the Summer”
Sure, there’s a little bit more race to run. But at this point, Ella Langley has gotten so far out in front and lapped so much of the field, it’s a forgone conclusion how this race is will end, and against some massive competitors like Taylor Swift and Drake. And Ella Langley’s win is also a win for country music, and traditional country specifically.
This week, Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” spend its 13th week at #1 atop the Billboard all-genre Hot 100. This just adds more historic benchmarks to the song’s already historic run. At this point, the only other singles in popular American music history that have done better by a solo woman are “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston (1992-93), and Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” (2005). They both spent 14 weeks at #1. You also have Mariah’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” but that’s another story.
If “Choosin’ Texas” spends another week at #1, it will tie those two juggernaut songs, and if it spends two weeks more it will best them. At this point, it would be a shock if it doesn’t do this. There’s really nothing else to challenge the song’s dominance. Taylor Swift tried with her Toy Story track, but it sits strongly at #2 at the moment. Ella’s only other competition is, well, Ella. He song “Be Her” is the #3 song on the Hot 100, while her duet with Morgan Wallen “I Can’t Love You Anymore” is #4.
Meanwhile, Ella’s biggest competition for “Song of the Summer,” which is Drake’s “Janice STFU,” sits at #8 on the Hot 100 this week.
Though the “Song of the Summer” is often considered more of a vibe thing than a measurable metric, Billboard does keep a chart of it. Of course, Ella Langley and “Choosin’ Texas” are leading it, and with only six weeks to go, don’t really have anyone nipping at their heels.
And just appreciate that all this is coming from a single that was initially released in October of 2025, and had made such a racket by the end of the year, was awarded Saving Country Music’s Single of the Year. Here in the dead of summer, it’s still going as strong as ever.
The only thing left to settle about “Choosin’ Texas” is if it’s the most successful country single of all-time. It’s hard to argue against it owning that distinction from a country woman at this point. From a charting standpoint, it already owns that distinction.
It’s not surprising that at this point, some have become tired of Ella Langley and “Choosin’ Texas.” After all, it’s been so dominant and ever-present for so long. But irrespective of how you feel about the song or whether you even liked it in the first place, it’s hard to not cheer for this historic moment from a woman from the country realm, and with a song that is so country. It’s like nothing we’ve ever seen before in the history of the genre. And savor it now like the summer, because we may never see a moment like this in country ever again.
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July 14, 2026 @ 10:55 am
I’ve been listening to country music since I was 5 years old and just turned 54. I know a real true talent…and I do hear it in Ms. Langley. As soon as she starts singing you know it’s her. Very strong and unique voice kind of like a Patsy Cline, Kitty Wells or Dolly Parton. I’m usually for the traditional country music singer but this lady has IT!!!!! Can’t wait to hear more from this amazing artist.
July 25, 2026 @ 7:06 pm
I suspect that she will go pop/new country with her handler soon. She has a great voice – but new country is going to consume her unfortunately. Would be glad to be wrong, but I suspect I am not. And the Choosing Texas song could and should have had a lot more fiddle and steel. Unfortunately, I predict this is as much country she will get.
July 14, 2026 @ 10:59 am
At this moment, Drake can’t really be considered serious competition. He may still be going strong and getting love from the stans – who, at this point, seem to be made more of incels than anything else. But the whole Kendrick thing did do him damage that I don’t think he can quite completely shake up. He’s pretty much running on credit.
Really, the only serious competition, at this point in time, would be Taylor, Olivia Rodrigo or the remnants of Olivia Dean’s two big hits, with Stella Lefty still ascendant, Tame Impala & JENNIE still not quite letting go and Yung Miami’s “Spend Dat” not yet in the Top 20, but gathering steam week by week. And Olivia, a bit like Drake, has one disadvantage: the fact that the numbers are being distributed by a host of songs, instead of just one or two.
So yes, even if “Choosin’ Texas” eventually starts losing steam (and it’s not; it still has a bullet on both streaming and radio), I think you’re right. It’s gotten so far ahead of the curve at this point, it feels like a foregone conclusion.
July 14, 2026 @ 11:58 am
Smoking cigarettes is cool again.
July 14, 2026 @ 12:22 pm
Agree. But I’d go further, it’s song of the year. She’s tapped into a space few in recent memory in the country world have. The song is big with everyone regardless of if they are die hard country fans or not. She’s a household name and a genuine top 5 if not top 2 or 3 country artist at the moment.
Trigger was way premature earlier months talking about how she’s the biggest country artist. She’s not. We all can enjoy her music, cheer her on, hope for good things for her, but we must also deal in facts. Her albums aren’t as popular as Morgan Wallen’s. Nor does she have as many hit songs as Morgan. She’s not playing the same size venues nor does she have more streaming listeners. She isn’t raking in as much money either.
July 14, 2026 @ 12:52 pm
Megs Man,
This article is not about Morgan Wallen, or who the “biggest” artist in country is. You have exhaustively explained your position on this over and over and over again.
July 14, 2026 @ 2:55 pm
Some people here are really obsessed with certain artists.
July 14, 2026 @ 11:59 pm
He’d be the very last artist (I use that term lightly) that I’d ever be obsessed with. Haha.
July 16, 2026 @ 12:16 pm
I agree! He’s a lesser known artist for sure. No audience!
July 14, 2026 @ 1:35 pm
“My tea’s gone cold I’m wondering whhhyy…”
July 14, 2026 @ 12:30 pm
It makes absolute sense this is “Song of the Year”…………….but it can’t help but feel wrong that this is “Song Of The Summer” considering how melancholic and wistful it is.
Drake’s “Janice STFU” was never a serious contender because 1) Drake was inevitably going to make a frontloaded impact with any new release and 2) many of Drake’s fans and even many Drake haters were curious to see how Drake was going to clap back at his detractors because they’re inveigled by mainstream casual hip-hop discourse, and so it drew a lot of initial curiosity…………but is a track that was never built for the long haul as its so insular and self-absorbed. It just isn’t anything the average listener can relate to on any level like they can “Choosin’ Texas”.
July 14, 2026 @ 1:04 pm
“It just isn’t anything the average listener can relate to on any level like they can “Choosin’ Texas”.”
Somewhere in the Lone Star State
Being left alone at a bar was my fate
Perhaps this shouldn’t have come as a surprise
‘Cause I know I am able to use my eyes
I should be aware I ain’t a ten you see
So I decided to just drive back to Tennessee
If there’s anything Texas has taught me well
It’s that I can shine bright all by myself as far as I can tell
July 14, 2026 @ 1:14 pm
I agree most people can’t connect with the lyrics. But we can relate to the song – the vibe, the feel, the pull to get up and line dance, the urge to sing along at the top of our lungs.
This song is relatable to me because of what the music makes me feel.
July 14, 2026 @ 2:14 pm
My comment wasn’t meant to indicate that I think most people can’t connect with the lyrics to be clear!
I just listened to the song for the first time, and in my interpretation of the lyrics and the story is that it’s about a person feeling the other person likes someone else more. That seems like a topic many people can relate to. I just thought to try and use a wordplay-comment-poem to underline the comment I quoted, because I agree that the average listener can relate to the song.
In this case I decided to make fun of myself (“I ain’t a ten you see”), use some elements of the song and story (e.g. “Texas” and “Tennessee”), and use some wordplay (e.g. “Lone Star” at the beginning leads to using “shine bright all by myself”, and “ten you see” leads to “Tennessee”).
Anyway, to be clear: I think the song topic and story is very relatable, and the “I” in the poem-comment is me.
July 14, 2026 @ 2:08 pm
She’s a ten and a half.
July 14, 2026 @ 2:27 pm
Just to be clear, the “I” in the poem-comment is supposed to be me. The “I ain’t a ten” is me attempting to use self-depricating humor in service of the total poem-comment.
July 14, 2026 @ 6:42 pm
I said emphatically you CAN relate to “Choosin’ Texas”. The context of the quote was attributed to Drake’s “Janice STFU” which you CAN’T relate to unless you’re in his lofty position socioeconomically and have a lot of detractors.
July 14, 2026 @ 1:56 pm
Doesnt have the beat or vibe to be song of the summer imo
July 14, 2026 @ 2:18 pm
It is well worth celebrating. Good song. Good performance and its country.
July 14, 2026 @ 2:30 pm
Songs Stay on the Charts Too Long
I like Ella and her song and am happy for her/it success. But I do think it’s unhealthy generally for the music industry to have singles with such a long shelf life.
I mean released in October 2025, now 13 weeks at number 1 and still going – that is not a healthy situation for the music industry at large.
It means the charts are largely stagnant. It causes a road block for the release of new singles, it blocks the emergence of new artists as it takes an extremely long time for the charts to turn over and on top of that your average listener will just get bored and put off by hearing the same songs for months on end!
In my opinion this situation must be changed ensuring much shorter lives for singles, allowing for more song rotation and opening up the charts to a much larger pool of artists.
July 14, 2026 @ 2:59 pm
I’m not really sure that’s as big of a problem as it’s the same ARTISTS who stay at the top too long, and that has made it hard for the industry to break new ones. That’s what makes Ella Langley such an exception on both counts. He’s a new artist that has broken out, and with a song that won’t come down from its high.
July 14, 2026 @ 4:36 pm
The ‘situation’ is nothing new, and doesn’t need to be changed (which is why it hasn’t been and won’t be); it has been going on for decades. Many great songs and artists have been blocked from reaching the #1 slot, that’s the way it goes. Someone will eventually unseat Ella. Clearly people aren’t getting bored with the song since it continues to own the top spot.
July 14, 2026 @ 4:43 pm
I disagree. Modern charts aren’t full of songs that are that old. You get exceptions but those are the gargantuan artists who you’d expect to have albums and songs last. Most songs or albums experience the natural cycle of being at the top for awhile and then dropping. The superstars of music manage to hang on at the top or near the top for awhile and then you have songs like Ella’s or an Adele or Taylor where the songs seem to remain permanently at the top. But Ella is subject to the natural rhythm of songs as well. Even Adele’s 21 didn’t stay on top forever even though that album is obscenely successful. Another country artist or musician at some point this year will topple Ella. It’s guaranteed. Even the Beatles didn’t chart on top forever during their heyday. The charts seem fine to me. Ella’s huge right now. And whenever Taylor or Morgan or Rihanna release something new she will be jockeying for the top spot with then. Her song is wildly popular, it should remain at the top until another song topples it, and that’s coming. It might not be until month or even later but the idea it’s staying at 1 for the entire rest of the year or until thanksgiving is ludicrous.
July 14, 2026 @ 2:52 pm
Has anyone tried “Be Her” (the perfume, not the song) yet?🤭
July 15, 2026 @ 12:14 am
…waitin’ for the “ella fella” one, sir.
July 14, 2026 @ 3:55 pm
I went into the Lidl grocery store in suburban New Jersey on Sunday and Choosin’ Texas was blaring, now that’s saying somethin’
July 14, 2026 @ 4:38 pm
It’s a great pop-country song, and will go down as one of the best in a long list of great songs. Good for Ella. The slow climb and staying power is good for the song’s writers and their publishers, it means a good chunk of change. Will we see this kind of success again? You bet we will.
July 14, 2026 @ 5:25 pm
Gonna give Trigger his props yet again for calling this thing way back in November. But I’m pretty sure even he is gobsmacked at its astonishing success. Gonna give Adam Hood his props for putting out a duet with her way way way back in August of 2023. If you haven’t stumbled across “Buzzes Like Neon” from the great Mr. Hood, check out what Ms. Langley was doing bumming around with one of the best hipsters out of East Nash long before she became a household name.
July 15, 2026 @ 9:22 am
I didn’t know Hood re-recorded “Buzzes Like Neon” with Ella. Good call on his part. I just went and listened to it. It’s okay, but I much prefer the original, which for some reason has disappeared from on streaming services. I will have to look and see if I still have the copy I bought years ago. There was a cool acoustic (bonus) version of the song released way back when, as well.
July 14, 2026 @ 6:13 pm
Calling it. Record of the Year and very likely Song of the Year at the Grammys. The Best New Artist trophy has already been engraved. Nomination for Album of the Year could be there but Jay-Z will shell out tons of cash again to prevent a win.
July 14, 2026 @ 8:01 pm
Sad that such a terrible song is getting this distinction. Just goes to show you that songs that reach such status as this can really be crap. Is it really country,, not sure it is. I guess to be country all you have to have in the title is texas.
July 15, 2026 @ 10:46 am
How the hell do you figure this song isn’t country?? Is it because it kind of sounds like country from the “Urban Cowboy” era?
Her voice itself is as country as anything could possibly be!
Why does everything have to have zero production and sound like it was recorded in a basement on a cassette recorder to be country to you people??
July 15, 2026 @ 6:39 pm
Well cause it just doesnt hit me that way. But i just dont like her voice and i for sure dont like the song. So maybe thats a factor. Dont know. But if you like it, thats all that should really matter.
July 16, 2026 @ 7:48 am
Good point, David.
Personally, I am very mixed on this song. I like the sound of it, mainly because it sounds to me like it could have come right off the “Urban Cowboy” soundtrack.
But I agree with you partially about her voice. It is…I can’t come up with the word for it.
Her voice sounds very country to me, mainly because of the HEAVY accent and not pronouncing the ‘T’ in mountain, for example.
Sorry I came off kinda hard at you. To your point, if you don’t like it, that’s all that should really matter.
July 18, 2026 @ 11:36 am
Terrible song? Nah, it’s a good song. Country? More pop country than traditional, but that’s okay. Not many bad songs on the list of tracks that have accomplished what this one has. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t make it terrible, but it’s cool that it doesn’t hit you the way it has others. Hey, if we all liked the same stuff, life would be pretty boring!
July 14, 2026 @ 11:50 pm
Not a hit at my house. She’s just too country pop for my taste. Singing about drinking Jack? Way too cliche. Hard pass.
July 15, 2026 @ 5:16 am
Drinkin Jack all by myself is cliche? Hmmm. ( takes a sip of Gentleman Jack on the rocks as I ponder that theory)
Well…I think that line is a fairly clever and certainly appropriate one for the story. The protagonist in the song finds a beau and attempts a life together with said beau in Tennessee, only to have her hopes destroyed on a road trip to Texas whereupon he two- steps around a honky- tonk with an ex he’s clearly enamored with, whilst the crestfallen protagonist is left sitting alone at the bar wistfully nursing her sorrows in a shot of the aforementioned Jack Daniels. Seeing as her heart remains in Tennessee , she’s clearly drinking the singular most identifiable beverage to anyone who even thinks of Tennessee. What other beverage would you insert into the song? George Dickel? Let’s try that one. Drinkin’ George all by myself…nope doesn’t work…too obscure a reference. Drinkin Ole Smoky Moonshine all by myself? Nope too many syllables…and what is someone in her position most likely to drink away her sorrows inclined to order at a honky tonk? Wine? Nah. Not edgy enough. Drinkin’ Whiteclaw all by myself? Nope. No self respecting man drinks Whiteclaw. And she’s says all by myself as if to imply if the man was by her side, hed be drinking the beverage too. I suppose she could say Drinkin’ Beam all by myself, but that’s Kentucky bourbon. Jack is the definitive Tennessee Whiskey. After considering things, id say Jack is a glove fit for this song.
Some highlights of Country music songs with mentions of Jack Daniels in the lyrics: Jack Daniels If You Please- David Allan Coe,
Cherokee Fiddle- Michael Martin Murphy , Jim, Jack and Hank- Alan Jackson, Jim, Jack and Rose- Johnny Bush, Miller, Jack and Mad Dog- Wayne Train Hancock…Drinkin Dark Whiskey- Stapleton and The Steeldrivers…id say Choosin’ Texas is in good company!
July 15, 2026 @ 9:02 am
I like the song pretty well, reminds me of some 80’s stuff, but I have one peeve with the writing, which was the suggestion that she should have taken loving Amarillo by Morning as a warning…I get the point, it’s an iconic Texas song, but do you mean to suggest that one of the most popular country songs in history wouldn’t appeal to someone from Tennessee? That are aren’t thousands of men happily married to Tennessee women who love George Strait? That’s odd. But I am grateful for the biggest hit in years featuring prominent steel guitar and I think she’s a good thing for country music.
July 18, 2026 @ 11:38 am
Cliche? Nah. Clever? Yes. Too clever? Close, but still a fun listen.
July 15, 2026 @ 2:40 am
It would be great if Ella’s success had a positive impact on the careers of other female musicians creating authentic country music. Unfortunately, I have not observed such a positive “Ella effect” yet. Female country musicians remain heavily underrepresented – whether in festival schedules and lineups, release frequency, the volume of reviews and artist profiles in publications (with SCM being a exception here), playlist inclusion, use in film and television soundtracks, or airtime on radio.
July 15, 2026 @ 3:01 am
I watched a lot of music on youtube channels that feature country music, or americana, (or related), musicians a while ago. I few of my favorite female musicians I encountered there were:
Kadie Meadows “Strawberry Sorrow” on the “radiowv” youtube channel.
Riddy Arman “Old Maid’s Draw” on the ‘Western AF” youtube channel.
Nicolette and the Nobodies “Didn’t know” on the “Littlest Honky Tonk TV” youtube channel.
Charlie Marie “Shot In The Dark” on the “Western AF” youtube channel.
If I am not mistaken, Charlie Marie mentioned on her instagram recently that one of her songs titled “Ramble On Man” is going to be featured on “Dutton Ranch”.
July 15, 2026 @ 6:30 am
I respectfully disagree with this assessment. Kaitlin Butts just headlined her first festival at the Jackalope Jamboree. She also was just announced as a headliner of Mile 0 Fest. She’s spoken very specifically in interviews of how her connections with Ella have helped her. I’ve witnessed it in real time. I think the overwhelming success of her is undoubtedly going to result in the signing of more women, and more country women by labels since country is very much a copycat business. Festivals get booked nine months in advance. Albums are sometimes 15 months in the making. It might take some time to see the full “Ella Effect,” but it is most certainly happening.
July 15, 2026 @ 4:17 am
I listen to country music as an outsider, being in Italy and all. Well, I first heard “Choosin’ Texas” when it came out (I know it now) and listened to it with very much pleasure. I didn’t even go and check who Ella Langley was or when the song came out. So, long story short, untill now I thought it was a classic, since it has such classic vibes. Love it, happy for her, happy for country music. Thanks Trigger, btw, I’m new to SCM
July 15, 2026 @ 8:17 am
If we’re lucky, maybe she shows a little forehead in the next video?
July 15, 2026 @ 10:48 am
HA HA HA! Thank you for making me LOL on a shitty day!! HA HA HA HA HA
July 15, 2026 @ 8:54 am
She looks like Linda Ronstadt and brings an Urban Cowboy vibe. What’s not to like?
July 15, 2026 @ 10:50 am
Agree. I think she kinda looks like Jessi Colter, also.
I don’t get the hate over this one. The commenters on this site like ONE style of country music. ANYTHING that deviates sucks to them.
I love this site. Have read it forever. But I am continually surprised at the commenters.
July 15, 2026 @ 11:36 am
Tommy, we have all kinds here. We’ve got the old school preservationists who live and die on the early stuff. We’ve got the Americana crowd who have total disdain for anything industry, We’ve got some industry people here who hate the retro sounding stuff, and We’ve got folks like me who are deeply rooted in the old stuff but also recognize when the industry does something laudable. Then youve got the all in political people who decide music entirely on that parameter. Consequently there never has been and never will be a true consensus in the comments section.
July 15, 2026 @ 11:47 am
Good point, Kevin. I shouldn’t have painted a picture with such a broad brush. I know from reading this site and lightly commenting for years that there is a wide audience here. Thanks for your thoughts.
July 15, 2026 @ 11:39 am
Tommy,
Don’t go near the Charley/Satanist threads.
July 15, 2026 @ 12:00 pm
It’s been said before, It’s lonely at the top.
July 15, 2026 @ 2:55 pm
To be fair, in the comments there isnt much hate on this . I hate it but thats just me. I dont like her voice, there are far better country sounding female voices, kaitlin butts, noilene hoffmann,not sure of spelling on her, and like i said,i think its a below avg song. But most commenters here love her and thats fine.
July 16, 2026 @ 4:04 am
Noeline Hofmann is amazing! So are Castellows. I’ve seen them last Friday at their very first European headline show in Amsterdam. A blast! One of the best shows I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen quite a few notable Red Dirt & Independent acts over here the last couple of years). Both – Noeline and the Balkcom sisters – taking time with releasing their debut albums. I’m very excited about both.
July 16, 2026 @ 6:52 am
There’s just something Ella has that the other stars of the moment don’t, and that is true relatability. She could be your next-door neighbor. I think she wears her humanity very well and doesn’t waste time trying to portray perfection and “having it all together.” She connects with fans through her health journey that included diet changes (who hasn’t gone through that?), through her non-glorification of yet still has a willingness to acknowledge her vices, and the songs are Ashley McBryde honest and yet Miranda-like in their radio readiness. She’s like a combination of all the most recent female stars. I hope her star keeps rising.
July 17, 2026 @ 5:02 pm
Carly pierce with molly tuttle has a new song out called what if you loved me. Far better song though its more bluegrass but thats just fine.