Full Breakdown
Country Music Claims All Top Five Spots on Billboard Hot 100 for First Time
8/5/2026, 4:20:16 AM
Historic Sweep on the Hot 100
On the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated August 8, five country tracks filled the top five for the first time in the chart’s 68-year history:
1. “Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley (No. 1, 16 non-consecutive weeks)
2. “Been by Now” – Morgan Wallen (No. 2)
3. Taylor Swift (No. 3, a country-leaning song from the *Toy Story 5* soundtrack)
4. “I Can’t Love You Anymore” – Ella Langley & Morgan Wallen (No. 4)
5. “Boston” – Stella Lefty (No. 5)
“Choosin’ Texas” tied for the fourth-longest run at No. 1 in Hot 100 history, joining “Last Night,” “Despacito,” and “One Sweet Day” with 16 weeks at the summit.
Background and Context
Country’s rise on the pop chart accelerated in 2019 when “Old Town Road” topped the Hot 100 for 19 weeks. Subsequent country hits—including Wallen’s “Last Night” and Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”—have logged long runs at the top. The 2023 summer saw two country songs occupy the top two spots, a rarity not seen since the early 1980s, setting the stage for the 2026 all-top-five sweep.
Data and Statistics
- 16 weeks at No. 1 for “Choosin’ Texas,” tying for fourth-longest overall.
Key historic runs comparable to the current sweep:
| Weeks | Song | Artist(s) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | “Old Town Road” | Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus | 2019 |
| 19 | “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” | Shaboozey | 2024 |
| 16 | “Choosin’ Texas” | Ella Langley | 2026 |
| 16 | “Last Night” | Morgan Wallen | 2023 |
| 16 | “Despacito” | Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee | 2017 |
| 16 | “One Sweet Day” | Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men | 1995-96 |
The top ten also includes non-country entries such as Tame Impala & Jennie’s “Dracula” (No. 8) and Dean’s “Man I Need” (No. 10). Langley’s “Be Her” sits at No. 9, giving her three songs inside the top ten.
Official Statements & Responses
Billboard’s data partner Luminate confirmed that the chart calculations for the August 8 issue underwent standard verification, removing any “suspicious or unverifiable” submissions before publication.
Criticism & Opposition
Observers note the Grammy Awards’ recent lack of country representation; the 2025 ceremony had no country nominations in the four general categories, prompting several high-profile artists to skip the event. Critics argue the voting body’s snubbing undermines the genre’s commercial achievements.
What’s Next
The Hot 100 chart dated August 8 will be refreshed after Luminate’s final data audit, potentially confirming whether “Choosin’ Texas” can extend its record-tying run. The upcoming Grammy voting cycle will test whether the genre’s chart dominance translates into broader institutional recognition.
