Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" Sets Pop Music Record

Ella Langley's song "Choosin' Texas" has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the longest-running number one song in the history of pop music in 2026. This achievement challenges notions of a fragmented cultural landscape, suggesting a continued capacity for widespread popular consensus on musical trends. The A.V. Club, in response to this dominant chart performance, solicited personal "songs of the summer" from its staff and readers, highlighting a diverse range of individual preferences alongside the prevailing mainstream hit. This approach contrasts the singular, objectively recognized "song of the summer" with a collection of personally curated soundtracks for the season.

News editor Drew Gillis posed the question, "What's your personal song of the summer?" to The A.V. Club's audience, inviting contributions in the comments section and encouraging submissions for future pop culture queries via email to [email protected]. Among the staff responses, Saloni Gajjar identified Olivia Rodrigo's "what's wrong with me" as her personal song of the summer. This track, a duet with Robert Smith of The Cure, is noted for the seamless blend of their distinct vocal styles. Gajjar described the song as having catchy, summery synth-pop beats that belie its lyrical content, which delves into themes of depression within a troubled relationship and nostalgia for past happiness. She further compared its appeal to Taylor Swift's "exile," appreciating its deceptively simple lyrics and its ability to resonate emotionally.

Another staff selection for a personal song of the summer was Slayyyter's "CRANK," chosen for its contribution to a summer characterized by "hedonistic and expertly executed pop music." The author noted that other tracks, such as Madonna's "Danceteria" and Charli xcx's "Camera," were strong contenders and could have easily been selected on a different day. The choice of "CRANK" signifies a preference for pop music that is both expertly crafted and embraces themes of indulgence and enjoyment, reflecting a particular aesthetic and mood for the summer of 2026. The article implicitly contrasts these personal selections with the singular, record-breaking success of "Choosin' Texas," illustrating the multifaceted nature of music consumption and preference in the contemporary era.