Country Music Takes Over the Charts

There is no denying that, at least in summer 2026, country music is the most popular genre in America. On Billboard’s “Hot 100” this week, the entirety of the top five is taken up by country artists. It is the first time in the chart’s history that this has happened. The change comes with Morgan Wallen’s new song “Been by Now,” which debuted in the No. 2 slot this week, knocking the only pop representative, Ariana Grande’s “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” out of the top five. Suddenly, a genre that was all but entirely absent from the top of the charts just one decade ago has gone from large niche to dominating the mainstream.

The rest of the top five is made up of country stars both new and old. Sitting pretty in the No. 1 spot is Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” for the 16th week in total. She has now tied the runs of hits like “Despacito” and “One Sweet Day” but remains over a month away from beating out the all time winner, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Additionally, Langley and Wallen have a duet in the top five, sharing the No. 4 slot with “I Can’t Love You Anymore.” No. 3 goes to Taylor Swift’s first country song since Red, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” off the Toy Story 5 soundtrack. Filling out the top five is newcomer Stella Lefty with her song “Boston.” It’s the least explicitly country of the group (Lefty is from Chicago, and she’s more in the Noah Kahan–esque “folksy” vein than a product of Nashville tradition), but it certainly slots in with these country tracks. These days, the charts are choosin’ “Choosin’ Texas” and her friends.