What Are Our Predictions for the Rest of the Year on the Billboard Hot 100?
Categoria: Musica
This week's Five Burning Questions looks at some of the biggest things we're still wondering about on Billboard's signature songs chart for the final couple months of the calendar year.
Por Billboard | 20/10/2026
There’s just two full calendar months left in 2026, and with the holiday season fast approaching — and Halloween season actually approaching even faster — it feels like a good time to take stock of where we are on the Billboard Hot 100 , and make some predictions for the year’s closing days. After Ella Langley ‘s “Choosin’ Texas” broke the record for longest stay at No. 1 on the Hot 100 with its 23rd week on top — and then added a 24th for good measure — it’s now been out of pole position for three weeks, replaced by Taylor Swift’s “Choosin’ Texas.” But a couple fast-rising hits could threaten both on the Hot 100 in the weeks to come, as could a number of debuts from high-profile artists that should impact the chart next week. Which of those songs is the most likely to nab a week or two on top? And are we more interested in the Halloween or Christmas race for No. 1 this year? Billboard staffers answer these questions and more below. 1. Following 24 weeks (including 12 in a row) on top for Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” Taylor Swift’s “Patient Zero” has been No. 1 for the last three weeks, with “Texas” bumped to No. 2. Which of the two songs do you think will have more weeks at No. 1 for the remainder of the calendar year? Katie Atkinson: It all depends on when Mariah Season returns, but I’m thinking “Choosin’ Texas” could realistically have another month at No. 1 before the holidays. I don’t make a habit of betting against Taylor Swift, but I think Ella will easily two-step back to the top, just like she’s done multiple times before this year. Kyle Denis : Probably “Choosin’ Texas”; Ella Langley is basically rewriting the definition of “insurmountable” before our very eyes. Lyndsey Havens : Well, that depends on what each artist does about it. I think if Taylor releases new version every week from now until Christmas, “Patient Zero” will stay on top. If she doesn’t, then I do think at some point “Texas” will return to its spot at No. 1 — likely on and off between holiday music. Andrew Unterberger : Unless there’s more “Patient Zero” physical releases to come, it seems a near-certainty that “Choosin’ Texas” will slip back ahead of it — likely as soon as next week — and from there, it’s a matter of if Swift has any more cards to play with boosting the song, or if radio jumps on it with far greater velocity than they usually jump on new pop songs with in 2026. For now, I’m betting on Ella. Christine Werthman : The remaining time for either of these songs to sit at No. 1 is limited because Christmas music usually takes over the Hot 100 in November. If it were a different time of year, Ella would travel back to No. 1 and secure more weeks than Taylor, but “Zero” still has momentum, and I just don’t see “Texas” getting back to No. 1 before Carey Clau