Lil Nas X’s viral song “Old Town Road” just became the longest running No. 1 song on Billboard’s Hot 100 after reaching its 17th week on top. Not bad for a song that was originally removed from the Billboard country music chart for not being country enough.
Prior to Old Town Road, Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” set and held the record in 1996. In 2017, the viral song “Despacito” spent 16 weeks atop the chart and tied their record.
Mariah Carey congratulated Lil Nas X on Twitter.
Sending love & congrats to @LilNasX on breaking one of the longest running records in music history! We've been blessed to hold this record with a song that means a great deal to @BoyzIIMen and myself and has touched so many. Keep living your best life! ❤ pic.twitter.com/3YorLCg3lx
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) July 30, 2019
Since the song and its remix with Billy Ray Cyrus went viral, fans across the country have shared the unique impact the catchy hit has had on their life.
One teacher used the song to encourage her students during their standardized testing period while a non-verbal boy with autism shocked his mother when he started singing the lyrics to the song.
Lil Nas X’s success is proof that what’s for you, won’t pass you, as long as you keep going!