Ella Langley is in rare air as a hitmaker, as her crossover smash “Choosin’ Texas” rules for a fifth week on the Billboard Hot 100 this week (chart dated Apr. 11). Langley joins an elite group of women who have commanded the chart pinnacle in a lead role for five or more weeks with their first No. 1, among them Olivia Rodrigo, Lizzo, Madonna, Adele, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Roberta Flack and Debby Boone.
“Choosin’ Texas” also tops the Hot Country Songs chart for a 19th week, and Langley just released her star-studded music video for “Choosin’ Texas,” which was filmed in Fort Worth, Texas, and features Luke Grimes, Miranda Lambert, Kaitlin Butts and Ava Phillippe in key roles, while a plethora of cowboys and other musicians also make cameos.
The song follows Langley’s previous releases including “You Look Like You Love Me” (feat. Riley Green) and “Weren’t for the Wind.”
All of this leads to the release of her upcoming album Dandelion on Friday (April 10). The 18-song project marks a new musical era for Langley, and features not only the previously released “Choosin’ Texas,” “Be Her” and “Loving Life Again,” but also an anticipated collaboration with Miranda Lambert on “Butterfly Season,” and a rendition of the Kitty Wells classic “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels.” Langley executive produced the album with Lambert and Ben West.
“This record has so much growth in it,” Langley said in a statement when first revealing the album. “I’ve never poured more of myself into a project, into a song, into an idea, and it’s fallen out so beautifully. It’s about learning yourself, making mistakes and realizing that it’s all just part of life.”
As Langley gears up to reveal the next phase of her artistic expression, Billboard looks back at five of Langley’s essential songs, beyond obvious hits like “Choosin’ Texas” and “You Look Like You Love Me.”
“Love You Tonight”
Even as she has been developing her nascent songwriting and singing ability, from the start Langley has had an unerring sense for truth telling in all its painful glory: “Ooh, Gonna love you tonight/ Gonna hate me tomorrow,” she sings here as she wakes up in her ex-lover’s bed once again. It always seems like a good idea at the time on this song from Hungover, but, as she sings, “When the stars are out, boy, I want you to hold me/ When the sun comes up, I’m leaving even more lonely.” Rinse and repeat. — MELINDA NEWMAN
“Excuse the Mess”
The title track to Langley’s 2023 EP Excuse the Mess features Langley being forthright with a potential new lover, explaining that she’s still “sweepin’ up the pieces” of her heart that were broken in a previous relationship. The song serves as an early sign of Langley’s willingness to convey hope and heartbreak through a heartfelt-yet-unfiltered lens. — JESSICA NICHOLSON
“Strangers” (with Kameron Marlowe)
Before there was “You Look Like You Love Me” or “Don’t Mind If I Do” — both with Riley Green — Langley was proving her mettle as an amazing duet partner with Kameron Marlowe in this full-throttle power ballad, about passionate exes who can’t be friends, but who still have too much fire to be strangers. The song, released in 2024 on Marlowe’s Keepin’ the Lights On album, was most likely many people’s introduction to Langley (who is pre-bangs in the video!) and was certified gold by the RIAA, but peaked at No. 58 on the Country Airplay chart. It’s ripe for a re-release, and shows off just how strong Langley’s (and Marlowe’s) vocal chops are. — M.N.
“Monsters”
Though Langley projects an image that radiates cool confidence, Langley opens up about struggles with anxiety and self-doubt on “Monsters,” from her 2024 album Hungover. “There’s a voice that speaks to me,” she sings, “tellin’ me everything I’ll never be.” The song is raw and powerful, a track many fans will no doubt be able to relate to. — J.N.
“That’s Why We Fight” (with Koe Wetzel)
You can hear Langley still finding her voice on this duet from Excuse the Mess. While it’s a strong song and she and Wetzel both have the same pleasing grit in their vocals, part of the fun of listening to her and Wetzel going toe-to-toe here is to hear how much stronger and confident her voice has become in such a short time period. As she’s proven over and over since this duet came out, her smoky voice is the perfect foil for almost any duet partner. — M.N.
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