Ella Langley's country single 'Choosin' Texas' has spent 15 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, making it the longest-running US number one by a female solo artist for a non-holiday single. The record was previously held by Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You' and Mariah Carey's 'We Belong Together.'
A Sleeper Hit with Retro-Modern Appeal
According to Victoria Banks, a Nashville-based songwriter and instructor at Belmont University, the song's understated and unassuming nature is key to its success. 'Everything about the song throws back to a simpler time in country music that people are really craving,' she says. The midtempo two-step features a relaxed vocal delivery and a guitar- and pedal steel-forward production that evokes late 70s and early 80s country hits, but with a contemporary gloss.
The lyrics tell the story of a Tennessee woman who accompanies her lover to Texas, only to realize his heart belongs to the Lone Star State. Langley pays homage to classic country hits by Jerry Reed, Ronnie Millsap, and George Strait. 'It's not so throwback that we don't relate to it,' Banks adds.
Country Dominance on the Charts
'Choosin' Texas' is one of five country songs currently in the US top 10 on the all-genre Hot 100, reflecting country music's continued dominance in the pop sphere. Notably, each of these songs features a woman as the lead artist, including Taylor Swift's 'I Knew It, I Knew You' and Stella Lefty's 'Boston.' Historically, country crossovers have sparked debates about straying from roots, but 'Choosin' Texas' has largely avoided criticism of being 'too pop.'
Co-written with Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor, and Luke Dick, the song weaves country signifiers like two-stepping, Texas and Tennessee, and the interstate into the emotional narrative. Even the mention of Jack Daniels serves a narrative purpose. 'All of these writers have been working in the Nashville market for years,' Banks explains. 'Even though they spat it out in 30 minutes, it was coming through instincts developed over time about what is hooky.'
Versatility and Streaming Success
Brian Mansfield, managing editor of Country Insider, notes that the song's twangy-but-smooth sound appeals to program directors across formats. 'It's a song that sounds good next to almost anything you can play,' he says. According to Luminate, 'Choosin' Texas' racked up over half a billion streams in the first half of the year, making it the most-streamed song in the country by a wide margin.
The song has also benefited from viral social media moments. In October, TikTok user Lane Gorrell posted a video of himself performing an interpretive dance to the song in front of cows, which went viral and led to a performance at the Grand Ole Opry. Misheard lyric videos also gained traction, with users hearing 'Jews in Texas' or 'drink and jack off by myself.' Langley laughed off the misheard lyrics in an interview with podcaster Theo Von, further fueling the trend.
The 'Ella Fellas' Phenomenon
Langley's male fanbase, dubbed the 'Ella Fellas,' has produced viral content ranging from earnest lip-syncing videos to clips of themselves at concerts. Langley's team has nurtured this following by reposting popular videos and sending T-shirts to ardent supporters. 'It's one of those things that brings people together,' says Hunter Massey, a Georgia Southern student and TikToker. 'There can be people from different walks of life, but we all seem to have this love for her music.'
Massey, who gets paid to post videos using artists' songs on TikTok, says he never turns down requests for Langley's music. The appeal, he says, is her down-to-earth persona, reflected in songs like 'Dandelion' and 'Somethin' Simple.' 'She's not flashy, Hollywood,' Massey says. 'It's what we like about her.'
