Ella Langley, Choosin’ Texas | Bangerz N Bopz

In the 36^th edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2026), we highlight “Choosin’ Texas” performed by country singer-songwriter Ella Langley.

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz serves up background info and insights into songs across various styles, especially those that raise eyebrows and/or stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 36^th edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2026), we break down “Choosin’ Texas” performed by Ella Langley.

Hmm, is that going to be a problem, Ella Langley? Yep. “And judgin’ by the smile that’s written on his face / There’s nothin’ I can do,” she continues, and ultimately, concludes, “He’s choosin’ Texas, I can tell.” The 27-year-old Alabama-born-and-bred country singer-songwriter has had a big year. That might be a vast understatement! The song at hand, “Choosin’ Texas”, is a dominant hit single from her number-one-debuting sophomore album, Dandelion.  How dominant? It’s spent seven nonconsecutive weeks and counting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.  That is not kind of a big deal; it IS a big deal. “Choosin’ Texas” was written by Langley, Luke Dick, Joybeth Taylor, and Grammy-winning country music singer-songwriter Miranda Lambert. Ben West, Langley, and Lambert produced it.

Much to Ella Langley’s chagrin, as the excerpted lyrics from the song’s centerpiece, the chorus, suggest, there is no competition against a Texas girl.  In the verses, Ella laments her decision.  In the first verse, upon solidifying their relationship  (“Just when I thought I got him to fall in love with Tennessee”), a trip to Abilene, Texas, derails it (“I put him right back in to her arms / I wasn’t a match for that kind of spark”). Not only does her cowboy quit her, but he also falls out of love with the state itself.   The second verse is a gem:

“Well, I guess he forgot about the Smokey Mountain rain

Them old Hank tunes, the Memphis blues we used to sing

He always loved ‘Amarillo by Morning’

I should’ve taken that as a warning.”

Amarillo, of course, is in Texas! In the chorus, Ella finds herself alone, drinking her beloved Jack all by herself.  On the bridge, on her way home, she continues to reflect on being unable to lock him in.  While Ella’s failed romance isn’t ideal, there is nothing unideal about “Choosin’ Texas”.  This is a gorgeous, well-written country song, one that appeals beyond a country music fanbase.  It is a prime example of a truly great song where the genre doesn’t matter – it screams hit, hit, hit!  Langely sings fantastically, with expressive, nuanced, and twangy vocals. Beyond pitch-perfect vocals and superb songwriting, the musical accompaniment and production are marvelous.  The smoothness of those guitars – ooh-wee, it’s delightful! No further analysis necessary – the music speaks for itself!

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Ella Langley » Dandelion » SAWGOD Records / Columbia » 2026

Ella Langley, Choosin’ Texas: Bangerz N Bopz No. 36 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; SAWGOD Records / Columbia; Art Laurence Luzon, cottonbro studio, Osmar Vasques, Sebastian Ervi, Wallyson Nascimento from Pexels; Gordon Johnson from Pixabay]

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