I haven’t done a new installment of ‘What the Kids Are Listening To’ since last November (not counting the year-end roundup) so I figured it was time to check back in with the latest chart-toppers.
I’m excited by the song at #1 on the latest edition of the Hot 100: Ella Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas.’ This surprise hit was co-written by my beloved Miranda Lambert, and I’m always happy to see her get her flowers, even indirectly.
Most of the credit is due to Langley, of course, who co-wrote the track and performs it with a mix of melancholy and grit. But indulge me as I celebrate both of these women.
Country music has certainly made a dent on the Hot 100 in recent years, but it is almost entirely due to songs by men. In fact, Langley is only the 12th woman since 2000 to break the top five with a country song, let alone top the chart. With seven weeks (and counting?) at #1, ‘Choosin’ Texas’ is already the longest-running #1 hit by a female country artist in Billboard history.
Just when I thought I got him to fall in love with Tennessee
I shoulda known better than to take him back to Abilene
I put him right back into her arms
I wasn’t a match for that kind of spark
[Chorus]
She’s from Texas, I can tell by the way
He’s two-steppin’ ’round the room
And judgin’ by the smile that’s written on his face
There’s nothin’ I can do
It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see
A cowboy always finds a way to leave
Drinkin’ Jack all by myself
He’s choosin’ Texas, I can tell
[Verse 2]
Well, I guess he forgot about the Smoky 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 warnin’
[Chorus]
She’s from Texas, I can tell by the way
He’s two-steppin’ ’round the room
And judgin’ by the smile that’s written on his face
There’s nothin’ I can do
It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see
A cowboy always finds a way to leave
Drinkin’ Jack all by myself
He’s choosin’ Texas, I can tell
[Bridge]
When I’m eastbound and down, and I can’t help but cry
‘Cause I-40 gets lonelier with every mile
I’ll know that his mind wasn’t ever gonna change
‘Cause his heart still belongs to the Lone Star State
[Chorus]
She’s from Texas, I can tell by the way
He’s two-steppin’ ’round the room
And judgin’ by the smile that’s written on his face
There’s nothin’ I can do, naw, yeah
It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see
A cowboy always finds a way to leave
Drinkin’ Jack all by myself
He’s choosin’ Texas, I can tell, no
Drinkin’ Jack all by myself
He’s choosin’ Texas, I can tell
[Outro]
Come on, baby
Oh yeah
Just when I thought I got him to fall in love with Tennessee
Meet Me In Montauk 
I guess I’m out of the loop because I’m unfamiliar with this song. On first listen, it’s fine, but nothing so remarkable worth breaking records as a number one hit for seven weeks.
I agree it seems like an unlikely smash hit, but I can also attest that it gets stuck in my head like few songs in recent memory.
You’re crazy! I guess it just speaks to the subjectivity of music that when I first listened to the track I instantly understood its success. I feel it’s one of the best songs I’ve heard in recent years and certainly on the Top 10.
I love its production for one thing with its Eagles reminiscent guitar swells opening and closing the track. Its lyrics are sharp and sticky. Its chorus is certainly catchy but not predictable. I love the chord change in the final chorus. To me it feels like a great example of songwriting gone right. Nothing too flashy or fancy, but just enough complexity to make it interesting and just simple enough to make it very accessible.
As someone who typically finds themselves shying away from the songs featured in the Top 10, this one has continued to get heavy play in my car.
The opening of this song reminds me a bit of Miranda’s ‘Wildfire,’ which also gives me a definite Eagles vibe:
https://meetinmontauk.com/2024/10/16/song-of-the-day-5947-wildfire-miranda-lambert/
I feel a little two step dance coming on me It is a catchy tune
I’ve said my piece in the response to Dana up above, but yes, I find this to be just an outstanding record from a very exciting new star.
On her album “Dandelion” which my partner Paula has been loving ever since it dropped, I gravitated towards the tracks “Be Her” and “Bottom Of Your Boots” as well!
Okay – listening to this song for the third time today, and it’s getting catchier with each listen. Initially, I tended to agree with Dana’s initial impression, which is it’s a perfectly agreeable song but difficult to understand how it would find such staying power at the top of a Billboard chart.
That said, I think we all are happy to celebrate such an accomplishment that means listeners are willing to move beyond Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen and Bruno Mars to make room for some new talented artists.