Choosin’ Texas

“Choosin’ Texas” is a song by American country singer-songwriter Ella Langley. It was released on 17 October 2025 as the lead single from her second studio album, Dandelion (2026). The song was written by Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert and Joybeth Taylor, and produced by Langley, Miranda Lambert and Ben West. It features background vocals from Lambert and guitar by Tom Bukovac.

“Choosin’ Texas” tells the story of a woman coming to terms with the end of a relationship after realising her partner has fallen for someone from Texas. Throughout the song, the narrator reflects on clues she overlooked, eventually accepting that his heart always belonged somewhere else.

The lyrics reference several classic country songs, including George Strait’s “Amarillo by Morning,” Jerry Reed’s “East Bound and Down,” and Ronnie Milsap’s “Smoky Mountain Rain.” These references reinforce the contrast between Tennessee, where the narrator believed they would build a future together, and Texas, which ultimately represents the direction her former lover chooses.

The idea for “Choosin’ Texas” originated during a songwriting retreat in October 2024. According to Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert shared a humorous story about being pulled over by police while travelling with her pet kangaroo. During the conversation, Lambert mentioned having Texas licence plates, which inspired Langley to come up with the phrase, “She’s from Texas, I can tell.” That lyric developed into the song’s central idea, and the writers completed it in around 30 minutes.

The official music video premiered on 1 April 2026. Directed by Ella Langley alongside Wales Toney and Caylee Robillard, it was filmed at the Stagecoach Ballroom in Fort Worth, Texas. The video stars Luke Grimes as Langley’s love interest and Ava Phillippe as the woman representing “Texas.” Miranda Lambert appears performing inside the ballroom, while Kaitlin Butts portrays a patron who warns Langley’s character about her unfaithful partner. The video also includes cameo appearances from several Texas country artists and rodeo personalities.

Langley first performed the song live in February 2025 during a concert at Banita Creek Hall in Nacogdoches, Texas, several months before its official release.

“Choosin’ Texas” has received the following certifications:

• 4x Platinum in Australia
• 3x Platinum in Canada
• 2x Platinum in New Zealand
• Gold in the UK
• 4x Platinum in the US