Introduction
Country music is buzzing about Ella Langley’s infectious collaboration with Riley Green, and their recent conversation offers a fascinating peek behind the scenes of their unexpected viral hit. Langley, a self-proclaimed lifelong devotee of country music, has been steadily building her career in Nashville for five years, paying her dues with countless cover gigs. Green, a seasoned star in his own right, joined the conversation, adding his perspective on the song’s surprising success.
Langley’s journey to this viral moment began organically on TikTok. “I became a big fan just by TikTok,” she shared, noting how the platform’s algorithm amplified her music. The runaway success of this particular song, initially never intended for release beyond her phone’s audio recordings, has been a whirlwind. “This song is crazy,” she exclaimed, reflecting on her years of “slow climb” and single releases.
The track’s unique, old-school “talkie singy” style, reminiscent of 40s and 50s country, was initially conceived as a lighthearted joke with Aaron Raitiere. Langley admitted, “I think I it’s just kind of more I’m drunk and I’m ready to leave, you know, it’s kind of silly.” This unconventional approach, a risk in a genre that was only recently seeing a resurgence of traditional sounds, is precisely what makes the song stand out.
The collaboration with Riley Green came about somewhat serendipitously while they were on tour together. Langley, a fellow Alabaman who grew up on similar music, suggested a duet. “I was like, hey, just kind of write the second verse how you how you would respond to a girl coming up to you in the bar like that.”
Green, a supportive peer, readily agreed. “I’ve always liked Ella,” he stated, praising her authentic country roots. He also credited their mutual connection through their manager, Bradley Jordan. While he enjoyed the song, its monumental success caught him off guard. “I thought talking verses was probably a little too old school, a little too traditional, but how cool is it that a song that’s this country is doing this well?”
The impact of the viral hit is undeniable. Langley is experiencing larger crowds on her first headlining tour, with fans singing along to every word of her debut record, “hung over,” released in August. For Green, the song’s ubiquity was startling. “You’d get your phone out and it was every scroll would you hear the song playing,” he recalled.
A particularly memorable moment for both artists was performing the song at Hyde Park to a crowd of 50,000 people while opening for Morgan Wallen. Langley described it as “probably the wildest time thus far,” struggling to fully process the massive audience singing her lyrics.
Interestingly, the song’s signature spoken verses almost didn’t make the final cut. Langley fiercely advocated for their inclusion, arguing that her other songs were traditionally sung. This bold decision is a key element of the song’s charm and memorability.
The unexpected journey of this collaboration underscores the unpredictable nature of viral success. As the interviewer aptly noted, “You’re always one really special piece of content away from having a real shot going viral.” In this case, a seemingly offhand, traditional-leaning track resonated deeply with listeners, proving that authenticity and a touch of playful irreverence can cut through the noise.
Langley is already channeling this newfound creative freedom into her next record, embracing the idea of “ripping the structure out of my head” and simply creating what feels right. Drawing inspiration from iconic duos like Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, she’s forging her own path with a sound that is both familiar and refreshingly unique.
Both Ella Langley and Riley Green are clearly enjoying the ride, humbled and energized by the unexpected phenomenon of their collaboration. It’s a testament to their individual talents and the magic that can happen when two artists connect over a fun, authentic country song.