Introduction
Last night’s CMA Awards saw a delightful upset as the dynamic duo of Ella Langley and Riley Green snagged the Musical Event of the Year award for their infectious collaboration. Backstage, the pair shared their disbelief and joy in a charming interview, reflecting on the unexpected journey of their hit song.
Langley revealed that the song almost didn’t see the light of day, initially living as a mere voice memo for nearly a year. It was the persistence of a believer, Maya Hansen, who subtly included it in album Dropbox links, eventually capturing everyone’s attention. Green then invited Langley on tour, and while listening to a cut of the track, the idea of transforming it into a duet sparked, adding a male perspective to the narrative of a woman approaching a man at a bar. Now, they stand with two awards, a testament to the song’s undeniable appeal.
When asked about the potential for future collaborations, Green, ever the pragmatist, pointed out Langley’s feature on his title track, “Don’t Mind If I Do,” from his new album. Echoing the sentiment of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he hinted at more joint projects, especially with Langley joining him on tour next year. He expressed genuine happiness for her success and the recognition their collaboration has received.
For both artists, this marks their first CMA nomination and win. Green, who admitted to feeling humble just being part of the event, described the win as “really validating,” acknowledging the appreciation from peers and fans alike. He lauded Langley’s burgeoning career and expressed his pleasure in being part of the song’s journey, admitting neither of them anticipated its massive success. Langley, visibly emotional, confessed that this was the only dream she’s ever had. Holding her first award, she described the moment as “crazy” and “almost unbelievable.”
The conversation also touched upon their engaging performance during the awards show, which saw Langley performing amidst the crowd. Her main concern? “Don’t fall down!” Once she navigated the steps successfully, she felt much better. She praised the creative staging concept, feeling it mirrored the song’s narrative of a chance encounter in a crowded place.
Reflecting on the song’s rapid ascent, the artists marveled at its swift impact. Green noted how it even surpassed his own single’s chart performance. He recalled the immediate explosion of popularity after its release, where it became inescapable. Langley shared an anecdote about performing the song to a crowd of 50,000 in London before its official release, with the audience already singing along – a testament to its viral pre-release buzz.
Finally, addressing the song’s prominent opening line and its social media virality, Langley shared humorous fan encounters. She now frequently hears variations of the line in everyday interactions, often necessitating a polite “pardon me” to navigate through crowds. With a laugh, she mused that when writing the song, they joked about its potential to spark marriages, divorces, and “definitely some children.”
The win for Ella Langley and Riley Green’s collaboration is a heartwarming story of a song’s unexpected rise and the genuine connection between two talented artists. Their shared surprise and gratitude resonated throughout the interview, making their victory all the more sweet.