Country Song Breaks US Chart Record
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Ella Langley's country song Choosin' Texas has set a new record by spending 23 weeks at number one on the US Billboard chart. The song, released in October, tells the story of a woman who suspects her boyfriend may leave her for someone else. It surpassed the previous record held by Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You, which spent 16 weeks at the top before eventually returning to the charts each December and accumulating more weeks overall.
How the Song Was Created
Langley wrote Choosin' Texas with help from country musician Miranda Lambert and two other writers during a creative retreat in 2024. The song's opening lyric came from an unusual conversation. Lambert mentioned being pulled over by police while driving with a kangaroo in her car. When Langley joked that the officer must have realized Lambert was from Texas given the strange situation, they built the entire song around that idea. The final story describes a woman in Tennessee whose boyfriend's affections still belong to Texas and another girl.
Questions About Streaming Services
The song's long success has sparked debate about how streaming platforms affect the music industry. Critics argue that streaming services encourage listeners to replay the same familiar playlists repeatedly, making it difficult for new artists to gain attention. A 2022 study found that more than 60 percent of streams went to music by only the top 0.4 percent of artists. Despite these concerns, Langley's achievement earned her seven awards at the Academy of Country Music Awards, including female artist of the year and song of the year.
Discussion Questions
- What story does Choosin' Texas tell, and why do you think the song has appealed to so many listeners?
- How did Miranda Lambert's kangaroo story influence the song's creation, and what does this reveal about the songwriting process?
- According to the article, what problem do critics identify with streaming services, and how might this affect new musicians?
- Do you think it is good or bad for one song to stay at number one for 23 weeks? Explain your reasoning.
- How has the music industry changed since streaming became popular, based on what the article describes?
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