Ella Langley’s recent hit “Choosin’ Texas,” co-written with Miranda Lambert, has a surprising inspiration tied to a baby kangaroo.
The Unlikely Story Behind “Choosin’ Texas”
Despite no direct mention of a kangaroo in the song, the connection emerges from a peculiar tale shared during a writers’ retreat where Langley, Lambert, Joy Beth Taylor, and Luke Dick collaborated. During this session, Lambert recounted a memorable incident where she was pulled over while driving with a baby kangaroo in her vehicle, an anecdote that would ultimately inspire the song’s central theme.
Langley explains that while Lambert was recounting her wild experience, she mentioned having Texas license plates, which became a pivotal detail for the songwriting process. This unexpected tidbit sparked creative inspiration, leading Langley to craft a melody based on Lambert’s story, which they developed into a full song in about half an hour.
Miranda Lambert’s Wild Encounter
In her vivid recounting, Lambert described the scene: driving down a dirt road with the kangaroo in the back seat and her dog beside her. This chaotic setup caught the attention of law enforcement, leading to her being pulled over. Langley humorously noted, “Of course, I had Texas plates on the back of my car,” a line that resonated with the other writers and formed the backbone of the song. Lambert’s reputation for animal advocacy adds a delightful layer of authenticity to this already amusing narrative.
As “Choosin’ Texas” continues its remarkable success, it has set a record as the longest-running No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs chart. Estimates suggest the track has generated nearly $14 million in revenue. Langley and Lambert, having forged a powerful songwriting partnership, have also worked together on additional projects, like “Butterfly Season” from Langley’s album Dandelion and “Snakeskin Boots” from Lambert’s Crisco album.
With its unique origin story and ongoing chart dominance, “Choosin’ Texas” not only captivates listeners but also exemplifies the innovative spirit driving country music today.