Ella Langley found out firsthand that not everyone in Knoxville was ready to cheer for Texas during her recent concert.
The country star performed at Food City Center in Knoxville on Thursday night, Sept. 24, as part of her 2026 Dandelion Tour. As expected, Langley included her career-changing hit “Choosin’ Texas” in the setlist.
But the song received a very different reaction from the Knoxville crowd.
Why Did Fans Boo Ella Langley?
The unusual response had everything to do with college football.
At the time of Langley’s concert, the rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Volunteers was building toward a highly anticipated matchup scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26.
During “Choosin’ Texas,” Langley reached the lyric, “I’ll know that his mind wasn’t ever gonna change / ‘Cause his heart still belongs to the Lone Star State.”
She then appeared to pause dramatically, seemingly anticipating what was about to happen.
Sure enough, the crowd erupted in boos.
An audience-shot video captured the moment as the reaction grew louder before Langley continued with the song. The playful moment quickly became one of the more memorable parts of her Knoxville performance.
The Texas-Tennessee Rivalry
The timing couldn’t have been more fitting—or awkward—for a song about choosing Texas.
The Tennessee Volunteers hosted the Texas Longhorns on Saturday in a game that carried significant importance for Tennessee. Both teams entered the matchup undefeated.
When the game was over, Texas came away with a 20-17 victory over Tennessee.
So, by the time Langley performed “Choosin’ Texas” in Knoxville, she was singing a song that happened to land right in the middle of a heated college football rivalry.
Who Is Ella Langley?
Langley has quickly become one of country music’s biggest rising stars. Her breakthrough came with “You Look Like You Love Me,” her popular duet with Riley Green, but that success was only the beginning.
She has continued building her career with songs including “Weren’t for the Wind,” “Choosin’ Texas,” “Be Her” and more.
“Choosin’ Texas” has become one of the defining songs of her career, achieving major chart success and introducing Langley to an even wider audience.
Her latest album, Dandelion, was released in April 2026, and her Dandelion Tour is scheduled to continue through Oct. 31, concluding at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The 15 Best Ella Langley Songs
Langley first began attracting mainstream attention with “You Look Like You Love Me,” the Riley Green collaboration that brought an old-school, talk-singing style back into the spotlight.
But her catalog goes much deeper than that breakout hit. From emotional ballads and vulnerable songs to country anthems and genre-blending tracks, Langley has continued to show fans different sides of her artistry.
Here are 15 songs that helped put Ella Langley on the map and demonstrate why she’s become one of country music’s most talked-about new stars.
No. 15: “Girl Who Drank Wine”
“Girl Who Drank Wine” tells the story of a mysterious stranger from out of town who catches the attention of a country boy. Dark, alluring and atmospheric, the song has an intriguing story at its center.
No. 14: “Monsters”
Released on Langley’s 2024 album Hungover, “Monsters” explores difficult emotions and personal struggles. It also reflects Langley’s willingness to address mental health through her music.
No. 13: “Bottom of Your Boots”
Langley drew inspiration for “Bottom of Your Boots” from advice her father gave her during a difficult week. She transformed his words—”I love you from the bottom of my boots to the top of my hat”—into a song about the kind of lasting romantic love she wants.
No. 12: “I Can’t Love You Anymore” with Morgan Wallen
Langley’s duet with Morgan Wallen is a brooding heartbreak song that showcases the pair’s smooth vocal chemistry. At the time of the original ranking, it was her newest release.
No. 11: “I Gotta Quit”
“I Gotta Quit” brings out Langley’s rock-influenced side. With a sound that recalls Joan Jett, the song proves she can bring plenty of attitude and energy to her music.
No. 10: “Closest to Heaven”
This emotional early-career song serves as a tribute to Langley’s grandparents. Its heartfelt storytelling shows another side of the singer beyond her bigger radio hits.
No. 9: “Loving Life Again”
Langley has said she was inspired to write “Loving Life Again” after coming through a difficult period with her mental health. The song reflects her openness about struggles with depression and anxiety.
No. 8: “Be Her”
“Be Her” shows off Langley’s willingness to experiment outside traditional country. The track features retro disco influences, hand claps and an upbeat energy that makes it stand out in her catalog.
No. 7: “Dandelion”
The title track from Langley’s Dandelion album uses the yellow flower as a symbol for herself—colorful, resilient and often underestimated.
She has also explained that learning about dandelion tea and its traditional association with liver detoxification gave the flower even more meaning while she was creating the album.
No. 6: “I Blame the Bar”
“I Blame the Bar” sits firmly on the barroom-country side of Langley’s sound. It’s catchy and moody, telling the story of a flirtation that may not survive once the bar’s closing lights come on.
No. 5: “Weren’t For the Wind”
Reflective and autobiographical, “Weren’t For the Wind” looks back on Langley’s journey after finding fame. The song combines gratitude with a touch of melancholy.
No. 4: “Somethin’ Simple”
Another autobiographical track from Dandelion, “Somethin’ Simple” explores how Langley’s dreams have changed as her career has grown. Even after achieving the musical success she once wanted, she begins to recognize that her priorities may look different now.
No. 3: “You Look Like You Love Me” with Riley Green
This is the song that introduced Ella Langley to a huge mainstream audience.
In the track, Langley and Riley Green portray strangers who become romantically interested in each other through a playful, old-school talk-singing performance.
Although Green was already the more established star when the song was recorded, the concept and vision reflect Langley’s distinctive artistic style.
No. 2: “Choosin’ Texas”
“Choosin’ Texas” became one of Langley’s biggest songs and a major crossover success.
The twangy collaboration was co-written with Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick and Joybeth Taylor. Despite its traditional country sound, the song went on to become a major all-genre chart hit, bringing new listeners to Langley’s music and country music more broadly.
No. 1: “Speaking Terms”
“Speaking Terms” may not have achieved the same commercial success as some of Langley’s biggest singles, but it offers one of the most personal looks into her songwriting.
The song is introspective and vulnerable, exploring a difficult period of faith and the feeling of distance between Langley and God.
It’s a deeply personal subject, and the honesty in the lyrics is part of what makes the song stand out in her catalog.