Early life
Langley was born in Hope Hull, Alabama on May 3, 1999 [5] and grew up in a musically inclined family alongside her two brothers and sister. Her early exposure to music came through singing in local Baptist churches and informal jam sessions within her community. [6] [7] She loved sitting next to her grandfather at the piano, singing "Frog Went a-Courting". Her grandfather played many musical instruments and almost everyone in her family sings. After her grandfather passed, her father had his guitar restrung for her when she was 14. That same night, she looked up the chords to "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley, teaching herself to play the song. [8]
In her father's truck, she heard well known rock bands and old school country music as well as disco. In her mother's car, her mother played Peter, Paul and Mary, 80s new wave, and Pearl Jam songs. In 2016, she gave her first public performance at Hooper Academy in Hope Hull, to perform in the student talent show. Afterwards, she began performing at local venues leading up to her graduation in 2017. [9] [10] Initially accepted to Troy University in Troy, Alabama, she transferred to Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama to study forestry. [11] [12]
Career
Early career (2017–2021)
In 2017, Ella Langley co-wrote her first song "Clear the Clouds" with her aunt, starting from a melody she played on her porch at home. [8] The song was recorded at Guest House Studios in Eclectic, Alabama and released on YouTube. [13] Her debut single, "Perfect" was released on May 24, 2018, although it and much of her early catalog, was later removed from streaming platforms. [14] [15] Over the next two years, she continued to perform at bars and festivals in the River Region of Alabama and near Lake Martin and the city of Auburn. [2] [16]
In 2019, Langley moved to Nashville and immersed herself in the local songwriting community and participated in numerous writers' rounds. She gained support from independent country platforms including "Raised Rowdy" and "65 South" during that time. [17] During the COVID-19 pandemic, she shifted her focus to livestreaming and expanding her online presence, in particular on TikTok. [18] In 2021, she signed her first publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville. [19] Also in 2021, she released "If You Have To" after previewing the single on social media. [20] In early 2022, Langley joined Randy Houser as a guest artist on his tour. [21]
Excuse the Mess (2022–2023)
On October 28, 2022, Langley released the promotional single "Country Boy's Dream Girl". [22] In February 2023, she signed a record deal with Sony Music Nashville and Columbia Records; [3] she made her Grand Ole Opry debut on February 17, 2023. [23] [24] She collaborated with Koe Wetzel on "That's Why We Fight", released on April 21, 2023. [25] Her debut EP, Excuse the Mess, came out on May 19, 2023. [2] [26]
In addition to her solo work, Langley co-wrote multiple tracks for other artists, including five songs on Elle King's Come Get Your Wife and a Runaway June single, "Make Me Wanna Smoke". [27] Langley also recorded a duet with Kameron Marlowe titled "Strangers", which served as the lead single from his second studio album, Keepin' the Lights On. From 2023 through 2024, she opened for artists Jon Pardi and Riley Green. [28] [25]
Hungover (2024–2025)
Langley's full-length debut studio album, Hungover , was released on August 2, 2024. [29] It debuted at No. 77 on the Billboard 200 and No. 11 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. [30] After the release of the deluxe edition, Still Hungover, on November 1, 2024, the album re-entered the Billboard 200 at No. 49. [31] Among several promotional singles, "You Look Like You Love Me", featuring Riley Green, gained significant traction after going viral on TikTok. [32] It became her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at number 53. [33] Released to country radio on August 5, 2024, [34] the song peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard Country Airplay, ultimately earning Platinum certification and going to No. 1—making her the only woman in 2024 to achieve this milestone. [35]
In June 2024, Langley announced The Hungover Tour to support her debut album. [36] A subsequent headlining run, the Still Hungover Tour, took place from January through April 2025. [37] The second single from the deluxe album, "Weren't for the Wind", was released to country radio on January 2, 2025. [38] It became her highest-charting single on the Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 18 and her second country radio No. 1. [39] [40] Her second duet with Riley Green "Don't Mind If I Do" was her third country radio number one song. [41] She also collaborated with American rapper BigXthaPlug on his country rap song "Hell at Night". [42] Langley is one of a few entertainment celebrity spokespeople for Chase Bank's 2025 advertising campaign promoting its Sapphire Reserve premium credit card. [43] [44]
Upcoming second album (2025–present)
Langley confirmed that the release of her second album would be delayed until 2026, a decision she says is driven by her desire to take her time crafting the material rather than rushing a follow-up album. [45] In the meantime, she released standalone tracks like "Never Met Anyone Like You", a collaborative single with Hardy in June, and "Choosin' Texas", co-written and co-produced with Miranda Lambert. [46] [47] "Choosin' Texas" went viral on TikTok. It debuted at No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100, her highest debut to date, and peaked at No. 5. [48] [49]
Artistry
Langley's influences span rock, country and folk. She admires artists including Stevie Nicks and Willie Nelson for their raw, honest songwriting and she also appreciates 70s and 80s rock bands for their performances on stage, artistry, and music. [8] She combines Southern rock, folk, and country influences to create a raw, authentic sound shaped by her musical upbringing. [50]
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