Heartbreak + Starbursts = Country Gold
If you’ve had “girl you’re taking home” on repeat lately (no judgment, same here), you’re not alone—and now we know the heartbreak behind the hit. Country newcomer Ella Langley opened up recently about the inspiration behind what might just be the saddest track on her Still Hungover deluxe album. And folks… grab some tissues and maybe a bag of candy, because this story gets real.
Ella shared that she wrote the song during a writing retreat with Zach Kale, Jon Nite, and Joybeth Taylor. But it wasn’t all songwriting and sunshine. Nope—Ella was heartbroken, bummed out, and emotionally wrecked over a breakup. So what does any true friend (and fellow songwriter) do? Joybeth walked into Ella’s room, took one look at the pile of Starbursts she was buried under, and said, “We’re gonna write a song that makes him regret losing you.”
And boy, did they. The next morning, Joybeth showed up with the title “Girl You’re Taking Home,” and the song pretty much fell into place from there.
“It's one of those heartbreaks everyone has—the kind that just guts you,” Ella shared. “I didn’t wanna talk about it, even think about it. But music has always been how I work through emotions. So we wrote it, and it was healing. Seeing fans—guys and girls both—singing it back to me now is just wild. They feel it, too.”
Let’s be honest—who here hasn’t been hung up on the “why them and not me” thought after a breakup? That’s exactly what this song hits on. Ella wonders why her ex treats the new girl differently. Was she not good enough? What changed? Who hasn’t felt that way at some point?
And the coolest part? Ella knows that emotion is universal.
“It’s not always about boy vs. girl,” she said. “It’s about the feeling. Music gives people words to sing when they don’t have them to speak, and I think that's what connects with people the most.”
Check out the full interview clip here:
And of course, if you haven’t yet cried (or shouted) your way through “girl you’re taking home” yet… treat yourself:
Ella’s song catalog just keeps growing stronger, and while she’s taking her sweet time on album number two (not dropping until 2026!), fans can still catch her live out on the road with Riley Green on his Damn Country Music tour. Trust us—it’s worth the trip.
Catch Ella Langley On Tour With Riley Green
She’ll be lighting up stages from the U.S. to the UK and back again. Here are just a few upcoming stops:
July 10th, 2025 – Winnipeg, Canada – Country Thunder
July 13th, 2025 – Chicago, IL – Windy City Smokeout
July 24th, 2025 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17
August 9th, 2025 – Birmingham, AL – Coca-Cola Amphitheater
September 12th, 2025 – London, UK – O2 Forum Kentish Town
November 15th, 2025 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center Arena
December 13th, 2025 – Las Vegas, NV – Resorts World
If you're lucky enough to hit a date near you, don't miss it. She’s bringing the kind of raw emotion that defines country music—and turning heartbreak into fan-favorite anthems. And that, friends, is what country’s all about.
