Between her care-free self-love anthem title track “Dandelion” and finding peace in the simplicity of her roots on “Loving Life Again,” Ella Langley has set a clear theme of rejuvenation and healing in her upcoming sophomore album.
Ahead of its Friday, April 10 release, the singer-songwriter recently announced the full track list, including the previously released 4 singles as well as a look at the titles of the remaining unreleased 14 tracks. Many were excited to see it featured one sole collaboration with Miranda Lambert on “Butterfly Season” along with a cover of Kitty Wells’ 1952 hit– which was the first Billboard 100 chart topper for a female country artist, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels.”
The 18-track project also interestingly kicks off and rounds out with the intro/outro song, “Frroggy Went A Courtin’,” which, as you may recognize, is also not a Langley original. Prior to the album’s full conception, the rising star actually sat down with hosts Reid and Dan Isbell from God’s Country Podcast, giving a VERY advanced teaser to this track all the way back in December 2024.
Langley shared that the song, which is actually an old folk nursery rhyme, will actually mark a full circle moment for the now headlining artist. “The first two songs I learned how to sing is Amazing Grace, and then this other song called ‘Froggy Went A Courtin’.” Adding, “I think I might start this next record off with this. This next record is gonna be a lot about Alabama and just kind of about my roots.”
Then, without hesitation, Langley starts singing the classic story song, knowing the lyrics from her childhood through and through, “Froggy went a courtin and he did ride, froggy went a courtin, and he did ride, baby, froggy went a courtin, and he did ride, sword and pistol by his side, uh huh, baby of mine.” Charming the boys with her southern vocals, she went on to share that she learned the song alongside her Grandpa, who would play the piano and teach her the verses, encouraging her to impromptu sing it in front of the Wednesday night church group.
She also hilariously shared that her whole family has long been supportive of her performance skills, noting that her cousin, who’s a dentist, would make her get up and sing “Amazing Grace” in front of the office and all of the patients getting their teeth cleaned. She decisively stated, “This has been the plan for me my whole life.”
The full tune originated from a Scottish story, evolving over the years into different musical versions, including Bob Dylan’s 1992 recording, which features the repeating verses including characters like Miss Mousey, Uncle Rat, Juney Bug, Bumbley Bee, and more. Time will tell how Langley decides to put her own Alabama charm on this 2026 revival.