Ella Langley Reveals Beyoncé Had 'Speaking Terms'
Langley disclosed that the song was briefly on hold with Beyoncé before she recorded it, shortly after wrapping her Dandelion Tour.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Country
Ella Langley revealed that the song 'Speaking Terms' nearly went to Beyoncé, who had it on hold alongside Cody Johnson. Langley called Beyoncé directly to ask to put the song on hold, and Beyoncé agreed.
Why it matters
The disclosure gives insight into how country songs move between high-profile artists and how Langley approached the track. It arrives as Langley leads the 2026 CMA Awards field with nine nominations.
Langley is nominated for nine CMA Awards and won seven awards at the May 2026 ACM Awards, with two nominations for Single of the Year and Song of the Year on two songs. The stub does not provide sales, streaming, or chart figures for 'Speaking Terms'.
The players
Ella Langley
Ella Langley is a country singer whose album Dandelion and Dandelion Tour drew significant attention in 2026.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé is a globally recognized singer and songwriter who had 'Speaking Terms' on hold before Langley took the song.
Cody Johnson
Cody Johnson is a country singer who also had 'Speaking Terms' on hold before Langley recorded it.
The details
Langley said she did not feel worth enough for the song until she had a specific moment, and she phoned Beyoncé directly to request the hold. The song was written by Joybeth Taylor and Helene Cronin and appears in the context of her Dandelion album, which includes 'Choosin' Texas,' 'Be Her,' and 'Loving Life Again.'
Timeline
May 2026: Langley won seven awards at the 61st ACM Awards.
October 31, 2026: Langley wrapped the Dandelion Tour with a sold-out show at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
November 18, 2026: The 60th Annual CMA Awards take place.
Industry Dynamics
Langley's 'Choosin' Texas' is the longest-running No. 1 song in Billboard Hot 100 history, and this disclosure shows how the same catalog attracts competing artists for future releases. The episode points to the country market's habit of passing songs between established and rising stars.
Listeners can hear Langley's album Dandelion, which includes 'Choosin' Texas,' 'Be Her,' and 'Loving Life Again.' Fans can also follow the 60th CMA Awards on November 18 to see whether Langley wins among her nine nominations.
The takeaway
Langley's account shows that a song's path to release can depend on a single direct conversation between artists. It is a reminder that the songs behind chart-topping albums often pass through several hands before they reach the public.
What happens next
The 60th Annual CMA Awards take place on November 18, where Langley is nominated for nine awards.
Further reading
For more on the genre behind this story, see the Country section.
