Twangy guitars, a strong Alabama accent, and lyrics about ‘two-steppin,’ ‘Jack,’ and the I-40, Ella Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas’ is the country track that has been dominating the charts and has been stuck in my head for weeks! This song made Langley the first woman to simultaneously reach number one on the Hot 100, Hot Country and Country Airplay charts. Its popularity follows a trend which has seen country music take off in the past couple of years, and I wanted to explore why and what songwriters can take from this.
What is country music?
Country is a broad genre with a long history, dating back to the 17th Century when British and Irish immigrants brought their instruments and musical styles to the USA. Often covering themes of hardship and tragedy, this music featured stringed instruments such as the fiddle, guitar, violin, bass, and banjo, as well as other instruments such as the harmonica, accordion, and washboard. The genre has, of course, evolved since then and can be heard in a variety of forms. For example, Medium lists a number of sub-genres, from ‘Nashville Pop-Country,’ which, as the name suggests, is influenced by modern pop music, to ‘Traditional Country,’ which has an older sound, to the more satirical ‘Country Rap/Hip Hop.’
The country takeover
Country music has seen a revival in recent years, despite previously seeming to be in decline. It has become a globally popular genre, with country music festivals taking place around Europe, and popular mainstream artists have crossed over into the genre, for example, with the likes of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album and Chappell Roan’s ‘The Giver,’ which reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. According to Chartlex, in the first half of 2025, country even became the most represented genre in the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10. The genre is particularly popular with Gen Z listeners; Chartlex states that listening in this demographic has increased by 72%, and as country singer Zara Lindeman told ABC News, “There’s a lot of younger people that probably haven’t grown up around the country lifestyle but are still singing about hunting and fishing.”
Why is country music so popular now?
Authenticity
Elena Popel, a student interviewed for her school newspaper, the Riverdale Review, explained that the reason she prefers listening to country music over other genres is that “There’s no autotune. It’s just the artist and their guitar, and it feels more real. All the artists are really talented.” This makes sense, especially with the rise of AI, which can now write lyrics and produce music from scratch (check out my article on the topic, AI Music: Where Are We Now?). We must be careful when using the notion of authenticity, because ultimately, it is impossible to objectively say if one type of music is more ‘authentic’ than another, but it seems that listeners at least want to feel as if they are listening to music that is genuine. It is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is fake in all aspects of our lives, so I can believe that people appreciate the raw, human feel of country music. The use of acoustic instruments (as opposed to electronic ones) and lyrics that are often relatable and with transparent meanings is valuable when everything around us is so complicated. We are fed vast amounts of information and are constantly having to unravel hidden meanings and determine credibility – sometimes we just need a good song to sing along to!
Uplifting
Listening to Langley’s album Dandelion (thanks for the recommendation, Charlotte!), I find it uplifting and laid-back, and this seems to be a characteristic of the genre. I think that when we face lots of pressure as individuals, and there is such negativity in the world, this is what we really need!
What can songwriters take from this?
I do not suggest that all songwriters turn to country – I do not believe in forcing yourself into a genre or style purely because it is popular – always stick to what feels right to you! However, I do think that it is important for songwriters to be aware of this trend and the possible reasons behind it, as it says more about what listeners value than it does the music itself. For example, be aware that perhaps your listeners need to feel like they are seeing your authentic self and to feel uplifted and validated by lyrics that they can relate to and connect to.
Conclusion
A trend not many of us would probably have predicted, 2026 is being dominated by country music – and I do not think this is a bad thing! It brings the easy, uplifting music that we perhaps need in such stressful, demanding and complex times, and songwriters can learn from this.
COMMENT below any country artists/songs/albums that you’ve been enjoying, and if you’re a songwriter, let me know how this trend has impacted your work!
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