Riley Green & Ella Langley’s Surprise Collab: “Don’t Mind If I Do” Wins Country Fans’ Hearts

Riley Green is offering fans a glimpse into the backstory of “Don’t Mind If I Do,” his second duet with friend and tourmate Ella Langley. According to Green, he’d already been a longtime admirer of Langley—well before the two ever shared the stage on tour.

“I became a fan of hers right after meeting her through a mutual friend,” Green explained, recalling the first time he heard Langley sing. “I heard her voice and her twang and how country she sounded, and also that she loved what I would call traditional country music.”

Green soon invited Langley to join him on tour, and during that time, they recorded their chart-topping, platinum-selling, CMA Award-winning smash, “You Look Like You Love Me.”

While still on the road, Green penned “Don’t Mind If I Do” and enlisted Langley’s help in determining the best key for the new track.

“I believe I had her come in the same day I wrote it, just to hum and see if it would work,” the Alabama native recalled.

When it came time to record vocals, Langley was there again.

“I was in the studio laying down tracks,” Green recalled. “I just called her over to put a vocal on it so I could play it for whoever I might pitch it to on the female side, and she absolutely nailed it. I remember she showed up in a sweatsuit, fresh from home, and sang it beautifully. I couldn’t imagine anyone doing a better job than she did.”

Recognizing that Langley’s voice fit the track perfectly, Green chose to keep the song as it was and made it the title track of his latest album. Looking back, he feels like everything fell into place at just the right time.

“It was awesome having her on the song,” he said. “Plus, she’s out here with all the success on our other track… It’s pretty cool how it all just accidentally worked out.”

Fans watched Riley Green and Ella Langley perform “Don’t Mind If I Do” on the finale of NBC’s The Voice on December 10. They’ll also have another chance to see the duo live this year when Langley joins Green on his Damn Country Music Tour.

“Don’t Mind If I Do” is a beautifully poignant heartbreak ballad that tackles the aftermath of a painful breakup. Written solely by Riley Green, the song captures his struggle to cope with missing his ex and the emotional toll that comes with not being together. Despite attempts to numb the pain with alcohol, both parties ultimately confess that they still miss each other and yearn for at least one more night of connection.

Reflecting on the track, Green says, “I think a lot about the song’s cool to me. I like how it feels like an older country song. It’s got that traditional feel to it, but I’ve never heard a duet where the female just sang the last chorus and it was from her perspective.”

 

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