<\/p>\n
Ella Langley<\/strong> is the latest country artist to step into the shoes of Toby Keith<\/strong>, breathing new life into one of his old hits. The 26-year-old female country powerhouse recently released a studio cover version of the late icon\u2019s 1994 self-penned country classic, \u201cWish I Didn\u2019t Know Now.\u201d<\/p>\n A tall order, indeed, but Langley effortlessly delivers without any hiccups as she showcases her storyteller vocals on the nostalgic breakup ballad that soared to the No. 2 spot on the Billboard<\/em> Hot Country Songs Chart and belonged on Keith\u2019s self-titled debut album, which also spawned hits like, \u201cShould\u2019ve Been A Cowboy,\u201d \u201cHe Ain\u2019t Worth Missing,\u201d and \u201cA Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action.\u201d<\/p>\n Langley released her rendition of the soul-stirring song on all streaming platforms on Sept. 30, after fans had begged her to drop a full version of the beloved track that\u2019s all about having the desire to live in denial to keep a failed relationship alive after learning that the other person has cheated.<\/p>\n Langley\u2019s rendition of the heart-wrenching song differs slightly from Keith\u2019s as she changes up the lyrics to give the perspective of the story from a girl’s point of view.<\/p>\n Langley also offers a more stripped-down take while unveiling the message of the song, which includes the lyrics: \u201cI wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then \/ I wish I could start this whole thing over again \/ I’m not sayin’ that you could never be true \/ I just don’t wanna know how it ends \/ You’d still have my heart in the palm of your hand \/ I’d still look like a fool in front of your friends \/ Yeah, I wish somehow I didn’t know now \/ What I didn’t know then<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI love this song, and I loved your cover from the moment I heard it. Toby would be so proud!\u201d one fan applauded in the comments section of Langley\u2019s post on Instagram<\/a>, which found her announcing the release of her reimagined version of the track.<\/p>\n \u201cGreat cover song from Toby Keith, love your version \u2764\ufe0f,\u201d another person wrote, while a third follower added, \u201cAmazing! Love the song and your voice singing it. Great job. Congratulations.\u201d<\/p>\n Langley\u2019s tender-hearted recording of \u201cWish I Didn\u2019t Know Now\u201d comes after her live performance of the song as part of Apple Music Nashville Sessions: Toby Keith Covered Collection<\/em>, a special celebration of six artists honoring the legacy of the Oklahoma native, who died in February 2024 at age 62 following a brave battle with stomach cancer.<\/p>\n For Apple Music Nashville Sessions: Toby Keith Covered Collection, <\/em>Ashley McBryde<\/strong>, Megan Moroney<\/strong>, Parker McCollum<\/strong>, Riley Green<\/strong>, and Tucker Wetmore<\/strong> were all on hand to deliver their own takes on some of Keith\u2019s biggest hits from his iconic catalog.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew instantly that \u2018Wish I Didn\u2019t Know Now\u2019 was the song I wanted to do,\u201d Langley previously said of reviving the iconic hit in a statement shared on social media<\/a>. \u201cToby is truly a legend, and getting to put my own spin on this classic was an incredible opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n Related: \u201890s Country Icon Toby Keith’s Son Welcomes First Child With Sweet Photo: ‘Smiling Down From Heaven’<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n This story was originally reported by Parade<\/a> on Oct 10, 2025, where it first appeared in the News<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\nElla Langley’s Take on the Song Has Received the Seal of Approval From Fans<\/h2>\n
This Isn\u2019t the First Time Ella Langley Performed the Song<\/h2>\n