Riley Green has three more CMA Awards after last night’s ceremony, bringing his total to four. Last night he won Video of the Year, Single of the Year, and Song of the Year, all for his “You Look Like You Love Me” collaboration with Ella Langley.

The three new trophies come after Green and Langley also won the CMA Award in 2024 for Musical Event of the Year.

“I’m kind of soaking this in,” Green said backstage. “Obviously, I’m so happy for Ella. It’s just so cool to have two really big songs with somebody that you’re such a fan of, and friends with.”

With the new trophies, the 37-year-old feels more motivated than ever to keep making music.

“It’s a crazy thing. I can honestly say I never thought I’d have a song on radio, or a record deal,” Green admits. “It still feels crazy to get to come to these things. It really does. And to get to see all of the performers, and all these people that I’m a huge fan of. To get the recognition we got tonight is a really big deal. And probably more than anything, it’s motivating. Makes you want to keep playing 100-plus shows a year, and write as many songs as you can, and keep putting out music. Because something’s working, and I don’t know what it is, but I’m gonna do as much of it as I can.”

 

@everythingnash @Riley Green is excited about his future in country music, after winning 3 #cmaawards with @Ella Langley. #cmaawards #countrymusic #rileygreen #ellalangley ♬ original sound – EverythingNash

Riley Green Shares the Story Behind “You Look Like You Love Me” With Ella Langley

Green and Langley wrote “You Look Like You Love Me” with Aaron Raitiere. Green now admits that, while he loved the song, he never predicted it would become such a massive hit.

“Ella may have known it was a hit, but I sure didn’t,” Green acknowledges. “I thought talking verses was a little too traditional. I thought it was a cool thing. I thought the chorus was catchy. It stayed in your head. We played it on the road, and it became a thing. You couldn’t open your phone without hearing it. It became a radio hit. ‘Don’t Mind If I Do’ was kind of the same way. I had no idea it was going to be that. So I got to watch fans’ excitement when Ella would come out on stage, when we were on tour together, and we would do those songs.

“It doesn’t happen much, to have two artists to have two really big songs together, while they’re touring together,” he adds. “We got to do that for the better part of two years. So, definitely, fans have ownership in this, because they made those songs.”

Green adds that both of his hits with Langley are because of their close friendship, which is genuine, and not some industry connection.

“I think fans can tell when it’s real,” Green says. “There are certainly some collaborations that go through management, labels, and the proper channels. I’ve never done it that way. It’s always been somebody I’m friends with.”

@everythingnash @Riley Green talks about wining 3 #cmaawards with @Ella Langley. #countrymusic #rileygreen ♬ original sound – EverythingNash

Photo Credit: CMA / Natasha Moustache