You know that feeling when you're driving home late at night and a song comes on that makes you want to pull over just to breathe? That's what happened to a lot of us when we first heard what are you listening to megan moroney. It wasn’t a new track, strictly speaking. It’s a cover of a Chris Stapleton song from 2013 that most people—honestly, even some die-hard country fans—had completely forgotten about.
But Megan has this way of taking a song and making it feel like it was written in her own diary.
She released her version officially in early 2024, after it started gaining steam as an Amazon Music exclusive and a highlight of her CMT Campfire Sessions. It's a lonely, wondering ballad. It’s about that specific type of post-breakup torture where you’re sitting in your room, and you can’t help but wonder if the other person is hurting as much as you are. Are they listening to a sad song to get through the night? Or are they out at a bar listening to a cover band, completely over you?
The Story Behind the Song
Most people don't realize that the original "What Are You Listening To?" was actually Chris Stapleton’s debut single. Long before Traveller made him a household name, this song kind of flopped. It was supposed to be on a debut album that eventually got scrapped.
Megan, being the "emo cowgirl" she is, reached back into the archives and found it.
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There’s a massive difference in the vibes here. Stapleton’s version is soulful and gritty, like a man staring at the bottom of a glass. Megan’s version? It’s airy, weary, and incredibly intimate. Produced by Kristian Bush (one half of Sugarland), the production stays out of the way. It’s mostly just her voice and some delicate acoustic work. It feels like she's whispered the lyrics into a phone at 2:00 AM.
Why the Lyrics Resonate in 2026
In an era where we can see what our exes are doing on Instagram or what they're listening to on Spotify's "Friend Activity" sidebar, the question "what are you listening to?" takes on a whole new meaning. We don't have to guess as much as we used to, yet the emotional distance feels bigger than ever.
- The "Cover Band" Line: She sings about a college town bar with "na-na-na’s and air guitars." It captures that hollow feeling of being in a loud room while feeling completely empty.
- The "Sad Song" Alternative: This is the part that hurts. The idea that they might be hanging on to the same radio station, heart still breaking.
- The "Someone New" Fear: This is the kicker. The wondering if they've moved on to a love song about someone else.
Honestly, Megan Moroney has built her entire career on this kind of relatability. From the viral explosion of "Tennessee Orange" to her 2024 powerhouse album Am I Okay?, she’s become the voice for people who are a little bit of a mess but look great in a pair of boots.
Where Does This Fit in Megan’s Career?
If you've been following the "Moroney-verse," you know she's had a massive couple of years. She didn't just stop at covers. Her second studio album, Am I Okay?, which dropped in July 2024, solidified her as more than just a TikTok sensation. She’s a songwriter’s songwriter.
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Even though "What Are You Listening To?" isn't one of her self-penned tracks, it fits the brand perfectly. She’s often called the "emo cowgirl," a title she embraces. This track is the blueprint for that persona. It’s sad, it’s country, and it’s deeply rooted in the storytelling tradition of Nashville.
People often ask if this song is on her latest album. Technically, no. It’s a standalone single and part of special sessions. But for fans who were waiting for her 2026 project Cloud 9, this cover served as the perfect bridge. It kept the "sad girl autumn" vibes going while she was transitioning into the massive star she is today.
Comparison of Versions
| Feature | Chris Stapleton (2013) | Megan Moroney (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Vocal Style | Powerhouse, bluesy, gravelly | Conversational, "whisper-singing," vulnerable |
| Production | Full band, 2010s Nashville polish | Acoustic-leaning, intimate, "campfire" feel |
| Perspective | The man wondering about "girl" | The woman wondering about "you" |
Basically, if you want to feel like you're in a stadium, listen to Chris. If you want to feel like someone is sitting on the floor of your bedroom crying with you, listen to Megan.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that Megan wrote this about a specific ex-boyfriend (the internet loves to speculate about certain "Orange" colored rumors). While she’s definitely been through the ringer in her personal life—which she documents heavily on tracks like "No Caller ID" and "28th of June"—this particular song is a tribute to a songwriter she admires.
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It’s about the craft.
She’s mentioned in interviews that she’s been playing this song in her live sets for years. It’s a fan favorite because it highlights her vocal control. You can’t hide behind a loud drum kit on a song like this. You have to be able to sing.
Actionable Insights for the "Emo Cowgirl" Fan
If you’ve had what are you listening to megan moroney on repeat and need more of that specific "hurts-so-good" feeling, here is how to navigate her discography:
- Listen to "Girl in the Mirror": This is Megan at her most vulnerable. It’s the spiritual sister to the Stapleton cover.
- Watch the CMT Campfire Session: The visual of her performing "What Are You Listening To?" in that setting adds a layer of authenticity you don't get from the studio track.
- Check out the original: Give Chris Stapleton his flowers. His version is "criminally underrated" for a reason.
- Dive into "Heaven by Noon": If you want to see how she handles grief and loss through her own pen, this is the track from Am I Okay? that will break you.
To really appreciate the song, you have to listen to it when you’re actually wondering about someone. It's not a "party in the truck" song. It's a "sitting in the driveway because you're not ready to go inside" song. That's where the magic is.
Start by adding the acoustic version to a playlist with some early Kacey Musgraves or Miranda Lambert's The Weight of These Wings. It sits right in that pocket of modern country that isn't afraid to be quiet. Once you've done that, go back and listen to the lyrics of her own song "Hell of a Show" to see how she balances the public persona of a rising star with the private loneliness described in her covers.