The country star’s new single evokes the melody of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” as Wilson sings about small-town romance
Lainey Wilson frames her new song about romance, small towns, and rodeos around a beloved classic: The Wizard of Oz’s centerpiece song, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” performed by Judy Garland. “Somewhere Over Laredo,” Wilson’s latest, interpolates the melody of Garland’s hopeful ballad into its chorus, with nostalgic results.
“Caught me a red-eye flight out of Houston/Found me a window seat with a view/Headed out west for south California/One Tito’s in I’m thinking about you,” she sings. “Knowing 20 minutes from now/I’ll be somewhere over Laredo/Dreaming bout those rodeo nights.”
Wilson co-wrote “Somewhere Over Laredo,” which opens with simple piano and some strings, with frequent collaborator Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, and Andy Albert. While the chorus overtly evokes Garland’s original (written in 1939 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg), the lyrics subtly wink at it too, with Wilson singing about chasing a “neon rainbow.”
Wilson’s label, Broken Bow Records, will send “Somewhere Over Laredo” to radio next Tuesday — the day after the country singer gives the live debut of the song on the American Music Awards. Wilson is nominated for Favorite Female Country Artist.
Earlier this month, Wilson joined Reba McEntire and Miranda Lambert on McEntire’s new song “Trailblazer,” which the trio performed at the 2025 ACM Awards. Wilson had a busy ACMs night in Texas, repeating in the top category of Entertainer of the Year and also scoring Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Artist-Songwriter of the Year honors.
Wilson is set to perform at the 2025 Spotify House during CMA Fest in Nashville next month.
