Lainey Wilson Channels Her Childhood and Judy Garland in a New Song That Reimagines Over the Rainbow on Texas Soil

Lainey Wilson’s “Somewhere Over Laredo” Is a Heartfelt Ode to Small-Town Dreams

Lainey Wilson’s latest single, “Somewhere Over Laredo,” is set to strike a deeply emotional chord with fans, drawing inspiration from the timeless Wizard of Oz classic, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Co-written with Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, and Andy Albert, the track is a nostalgic and poetic love letter to small-town life in America.

Born in the Sky, Rooted in the Past

Lainey took to Instagram to share how the song came together during her travels:

“When I’m flying between shows, I catch myself looking out the window, talking to God, dreaming, or reminiscing. ‘Somewhere Over Laredo’ tells a story that speaks to all of that.”

While she’s known for telling other people’s stories, this time Lainey turned inward.

“I’ve always loved putting myself in other people’s shoes to tell their stories,” she said. “But with this one, I went back to shoes I wore years ago.”

A Melody That Feels Like Home

The chorus, with its wistful nod to Judy Garland’s iconic ballad, evokes memories of first loves, rodeo nights, and the kind of yearning that never really fades:

“Somewhere over Laredo,
Dreamin’ about those rodeo nights,
Laid there on the banks of the Rio,
New silver buckle on your jeans next to mine.”

The story continues with a tale of mismatched young lovers who were destined to part—yet never truly forget:

“Couple wrong for each other,
Lone Star-crossed lovers,
Born to get gone from the get go,
But you’re on my mind every time I’m chasing this neon rainbow,
Somewhere over Laredo.”

A Big Stage for a Big Moment

Lainey will debut the track live at the 2025 American Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 26, where she’s also nominated for Favorite Female Country Artist—alongside Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, and Megan Moroney.

On the Road Again

Fresh off the European leg of her Whirlwind Tour, Lainey is hitting major stops across the U.S. this summer and fall, including the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City Beach, and cities like Myrtle Beach, Phoenix, Toronto, Nashville, Fort Worth, New York, and more—wrapping up in Orlando on November 8.

With “Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson once again proves she’s not just a country music star—she’s a storyteller whose songs feel like memories we’ve all lived.