Lainey Wilson’s ‘Somewhere Over Laredo’ Rodeo Reimagines Judy Garland Classic
Can’t say we saw this coming—a modern country star riffing on a 1939 film standard—but here we are. Lainey Wilson, the 33-year-old Grammy winner who’s already conquered country airwaves, has rolled out “Somewhere Over Laredo,” a cheeky nod to Judy Garland’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” If you’re craving authenticity, buckle up: Wilson co-wrote the track with Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson and Andy Albert, and she’s already promising it’s a heartfelt homage rather than a cash-grab cover. According to People Magazine and AFP via Getty, the song taps into that wanderlust we all feel when flying between gigs—daydreaming about dusty backroads, neon rodeo lights and, of course, small-town America.
Wilson’s Instagram on May 23 spilled the beans: “When I’m flying between shows I catch myself looking out the window, talking to God, dreaming, or even reminiscing,” she wrote, clarifying that “Somewhere Over Laredo tells a story that speaks to that.” Translation: if you’ve ever fantasized about ditching your desk for a silver-buckle cowboy or cowgirl, this is your anthem. The chorus even weaves in melody motifs straight out of Garland’s classic, so die-hard Wizard of Oz fans will hear that iconic longing for a brighter horizon.
Let’s break down the lyrics that’ll have you craving two-stepping in an arena under the Milky Way: “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.” Romance? Check. Lone Star longing? Double check. Neon-rainbow chase? You bet. All wrapped in Wilson’s grit-and-glitter vocal style.
If you’re wondering where you’ll catch this cowboy-themed homage live, tune in to the 2025 American Music Awards in Las Vegas on Monday, May 26, where Wilson is set to perform “Over Laredo.” She’s also vying for Favorite Female Country Artist against heavy hitters like Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, Megan Moroney and newcomer Ella Langley. After the AMAs, her Whirlwind Tour hops from Panama City Beach’s Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam to Myrtle Beach, Phoenix, Toronto, Nashville, Fort Worth, New York and Cleveland before wrapping in Orlando on Nov. 8.
So if you’ve been dying for a rodeo twist on a silver-screen standard, Wilson’s got you covered. “Somewhere Over Laredo” is streaming everywhere now, ready to soundtrack your next daydream about wide-open skies and neon sunsets. Nothing groundbreaking, but hey—sometimes all we need is a little sparkly country homage. That’s today’s dose of reality. You’re welcome.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, AFP via Getty
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
