Lainey Wilson is soaring with her latest single, “Somewhere Over Laredo,” which cleverly incorporates a melodic interval reminiscent of Judy Garland’s classic song from The Wizard of Oz. The catchy nickname of Lainey’s song draws directly from the iconic “somewhere over the rainbow,” creating a playful connection that resonates throughout the lyrics.
The idea for “Laredo” arose unexpectedly, according to songwriter Andy Albert, while he was waiting in line for a roller coaster at Universal Orlando with fellow songwriter Trannie Anderson. During their downtime, they tossed around song ideas, eventually landing on the “Laredo” concept. After returning to Nashville, they crafted the song with Lainey in mind, ensuring they maintained a distinct sound by diverging from the original melody, especially in the chorus.
To ensure authenticity in the storytelling, the songwriters made adjustments based on geographic realism. Originally, the protagonist’s journey was planned from Dallas to California, but such a route would not take them over Laredo. A quick map search led to a more plausible flight path starting from Houston. The imagery of flying over Laredo served as a touchpoint for memories of a past relationship, allowing the narrative to unfold with references to “Lone Star-crossed lovers” and elements of country life, including nods to Alan Jackson’s music.
After initial writing sessions on the road during her “Country’s Cool Again Tour,” Lainey expressed excitement for the song, even singing a cappella to convey her vision when instruments were unavailable. The emotional depth of “Laredo” captures themes of longing and reflection, resembling the nostalgic journey of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Lainey described the song as not merely a geographical reference but as a symbolic “feeling” relevant to anyone who has ever looked back on past memories and experiences.
Throughout the creative process, they made sure to include references to “Rainbow,” seamlessly inserting elements such as blackbirds and the concept of lullabies into the new narrative. With the involvement of the original song’s copyright holders, “Laredo” gained the legitimacy it needed, with Arlen and Harburg credited as co-writers.
Scheduled for inclusion in the deluxe version of her Whirlwind album, set to release on August 22, “Laredo” has already made an impression, climbing to No. 24 on the Country Airplay chart within just five weeks of its release. Lainey emphasizes her role as a storyteller, aiming to resonate with a wide audience through her music.
This new track encapsulates complex emotions tied to distance and reminiscence, reflecting how music can genuinely connect us with our feelings and memories of home. With the rich storytelling tradition of country music at its core, “Laredo” promises to engage listeners as it continues to gain traction in the country music scene.