“Somewhere Over Laredo” is a send-up to the song “Over the Rainbow” from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, originally performed by actor-singer Judy Garland. Lainey’s song contains several lyrical references to “Over the Rainbow,” interpolates some of its melody, and carries the same central theme of...
[Verse 1]
Caught me a red-eye flight out of Houston
Found me a window seat with a view
Headed out west for South California
One Titos in, I'm thinkin' 'bout you
[Pre-Chorus]
In that little border town
Where the desert glows gold
When the sun goes down
My head's thirty thousand feet in the clouds
Knowin' twenty minutes from now
[Chorus]
I'll be 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
Couple wrong for each other
Lonestar-crossed lovers
Born to get gone from the get-go
But you're on my mind every time I'm chasin' this neon rainbow
Somewhere over Laredo
[Verse 2]
I'm flyin' high on a 737
Yeah, boy, I'm eye level with these stars
You think I'd be five miles closer to Heaven
But I reckon Heaven's down there where you are
[Pre-Chorus]
Do you stop and stare at the Texas sky
Up in the air and wonder if I'm
[Chorus]
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
Couple wrong for each other
Lonestar-crossed lovers
Born to get gone from the get-go
But you're on my mind every time I'm chasin' this neon rainbow
Somewhere over Laredo
[Bridge]
Where the blackbirds fly
Once in a lullaby
For a second, I'm still yours
And you're still mine
[Chorus]
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
Couple wrong for each other
Lonestar-crossed lovers
Born to get gone from the get-go
But you're on my mind every time I'm chasin' this neon rainbow
Somewhere over Laredo
[Outro]
Ooh
Somewhere over Laredo
Somewhere over Laredo
Somewhere Over Laredo was written by Lainey Wilson & Trannie Stevens & Dallas Wilson & Andy Albert & E. Y. Harburg & Harold Arlen.
Somewhere Over Laredo was produced by Jay Joyce.
Lainey Wilson released Somewhere Over Laredo on Fri May 23 2025.
American Music Awards (2025)
I’ve always been inspired by putting myself into other peoples’ shoes and telling stories from others’ perspective, but I’ve found a new creative avenue with this one putting myself back into a pair of shoes that I wore years ago.
— via People
During the tracking week ending May 31, 2025, the song debuted at #88 on the Hot 100 chart. It marked the 11th appearance on the chart at the time. It debuted at #42 on the Hot Country Songs chart, giving her, her 13th appearance on the chart at the time.
During the tracking week ending November 15...
Yes, the song was nominated for “Best Country Solo Performance” at the 2026 Grammy Awards.