Lainey Wilson Pays Tribute to Classic Judy Garland Song with ‘Somewhere Over Laredo’

Lainey Wilson‘s new song will send listeners somewhere over the rainbow.

“Somewhere Over Laredo” honors the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” sung by Judy Garland in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Written by Wilson, 33, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson and Andy Albert, the song pays tribute to small towns throughout the country.

“When I’m flying between shows I catch myself looking out the window, talking to God, dreaming, or even reminiscing,” the Grammy winner wrote on Instagram on Friday, May 23. ” ‘Somewhere Over Laredo’ tells a story that speaks to that.”

“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.”

The chorus of “Laredo” evokes the same wishfulness as Garland’s song of longing for a better place. Wilson’s storytelling and incorporation of melody motifs from “Rainbow” that any Wizard of Oz and Garland fan will recognize immediately.

“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,” Wilson croons.

“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.”

Wilson, who will be at the 2025 American Music Awards in Las Vegas on Monday, May 26, will also be performing the wistful song during the awards show. She’s up for the Favorite Female Country Artist trophy along with Beyoncé, Ella Langley, Kacey Musgraves and Megan Moroney.

The “Heart Like a Truck” singer wrapped up the European leg of her Whirlwind Tour.

Following the AMAs, Wilson will head to Panama City Beach, Fla. for the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam and make stops in Myrtle Beach, Phoenix, Toronto, Nashville, Fort Worth, New York and Cleveland before returning to Florida to finish up her tour in Orlando on Nov. 8.