As the music industry begins to shape its picks for the 2025 “Song of the Summer,” country star Lainey Wilson has released a strong contender with her new single, Somewhere Over Laredo.
The song features a standout fiddle line and familiar themes, refreshed with a new perspective. Like many classic country tracks, it uses geographic imagery to stir emotion. Drawing inspiration from Judy Garland’s Over the Rainbow and echoing the sentiment of Merle Haggard’s Silver Wings, the track captures the style and spirit fans have come to expect from Wilson.
Wilson has become one of the most awarded artists in country music in recent years. She earned Entertainer of the Year honors from both the CMA Awards in 2023 and the ACM Awards in 2025. Despite her critical success, she still has only a few chart-topping hits. Her accolades reflect both her talent and her role as a leading female artist in a space often dominated by male performers like Morgan Wallen.
Country radio remains a challenging space for women. While much of the industry is moving away from overproduced, formulaic sounds, mainstream country radio continues to rely on them. Even Wilson’s more commercial-friendly tracks, such as 4X4XU, which seemed ideal for radio play or truck commercials, peaked at only No. 4.
In this environment, Wilson’s choice to release a song like Somewhere Over Laredo signals a bold and deliberate move. The song is more emotional, more traditional, and leans into the essence of country music. While not flawless, it fits Wilson’s voice and vision well. Notably, the track was produced by Jay Joyce—known for heavy-handed production—but this time he held back, preserving the song’s heart in contrast to some of his work on Wilson’s last album, Whirlwind.
Somewhere Over Laredo will appear as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of Whirlwind, scheduled for release on August 22. As the reigning Entertainer of the Year, Wilson seems ready to set her own course. If she hopes to shape the genre’s future, releasing heartfelt, authentic tracks like Somewhere Over Laredo is a strong place to start.
Related Topics
