Lainey Wilson Mesmerizes at American Music Awards with Judy Garland-Inspired “Somewhere Over Laredo”

Country superstar Lainey Wilson delivered a show-stopping performance at the 2025 American Music Awards, captivating both longtime fans and newcomers alike with her haunting new single, “Somewhere Over Laredo.” The event, held at the dazzling BleauLive Theater in Las Vegas on May 26, saw Wilson take the stage following powerhouse acts Jennifer Lopez, Blake Shelton, and Benson Boone—yet she managed to leave an unforgettable mark on the night.

Introduced by country duo Dan + Shay, Wilson appeared in a striking all-white ensemble, her presence magnified by ethereal fog and the soft glow of an ivory piano. As she poured her heart into the song’s evocative lyrics, the audience was swept up in a wave of emotion, making her performance one of the most talked-about moments of the evening.

“Somewhere Over Laredo,” released just days before the AMAs, draws melodic inspiration from Judy Garland’s classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” but Wilson transforms it into a deeply personal country ballad. With lines like “Couple wrong for each other, lone star-crossed lovers / Born to get gone from the get-go,” she paints a vivid picture of heartbreak and hope, set against the backdrop of Laredo, Texas.

Reflecting on the song’s origins, Wilson shared, “I spend a lot of my time, 30,000 feet in the air, flying to the next show, the next town. When you’re staring out the window, you get to spend a little bit of time with yourself and reminisce and dream, talk to God, all of those things.” This introspective spirit shines through in every note of her latest single.

“Somewhere Over Laredo” will feature on the upcoming deluxe edition of Wilson’s chart-topping album, Whirlwind, set for release on August 22. Co-written with her trusted collaborators, the track stands out as one of her most intimate works yet.

Wilson’s AMA performance caps off a whirlwind month of accolades, including multiple wins at the Academy of Country Music Awards—most notably, Entertainer of the Year. With the European leg of her Whirlwind Tour complete and major summer festival appearances ahead, Lainey Wilson’s star continues to rise, promising even more unforgettable moments for fans around the world.