Both of her parents are private investigators, but father Rick is also a country guitarist and songwriter. Lambert became seriously interested in country music after attending a Garth Brooks concert as a young girl, and soon began singing in talent contests under the tutelage of her father.
At 16, Miranda began appearing on the Johnny High Country Music Review in Arlington, Texas, the same show that helped launch the career of LeAnn Rimes. Miranda quickly landed a recording session in Nashville, but left the studio in tears after she became frustrated with the "pop" sound of music that was not her own. Upon returning to Texas, Miranda began writing songs and taking guitar lessons from her father.
When Miranda's aptitude for music became apparent, her parents encouraged her to aggressively pursue singing and acting opportunities. While still a high school student, Miranda made her professional singing debut and fronted the house band at the Reo Palm Isle Ballroom in Longview, Texas, a long-running venue that has showcased Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson.
Foregoing college, Miranda performed throughout Texas in 2001 and 2002. She finished first in the Texas auditions for Nashville Star and eventually placed third on the national competition.
Discography
On September 15, 2003, she signed with Sony records. She has since released three studio albums, 2005's Kerosene, 2007's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, 2009's Revolution and 2011's Four The Record; all four of which debuted at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Kerosene,Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Revolution have been certified Platinum by the RIAA.
Miranda Lambert has release a total of fourteen singles, which includes five Top 20 hits; of these, Kerosene and Gunpowder & Lead have been certified Gold singles by the RIAA.
Awards and Critical Acclaim
In 2005, at the 40th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, Miranda won the Cover Girl Fresh Face of Country Music Award. In 2005, she was also nominated for the Country Music Association's Horizon Award and performed "Kerosene". Nashville Scene named Kerosene one of the best albums of 2005
Miranda was nominated for and won the "Album of the Year" award at the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards for her latest album Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
Carousel
Miranda Lambert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My fair lady
She walked the high wire back in the 80's
Feathers and sequins
She shined like a chandelier
Hanging from the top tent rafters
'Til the spotlight disappeared
What a sight to see
The way he earned her trust was on a twenty foot trapeze
She fell so hard because he always let her fly
'Til he left her heart suspended
In a cotton candy sky
She still don't know why
Every show must end
Every circus leaves town
You don't know the magic's gone
Until the lights go down
Now she's back in Nacogdoches
And I hear she's doing well
She only misses Harlan when she hears a carousel
Pretty Elaina
Made herself a nest
Her sequins and her secrets
Buried in her cedar chest
No one around here knows about her other life
Johnny Davis went and made her a mama and a wife
And maybe that's alright
'Cause every show must end
Every circus leaves town
You don't know the magic's gone
Until the lights go down
Now she's back in Nacogdoches
And I hear she's doing well
She only misses Harlan when she hears a carousel
Smith County Fair
Mid September
She walks the midway
And smiles when she remembers
Every show must end
Every circus leaves town
I didn't know the magic left
'Til all the lights went down
Now I'm back in Nacogdoches
And I swear I'm doing well
I only miss my Harlan when I hear the carousel
I only miss my Harlan when I hear the carousel
In โCarousel,โ Miranda Lambert tells the story of two touring performers, Pretty Elaina and Harlan Giovanni, who fall in love while working for a traveling circus. Pretty Elaina, โshined like a chandelierโ in her feather and sequin costumes while performing high wire acts. Harlan, a trapeze artist, amazed her with his skill and earned her trust. However, their love story came to an end when the circus left town, leaving Elaina heartbroken. She married and became a mother, but still misses Harlan whenever she hears a carousel.
Through the song, Lambert highlights the transient nature of circus life. Though the performers may put on a dazzling show for a time, eventually, the show will come to an end, and they must return to their regular lives. The carousel, a metaphor for the fleeting and cyclical nature of life, is a powerful reminder of the past.
Overall, โCarouselโ is a bittersweet and nostalgic tale of love, loss, and the impact that others have on our lives. It is a beautiful tribute to the resilience and strength of the human spirit as we navigate lifeโs ups and downs.
Line by Line Meaning
Pretty Elaina
The introduction of the main character, Elaina.
My fair lady
A reference to Elaina's beauty and elegance.
She walked the high wire back in the 80's
Elaina was an acrobat who performed on the high wire in the 1980s.
Feathers and sequins
Elaina wore glamorous and extravagant costumes during her performances.
She shined like a chandelier
Elaina shone brightly and captivated the audience with her performances.
Hanging from the top tent rafters
Elaina performed her acts suspended from the top tent rafters.
'Til the spotlight disappeared
Elaina's performances were over when the spotlight turned off.
Harlan Giovanni
Introducing the character Harlan Giovanni.
What a sight to see
Harlan was impressive to watch during his performances.
The way he earned her trust was on a twenty foot trapeze
Harlan gained Elaina's trust by performing with her on a twenty-foot trapeze.
She fell so hard because he always let her fly
Elaina fell in love with Harlan because he allowed her to fully express herself during their performances.
'Til he left her heart suspended in a cotton candy sky
Harlan left Elaina heartbroken and alone when he ended their relationship.
She still don't know why
Elaina never understood why Harlan left her.
Every show must end
All good things come to an end.
Every circus leaves town
The circus eventually packs up and moves on to the next location.
You don't know the magic's gone
The magic of the circus is not fully appreciated until it's gone.
Until the lights go down
The end of the show is the moment when the magic ends and reality sets in.
Now she's back in Nacogdoches
Elaina has returned to her hometown of Nacogdoches.
And I hear she's doing well
Elaina is doing well in her current life.
She only misses Harlan when she hears a carousel
Elaina still has feelings for Harlan and is reminded of him when she hears a carousel.
Made herself a nest
Elaina settled down and made a home for herself.
Her sequins and her secrets
Her glamorous past and the secrets that she kept from her current life.
Buried in her cedar chest
Elaina kept her past hidden and safe in a cedar chest.
No one around here knows about her other life
Elaina kept her past hidden from the people in her current life.
Johnny Davis went and made her a mama and a wife
Elaina married and had a child with Johnny Davis.
And maybe that's alright
Elaina has come to terms with her current life.
Smith County Fair
A specific fair that Elaina visits.
Mid September
A time frame for the fair.
She walks the midway
Elaina takes a stroll down the midway to reminisce about her past.
And smiles when she remembers
Elaina is happy when she thinks back on her past.
Now I'm back in Nacogdoches
The singer of the song is also back in Nacogdoches.
And I swear I'm doing well
The singer is doing well in their current life.
I only miss my Harlan when I hear the carousel
The singer also has feelings for Harlan and is reminded of him when they hear a carousel.
Lyrics ยฉ CTM Outlander Music LC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Natalie Nicole Hemby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kearsten Hill
Pretty Elaina
My fair lady
She walked the high wire back in the 80's
Feathers and sequins
She shined like a chandelier
Hanging from the top tent rafters
Till the spotlight disappeared
Harlan Giovanni
What a sight to see
The way he earned her trust was on a 20-foot trapeze
She fell so hard because he always let her fly
Till he left her heart suspended
In a cotton candy sky
She still don't know why
Every show must end
Every circus leaves town
You don't know the magic's gone
Until the lights go down
Now she's back in Nacogdoches
And I hear she's doing well
She only misses Harlan when she hears a carousel
Pretty Elaina
Made herself a nest
Her sequins and her secrets
Buried in her cedar chest
No one around here knows about her other life
Johnny Davis went and made her a mama and a wife
And maybe that's alright
'Cause every show must end
Every circus leaves town
You don't know the magic's gone
Until the lights go down
Now she's back in Nacogdoches
And I hear she's doing well
She only misses Harlan when she hears a carousel
Smith County Fair
Mid-September
She walks the midway
And smiles when she remembers
Every show must end
Every circus leaves town
I didn't know the magic left
Till all the lights went down
Now I'm back in Nacogdoches
And I swear I'm doing well
I only miss my Harlan when I hear a carousel
I only miss my Harlan when I hear a carousel
Michelle English
As many times as I've listened to this beautiful song, it just hit me today listening that all through the song she uses the reference as " she". Then at the end she references the character as " I " . Which makes sense because when I listen to this song I feel I'm listening to a story of Miranda's life . I have a habit of diving deep into lyrics so I may be wrong but I like to think of her through the song. It's just what somehow makes sense to me.
Alex Ayers
It definitely is! And it wraps up the album of her being lost and wandering to all these different places, then she tells us her ending!! she's back in nacagdoches and she swears she's doing well :(
Brenda Havens
That is exactly what I thought when I heard it first time. He left although she still thinks of him in special moments , and people say she didnโt love him. She has new love and I believe he makes her happy still she still thinks of his selfish self.
1960kimm
Me too!
Autumn Girl 96
Yes, I agree 100%. Love her strength! Her faith is strong. ๐๐ฆ
Robin Moore
This song...Is referring to Her losing Blake. She always referred to him when they were married as her Harland. I was shocked when she put this song out... When she refers to Johnny Davis went and made her a momma and a wife..shes referring to her now cop husband who has a child...so shes a step mom. She only misses Harland when she hears a Carousel..is when she hears Blakes song....Your welcome!! I watched her in a interview..Interesting....
Happy Camper
Thank you, Miranda, for always telling a story that will make one stop and listen. I hear many new artists modeling themselves after you, but no one sings with the emotion that you bring. I just love your music โค
Jennifer Simmons
So very glad you performed this on the ACM's last night! The reaction from the other artists was priceless and I shed my usual tears remembering my "Harlan"...
Audrey Brown
I've been writing amateur poetry since I was 8 now im 56. There's something about my love of words that attracts me so strongly to Miranda Lambert's songs. I like everything she ever put out but this album is my favorite so far and especially this song. Greatness....
lisa crosby
You've been writing poetry for most of your life. You're even more of an expert than the experts. Hardly an amateur poet! โ๏ธ