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.
Pursuit of Happiness
Miranda Lambert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Came up short and I tried again
Then New York stole the heart right off my sleeve
Fell asleep with a broken wheel
And something kept me rolling still
Both eyes closed waiting for the American dream
Yeah, I'm runnin' just as fast as my heart can
But I keep on runnin'
Changing tires and changing plans
I call it my pursuit of happiness
Found a song in Carolina
Left a tip at every diner
Always running late on Eastern time
Put a hundred in the offering plate
And wondered if those pearly gates
Would open if I found the perfect rhyme
Yeah, I'm runnin' just as fast as my heart can
Some call me a fool and some just call it restlessness
But I keep on runnin'
Changing tires and changing plans
I call it my pursuit of happiness
It's a stranger, it's a dollar, it's my name on a big marquee
It's a million miles away, and it's right in front of me
Yeah, I keep on runnin' just as fast as my heart can
Some call me a fool and some just call it restlessness
But I keep on runnin' (keep on runnin')
Changing tires and changing plans
I call it my pursuit of happiness
Yeah, it's all just my pursuit of happiness
In Miranda Lambert's song "Pursuit of Happiness," the lyrics depict the life of a restless traveler who is trying to find happiness. The song talks about the various places the singer has been throughout her journey, starting with a heartbreak off the coast of Maine, where she decides to try again. The following verse talks about New York, where she still had her heart on her sleeve and fell asleep with a broken wheel. Despite her struggles, she continues to keep on moving, driven by her pursuit of happiness.
The chorus highlights the theme of the song - the restless journey towards happiness. The singer is constantly changing tires and plans, following her heart wherever it takes her. The lyrics suggest that some people may see her as foolish for living this way, but she is determined to find what truly makes her happy. The final verse talks about the singer's experiences in Carolina and her search for the perfect rhyme. The lyrics suggest that she views the pursuit of happiness as a spiritual journey, as she wonders if she will be accepted into the pearly gates once she finds what she's looking for.
Overall, "Pursuit of Happiness" is a song about chasing and finding one's own definition of happiness. The lyrics suggest that this journey is often difficult and lonely, but for the singer, it is worth it to find what truly makes her heart sing.
Line by Line Meaning
Took a heartbreak off the coast of Maine
I experienced heartbreak while I was in Maine.
Came up short and I tried again
When I failed, I didn't give up and tried again.
Then New York stole the heart right off my sleeve
I fell in love with someone in New York, and they quickly captured my heart.
Fell asleep with a broken wheel
I was feeling lost and broken, but I still kept moving forward.
And something kept me rolling still
Despite my challenges, I kept pushing through and didn't give up.
Both eyes closed waiting for the American dream
I was hopeful and optimistic about achieving the American dream, even though it seemed far away.
Found a song in Carolina
I had a meaningful experience while in Carolina that inspired me.
Left a tip at every diner
I was generous and kind to those I encountered along the way.
Always running late on Eastern time
I was often behind schedule and running late.
Put a hundred in the offering plate
I was charitable and gave generously to those in need.
And wondered if those pearly gates would open if I found the perfect rhyme
I questioned whether I would be rewarded in the afterlife if I achieved success in my pursuit of happiness.
It's a stranger, it's a dollar, it's my name on a big marquee
My pursuit of happiness takes many forms, including fame, fortune, and recognition.
It's a million miles away, and it's right in front of me
The goal of achieving happiness can seem far away, yet also within reach if I persevere.
Yeah, I'm runnin' just as fast as my heart can
I'm putting in a lot of effort and energy into my pursuit of happiness.
Some call me a fool and some just call it restlessness
Others may not understand my drive to pursue my happiness and may view it negatively.
But I keep on runnin' (keep on runnin')
Despite any criticism or setbacks, I continue to persevere.
Changing tires and changing plans
I'm adaptable and willing to change course if something isn't working.
I call it my pursuit of happiness
My ultimate goal is to find happiness, and my journey towards it is my pursuit of happiness.
Yeah, it's all just my pursuit of happiness
Everything I do is for the sake of achieving happiness in my life.
Lyrics © 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
Funnel Mail
Took A Heartbreak Off The Coast Of Maine
Came Up Short And I Tried Again
Then New York Stole The Heart Right Off My Sleeve
Fell Asleep With A Broken Wheel
And Something Kept Me Rolling Still
Both Eyes Closed Waiting For The American Dream
Yeah, I’m Runnin’ Just As Fast As My Heart Can
Some Call Me A Fool And Some Just Call It Restlessness
But I Keep On Runnin’
Changing Tires And Changing Plans
I Call It My Pursuit Of Happiness
Found A Song In Carolina
Left A Tip At Every Diner
Always Running Late On Eastern Time
Put A Hundred In The Offering Plate
And Wondered If Those Pearly Gates
Would Open If I Found The Perfect Rhyme
Yeah, I’m Runnin’ Just As Fast As My Heart Can
Some Call Me A Fool And Some Just Call It Restlessness
But I Keep On Runnin’
Changing Tires And Changing Plans
I Call It My Pursuit Of Happiness
It’s A Stranger, It’s A Dollar, It’s My Name On A Big Marquee
It’s A Million Miles Away, And It’s Right In Front Of Me
Yeah, I Keep On Runnin’ Just As Fast As My Heart Can
Some Call Me A Fool And Some Just Call It Restlessness
But I Keep On Runnin’
Changing Tires And Changing Plans
I Call It My Pursuit Of Happiness
Yeah, It’s All Just My Pursuit Of Happiness
Persy Sweet
I fucking loved this! Real country/western music! She never disappoints! She is one of those artists who will never put out any bad songs honestly. She's a legend! She stays true to real country.
Ernie Penner
Love your songs!!!!!🎶🎶🎶🎶
Chantal K
My love……… you don’t even know girl. You have healed me through so many deep heartaches. My Mom died when I was 9 months pregnant with my first baby… his name is Zeller, he is now 8…. You have been there through it all girl, and you don’t even know it. Damn.
Charisse King
Bless your heart
Angel
@Chantal K sorry I wasn’t at home when I first read your reply. If you’d like to talk you can definitely send your number. Wow that is weird we found one another on here and lost our moms the same year. I live in North Carolina. Where are you and your family from?
Chantal K
@Angel hmm, I am rarely conflicted on which words to use but, hell, that is tough and genuinely tragic . 2013, that is the same year my Mom left as well, does that make us sisters in some unfortunate way? I vote yes. Please reply to me if you want my number. I obviously don’t give out my number on YouTube but I am feeling oddly compelled to do so with you. Maybe we can see if we can meet up to see Miranda together.
Angel
@Laced WithLacey no apology needed. Thank you. 💜
Lillian Eversole
Absolutely love this song and the whole album. My new favorite road trip cd.
Lori Wilber
Love this song. Wish she'd made different videos for each song on this album, though.
Patricia Harris
Love all of her music. This is a winner