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.
We Were Us
Miranda Lambert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Railroad ties
Oh, Hail Marys
Friday nights
Heartbeat baby
Low-beam lights
God, I miss when you were mine
I could sing along without thinkin' 'bout you every time it came on
Every beat, every line, every word, every time
When a road was a road
I could roll on through without wishin' that empty seat was you
Money was gas, dreams were dust
Love was fast and we were us
Shotgun sunset
A cool mint kiss
Backseat promise
Breaking it
Floorboard feeling
County lines
God, I miss when you were mine
Back when that song was a song
I could sing along without thinkin' 'bout you every time it came on
Every beat, every line, every word, every time
When a road was a road
I could roll on through without wishin' that empty seat was you
Money was gas, dreams were dust
Love was fast and we were us
In a sleepy town, just jumping in
Far too young to know that summers end
We were us, we can't go back
It's what it is, but God I miss
Back when that song was a song
I could sing along without thinkin' 'bout you every time it came on
Every beat, every line, every word, every time
When a road was a road
I could roll on through without wishin' that empty seat was you
Money was gas, dreams were dust
Love was fast and we were us
Every beat, every line, every word, every single time
I just close my eyes and you're ridin' shotgun
You and me, baby, on the run
I miss you baby, I miss you baby, ooh
I'm on in
Still with you, baby
I can feel your heartbeat, baby
The song "We Were Us" by Miranda Lambert ft. Keith Urban tells a story of a past relationship filled with nostalgia and regret. The first verse describes the memories they shared, such as driving down a deserted road under the low-beam lights of the car, the teenager-like moments of making promises in the backseat, and missing the times when they were in love. The second verse talks about the hopelessness of moving on, as every song they hear reminds them of what they had, the love that they shared, now feels like a distant memory, and everything that used to be possible is now just dust. The chorus emphasizes the joy they had when they were in love, and how they relished the moment of being with each other, when the future was bright and time was endless.
The post-chorus talks about how instead of moving on, the vocalist closes their eyes and goes back to the past, feeling as if the once empty seat now has their past lover by their side. They want to relive the past moments with their past lover but know that they can't go back. The bridge of the song reminisces about how they were young and in love, and how they couldn't anticipate the end of their passion. The final lines of the song talk about how even though the thought of them being together again is impossible, they still feel their ex-lover's heartbeat as if they are still present.
Line by Line Meaning
Rearview crosses
Reflecting on the religious symbols seen through the rearview mirror while traveling on the road.
Railroad ties
Noticing the tracks and ties of a railway system.
Oh, Hail Marys
Mentioning prayers for hope and guidance.
Friday nights
Talking about the joy and excitement of Friday nights spent together.
Heartbeat baby
Reminiscing the love and affection felt between two people.
Low-beam lights
Describing the headlights of a car illuminating the road ahead.
God, I miss when you were mine
Expressing sadness and longing for the end of a relationship.
Back when that song was a song
Referring to a specific song that was significant during the relationship.
I could sing along without thinkin' 'bout you every time it came on
Recalling a time when the song was enjoyable to listen to without thoughts of the lost love.
Every beat, every line, every word, every time
Emphasizing how every aspect of the song was memorable and emotional.
When a road was a road
Reflecting on a time when a journey was just a journey and not a painful reminder of the past.
I could roll on through without wishin' that empty seat was you
Recalling driving alone without feeling the absence of the lost love in the passenger seat.
Money was gas, dreams were dust
Comparing how financial concerns and aspirations changed after the relationship ended.
Love was fast and we were us
Describing how passionate and exhilarating the relationship was in its prime.
Shotgun sunset
Describing a beautiful sunset viewed from the passenger seat of a car.
A cool mint kiss
Recalling the memory of a refreshing, minty kiss shared between the couple.
Backseat promise
Remembering a promise made in the intimacy of a car's backseat.
Breaking it
Reflecting on how easily promises can be broken and how trust can be lost.
Floorboard feeling
Recalling the sensation of the car vibrating beneath them on the road.
County lines
Traveling beyond the familiar city limits and experiencing new places together.
In a sleepy town, just jumping in
Describing the beginning of the relationship in a small, quiet town.
Far too young to know that summers end
Expressing how they were naive and unaware of the inevitable end of their relationship.
We were us, we can't go back
Acknowledging the impossibility of recreating the relationship from the past.
It's what it is, but God I miss
Accepting the reality of the situation but still feeling sadness for what was lost.
Every beat, every line, every word, every single time
Repeating earlier sentiments to show the lasting impact of the song and relationship.
I just close my eyes and you're ridin' shotgun
Imagining the presence of the lost love sitting next to them in the car.
You and me, baby, on the run
Remembering how exciting it was to be together and travel the world.
I miss you baby, I miss you baby, ooh
Expressing the depth of longing for the other person.
I'm on in
Signaling a change in emotions or state of mind.
Still with you, baby
Reaffirming love and commitment to the lost love.
I can feel your heartbeat, baby
Remembering the physical closeness and emotional connection felt between the two lovers.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jon Nite, Nicole Galyon, Jimmy Robbins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind