On Losing Sleep & Gaining Weight. On Pain & Shame & Crazy Trains

You ever have an album that speaks deeply to your soul? So deeply, you swear you are there, during the writing process, pouring your heart out? The Weight of These Wings is that for me. Miranda Lambert is my true soul sister, and her albums always meet me where I am in life. Always. It’s actually crazy.

Miranda is a damn superstar, so many of you may be asking why I am writing about her. Put simply, she is underrated and misunderstood at times. Here is the thing, she is more than a sassy, outspoken woman. She sings about more than lighting cheaters on fire; not all of her songs are upbeat, and she is a damn good writer. She is a human and she is so transparent about her emotions, life, and demons.

This last album was such a pivotal moment in her career. She went through a divorce and we all were thinking this album may be ‘Kerosene Pt 2.’ But instead we got a story. We saw her vices, we peeked into her soul.

This album is actually hard to write about for me. It speaks for itself; as do the best albums.

My favorite part of this album is that it is a true album. It tells a story. It doesn’t have any obvious singles. There is nothing more transparent than an album that contains 2-3. radio friendly singles, with “fillers” mixed in. This album is so opposite of this trend, that it actually hasn’t had great success with any singles released. Miranda also released darker, brutally honest singles, showing she was really here to do her own thing, despite what is considered a “radio hit.” Some would say that Miranda’s career has suffered because of this move. Because she did not exploit the upbeat, sassy girl power sound on this album.

But I would actually say the exact opposite. I believe this album shows immense artistic growth. I believe it shows vulnerability. I believe it shows heart. I believe it shows humanity. Listening to this album feels like having a heart to heart with your best friend. Oh….and let’s not forget that this is a double album. 24 pieces of pure gold.

In various interviews, Miranda has talked about moving to Nashville after the divorce and going out to Midtown every night. (For those of you who don’t live here, Midtown is where the locals actually go it, Broadway is a tourist trap). Y’all she is just like us; she orders a Miller Lite and hangs out. In fact, she is still sitting there “as the ugly lights come on,” which is what inspired Ugly Lights.

There are the songs that are full of heartbreak: Runnin’ Just In Case, You Wouldn't Know Me, Getaway Driver, Use My Heart, Tin Man, Things That Break, Well-Rested, To Learn Her. They are all beautiful, sad, but hopeful at the same time. To Learn Her is one of those blessed songs that is just COUNTRY. It’s twangy, simple, classic, and pure gold.

The ones that talk about the messy, imperfect crazy trains: Vice, We Should Be Friends, Ugly Lights, Covered Wagon, Six Degrees of Separation. All so unique, and so needed.

The ones that are fun: Highway Vagabond, Pink Sunglasses, Smoking Jacket, Tomboy, For the Birds, Bad Boy. These are so different than Miranda’s typical upbeat songs. They are more chill, more “whatever.” Don’t get me wrong, I love Miranda’s Fastest Girl in Town vibes, but this album brings such a unique feel. Highway Vagabond makes me want to pack up all my shit, travel around aimlessly, and leave the drama behind.

There’re are also the ones that are hopeful: Pushin’ Time, Good Ol’ Days, Dear Old Sun, Keeper of The Flame, I’ve Got Wheels. I love that these are sprinkled throughout the album as little reminders that there is always hope, always better days.

Personally, Pushin’ Time will always be extremely special to me, as it I reminiscent of September 12, 2015, which was the day I got married. It is the only love song on the album, as it recounts the day she met Anderson East: “Oh how I remember well, the sunset on September 12th.” We just happened to have an absolute perfect sunset in the rural rolling hills of Northern Missouri where I am from that day, and many of our wedding guests still talk about that to this day. I’m not a classic romantic, but that is absolute perfection. {Soul Sister}

The album ended in the perfect way. “Sometimes these wings get a little heavy & I can’t stay between the lines, but I’m rocking steady. When I can’t fly, I start to fall, but I’ve got wings, I’m rolling on.” Flawless.

As much as I hate celebrity gossip, Miranda was very transparent that this was her “version” of the story as it pertains to her divorce. So I will say this: The Weight of These Wings is raw emotion, but bitterness is not present. She takes a look inwardly, owns her shit, explains her heartbreak, and moves on. BLESS.

“...I wrote the book on losing sleep & gaining weight. On pain & shame & crazy trains.”

Music is medicine. Love you long time, Miranda.


Xoxo
Faith

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CMA Songwriters Series for this album. Long, but so worth it, I promise.