Miranda Lambert Breaks Down Singing “House” at First Concert Back
They say home is where the heart is, and sometimes that is not a physical place, but a place in time. Very often many of us don’t feel at home in our own domiciles, or towns or cities, or even our era in time, especially these days, leaving one in an ever-present feeling of uneasiness. You turn on the corporate radio station, and wonder where it all went wrong for country music, and who would ever listen to that racket. It feels so foreign.
Miranda Lambert went home this weekend; back to Texas where she’s from. Raised in Lindale a little east of the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex, you can be sure Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth known as the “World’s Largest Honky Tonk” loomed large in her ethos when she was growing up, while also being there to offer her a stage and an audience earlier in her career.
As the pandemic has put a kibosh on big gatherings, Billy Bob’s has also become one of the few places that can accommodate live music, and from larger names due to the location’s massive, 100,000 sq.ft. capacity facilitating some 1,200 fans socially distanced. This is the reason Miranda Lambert and other big country names have booked shows at the location, which Lambert sold out three consecutive nights at this weekend (4-22 thru 4-24).
One of the reasons music fans cherish the live music experience so much is it’s often the only opportunity to truly feel at home, surrounded by like-minded people, sharing moments you know you’ll remember for years, or forever. You could be from right down the street, or you could have flown in from Atlanta. It doesn’t matter. In those moments, you’re enveloped with those warm feelings embodied in the term “home.”
Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” written by Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin is one of those country songs that you know folks will still be listening to 100 years from now or more. Because it embodies that sense of “home” like no other. Lambert’s known to get a little weepy on stage, including during “The House That Built Me.” But after performing the song hundreds and hundreds of times by now, the emotion of those moments has to be mostly sapped for her, even if they still feel fresh to the audience.
But when she took the stage Thursday night to perform “The House That Built Me” on a stage that must feel like home, and in front of a live audience for the first time in too long, it was too much.
It’s these moments that we’ve lost, that no live stream will ever replace, and no video will ever do justice to (though it’s appreciated for sure). It’s the reason that live music and the places and people that make it happen must be preserved at all costs. Because for some, it’s the only sense of home they will ever experience, and the only respite from a world that feels forever foreign.
“They say, you can’t go back home again.”
But Miranda Lambert did Thursday night. And took the rest of us with her.
OKCountry
April 24, 2021 @ 11:03 am
She cried Thursday night, got through it no problem last night.
Mary
April 26, 2021 @ 3:16 am
Dear Bwgarretson Covid is not a hoax,we still need to stay safe ,practice safe distancing,good hygiene. Yes getting back to what we were use to,is great and good for moral but with caution and common sense. . Tell those who lost family to Covid its not real.,all I can say is you and your family are lucky you didn’t get sick.My family was not myself included.,we had 6 people come down with it.I know myself and others did practice safe measures but somehow we still got sick.and everyone of us had different symptoms/reaction
.ages 84-56 the oldest member spent 2 weeks under medical care, the youngest member spent 20 days in hospital before loosing his battle.Covid attacks your lungs his battle was hard. He was our youngest brother..Stop spreading untrue statements. please .I love music we missed our scheduled concert twice due to Covid canceled concerts as well as canceled trip
that was payed for and our family would miss them again if necessary, human lives are more Important..
Gerry Bernard
April 26, 2021 @ 6:25 pm
Please explain this to the protesters.
Donald McNeill
April 26, 2021 @ 3:05 pm
I know just how Miranda Lambert feels, cause I’ve been there more than people can count. She has NO idea how much I care and feel for her, I’d give her my life if she would let me. Please let her know what I’m writing, so she might feel a little bit more comfortable with her self. I would do anything she asked me to.
Catherine aikens
April 26, 2021 @ 4:32 pm
Blake and Miranda seem such a perfect match for each other. I am aware they have moved on, l hope Blake doesn’t jump into marrying the other lady too fast.
Denny
May 24, 2021 @ 8:50 am
Such a perfect match she cheated on him and physically abused him. Did you forget she married another cheater a year or two ago and that Blake is marrying the love of his life shortly? They were never a perfect match by all accounts, especially his family.
Imre
April 24, 2021 @ 12:55 pm
I had a very pleasant Saturday night, now both me and my wife are crying!
Two Time Slim
April 24, 2021 @ 2:58 pm
Never really gave Miranda much thought or attention, she was just always outside of my focus. Then the wife dragged me to her show in Denver around March last year before everything shut down, and I really had a great time. Threw a few of her songs on playlists during the pandemic and have really been getting into her. Now I’ve pre-ordered the Marfa Tapes and am getting really excited as that release nears. Now clips like this are making me think I might be becoming ‘stan’.
Jay Eff
April 26, 2021 @ 7:43 am
This happened to me too. I overlooked it until a drive back from a bad camping trip where a friend played Miranda the whole time back – it was the headspace I was in that allowed me to listen to the writing, arrangement… never looked back.
Hey Arnold
April 24, 2021 @ 4:31 pm
Remember that the song was initially sent to Blake Shelton. Miranda heard the demo & sobbed. Blake gave it to her since they were dating back then. Probably circa 2009
Hey Arnold
April 24, 2021 @ 5:33 pm
If they never dated or were broken up prior to 2009, it would of been a Blake song.
Crazy how fate & timing works.
Granted, Blake’s version would have been fantastic too. It’s a powerful song!
Sam
April 24, 2021 @ 7:38 pm
And Scott has never forgiven him. Interesting but about this in the Variety interview with Scott Hendricks last month or so.
Pam Richardson
April 26, 2021 @ 2:03 pm
Wow, Miranda is my girl, I love this song. I cried right along with her as I was watching this video. You can tell people really love her and her songs. The audience knew every word to the song. HOW AWESOME.
Jo
April 25, 2021 @ 1:35 am
She fell in love with it and cried when she heard it because so much of the song was really similar to her own life. Her Dad did build her Mom a home, she did bury a favorite dog in that yard, and she really did learn to play guitar in the room she did her homework in. When a song like that comes around how can you not sing it. It’s why I’m sure it was so meaningful and emotional to sing in her Home State. I’m so glad Blake let her have it, that was meant to be hers.
hoptowntiger94
April 24, 2021 @ 5:32 pm
When most careers at this point are plateauing or fading, Miranda seems be gearing up for another chapter.
Hey Arnold
April 24, 2021 @ 6:07 pm
She’s in the same camp as Eric Church. Both started out at the same time too. Around 2006. Some artists after 15 yrs call it closing time… Not them
Pat
April 24, 2021 @ 5:42 pm
Love you Miranda! Stay the same as you are now. Always loved you and Blake singing together but love you with your husband. He is so handsome.
Joede
April 24, 2021 @ 6:38 pm
Love Miranda
Her songs are wonderful and fresh ..keep going you have a long way to go cause everyone loves you…
Doug
April 24, 2021 @ 8:38 pm
That song makes me cry when I hear it.
Dana cartwright noe
April 25, 2021 @ 7:27 am
Omg yes it does.. makes you wont to pull over and turn on your and enjoy piecefully. You will need a paddle when it’s completely over
Victoria
April 24, 2021 @ 9:40 pm
Love Miranda! So talented!
Betty
April 24, 2021 @ 11:50 pm
Jack Ingram also showed up and sang with Miranda that same night. Love Miranda and THTBM.
Rob
April 25, 2021 @ 12:09 am
Love you Miranda! Glad to see you won’t sell out to Hollywood. Stay true to yourself and, your fans will always follow. You are a beautiful example of true Country music in a world of sell-outs.
Sam
April 25, 2021 @ 2:36 pm
Rob. She has a podcast that is based in LA. Her PR firm is based in LA. And she’s looking at other projects. Yep. Based in Hollywood. She will go with whomever she needs to to get the projects through. She creates a narrative like every artist does.
Jay Eff
April 27, 2021 @ 11:58 am
I think Miranda has proved that she is fully committed to country music. So what that she helped out with a podcast, and what good PR firm isn’t in LA or New York?
Patricia Beechler
April 25, 2021 @ 4:50 am
Miranda, That is my favorite song by you. It has so much love, and emotion to it. You hang in there lady with your new husband. My dad never made it big, but God bless him, he actually played at the Grand Ole Opry years ago. He and his brother were called, The Kentucky Twins. My dad’s name is Stan Hankinson. His brothers name was Melvin. Keep up the great singing! I love your voice! Go Country! ❤️🎶👍
Tyler Wayne
April 25, 2021 @ 6:47 am
Saw her Friday night. It’s always fun seeing her and hearing her cover Alan and Merle was next level
Jay Eff
April 27, 2021 @ 11:57 am
Tyler – were people distancing at all? Did many choose to do masks? Not to get into the COVID thing, just curious. I kind of want to take a quick flight down and go Sunday night, but it looks like a pretty big mass of people. I don’t want to put my family back here at risk if there’s no distancing (I know masks are no longer required). Never been to Billy Bob’s.
Jessica smith
April 25, 2021 @ 7:02 am
She started her career on Nashville Stars, she was 21. She is 37 now. I have followed her ever since. She writes the music that makes me sing, dance, cry and laugh (got my name changed back). She is my spirit animal and I will forever grateful for the energy she gives me. 💜
Connie Benko
April 25, 2021 @ 7:28 am
Miranda “you are the very best” you are human like all of us with “ true feelings from the heart” I had chills just watching it & I cried right along with you !! 💖 Keep doing what your doing, like I said your the best … I love you along with all the other fans ! Be safe Excellent!!
Dana cartwright noe
April 25, 2021 @ 7:31 am
That waz a good playback(: she wooed them like cats and dogs. My lil tail cried like a wounded puppy
Jack W
April 25, 2021 @ 7:39 am
I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I have gotten to see Raul Malo, Marty Stuart and Jorma Kaukonen do limited ticket (200 max) solo shows at my beloved Birchmere in the DC area. One common thread of those shows was how grateful they all were to be able to have the opportunity to get out and play a live show. Raul Malo was even more chatty than normal because I think he was just giddy with happiness. Jorma made a point to Facetime Jack Casady at the beginning of the show to share the experience with him.
Sam Cody
April 25, 2021 @ 9:51 am
For a whole lot of people that stage is home! Coming back to it after being stuck at secondary home for a year is going to get a lot of people breaking down.
Bwgarretson
April 25, 2021 @ 10:59 am
Social distancing??? Nope we all know covid is a hoax.
Jaimito
April 25, 2021 @ 12:39 pm
Good god man… I think somebody’s chopping onions in here. Damn, I miss live music, and moments like that right there!
moronda
April 25, 2021 @ 9:57 pm
crying during drunk karaoke It’s not even her song. how is this better than backstreet boys and nsync where you have older men in their 50s writing your music??
Marmarbama
April 26, 2021 @ 3:14 pm
Moronic comment. She writes 90% of her music. Unnecessary hateful.
Euro South
April 28, 2021 @ 4:17 pm
Bravo, Trig. Beautiful.
Miranda is great because, despite the superstardom and whatnot, she’s real and stays true to her roots.
Jentucky
April 28, 2021 @ 5:04 pm
Such a great song.
Maria G
April 29, 2021 @ 9:05 am
She pulls the crying routine on every single tour and the country media outlets fall for it every time. Article after article about her crying. Cant blame her for knowing how to get some free press, I guess.
MostlyMetal
April 29, 2021 @ 1:06 pm
Your last paragraph sums it all up. Hell, I may cry at the first show I attend.
Anthony
May 2, 2021 @ 9:53 am
“You turn on the corporate radio station, and wonder where it all went wrong for country music, and who would ever listen to that racket. It feels so foreign.” Amen, brother.