Famous in a Small Town

Album: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2007)
Charted: 87
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song about how "everyone dies famous in a small town" was awarded the Fan's Choice for Single Record of the Year at the 2008 ACM Awards. Additionally Lambert was the surprise winner of album of the year award for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
  • Miranda Lambert and Travis Howard wrote this. On the 2003 series of the reality TV show Nashville Star, which was won by Buddy Jewell, Lambert came 3rd and Howard 9th.
  • Miranda Lambert from her publicity materials: "We wrote that in my house, and it's exactly what it says. I've been on the front page of my hometown paper seven times. I wasn't trying to write a 'small town' song, I had gone around visiting people that day and it got me remembering situations. It all came back to me and came out in the song. They're true stories - if you're late for church, people are going to talk about it and be all in your business."
  • This song took on a new meaning after numerous rumors which suggested Lambert was pregnant, gay, or heading for divorce from her husband Blake Shelton. Onstage at the CMA Songwriters Series on July 11, 2013, the songstress was up front about the very untrue reports. "I've been pregnant, having twins, we've been separated, I'm drunk and alone, pregnant again, then we're having twins again, and now we're getting divorced," she said. "I can't even name the stuff. It's funny because I realize this song means even more to me now because I'm in the tabloids every week for being famous for something I didn't even do, than for something I want to be famous for, which is playing my damn guitar and writing a song."

Comments: 2

  • Bethany from Axtell, KsThis song is Amazing
  • Theresa from Murfreesboro, TnMiranda is a wonderful storyteller, I am not a fan of Country but she rocks!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

David Gray

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Black Sabbath

Black SabbathFact or Fiction

Dwarfs on stage with an oversize Stonehenge set? Dabbling in Satanism? Find out which Spinal Tap-moments were true for Black Sabbath.