Miranda Lambert ACM Awards
Miranda Lambert performs a medley at the 54th annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Story Behind the Song: Miranda Lambert Keeps the Faith on 'Bluebird'

Since its Aug. 15, 2019 unveiling, Miranda Lambert has picked up another No. 1 country music hit on the Billboard charts and a live ACM Awards appearance with "Bluebird," a song of hope that's become many country fans' independence anthem.

Written by Lambert, Luke Dick and Natalie Hemby, "Bluebird" captures Lambert's resilient, fiery spirit, while showcasing her vulnerability.

"And if the house just keeps on winning, I get a wildcard up my sleeve/ And if love starts giving me lemons, I just mix 'em in my drink," Lambert sings. "And if the whole wild world stops singing and all the stars go dark/ I'll keep the light on in my soul and keep a bluebird in my heart."

It was inspired by the Charles Bukowski poem of the same name, which begins "there's a bluebird in my heart that wants to get out."

The song was the fourth release from Wildcard. Lambert previously released "It All Comes Out in the Wash," "Locomotive" and "Mess With My Head" before the Jay Joyce-produced album's Nov. 1, 2019 release.

Wildcard was Lambert's first new music since 2016's The Weight of These Wings, which featured the ACM's 2018 Country Song of the Year, "Tin Man."

"Bluebird" got designated as a single on Dec. 9, 2019. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart dated Aug. 1, 2020, making it Lambert's first solo chart-topper since "Over You" in May 2012.

Lambert and her co-writers will perform the country radio hit during the ACM Awards in an apt spot: Nashville's most famous listening room, the Bluebird Cafe.

Other artists performing at the Bluebird Cafe include Tim McGraw, who'll perform "I Called Mama," Luke Combs, who'll sing " Better Together" and Jimmie Allen, who'll sing "Make Me Want To."

Read More: Hear Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani's New Duet 'Happy Anywhere'

During the main broadcast, Lambert will likely be rooting for her superstar friend Carrie Underwood to win Entertainer of the Year over four worthy opponents: Combs, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett and Eric Church. That same evening, Lambert and Underwood will compete for Female Artist of the Year against Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris.

The award show, originally scheduled for April 5 in Las Vegas, has been postponed to Sept. 16 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It will be hosted by Keith Urban.

This story originally ran on Aug. 15, 2019.

'Bluebird' Lyrics:

Yeah, I'm a turner
I turn pages all the time
Don't like where I'm at
34 was bad, so I just turned to 35
Yeah, I'm a keeper
I keep diggin' down for the deep
Like the records I'm playin'
They might keep you waitin'
But you know I'm gonna play 'em for keeps

And if the house just keeps on winning
I get a wildcard up my sleeve
And if love keeps giving me lemons
I just mix 'em in my drink
And if the whole wild world stops singing
And all the stars go dark
I turn the light on in my soul
And keep a bluebird in my heart

I'm a giver
Yeah and I'm still givin 'em hell
Forgiving's pretty hard
So I made an art out of forgetting 'em well
Yeah, I'm a rhymer
I can turn twenty cents into a 10
If I get confused and I start to lose
I rhyme the dime till it all makes sense

And if the house just keeps on winning
I get a wildcard up my sleeve
And if love keeps giving me lemons
I just mix 'em in my drink
And if the whole wild world stops singing
And all the stars go dark
I turn the light on in my soul
And keep a bluebird in my heart

And if the house just keeps on winning
I get a wildcard up my sleeve
And if love starts giving me lemons
I just mix 'em in my drink
And if the whole wild world stops singing
And all the stars go dark
I'll keep the light on in my soul
And keep a bluebird in my heart

Keep a bluebird in my heart
And the bluebird sings

Now Watch: The Best Miranda Lambert Music Videos

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