The meaning of ‘Actin Up’ is about being a fearless and independent woman who has done everything she wants to do and wants to continue living life like that. Lambert depicts her empowerment, showing how strong she feels about herself and her place in the world.

Living Carefree in a Gassed-Up Mustang

In ‘Actin’ Up,’ Miranda Lambert advises her listeners to live a carefree, fun life; embracing new experiences and making the most of every day. In contrast, many of her other songs focus on love and loss. The song is produced by Lambert’s friends/coworkers, Dann Huff and Mark Bright, who write about their experiences with Lambert in the song’s accompanying music video. Lambert recently told Rolling Stone the song is about a female protagonist who is a “little bit naughty.” It serves as a more nuanced kind of attitude song.

Life Is Too Short: Enjoy It

‘Actin’ Up’ is an upbeat anthem encouraging listeners to live life to the fullest. The music video for ‘Actin’ Up’ is cheeky, uplifting, and a bit silly. Lambert, who directed the video, portrays herself as a clown in the circus troupe accompanying her on stage during her shows.

The clowns put on an entertaining show for fans across the country. Lambert first introduces the clowns as a group at the end of her show in Indianapolis, Indiana. A crowd of adults applauds enthusiastically as the clowns take to their spots and begin to perform.

Lambert is often called a “country queen” because she knows how to deliver a charming performance. Her signature style is tattoo-accented boots and red lipstick, with her hair in a tight side or top bun. Lambert wears all of these items in the video for “Actin’ Up,” but the look is far from girlish – instead, she is an energetic and confident singer who has truly made it.

According to Miranda, Actin’ Up felt right for the first song. “We worked on this record for two years you know, and I lived with all these songs and then the Marcus songs coming in to the picture with a whole different vibe. I just took a step back and I was like, Tell me from we all took a break from listening to it for like a month before we sequenced it because everyone was like, just needed a minute. And Jason Lenning was a huge part of that. He was an engineer on this record and he had an idea from the beginning because he was a little outside of it, not being the songwriter or like bogged down in the work tape or whatever, but I did not feel right to everybody because it sort of eases you into this journey, because you’re like, what are we doing here? You know what I mean?”

Lyrics Credit- 

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Charles Dick / Jon Randall / Miranda Lambert

Actin’ Up lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics: 

Mirror, mirror on the saddle, hear my rhinestones rattle
Actin’ up
Billy Bob Texas pickin’ out new exes
Actin’ up
If you really wanna want me, I’ll be riding on my pony
Just a-singing “Mony Mony”
‘Cause I’m-mm, I’m actin’ up

Even Tiger Woods couldn’t swing it this good
I’m actin’ up
My McQueen Mustang, hundred dollars in the tank
Gas it up
I’m out in the Mojave, call me Ricky, call me Bobby
Call me hotter than wasabi
‘Cause I’m-mm, I’m actin’ up

I want a sunset ride, a velvet rodeo
A Colorado high, a California glow
I want to see the desert from a painted palomino
Senorita need to have a little fun
I’m actin’ up
Mm, I’m actin’ up

Looking for the lightning, when I find it then I rhyme it
Actin’ up
Little lone star Elvis, gonna get a little selfish
Shackin’ up
With my microphone money bought my own milk and honey
Got my own kind of country, kinda funky
Turn it up

I want a sunset ride, a velvet rodeo
A Colorado high, a California glow
I want to see the desert from a painted palomino
Senorita need to have a little fun
I’m actin’ up

I got a heart on fire, boy, don’t you want to hold it?
I’m a really good trip, don’t you wanna go on it

I want a sunset ride, a velvet rodeo
A Colorado high, a California glow
I want to see the desert from a painted palomino
Senorita need to have a little fun
Mm, I’m actin’ up
Mm, I’m actin’ up

I’m actin’ up
Mm, I’m actin’ up

Listeners that enjoy songs from the 2020’s may also be interested in the song Evergreen by Omar Apollo

This article was first published September 26th, 2022 and last updated May 19th 2023