Kacey Musgraves Says It’s Hard to Write Songs When She’s Happy

Rising country star Kacey Musgraves is fast becoming known for her wise-beyond-her-years songs. The 24-year-old had a hit straight out of the box with last year's 'Merry Go Round,' a rather bleak portrayal of small town life, and her current single, 'Blowin' Smoke,' is written from the perspective of a group of waitresses on a smoke break talking trash. But one thing she doesn't have a lot of is straight love songs, and in a new interview, Musgraves admits it's more difficult to write now that she's in a happy relationship herself.

"I draw inspiration from everywhere. So a lot of what I write is what's happened to me, but I get ideas from observing others, too," she tells CMT Offstage, adding that right now she is in love.

"Lately, it's funny because I almost need to be depressed sometimes to get good material," she observes. "It's hard to write when you're really happy, so I'll ask a co-writer, 'Please tell me about the terrible parts of your relationship.'"

Musgraves' professional life could hardly be going any better. Her debut album, 'Same Trailer, Different Park,' bowed at No. 1 in the country charts the weeks of its release, and she is spending much of the summer on tour with Kenny Chesney in the biggest venues in the country. But while she appreciates the success, she looks at it with caution.

"I want to be around for a long time, so it's a little scary to be checking these things off my bucket list already," she admits. "I'm like, 'Wait, wait, wait. I'm cool with doing that in five years. I'm willing to work for it.'"