Pistol Annies’ ‘Hunger Games’ Song ‘Begged’ to Be on Soundtrack

With much of the country gripped in "The Hunger Games" fever, those who've read the books have strong opinions about the film. But for the trio known as Pistol Annies, their opinion of the books led to penning a song in honor of "Hunger Games" heroine Katniss Everdeen. Based on a line from the book, Angaleena Presley, Miranda Lambert and Ashley Monroe wrote "Run Daddy Run," a tune that's now featured on the film's chart-topping soundtrack.

"Angaleena had read 'The Hunger Games' and talked me and Miranda into reading it, and we all fell in love with it,' Ashley tells the Hollywood Reporter. "[We] all could relate to it in different ways. [Angaleena] was a coal miner's daughter, [Miranda] is a bow hunter, as Katniss was, and my dad died at an early age, I kind of took care of my mom. We were so inspired by the book and the story that it told, so we wrote [the song] and forced our way onto the soundtrack. It was our goal."

Although they are now part of the best-selling collection, which was produced by T Bone Burnett and also includes tracks from Taylor Swift, the Civil Wars, Secret Sisters and Maroon 5, Miranda says their inclusion happened because they "kind of begged our way through."

Because of her affinity for the "Hunger Games" books, Angaleena says she's proud to be involved. "Its breathtaking to me," she notes. "This project has created so many new readers -- Literacy abounds, I love it!"

"She's a nerd," adds Miranda with a deadpan expression.

"Hunger Games: Songs From District 12" is available now. Pistol Annies will tour with Miranda this summer and are planning a new Pistol Annies album to follow up the critically-acclaimed "Hell on Heels."