Liz Longley
patreon
Unreleased Song #21: Bigger Than This House
🕑 Added 2022-04-02 18:00:04 +0000 UTCIt’s not every day you get to write with one of your songwriting heroes. I’d been a fan of Lori McKenna’s since I saw her on the Oprah show in 2005. If you’ve heard her album Lorraine, you can’t help but feel like you know her through the personal stories in her songs. I highly recommend diving into that one, not to mention all the hits she’s written from “Girl Crush” to “Humble & Kind” and “Always Remember Us This Way” for A Star Is Born.
In 2014, I was being courted by Universal Music Publishing. I never did end up signing a songwriting deal with them (chose the competing record deal instead) but they set me up on a few cool co-writing sessions. The opportunity to write with Lori McKenna came up and I was simultaneously excited and terrified. I was touring through Massachusetts that January, and two days were scheduled to write with her at her house. I mean, just the fact that I got to go to her house… lol… I sound like a real creep.
Usually I walk into a co-write without a song idea. I like to build something from scratch to see what can happen organically after we chat about what is going on in each of our lives. This time was different. I didn’t think I’d be able to relax enough to be creative on the spot.
If you know anything about Lori, you can tell she is the kindest, most welcoming person. It’s no surprise she made me feel right at home writing with her. Nevertheless, I was glad I came in with an idea. I had a rough chorus melody, a few lyrics, and a running title: Our Love Is Bigger Than This House.
She was into the concept and we wrote this song together with ease. I loved the experience, but after some reflection, I didn’t feel as if I'd sing myself. I didn’t relate to it (see original lyrics below, note that I don't like beer and have never smoked a cigarette hahahaha). It's a crime to have a Lori McKenna song in your catalog and not share it with the world. For years, I wished there was a way to rework it but I didn’t know where to begin.
Cut to current day where I share a house with the love of my life. He’s the most solid, loving partner I could have ever dreamt up. Meanwhile, the house feels like it is falling apart (as you may have heard me ramble about in March’s voicemail). Simply put, our house is not built as well as our relationship is… and that reminded me of this song.
Feeling inspired, I sat down and rewrote the verses and added a verse to fill it out. The next day I recorded it at home and sent it to Lori to see if she approved. She loved it and said she was “honored to be a small part of this big feeling you made!!” What a clever songwriter-y thing to say! Did I mention she’s way, way too humble?!
If you’re curious of the song’s evolution, here are two sets of lyrics. The original & the re-written.
ORIGINAL LYRICS:
VERSE 1
It’s a little ring but it’s everything 'cause you put it on my hand
It’s a little place but we make the best of a tiny piece of land
You & me and these four walls sure don’t feel that small
CHORUS:
Our love is bigger than this house, Stronger than the tin roof and the rain pouring down
Our love is a light when they all go out, Sweeter than anything we don’t have now
Our love is bigger than this house
VERSE 2
It’s a Tuesday night under the kitchen light, it’s a bedroom cigarette
It’s sitting out here and sharing a beer that we’re never gonna forget
We’ll look back on these four walls and know we had it all
CHORUS REPEATS
BRIDGE:
Is there a space big enough to hold?
Don’t we got a love that fills these rooms babe?
Don’t we got a love we can’t outgrow?
UPDATED LYRICS:
VERSE 1
It’s a little ring but it’s everything cause you put it on my hand
It’s a small town home but we make the most of a humble piece of land
Someday we’ll look back, and know we had it all
VERSE 2
It’s a Tuesday night, in the kitchen light with the hope of the holidays
It's two pink lines, tears in our eyes, and knowing our life had changed
All our memories in these walls sure don’t feel that small
CHORUS:
Our love is bigger than this house, Stronger than the tin roof and the rain pouring down
Our love is a light when they all go out, Sweeter than anything we don’t have now
Our love is bigger than this house
VERSE 3
In this mighty world, it’s a little girl, a smile that fills our home
It’s her tiny feet, and watching her sleep, and the greatest love we’ve known
And oh as she grows, she’ll see what matters most
CHORUS REPEATS
BRIDGE:
There’s isn't a space big enough to hold
Oh we have a love that fills these rooms babe
Oh we got a love we can’t outgrow
.
Phew, that was a lot. If you read this whole thing, THANK YOU for even caring. It's such a joy to have a space where we can geek out on this music stuff. You guys are the best. Hope you enjoy the song.
XO - LL
