Bricks and Mortar (Don't make you a home)
Bricks And Mortar (Don’t Make You A Home)
Intro
Bricks and mortar can make you a home
But it’s cold and lonely if you’re all alone
-1-
We built a house on a clifftop
With views right over the sea
We thought that it was paradise
I loved you and you loved me
I said we’ll stay here forever
And be as happy as happy can be
It’s the ideal place, with lots of space
To start a family
Chorus
Bricks and mortar can make you a home
But it’s cold and lonely if you’re all alone
You could live in a palace, but when you’re on your own
You’ll find bricks and mortar can’t make you a home
-2-
Things were taking off in my career
And I soon got me a promotion
But I had no time to spend at home
And watch the sun set o’er the ocean
You were a bird in a gilded cage
That had lost the will to fly
You’d be lonely all, day while I was away
And all you’d do is cry
-Chorus-
-3-
I came home after a business trip
To see my pretty bird had flown
She left a short note telling me
That our house was not her home
And I shouldn’t try to find her
She’d gone to another town
She didn’t say where, and I didn’t care
Or try and track her down.
-Chorus-
-Middle Eight-
And now most every evening
I watch the sun set o’er the sea
And wonder where my bird has flown
And does she ever think of me?
-Chorus-
No, bricks and mortar can’t make you a home
Cos’ only love can make you a home
-Ends-
Nice storytelling, with a catchy chorus that had me swaying in time!
Hi Kevin, Thanks for your kind words. A couple of people said they liked the chorus, which is very pleasing. Cheers.
Nice bouncy feel with a sad twist at the end – very Country. Tidy stuff Phil
Thanks, Huw appreciate your comments. I love country music so this was a fun one to write. Cheers.
Very catchy phrasing and a universal theme. I thoroughly enjoyed listening. I singing along with the chorus by the end. Well done.
Many Thanks,Suzie – I really appreciate you taking the time to give it a whirl. A few folks have said they sang along with the chorus, which makes me feel both pleased and proud, I need to work on my performance, but I’m hoping that will come in time. Thanks again. Cheers.
As I said on fb, how true! A sad song with a happy feel! It’s a very satisfying combination!
Thanks a lot, Tracy, I appreciate you taking the time to comment on both forums.
I like the way the bouncy rhythm belies the sad turn in the story. I hope it isn’t autobiographical. A good song, with a universal message stated in the final line
Definitely a singalong chorus, and a sad little cautionary tale
Thanks to Kris and Paul for their kind words. Happy to say, Paul, this isn’t autobiographical – Sue and I celebrated our ruby wedding anniversary this year! (though how she has put up with me for so long is anyone’s guess!). Both of you have mentioned the sad nature of the song – I’m a massive country music fan, so I guess ‘sad’ is all I can write! Thanks to you both.
Really enjoyed that Phil, great use of the classic country juxtaposition of sentiment and melody.
Cheers, Andy. I had an idea for a song for this month’ contest and got the first verse down with ease. However, try as I might, I couldn’t take it any further. I was sitting on the sofa thinking I’d skip this month’s competition when the idea for the song you listened came into my head. I hate the phrase that ‘it wrote itself’, because that rarely happens, but I certainly had the lyrics finished within half-an-hour. The melody isn’t terribly original – a bit ‘country by numbers’ but, like you say, it does give the juxtaposition between sad lyrics and jaunty melody. Thanks for listening, I appreciate it. Cheers.
The dreams, the choices, the realities- they’re all here, Phil. You tell the age-old story of love & loss very engagingly.
Enjoyed the story behind the song, upbeat country tune going on there which is always great in my book 😀
Thanks, Rebecca and Suzanne for your kind words. This was a fun one to write as I was paying homage to a kind of country music that got lost when ‘Nash Trash’ came on the scene and, worse yet, ‘Bro’ Country’ (which, thankfully seem to be on the way out). Keep it country, y’all! Cheers.
Great song, Phil. Kind of downbeat, just my type of song!
Downbeat, I can do! It’s the upbeat ones that cause problems! Cheers.
As I said on FB I really enjoyed this Phil
Cheers, Cath. It was a fun one to write, and I managed to write it surprisingly quickly. Thanks.