About the song
In the realm of soul music, few voices resonate with the raw emotion and heartfelt sincerity of Luther Vandross. His velvety vocals, capable of soaring heights and tender whispers, have captivated audiences for decades, imbuing each note with an authenticity that has cemented his status as a legendary R&B icon. Among his vast repertoire of soulful gems, “A House Is Not a Home” stands as a poignant masterpiece, a ballad that delves into the profound depths of love, loss, and longing.
Released in 1981 as part of Vandross’s debut album, Never Too Much, “A House Is Not a Home” quickly established itself as a timeless classic. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to capture the universal human experience of yearning for connection and belonging, particularly in the absence of a cherished companion.
Vandross’s masterful delivery of the song’s lyrics, penned by the renowned songwriting duo of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, paints a vivid portrait of a heart yearning for the warmth and solace of a true home. The opening lines, “Sometimes I feel like a motherless child / Lost in a world so big and wild,” set the stage for a journey into the depths of emotional vulnerability.
As the song progresses, Vandross’s voice swells with emotion, conveying the protagonist’s growing sense of isolation and despair. The lyrics, “A house is not a home / When there’s no love of your own,” underscore the profound truth that a physical dwelling cannot provide the emotional fulfillment that only love can bring.
The song’s poignant chorus serves as a powerful refrain, echoing the protagonist’s longing for a love that transcends physical boundaries and creates a haven of emotional security:
“A house is not a home When there’s no love of your own And a man can’t live alone He needs someone to call his own”
Vandross’s vocal performance in the chorus is nothing short of breathtaking, his voice soaring to impassioned heights as he conveys the depth of the protagonist’s yearning. Each note is infused with a palpable longing, resonating with listeners who have experienced the ache of loneliness and the desperate desire for connection.
“A House Is Not a Home” is more than just a song; it’s an emotional tapestry woven with threads of love, loss, and longing. Vandross’s masterful interpretation of the lyrics, coupled with the song’s timeless melody and poignant message, has cemented its place as an enduring classic, a testament to the power of music to touch the human soul.
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Lyrics
A chair is still a chair, even when there’s no one sittin’ thereBut a chair is not a house and a house is not a homeWhen there’s no one there to hold you tightAnd no one there you can kiss goodnightWhoa, ohh, girlA room is still a room, oh, even when there’s nothin’ there but gloomBut a room is not a house and a house is not a homeWhen the two of us are far apartAnd one of us has a broken heartNow and then I call your nameAnd suddenly your face appearsBut it’s just a crazy gameWhen it ends, it ends in tearsPretty little darling, have a heart, don’t let one mistake keep us apartI’m not meant to live alone, turn this house into a homeWhen I climb the stairs and turn the keyOh, please be there, sayin’ that you’re still in love with me, yeahI’m not meant to live alone, turn this house into a homeWhen I climb the stairs and turn the keyOh, please be there, still in loveI said still in loveStill in love with me, yeahAre you gonna be in love with me?I want you and need you to be, yeahStill in love with meSay you’re gonna be in love with meIt’s drivin’ me crazy to think that my babyCouldn’t be still in love with meAre you gonna be, say you’re gonna beAre you gonna be, say you’re gonna beAre you gonna be, say you’re gonna beWell, well, well, wellStill in love, so in love, still in love with me?Are you gonna beSay that you’re gonna beStill in love with me, yeahWith me, ohhStill in love with me, yeah