Long Way Home (Steven Curtis Chapman song)
| "Long Way Home" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Steven Curtis Chapman | ||||
| from the album Re:creation | ||||
| Released | 2012 | |||
| Genre | Contemporary Christian | |||
| Length | 4:14 | |||
| Label | Sparrow | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Chapman | |||
| Producer(s) | Chapman, Phil Naish, Brent Milligan, Geoff Moore | |||
| Steven Curtis Chapman singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Long Way Home" is a song performed by contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman, taken from his 2011 album Re:creation. Written and composed by Chapman, the song is led by the ukulele and has a "sandy beach flavor" and "laid-back island vibe". It lyrically ponders life on Earth being "just a journey", with the destination being Heaven; it also discusses trials in Chapman's own life. It met with positive critical response, with many critics regarding it as the best song from Re:creation.
Background and composition[edit]
In an interview with Deborah Evans Price of The Boot, Chapman described "Long Way Home" as "God just letting me sort of smile with music again".[1] Chapman added that "There was such a heaviness [following the death of his daughter Maria] that music became so deep and so heavy. Then I discovered ukulele and it was like God saying, 'Here play this for a little while and I want you to smile a little bit again with music. I want it to be fun.' You can't frown and play a ukulele. There's just no way. It just makes you smile. I think that's why Hawaiians are all so happy".[1] In a separate interview with Caroline Leak of CCM Magazine, he described it as a "traveling song",[2] elaborating that "We're on this journey and though today feels long, we're going to make it. It may not be a mountain top day, bit it feels appropriate to sing about that. And it feels appropriate to play it on a ukulele".[2]
"Long Way Home" is led by the ukulele,[1][2][3][4][5][6] and features a "sandy beach flavor"[5] and "laid-back island vibe".[7] Lyrically, it alludes to Chapman's personal trials[4] as well as earth being a journey on the way to heaven.[5] The lyrics to "Long Way Home" are "gut-wrenching"[6] and "evidence of ever-deepening songwriting and spiritual maturity".[4]
Reception[edit]
Critical reception[edit]
"Long Way Home" received a positive reception from critics, with several regarding the song as among the best songs from Re:creation.[3][6] Jeremy V. Jones of Christianity Today regarded the song as "the lynchpin of [Re:creation]",[3] noting "There's a weighted authenticity when Chapman sings, 'I had no way of knowing just how hard this journey could be / 'Cause the valleys are deeper and the mountains are steeper than I ever would've dreamed / But I know we're gonna make it.' It's fitting that the tune is carried by a ukulele, the instrument that Chapman says restored fun to music".[3] Ed Cardinal of Crosswalk.com praised the song as "evidence of ever-deepening songwriting and spiritual maturity [from Chapman]".[4] John DiBiase of Jesus Freak Hideout described "Long Way Home" as "a fun little ukulele-driven tune".[5] Kevin Davis of New Release Tuesday praised the song as "the highlight of the album [for me]"[6] and described the ukulele playing and Chapman's vocals as "engaging".[6]
Chart performance[edit]
"Long Way Home" debuted at No. 41 on the Christian Songs chart for the week of February 4, 2012.[8]
Live performances[edit]
Steven Curtis Chapman has performed "Long Way Home" as part of the Songs & Stories Tour. At a performance in the Calvary Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on October 6, 2011, Chapman performed the song sitting on a stool while playing the ukulele.[9]
Track listing[edit]
- "Long Way Home" – 4:08 (Chapman)[7]
Charts[edit]
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard Christian Songs[12] | 15 |
| Billboard Hot Christian AC[13] | 18 |
| Billboard Christian AC Indicator[14] | 20 |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Price, Deborah Evans (August 17, 2011). "Steven Curtis Chapman Recreates Hits on New Album". The Boot. AOL Music. Archived from the original on August 19, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
- ^ a b c Lusk, Caroline (August 18, 2011). "Recreated: All Things Are Made New Again". CCM Magazine. Salem Publishing. Archived from the original on October 25, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Jones, Jeremy V. (2011). "Re:creation". Christianity Today. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Cardinal, Ed (August 7, 2011). "Forward-Thinking re:creation Looks Back". Crosswalk.com. Salem Web Network. Archived from the original on August 12, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Re:creation – Steven Curtis Chapman – Jesus Freak Hideout". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Davis, Kevin (September 6, 2011). "re:creation by Steven Curtis Chapman". New Release Tuesday. NRT Media. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
- ^ a b Long Way Home at AllMusic
- ^ "Christian Songs February 4, 2012". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- ^ DiBiase, John (October 7, 2011). "The JFH Concert Reviews and Dates: Steven Curtis Chapman Stories & Songs Tour at Calvary Church in Lancaster, PA 2011". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
- ^ "iTunes – Music – Re:creation by Steven Curtis Chapman". iTunes. Archived from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
- ^ "Amazon.com "Long Way Home"". Amazon. Archived from the original on April 28, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
- ^ "Christian Songs archive (April 14, 2012)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
- ^ "Billboard Hot Christian AC. April 14, 2012.
- ^ "Billboard Christian AC Indicator. April 14, 2012.