“Home is where the heart is”
“Home is where you hang your hat”
What happens when these aren't the same place? At age 26 I was figuratively dragged, kicking and screaming, away from my parents and the state I'd lived in for 19 years of my life, because of a job in Texas. Out of that pain came this, my very first song. I wrote the first verse shortly after my daughter was born, then put it away and finished it several years later, when I'd become rooted in the community and had discovered a network of cousins across the country.
The chords had been established and I'd even had the opportunity to perform it in public a few times before I met Randon. I had only ever heard it with rhythm guitar, bass, and drums, and the musicians just did whatever they wanted because I could only tell them the chords. When it played in my head, though, it had a slide guitar part. Unfortunately, my music education was limited to piano lessons and my high school choir, so I didn't know what instrument I was imagining or how to explain it to Randon. I didn't even know what slide guitar was. As he built up the other instruments in the mix, I kept singing this part I wanted him to add... “do dooo doo doo.” Eventually he was “done” (little did we know this album would take five years and there would be so many stages of done), but still I insisted on the “do dooo doo doo.” So he finally figured out what I was asking for. It's perfect, and I've even learned to play it myself when we play live.
lyrics
I hang my hat in Texas
But my heart's in Michigan
So no matter where I am
I can't wait to get home again
My family's here beside me
But I got more in another place
And no matter where I go
I'm always missin'
Somebody's face
Came down here two years prior
But it feels like yesterday
I didn't want to come down South
Didn't want to move away
No matter what I'm doin'
I wanna be in another place
Cause no matter where I am
I'm always missin'
Somebody's face
Been nine years since I came here
And it's been a change of pace
Now no matter where I go
I always see a friendly face
So I hang my hat in Texas
And I visit Michigan
And I'm happy 'cause I know
I'll always find a friend
I hang my hat in Texas
But my heart goes everywhere
I've given up on leavin'
Yeah, I think I'll stay right here
I've got lots of friends and family
Wherever I may roam
Now no matter where I go
I always know
It feels like home
If you have a fondness for expertly wrought roots-rock with sharp lyrics and aching vocals, look no further—“Strangers” is for you. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 8, 2022
The latest from Jessica Pratt retains the sense of mystery that characterized her previous albums, adding expansive arrangements. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 6, 2019
