"Long Way Home" | ||||
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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 | ||||
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"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.
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]
"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]
"Long Way Home" debuted at No. 41 on the Christian Songs chart for the week of February 4, 2012. [8]
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]
Chart | Peak position |
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Billboard Christian Songs [12] | 15 |
Billboard Hot Christian AC [13] | 18 |
Billboard Christian AC Indicator [14] | 20 |