Hard Way Home

Album: Bear Creek (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the opening track from Brandi Carlile's fourth studio album, Bear Creek. The record was named after Bear Creek Studios where most of it was recorded, which is housed in a converted early 20th century barn outside of Carlile's hometown of Maple Valley, Washington.
  • Brandi decided that she wanted to get in touch with her country roots when she recorded this song. She asked her mother Teresa Carlile, a local Country and Western singer herself, to accompany her to the studio. Brandi told Spinner that having her mom watching over her from the control room inspired her to give the song the amount of soul it needed. "I loved working at Bear Creek on this record. It was almost like working at home," she said. "We had such a great familial atmosphere, and for me it was one of our best recording experiences to date."
  • Bear Creek debuted at #10 on the Billboard 200, giving Carlile her first top 10 album. Her previous highest chart placing came with 2009's Give Up The Ghost, which debuted and peaked at #26.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")Songwriter Interviews

Holly Knight talks about some of the hit songs she wrote, including "The Warrior," "Never" and "The Best," and explains some songwriting philosophy, including how to think of a bridge.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Paul Williams

Paul WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

He's a singer and an actor, but as a songwriter Paul helped make Kermit a cultured frog, turned a bank commercial into a huge hit and made love both "exciting and new" and "soft as an easy chair."

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."