"To Build a Home" is a song by English electronic music group the Cinematic Orchestra, with vocals and piano performed by Canadian singer-songwriter Patrick Watson. It was released as the second single from the group's third studio album, Ma Fleur (2007), on 29 October 2007. The song's music video was notable for including themes of euthanasia[citation needed] in a short narrative film that also included the song ‘Breathe’, and ran to over 12 minutes. Shot on location in Cumbria, the video was premiered on Channel Four, featuring the actors Peter Mullan and Julia Ford, and directed by animator Andrew Griffin. In 2015, the song peaked at number 96 on the French Singles Chart.[1]
Composition
"To Build a Home" is a piano ballad[2] that serves as the opening track to its companion album, Ma Fleur,[3] though it serves as the closing track on the Domino-released versions of the album.[4] It features vocals from Canadian singer-songwriter Patrick Watson, who also has writing credits on the song alongside Phil France and Jason Swinscoe of the Cinematic Orchestra. Watson also performed piano for the song.[5] The instrumental begins with about three to four piano chords looped,[6] building up to a more loud and grand point, introducing strings. During this portion of the instrumental, Watson sings over both the piano and strings, eventually climaxing with falsetto vocals.[3] Lyrically, the song deals with Watson wanting to create a house for him and his lover. What happens with the house is unknown, resulting it to be merely metaphorical in place of a resting place for the two.[7]
Release and reception
The song was first released on 29 October 2007 as a 7" vinyl single by Ninja Tune in the United Kingdom. It was backed with a cover version of the song performed by Grey Reverend.[8] A 7" single was also released in the U.S. by the Domino Recording Company's U.S. division, which was backed with "Child Song".[9]
"To Build a Home" had a positive reception from music critics. Critics often saw Watson's vocal performance as a highlight on the song. For The Observer, Stuart Nicholson wrote that "Swinscoe transforms three- and four-chord vamps into something special."[6]Drowned in Sound's Shain Shapiro regarded the vocals as "bellowing [and] haunting", while Tyler Fisher of Sputnikmusic noted that Watson "nearly steals the show".[3] Maggie Fremont of Vulture called it "one of the most emotional songs ever performed."[10]
In 2019 the song was used in an advert released by Ralph Lauren Corporation, titled "Family is Who You Love." This was the first advert by the corporation showing support for the LGBT community by featuring a same-sex couple.[16]
