Long Way Home (Steven Curtis Chapman song)

"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.

"Long Way Home"
Single by Steven Curtis Chapman
from the album Re:creation
Released2012
GenreContemporary Christian
Length4:14
LabelSparrow
Songwriter(s)Chapman
Producer(s)Chapman, Phil Naish, Brent Milligan, Geoff Moore
Steven Curtis Chapman singles chronology
"Do Everything"
(2011)		 "Long Way Home"
(2012)

Background and composition
Steven Curtis Chapman in concert

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

Critical reception

"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

"Long Way Home" debuted at No. 41 on the Christian Songs chart for the week of February 4, 2012.[8]

Live performances

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
Digital Download[10][11]
  1. "Long Way Home" – 4:08 (Chapman)[7]

Charts

Weekly charts
Charts Peak
position
Billboard Christian Songs[12] 15
Billboard Hot Christian AC[13] 18
Billboard Christian AC Indicator[14] 20

References
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Jones, Jeremy V. (2011). "Re:creation". Christianity Today. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  4. 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.
  5. "Re:creation – Steven Curtis Chapman – Jesus Freak Hideout". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
  6. 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.
  7. Long Way Home at AllMusic
  8. "Christian Songs February 4, 2012". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  9. 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.
  10. "iTunes – Music – Re:creation by Steven Curtis Chapman". iTunes. Archived from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  11. "Amazon.com "Long Way Home"". Amazon.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  12. "Christian Songs archive (April 14, 2012)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
  13. "Billboard Hot Christian AC. April 14, 2012.
  14. "Billboard Christian AC Indicator. April 14, 2012.
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