Part Of Our Home

I write my wife a song around this time every year. Here's one from 2017.

It started the year we met. I, in a stunt oh so typical of my people, figured it would be romantic to write her a song for Christmas.

A strummed acoustic guitar, private jokes, most likely fairy lights… it was a scene worthy of those films that that sort of thing happens in that some people find magical and other people find somewhat nauseating¹.

Fortunately on this occasion, the entire audience was completely in love with me, which (top tip) is always a big help. Despite me having to explain the part where I proved I’d finally learned her phone number by heart, it was a triumph.

Next year I did another, and another the year after that, and now there are 8.

Once or twice it’s felt like a burden, but ain’t that just the way?! It’s grown into a fine tradition and I’m very grateful for it. They are, with one exception, songs written at Christmas, not Christmas songs.

Now for what feels like the first time, I now have a place to share things like this. And it’s here with you. *Looks desperately into your eyes holding a sign*.

Part of Our Home

Part Of Our Home is a personal favourite, from 2017. Those first two chords just popped out and it reminded me of those classic jazz singer records, back when popular music listeners could cope with harmonies more complicated than 1-4-5.

It’s also a nice example of how you don’t always need a proper studio and lots of planning to capture a moment. Write the song, start a voice note, get it down, capture it fresh. It’s one of my main plans for this newsletter in 2023.

Those who read but don’t hit play, give this one a try!

And I always love to read your comments…

Paid Subscribers

I’m about to send you another one of these xmas songs shortly: Constancy (2021).

Tour dates

Thursday 23rd February 2023 - London Green Note. *SOLD OUT*
Wednesday 29th March 2023 - Kendal hopefully coming soon.
Thursday 30th March 2023 - Manchester The Castle. Tickets. *VENUE UPGRADE*
Saturday 1st April 2023 - Something fun here coming soon.
Sunday 2nd April 2023 - Nottingham, Running Horse. Tickets.
Wednesday 19th April 2023 - Suffolk Riverside Theatre. Tickets.
Thursday 20th April 2023 - Cambridge Tall Trees. Tickets. *NEW*
Sunday 23rd April 2023 - Winchester Railway Inn. Tickets.
Friday 28th April 2023 - Leamington Spa Temperance. Tickets. *NEW*
Sunday 21st May 2023 - Bristol Louisiana. Tickets. *NEW*
September 2023 - expecting to be back in Scotland. More soon.
Saturday 7th October 2023 - Purley On Thames St Mary’s Church. Tickets. *NEW*

Explore all confirmed dates on a map here: https://share.jakemorley.com/livemap

Hope everyone’s holding up? It’s cold out there. One more post next week I think.

love Jake

Lyrics

Has anyone had a voice quite like Nina Simone
That woman didn’t take no crap from anyone
I heard that she once waved a gun til she got paid
I feel unworthy just invoking her name

And you loved her music while you were growing up
She would sing for you while you did the washing up
Help those dishes fly straight into the rack
’Til they were ready to stack

Oh she was part of your home
Oh she was part of your home
Oh she was part of your home
Oh she was part of your home

When I was a boy it was probably Steely Dan
We’d fumble through covers in the Morley Family Band
I’d play piano though I’d always get it wrong
Just watch my father and my uncle sing along

When I learned guitar well I studied every note
Though solos were no-nos cos my fingers were too slow
Didn’t know they were named after a fictional adult toy
But then again I was only a boy

Oh they were part of my home
Oh they were part of my home
Oh they were part of my home
Oh they were part of my home

Now we’re older and this year we were wed
Still in the phase where we’d rather stay in bed
Can’t help wondering what the future holds
Between now and when we’re old

What will be part of our home
What will be part of our home
What will be part of our home
What will be part of our home

1. If this is you, I truly sympathise. Try picturing The Wedding Singer instead of Love Actually? Any better? If you’re still not with me maybe you’re in the wrong place or maybe just try a bit harder.