The Home You're Tearing Down

Album: I Like 'Em Country (1965)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A few years before Loretta Lynn took her husband's mistress to "Fist City," she took a softer approach with another one of his women on the side. In this Top 10 country hit, the protagonist invites the other woman to stop by and see how the affair has wrecked her family. She sings:

    There's shattered parts of broken hearts just scattered all around
    Come over anytime and see the home you're tearing down


    The song was written by Betty Sue Perry, who also wrote Lynn's "Before I'm Over You," "The Other Woman," and "Wine, Women and Song."
  • Blues singer ZZ Ward sang this at the Americana Music Association's tribute to Loretta Lynn in 2017. Said Ward: "It was a real thing that she was going through. It connects with people. I sang, 'The Home You're Tearing Down,' and, oh my gosh, the emotion in that song! And every night she would sing it.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

Movie Stars In Music Videos

Movie Stars In Music VideosSong Writing

Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Mila Kunis and John Malkovich are just a few of the film stars who have moonlighted in music videos.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.