by Alex Wilson
Album
Dust & Dreams
Year
2025
Genre
Country/Americana/Singer-Songwriter
Duration
4:18
Description
A deeply personal country ballad about the search for inner peace and belonging. Anchored by Alex Wilson's soulful vocals and intricate fingerstyle guitar, 'Chasing Home' unfolds with a gentle warmth, gradually building to an anthemic chorus. Soft fiddle harmonies, subtle bass lines, and brush-stroked percussion create an intimate atmosphere, while pedal steel guitar adds a layer of wistful reflection. The song explores the idea that 'home' isn't a place, but a state of mind found within oneself, built on memories, relationships, and personal growth.
Lyrics
(Intro - Gentle acoustic guitar picking with soft pedal steel, evoking a lonely rural dusk, building to a mid-tempo country ballad) (Verse 1) Gravel road twists like a lonesome plea, Under a sky where the stars don’t see. Wind’s hummin’ soft, like it’s lost its way, Searchin’ for a truth I can’t name today. My old truck rattles, carryin’ all I own, Runnin’ from nowhere, chasin’ home. (Pre-Chorus) The more I roam, the less I find, A ghost of peace haunts my mind. (Chorus - Anthemic, heartfelt hook with soaring harmonies) Chasin’ home, but it ain’t on no map, It’s a flicker of light in a heart-worn gap. Not a porch or a town where the wild winds roam, I’m chasin’ home, Lord, I’m chasin’ home. Every mile’s a prayer, every scar’s a song, Findin’ where my soul’s belonged all along. Chasin’ home, yeah, I’m chasin’ home. (Verse 2) Church bells fade down a lonesome street, My shadow’s the only one I meet. These boots are worn from a thousand trails, But peace don’t hide in miles or tales. The radio hums an old country tune, Callin’ me back ‘neath a Kentucky moon. (Pre-Chorus) The harder I run, the deeper it lies, A whisper of truth in the midnight skies. (Chorus - Building intensity, full band with fiddle accents) Chasin’ home, but it ain’t on no map, It’s a flicker of light in a heart-worn gap. Not a porch or a town where the wild winds roam, I’m chasin’ home, Lord, I’m chasin’ home. Every mile’s a prayer, every scar’s a song, Findin’ where my soul’s belonged all along. Chasin’ home, yeah, I’m chasin’ home. (Bridge - Music pulls back, intimate acoustic and light steel) It’s the laugh of a friend by a river’s bend, A promise I swore I’d keep to the end. It’s the weight of a tear, the hope in a prayer, The heart I’m rebuildin’ out of thin air. These memories whisper where I need to be, Planting seeds of hope inside of me (Chorus - Massive, emotional finale with crowd-ready harmonies) Chasin’ home, but it ain’t on no map, It’s a flicker of light in a heart-worn gap. Not a porch or a town where the wild winds roam, I’m chasin’ home, Lord, I’m chasin’ home. Every mile’s a prayer, every scar’s a song, Findin’ where my soul’s belonged all along. Chasin’ home, yeah, I’m chasin’ home. (Outro - Fades with soft guitar and a lone fiddle hum) Chasin’ home... where my heart belongs. Chasin’ home... in the scars and songs.
Notes
*Instrumentation:* Acoustic guitar (fingerpicked style), pedal steel guitar (subtle, atmospheric swells), fiddle (harmonies and accents), upright bass (or electric bass with a muted tone), light brush percussion (snare and kick). *Arrangement Notes:* * Intro: Focus on creating a sense of vastness and loneliness. The pedal steel should be used sparingly, adding texture rather than melody. * Verses: Keep the arrangement sparse and intimate. The focus should be on the vocal delivery and the storytelling. * Pre-Chorus: A slight build-up in intensity, both musically and vocally. * Chorus: A full band sound with soaring harmonies. The fiddle should add accents and counter-melodies. * Bridge: Reduce instrumentation to acoustic guitar and light pedal steel, emphasizing the raw emotion of the lyrics. * Outro: Fade out slowly, leaving the listener with a sense of quiet reflection. *Vocal Performance:* The lead vocal should be soulful and resonant, with a slight twang. Focus on conveying the emotion of the lyrics. Harmonies should be tight and blend well with the lead vocal. The harmonies should start softly in the first chorus and grow stronger as the song progresses. *Dynamics:* The song should have a clear dynamic arc, building from a quiet intro to a powerful finale. Pay attention to the contrast between the verses and choruses. *Key:* E Major allows for resonant open chords on the guitar, perfect for the country feel. *Tempo:* The BPM should remain consistent throughout the song to maintain a steady, heartfelt pace.