Key Facts
- Song
- The House That Built Me
- Artists
- LoCash, Miranda Lambert
- Songwriters
- Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin
- Chart peak
- No. 1 on Billboard Hot Country Songs (2010)
- Award
- Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance
- LoCash's claim
- Had the song first, played it for a year
Background
Miranda Lambert's 'The House That Built Me' is one of the most recognizable country songs of the 2010s. It was written by Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin, and originally pitched to Blake Shelton before Lambert recorded it in 2009.
The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 2010 and won the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. It is now known as Lambert's signature song.
Current Situation
In an appearance on Taste of Country Nights, the duo LoCash said they had 'The House That Built Me' first. They said Tom Douglas pitched it to them on the piano, and they played it for a year. They were with their lawyer, Duff Bershback, and all three of them were tearing up.
LoCash said Douglas played the song at the Sony Firehall, next to Sony ATV Publishing, and they told him, 'We'll take it.' They had no label and planned to put it out on nothing. But the song ultimately landed in Lambert's hands before they could record it.
They explained that in Nashville, there is no contract binding a song on hold; it is based on the old Southern handshake. 'It's really up to the songwriters if they want to give it to you or not.' When asked if they get mad when they hear the song on the radio, they admitted, 'Yeah. It pisses me off.'
| Song | Writers | Year Recorded | Chart Peak | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The House That Built Me | Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin | 2009 | No. 1 | Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance |
Impacts
The story illustrates the informal nature of song holds in Nashville, where a songwriter's decision can override a prior claim. For LoCash, missing out on the song meant they did not get the career boost that a hit of that magnitude could have provided.
For Miranda Lambert, the song became a signature hit, contributing to her Grammy win and chart success. The episode highlights how a single song can shape an artist's trajectory, and how timing and industry standing can influence who ultimately records a song.
Future Outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If LoCash had recorded the song, their career might have taken a different path, but that remains speculative. The duo's admission suggests they still feel the sting of losing the song, which could influence how they approach future song selections.
The story may also prompt reflection on the unwritten rules of the Nashville song-pitching process. If songwriters continue to rely on handshake agreements, similar situations could arise for other artists, but the outcome would depend on the specific relationships and circumstances.
Source: theboot.com
