[Verse 1 - intimate, acoustic guitar or semi-acoustic strum, close vocal, restrained] If I had a house I’d choose the number two Leave one nail in the plaster For a picture of me and you I’d fix the gate by Sunday Let the garden grass grow long Put a radio in the kitchen And teach the pipes a song [Chorus - drums enter, bass lifts, electric rhythm guitar joins, big melodic hook, studio vocal layers, no crowd] If I had a house I’d write us all a song We’d sing it through the walls Till the streets all sang along [Verse 2 - band stays warm, slightly more weight, low electric guitar, optional very subtle cello or viola pad] I’ve had rooms with borrowed curtains And names I never kept I’ve learned to pack a life up Before the morning left I’ve hidden dreams in the corners Where nobody could see Said goodbye to many places Before they’d welcomed me [Chorus - bigger, more open drums, layered acoustic and electric guitars, wide studio backing harmonies, no crowd] If I had a house I’d write us all a song We’d sing it through the walls Till the streets all sang along [Middle 8 - drop down slightly, vocal exposed, gentle low strings underneath, emotional lift building] Maybe walls are only walls Till somebody knows your name Maybe songs are only songs Till somebody sings the same So sing it like you mean it Sing it till it’s true If I had a house, love I’d build it out of you [Final Chorus - full band, wide guitars, layered studio harmonies, subtle strings swelling behind guitars, no crowd ] If I had a house I’d write us all a song We’d sing it through the walls Till the streets all sang along If I had a house I’d never shut the door We’d sing it through the rafters Till we didn’t need no more [outro] We’d sing it through the rafters Till we didn’t need no more
