The Cinematic Orchestra, formed in 1999 by Jason Swinscoe in London, blends jazz, electronic and orchestral music.

With albums like “Motion” (1999), “Every Day” (2002), “Ma Fleur” (2007), and “To Believe” (2019), they’ve created music for films and TV.

While members have changed, Swinscoe remains the constant, working with many collaborators to produce their unique sound.

About the Song

Released in 2007 on “Ma Fleur,” “To Build a Home” features Patrick Watson’s haunting vocals over a simple piano melody that builds with strings.

The song has become the group’s most recognized work. Starting simply and growing more complex, it mirrors its own narrative about creating something meaningful.

Its frequent use in films, TV shows, and ads has made it a go-to track for emotional storytelling moments.

Key Information About “To Build a Home”

Lyrics of the Song

Verse 1

Where the doors are humming all day long
Where the stairs are leading dusk to dawn
Where the windows are breathing in the light
Where the rooms are a collection of our lives
This is a place where I don’t feel alone
This is a place that I call my home

Verse 2

There is a house built out of stone
Wooden floors, walls and window sills
Tables and chairs worn by all of the dust
This is a place where I don’t feel alone
This is a place where I feel at home

Chorus

And I built a home
For you
For me
Until it disappeared
From me
From you
And now, it’s time to leave and turn to dust

Verse 3 / Bridge (Narrative Shift)

Out in the garden where we planted the seeds
There is a tree as old as me
Branches were sewn by the color of green
Ground had arose and passed its knees

By the cracks of the skin I climbed to the top
I climbed the tree to see the world
When the gusts came around to blow me down
I held on as tightly as you held onto me
I held on as tightly as you held onto me

Chorus (Reprise)

And I built a home
For you
For me
Until it disappeared
From me
From you

Meaning of the Song

“To Build a Home” captures the journey of making and losing. At its heart lies not just a physical structure but an emotional sanctuary.

“And I built a home / For you / For me / Until it disappeared”

This line holds the song’s essence—creation followed by loss. The lyrics paint vivid images of lived-in spaces: humming doors, light-filled windows, and dust-worn furniture that transform a house into a home.

These details show how ordinary objects carry emotional weight through shared moments. As the song moves forward, it acknowledges how even our most careful creations fade.

The garden tree becomes a witness to time’s passage and our effort to hold on as life shifts around us. Through its careful musical journey from comfort to loss, the song mirrors life’s own path through attachment and letting go.

Themes of the Song

“To Build a Home” examines several interconnected concepts that affect many listeners:

• Making and Losing: The song shows how we put ourselves into making spaces that matter, only to sometimes see them crumble or have to walk away.
• Impermanence: A central concept in the song is how nothing lasts forever. The home that is built eventually crumbles, serving as a metaphor for the temporary nature of all things we construct in life.
• Emotional Investment: The narrative shows how places become significant not because of their physical structure but because of the feelings and memories we associate with them.
• Solitude and Companionship: The lyrics move between moments of isolation and connection, showing how homes can be both refuges from the world and spaces we share with others.
• Memory: As the story progresses, the physical home may disappear, but the memories remain, suggesting that what we build lives on in our recollections even after physical structures are gone.

These themes intertwine to create a musical meditation on the homes we make and lose throughout our lives, touching listeners on a deeply personal level.

Live Performance

The Cinematic Orchestra’s “To Build A Home” featuring Patrick Watson live at The Barbican in London in 2007.

Other Songs You May Like

If you connected with the atmospheric qualities and emotional resonance of “To Build a Home,” here are other songs that share its contemplative nature and rich sonic landscapes:

• “Your Hand in Mine” by Explosions in the Sky is a post-rock instrumental that slowly builds with layers of guitar, creating a powerful emotional swell. It’s often used in films and is perfect for moments of deep thought or stillness.
• “Re: Stacks” by Bon Iver falls under indie folk and stands out for its raw vocals and poetic lyrics about starting over. It’s a go-to for quiet nights, healing, and wintertime reflection.
• “Holocene” by Bon Iver blends atmospheric folk sounds with introspective lyrics. With its wide, open sound, it’s great for walks in nature, solitary thinking, or finding creative focus.
• “The Trapeze Swinger” by Iron & Wine is a long folk song filled with rich, narrative lyrics and vivid metaphors. It’s best suited for long drives, remembering the past, or peaceful group settings.
• “I Will Follow You into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie is a soft indie acoustic piece known for its close, intimate vocal style and lyrics about love that go beyond life. It fits well with quiet moments of remembrance and close listening.

Each of these tracks creates a distinctive musical space while sharing the emotional depth and careful composition that makes “To Build a Home” such an enduring listening experience.

Similar Artists

Fans of The Cinematic Orchestra and “To Build a Home” might appreciate these musicians:

• Ólafur Arnalds is an Icelandic composer and musician known for blending neo-classical music with soft electronic elements. Some of his well-loved tracks include “re,” “Near Light,” and “This Place Is a Shelter,” which often bring a peaceful, emotional tone.
• Nils Frahm, a German pianist and composer, creates contemporary classical pieces with a minimal piano style. Songs like “Says,” “Hammers,” and “My Friend the Forest” show his quiet, thoughtful approach to sound.
• Max Richter is a British composer who works in a post-minimalist classical style. His compositions such as “On the Nature of Daylight,” “Vladimir’s Blues,” and “Written on the Sky” are often slow, emotional, and deeply moving.
• Sigur Rós is a post-rock band from Iceland known for their sweeping, atmospheric sound. Songs like “Hoppípolla,” “Starálfur,” and “Glósóli” carry a dreamy, otherworldly feel that many listeners find calming and powerful.
• Bonobo is a British musician and producer who creates downtempo electronic music. Tracks like “Kerala,” “Break Apart,” and “Kiara” combine smooth beats with layered sounds, perfect for relaxed listening.

These artists create music that captures emotion through thoughtful composition and atmospheric sounds, similar to The Cinematic Orchestra’s distinctive approach to blending acoustic and electronic elements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Makes “To Build a Home” so Popular for Film and Television?

Its emotional flow and storytelling aspects work well with visual media. The song structure fits scene development while its themes of making and loss match many plot lines.

What Movie is “To Build a Home” Song From?

It wasn’t created for a specific movie. The song has been used in many productions including “This Is Us,” “Orange Is The New Black,” and various commercials.

Does “To Build a Home” Have a Specific Story?

Yes, it tells of someone who finds a place, makes it their home, forms deep attachments there, and then watches as time and nature reclaim it.

Kelsey Roberts

Kelsey Roberts is an accomplished songwriter with a knack for crafting lyrics that resonate with listeners. Having written for both indie artists and major labels, Kelsey brings a deep understanding of what makes a song truly impactful. Her expertise includes everything from song structure to lyrical storytelling. She’s passionate about helping others discover their voice through songwriting, providing tips and inspiration for creating songs that touch hearts.