Story Behind The Song
A friend of mine, Ian Applegate, had filmed, edited, and produced a video for my song 'New York City Bound,' a song from my 2013 record, "Steel Tempered Pride." In the summer of 2015, he approached me about crafting a song (and video) that would be more New Haven-centric. Prompted by this idea, I had this theme pop in my head, repeating the phrase, "You make me want to settle down."
Around the same time, I was saving up to buy my then girlfriend an engagement ring. The idea of settling down and making New Haven my permanent home with her started become more relevant and more realistic.
Also around that time, I was making regular trips to New York City, always taking the faithful Metro North train. It was on that train, on those late nights, making stops in towns in Southern CT that I've never been to, when I would always think to myself, "This train takes forever to get home." Those train rides home prompted ideas for the first verse of the song.
In the late summer of 2015, I was on a two-week solo tour through the Midwest, making stops in Cleveland, Chicago, Milwaukee and more. It was in a Milwaukee hotel room that I wrote the second verse and chorus for 'Settle Down,' making use of a night off as I was reflecting on missing home.
For me, the song is from the perspective of a roamer, a dreamer, a traveler, but also someone that appreciates the idea of putting roots down with a romantic partner.
Song Description
'Settle Down' is about a traveler that is contemplating putting some roots down with a romantic partner.
| Song Length |
3:19 |
Genre |
Folk - Americana, Folk - Americana |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Endearing, Joyful |
Subject |
Happiness, Joy |
| Similar Artists |
Jason Isbell, Ryan Adams |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
On a train ride
This box car takes forever
Another stop here in wherever
all these other people go
It was a good time
playing in The City
But something here within me
just can't wait to get on home
When you're on my mind
and I'm on the roam
I know I'll never be alone
You are the reason why I'm coming back around
You make me want to settle down
Hotel windows
and living from a suitcase
I like the folks in this place, sure do miss the ones back home
Miles of highways
or something more familiar
I don't remember what the words were but they always bring me home
When you're on my mind
and I'm on the roam
I know I'll never be alone
You are the reason why I'm coming back around
You make me want to settle down
Oh, just another hundred mile to the border line
then we got all this time
Oh, just another few more hours until the day
When you're on my mind
and I'm on the roam
I know I'll never be alone
You are the reason why I'm coming back around
You make me want to settle down