Sam Cooper

Sam Cooper

HALF WAY THERE (featuring Brian James)

Story Behind The Song

Inspired by a scenic drive Sam took to a songwriter appointment north of Nashville, not far from the state of Kentucky.

Song Description

In a land with so much variety, small town living is becoming more rare, yet it has some things that are beautiful and inspiring pictures, much like Norman Rockwell's art.

Song Length 3:45 Genre Country - Contemporary, Country - General
Tempo Medium (111 - 130) Lead Vocal Male Vocal
Mood Pleasant, Sociable Subject Happiness, Pride
Similar Artists Luke Bryan, Keith Urban Language English
Era 2000 and later

Lyrics

HALF WAY THERE
Chris Gantry, Brian James, Sam Cooper ©2010
615-469-4067 jericat@yahoo.com

(Verse 1)
There's a tire swing tied to an old oak tree,
By a field full of cotton as far as the eye can see.
We had a bell on the porch mama would ring,
When it was time to come and get it.
Around the table we'd bowed our heads and pray,
Mama would swat our hands if we didn't wait.
And Daddy gave a look if we misbehaved,
And we all knew that he meant it.
But all those moments that we shared,
May not have been heaven, but it's half way there.

(Chorus)
Oh nothing's changed in all the years in the town I was born in,
There ain't an empty spot in the parking lot at church on Sunday morning.
And old men sit and talk about their days of glory,
And I've heard it all a thousand times, but I still love their stories.
Cause I'm in this town and it's in me, and it's something we all share,
It may not be heaven, but it's half way there.

(Verse 2)
When heavy rains set in last fall,
Hand in hand, we built a sandbag wall,
And our little town didn't seem so small,
When we all pulled together.
We like to do things our own way,
That's what I love about this place.
I had a chance to leave, but I stayed,
And probably will forever.
It's hard to find a place like this, they're getting rare,
It may not be heaven, but it's half way there.

(Chorus)
And the streets roll up at 10 'o' clock almost every night.
And the only thing on Main Street is a blinking traffic light.
Oh nothing here is flashy, but what'll blind your eyes,
Are the seven million stars that you'll see up in the skies.
I'm not saying that we're perfect, oh, but we don't care,
It may not be heaven, but we're half way there.
It may not be heaven, but we're half way there.

Very strong in it's genre. Definitely country. I can hear Brad Paisley or Blake Shelton singing this. It has an accomplished vocal line so I can also hear a band such as Lady Antebellum performing this.

I've heard similar songs but this is by far the best demo I've ever heard on this subject matter...very catchy memorable and well crafted verses and chorus...great vocal...great band...Americana positive Christian country crossover appeal as well as contemporary country...Pitch this to Shenandoah and Rascal Flatts the next time they are looking. If you control the master pitch it to a music library or music placement service or pitch it yourself here on Broadjam...it's a very commercial recording...high quality mastering...

I liked all of it, - lyrics, construction, music, sentiment.

I really liked the arrangement of this song and the production overall. Great lyrics, great storyline and vocal presentation. This song definitely fits "contemporary Country." It's great writing and arrangement all the way around.

This song definitely has market potential. It's a very easy song to listen to. Something that I would enjoy hearing on the Radio.

This is a great song. The lyrics are great. You paint a vivid picture of a home town. Nice imagery and rhyming. Good song structure. Pretty melody and excellent performances with a solid arrangement. Nice job.

Great song! I grew up in the little town, and miss those growing up days.

....incredible lyrical picture painting, great forward propulsion, bucket loads of nostalgia, wraps quite powerfully around the heart, tugging on its strings, one of the best country "hooks" i've heard in a long time. this is excellent country lyric writing of the highest order. congratulations for awesomely developed writing chops. most impressive.

Lyrics Chris Gantry, Brian James and Sam Cooper Music Chris Gantry, Brian James and Sam Cooper
Publisher Jerricat Music (SESAC), Surefire Music, Chris Gantry/Studio 33 Music Performance Brian James--vocal, session players + Sam Cooper (guitar)
Label Red Heart Records
This track is on 3 Member Playlists
Playlist Creator Playlist Name Date Added
Brian McNulty GREAT SONGS 12/20/2012
Rock Modernoff & the Jetstream Cowboys Favs 4/21/2012
Roy Elkins Founder COUNTRY 6/24/2010

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