The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
This is the house that Jack built, y'all
Remember this house!
This was the land that he worked by hand
It was the dream of an upright man
There was the room that was filled with love
It was a love that I was proud of
This was a life of a love he planned
On a love the same ol' love
In the house that Jack built
(The house that Jack built)
Remember this house!
There was the fence that held our love (yes it was)
There was the gate that he walked out of
This is the heart that is turned to stone (yes it is)
This was the house, but it ain't no home
This is the love that I once had
In a dream that I thought was love
In the house that Jack built (the house that Jack built)
I'm gonn' remember this house!
Oh-ohh wha-a-at is the use of crying?
You know I brought it on myself
There's no denying
But it see-e-ee-ems awful funny
That I didn't understand
Was it a house of an upright man?
Up on the hill
There's a big plan still
In the house that Jack built
(The house that Jack built)
I'm gonn' remember this house
(The house that Jack built)
Listen!
I got the house
I got the car
I got the rug
And I got the rack
But I ain't got Jack (Jack)
(I ain't got Jack, Jack)
And I want my Jack back!
I turned my back on Jack
He said he wasn't coming back
I turned my back on Jack
He said he wasn't coming back
Ohhh, Jack
Ohh! Come on back
Ohh Jack
Oh come on back
You oughtta come on back (Come on back, Jack)
To the one that you built (Come on back, Jack)
It's the same one you built (Come on back, Jack)
You oughtta come on back (Come on back, Jack)
Oh come back
Come on, come on, come on
I didn't understand
Until I lost my upright man
Come on back, Jack (Come on back, Jack)
Remember this house!
This was the land that he worked by hand
It was the dream of an upright man
There was the room that was filled with love
It was a love that I was proud of
This was a life of a love he planned
On a love the same ol' love
In the house that Jack built
(The house that Jack built)
Remember this house!
There was the fence that held our love (yes it was)
There was the gate that he walked out of
This is the heart that is turned to stone (yes it is)
This was the house, but it ain't no home
This is the love that I once had
In a dream that I thought was love
In the house that Jack built (the house that Jack built)
I'm gonn' remember this house!
Oh-ohh wha-a-at is the use of crying?
You know I brought it on myself
There's no denying
But it see-e-ee-ems awful funny
That I didn't understand
Was it a house of an upright man?
Up on the hill
There's a big plan still
In the house that Jack built
(The house that Jack built)
I'm gonn' remember this house
(The house that Jack built)
Listen!
I got the house
I got the car
I got the rug
And I got the rack
But I ain't got Jack (Jack)
(I ain't got Jack, Jack)
And I want my Jack back!
I turned my back on Jack
He said he wasn't coming back
I turned my back on Jack
He said he wasn't coming back
Ohhh, Jack
Ohh! Come on back
Ohh Jack
Oh come on back
You oughtta come on back (Come on back, Jack)
To the one that you built (Come on back, Jack)
It's the same one you built (Come on back, Jack)
You oughtta come on back (Come on back, Jack)
Oh come back
Come on, come on, come on
I didn't understand
Until I lost my upright man
Come on back, Jack (Come on back, Jack)
Lyrics submitted by Shoot_Me, edited by goodnews, Deepdiving
The House That Jack Built Lyrics as written by Fran Robins Bobby Lance
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Brilliant, brilliant song, possibly Aretha's best. Aretha laments a love she's neglected/betrayed and lost leaving her alone with her regrets in the house that was to be their home.
I submitted a lyric correction. The entire meaning of the song as Aretha sings it is that she "toyed with love" and now she's sorry. I hear the lyrics this way:
This is a house that Jack built, y'all Remember this house! This was the land that he worked by hand It was the dream of an upright man There was a room that was filled with love It was a love that I was proud of This is a life and a love that he planned Of a love, the same old love Of the house that Jack built. Remember this house! There was a fence that held our love, There was a gate that he walked out of This is the heart it is turned to stone This is a house, but it ain't no home This is the love that I destroyed On the day that I toyed with love, In the house that Jack built, I'm gonn' remember this house! Oh oh what's the use of crying? You know I brought it on myself There's no denying But it seems awful funny That I didn't understand Until I lost my upright man Up on the hill Everything stands still In the house that Jack built I’m gonn' remember this house Listen! I got the house I got the car I got the rug And I got the rack But I ain't got Jack And I want my Jack back! I turned my back on Jack He said he wasn't coming back I turned my back on Jack He said he wasn't coming back Oh, Jack You oughta come on back Oh Jack You oughtha come on back To the one that you built It’s the same one that that you built You oughtha come on back I didn't understand until I lost an upright man Come on back Jack
It's such a great song, a real perfect track!
@Deepdiving You're correct, you've given the right lyrics.
The song was first recorded by Thelma Jones. There are some minor differences between her version and Aretha's. youtube.com/watch