A House Is Not a Home
Luther Vandross Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

A chair is still a chair, even when there's no one sittin' there
But a chair is not a house and a house is not a home
When there's no one there to hold you tight
And no one there you can kiss goodnight

Whoa, ohh, girl

A room is still a room, even when there is nothin' there but gloom
But a room is not a house and a house is not a home
When the two of us are far apart
And one of us has a broken heart

Now and then I call your name
And suddenly your face appears
But it's just a crazy game
When it ends, it ends in tears

Pretty little darling, have a heart, don't let one mistake keep us apart
I'm not meant to live alone, turn this house into a home
When I climb the stairs and turn the key
Oh, please be there, sayin' that you're still in love with me, yeah

I'm not meant to live alone, turn this house into a home
When I climb the stairs and turn the key
Oh, please be there, still in love
I said still in love
Still in love with me, yeah

Are you gonna be in love with me?
I want you and need you to be, yeah
Still in love with me
Say you're gonna be in love with me
It's drivin' me crazy to think that my baby
Couldn't be still in love with me

Are you gonna be, say you're gonna be
Are you gonna be, say you're gonna be
Are you gonna be, say you're gonna be
Well, well, well, well
Still in love, so in love, still in love with me?
Are you gonna be
Say that you're gonna be

Still in love with me, yeah




With me, ohh
Still in love with me, yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "A House Is Not a Home" by Luther Vandross is a ballad about the difference between a physical space and a home that is filled with love and warmth. Vandross uses the metaphorical example of a chair, stating that even if a chair is present, it can never replace the affection and that human touch that is found in a home. Similarly, a room can exist, but the absence of love and the inherent distance between two individuals can rob it of the feeling of a home. The artist longs for his love to return and turn his house back into a home, where they can share the tender moments that come with the intimacy of a relationship. The chorus repeats the same plea, highlighting that the singer cannot exist alone; he is in need of his partner's healing touch.


The verses' lyrics express the longing the artist experiences when he recalls his love's absence. The hope that her image conjures is as fleeting as a "crazy game," which always ends in tears. He begs his "pretty little darling" to forgive any past mistakes, as he knows he is not meant to be alone. The repetition of the phrase "when I climb the stairs and turn the key" symbolizes the artist's return to his house, a place that lost its feel of home when his love left. The ultimate hope is that when he does return, she will be waiting with open arms.


Line by Line Meaning

A chair is still a chair, even when there's no one sittin' there
A chair remains an object to sit on, regardless of whether someone is present to use it or not.


But a chair is not a house and a house is not a home
A chair is a small part of a house, but it does not make a home. A home is where one can feel loved and safe with their family or loved ones.


When there's no one there to hold you tight
The comfort of being held tightly by someone is only possible when someone is there.


And no one there you can kiss goodnight
The feeling of love from kissing someone goodnight is not possible when no one is there.


A room is still a room, even when there is nothin' there but gloom
A room remains a space, regardless of the atmosphere or emotions within it.


When the two of us are far apart
Being separated from a loved one creates a feeling of emptiness and a house may feel like it is not a home when one is alone without their loved ones.


And one of us has a broken heart
When one partner in a relationship is heartbroken and feeling empty, the home may not feel warm and happy.


Now and then I call your name
Sometimes I call your name because I miss you so much.


And suddenly your face appears
When your name is called, your face appears in the imagination.


But it's just a crazy game
This is all just temporary, and nothing concrete is happening in reality.


When it ends, it ends in tears
When the game ends and reality sets in, it is emotional and painful.


Pretty little darling, have a heart, don't let one mistake keep us apart
My love, please forgive me for my mistake and do not allow it to keep us from being together.


I'm not meant to live alone, turn this house into a home
I am meant to live with my loved one for my life to feel complete and make our house feel like a welcoming, comfortable home.


When I climb the stairs and turn the key
When I come home every day and open the door, I am searching for my partner to be there and greet me.


Oh, please be there, saying' that you're still in love with me, yeah
Please let me know that you are still in love with me to give me a sense of comfort and ease my worries.


Are you gonna be in love with me?
Do you intend to continue to love me?


I want you and need you to be, yeah
I want and need to be loved by you.


Still in love with me
Remain in love with me.


Say you're gonna be in love with me
Please confirm that you are going to love me.


It's driving me crazy to think that my baby
The thought of losing you is making me anxious.


Couldn't be still in love with me
You not being in love with me didn't seem possible to me.


Well, well, well, well
Expressing surprise and disbelief.


Still in love, so in love, still in love with me?
Are you still in love with me and am I still the most important person in your life?


Say that you're gonna be
Please confirm that you are going to be in love with me.


Still in love with me, yeah
Please continue to be in love with me.


With me, ohh
With me, the one you have always loved.


Still in love with me, yeah
Please remain in love with me.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Hal David

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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