The four-time Grammy winner has acted in a number of films and been a guest-star on television. Lovett was married to actress Julia Roberts for a short time in the mid-1990s. In 2002, he was gored by a bull while working on his uncle's farm in Texas, but soon recovered and resumed touring.
Step Inside This House
Lyle Lovett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was painted by a friend
He gave it to me all down and out
When he owed me ten
Now it doesn't look like much i guess
But it's all that's left of him
And it sure is nice from right over here
When the light's a little dim
Step inside my house babe
I'll sing for you a song
I'll tell you 'bout where i've been
It shouldn't take too long
I'll show you all the things i own
My treasures you might say
Couldn't be more'n ten dollars worth
But they brighten up my day
Here's a book of poems i got
From a girl i used to know
I guess i read it front to back
Fifty times or so
It's all about the good life
And stayin' at ease with the world
It's funny how i love that book
And i never loved that girl
Hold this piece of glass
Up to the light comin' through the door
It's a prism glass i found on the road
Can you see that little rainbow
Well it's not really a prism i guess
It just broke in a funny way
I found it on my way from texas
Headed for l.a.
This guitar was given me
By old man thomas gray
It's not too much to look at
But i pick it every day
It's been across the country
Four or five times i guess
Between me and old man tom
It never got much rest
Well that's about all i own
And all i care to i guess
Except this pair of boots
And that funny yellow vest
And that leather jacket and leather bag
And hat hangin' on the wall
Just so it's not too much to carry
Could i see you again next fall
© 1971 chappel & co. (ascap)
Guy clark says "step inside this house"
Is the first song he ever wrote;
It had never been recorded.
I learnt it from eric taylor.
-- lyle (from the step inside this house cd booklet)
Below are all the differences i could find
Between guy clark's original lyrics
And the way lyle sings the song.
Lyle's changes are in italics.
Step inside this house girl
I'll sing for you a song
I'll tell you 'bout just where i've been
It shouldn't take too long
I'll show you all the things that i own
My treasures you might say
Couldn't be more than ten dollars worth
They brighten up my day
This book of poems was given me
By a girl i used to know
I guess i read it front to back
Fifty times or so
Now you hold this piece of glass
Up to the light that's shinin' through the door
It's a prism glass i found it on the road
Can't you see that tiny rainbow
It's not really a prism i guess
It just kinda broke a funny way
I was on my way through houston
And i was headed for l.a.
This guitar was given me
By old man thomas gray
It's not too much to look at
But i play it every day
Well that's just about all i own
And all i care to i guess
Except this pair of boots maybe
And that funny yellow vest
And that leather jacket and that leather bag
And that hat hangin' on the wall
Just so it's not too much to carry babe
Could i see you again next fall
The lyrics of Lyle Lovett's song "Step Inside This House" offer a glimpse into the personal treasures and memories of the singer. The opening lines describe a picture hanging on the wall that was painted by a friend who gave it to the singer when he owed him ten dollars. Though it may not be worth much to others, the painting holds great significance to the singer as it is all he has left of his friend. As the light dims, the painting takes on a certain beauty that is appreciated by the singer alone.
The singer then invites the listener into his home, offering to sing a song and share stories of his life. He shows the listener his personal treasures, including a book of poems given to him by a former girlfriend, a piece of prism glass he found on the road, and a guitar given to him by an old man named Thomas Gray. Though these possessions may seem inconsequential to others, they hold great sentimental value to the singer, representing memories of people and places that have shaped his life.
Line by Line Meaning
That picture hangin' on the wall
The painting on the wall was a gift from a friend who was in a tough spot and owed me money.
Step inside my house babe
Come into my home, let me show you around and share my stories.
I'll sing for you a song
I will serenade you with my music and share my experiences through lyrics.
I'll tell you 'bout where i've been
I will tell you about the places I've traveled to and the people I've met.
I'll show you all the things i own
I will show you my valuables, which may not be expensive, but they hold sentimental value.
My treasures you might say
These items that I own can be considered treasures.
Couldn't be more'n ten dollars worth
The total value of my belongings is not more than ten dollars.
But they brighten up my day
These possessions bring joy and value to my life.
Here's a book of poems i got
This is a book of poetry gifted to me by an old acquaintance.
From a girl i used to know
This book was given by a former lover.
I guess i read it front to back
I've read every page of this book numerous times.
It's all about the good life
The poems speak of living a good life and being content with the world.
And stayin' at ease with the world
The author of the poems finds comfort and ease with the world.
It's funny how i love that book
I find it ironic how I love this book despite not loving the girl who gave it to me.
Hold this piece of glass
Here, take this piece of glass.
Up to the light comin' through the door
Hold it up to the light filtering in through the door.
It's a prism glass i found on the road
This is a piece of glass I found on the road that produces a rainbow effect.
Can you see that little rainbow
Do you see the rainbow being produced by the glass?
Well it's not really a prism i guess
I am aware that it's not technically a prism.
It just broke in a funny way
It broke in an unusual way, but it still produces a rainbow effect.
I found it on my way from texas
I found it while travelling from Texas to Los Angeles.
This guitar was given me
This guitar was given to me as a gift.
By old man thomas gray
The previous owner of the guitar was a man named Thomas Gray.
It's not too much to look at
The guitar's appearance is not particularly impressive.
But i pick it every day
However, I play it every single day.
It's been across the country
This guitar has travelled across the country with me.
Four or five times i guess
I estimate I have travelled across the country with this guitar four or five times.
Between me and old man tom
Tom and I have travelled across the country with this guitar.
It never got much rest
This guitar never got a break from being played or travelling.
Well that's about all i own
Those are all of my possessions, really.
And all i care to i guess
I don't need or want anything else.
Except this pair of boots
I also own this pair of boots.
And that funny yellow vest
I have this peculiar yellow vest too.
And that leather jacket and leather bag
Also, I have a leather jacket and a leather bag.
And hat hangin' on the wall
Lastly, I have this hat hanging on the wall.
Just so it's not too much to carry
I don't want to have too much to carry around.
Could i see you again next fall
May I have the pleasure of seeing you once again next fall?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GUY CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ray Presnell
Lyle Lovett is one of most underrated performers or all time. If this song doesn't touch you...... nothing will.
Lewis C
If I don't like him, you'll punch me?
Em Chicken
Lyle covering Guy Clark is a thing of beauty.
My Name Doesn’t Matter
How exactly is Lyle Lovett ‘underrated?’
T- man
@My Name Doesn’t Matter Because he's not very well known for a celebrity despite being a lot more talented than the overwhelming majority of contemporary famous musicians.
Mangoplak
Oh man, it's always the simple songs that speak to the heart. And Mr. Lovett really brings this one home. Ahh, snivel
Darrell Jourdan
So humble is Lyle... he constantly gives credit and praise to those that deserve it.
Tim Crawford
You obviously don't know who Guy Clark is. Guy was FAR from two dimensional.
Darrell Jourdan
@Tim Crawford Yikes... you are correct... did not intend that to slight Guy, but only meant to compliment Lyle. Editing now.
quin bagwell
An example of Lovett taking an unrecorded song that the writer, Guy Clark was critical of, and making it an extraordinary work of art.