Four Walls is a tribute to my grandparent’s legacy, inspired by their love and the life they built for themselves at a cottage in southern-eastern Ontario. Now, over 60 years and three generations later, that cottage still stands as a symbol of love, resilience, and family.
For my cousins and I growing up, it was a place where we could be free, living Cheaper by the Dozen 2 on repeat and learning many lessons the hard way. With mom being a teacher, it meant swimming, exploring, fishing, and gettin' dirty was all part of the curriculum for summer. We got hurt, ran out of gas, had family barbeques, pissed off neighbours, found work, drank with friends, lost work, helped out family, stole beers, and started fires all over that lake; and every one of us appreciates the significance of our little spot in the woods that has taught us so much. I always knew I would write music about the cottage and our experiences there, and my grandmother's passing in 2020 prompted me to finally pick up the pen on the story.
Written by my cousin Trevor and I in a little shed beside that same water, this song celebrates the lessons we learned in those four walls—bravery, independence, and the importance of connection. It speaks to the things we learned were possible by watching and learning from such strength and resilience, and by feeling grounded by a constant sense of home. Listening to stories of my grandparent's younger years and sorting through the sixty-plus years of pictures from their marriage that my grandfather had so carefully sorted and kept safe has brought me closer to the grandmother I remember before her battle with Alzheimer's, making this song very special to me.
Four Walls is a representation of home and family. It is a thank you for all that we've been given and for all that they taught us, and a song that I hope inspires you to reflect on your own cherished memories of home this Thanksgiving season.
Thanks for taking an interest in the story behind Four Walls, and I hope you enjoy!
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