Songful Style: “Burning House!”

How is your summer going? July seems to have been almost as warm as June, but I don’t recall it being as bad. We have had lots of rain due to Hurricane Beryl so our lawn is nice and green. If you read my monthly wrap up last Friday, you’ll know one of my big pots of coleus basically drowned. Nigel drilled holes in the bottom of it, and so much muddy water washed away down our driveway. Some of the plants are recovering, but a number of them just rotted away. Anyway, welcome to the last Monday in July and another edition of Songful Style! Suzy and Shelbee decided to riff (see what I did there) on Style Imitating Art only with music! Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Suzy of Suzy Turner, and I make up the bloggers in this group. You can find all of us on our blogs and Instagram.  Our ensembles (pun intended) may be inspired by the lyrics of a song, the artwork of the album cover, maybe the MTV video, or even a memory the song evokes. Suzy chose this month’s song. Last month, I selected “The Record Player Song.” Oh, and there’s a link party, too!

The artist…

OK, when I think of country singers, I don’t imagine them being born in SoCal! But, Cameron Marvel Ochs was born in Huntington Beach, California! Gotta love that middle name, right? She was born on November 19, 1984 and was raised in a suburb of San Francisco. Man, I already envy her! Beginning in high school, Cam was involved in various groups. She performed with the Contra Costa Children’s Chorus and learned to sing in 14 languages then. While an undergrad at the University of California, Davis and studying psychology, she formed an all-female a cappella group called The Spokes. Cam has traveled the world (again, jealous), learned to play the guitar while in the Netherlands and continued playing on a trip to Nepal.

A little more…

At first, Cam believed psychology was her forte and worked in various research labs, including one at Stanford University. Music remained in the back of her mind, though. One of her professors said:

“Just picture yourself at 80 years old. Looking back at your life, what would you regret not doing: music or psychology (source)?”

Still more…

Following this moment of revelation, Cameron Ochs moved to Los Angeles and began to work with Tyler Johnson, a songwriter and producer. Eventually, Cam (now shortened from her real name) and Johnson attracted the attention of Tim McGraw’s manager who was impressed with their songwriting. Miley Cyrus recorded “Maybe You’re Right” on her album, Bangerz, a song written by Cam. Due to the success of her songs being recorded by other singers, she moved to Nashville and continued writing songs for other artists. In 2013, she started a Kickstarter campaign to produce 10 songs with Tyler Johnson. One of her supporters was Jeff Bhasker who had worked with Beyonce, fun., Bruno Mars, and Pink. Later that year, Cam toured Denmark and Sweden with the band, Karavan.

Even more…

Sometime in 2013, Sony Music Entertainment became interested in Cam. While meeting with Doug Morris, the director, she accompanied herself on an acoustic guitar and sang “Burning House.” Morris requested she sing the song at the Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony and was signed to Arista Nashville, Sony’s country division, in 2014. Her first single, “My Mistake,” debuted at No. 58 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2015. Her debut EP, Welcome to Cam Country, was released in March 2015. “Burning House” finally attracted attention after Cam sang it live on the The Bobby Bones Show. The track was released as a single on June 16, 2015. It became a top five hit on the Billboard country songs chart and also became the highest selling female country song of 2015 selling more than 500,000 copies in the US. The song also received nominations at the 2016 Grammy Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and Country Music Association Awards. It has been certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Finally…

Cam switched to RCA Records sometime after 2018. She released another album, The Otherside, which was released on October 30, 2020. Among the producers were Johnson, Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus, and Jeff Bhasker. Styles and Sam Smith provided some of the songs. In 2024, she wrote songs, produced and did some backing vocals for Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter. She lives in Nashville with her husband and daughter, Lucy.

The song…

What it means…

It appears this song is the result of breaking someone’s heart and a dream. While in college, Cam had an on again/off again relationship with a guy. When she finally chose to end it, apparently, she wasn’t too kind about it. A few years later, she was going to a party and knew he would be there. She decided it was time to make amends for that bad breakup. The night before the party, she dreamt of a burning house. The guy was trapped inside the house. She rushed inside to save him but couldn’t. In her dream, she lies down beside him, and they both die. When she told her co-writer, Tyler Johnson, about it, it seems like he put into words her dream, added some guitar parts, and the song was born. So, I would say this song is about knowing a relationship is over, not wanting it to be over but knowing it’s the best thing, and then trying to get out of it without burning the bridge between the two people. Deep, right?

The video…

There are lots of videos of Cam singing “Burning House.” I chose the official version because it’s just so beautiful.

Interesting covers…

This dude has a nice voice, does a good job of covering the song, and accompanies himself on guitar.

A beautiful duet coming to us from New Zealand, I think!

Another duet, but the guy doesn’t sing much. It’s definitely got that country feel to it.

Dang! These two guys harmonize so well but only for 46 glorious seconds!

I tried hard to find a heavy metal version, but nary a one appeared! I think it just doesn’t have that vibe.

My interpretation…

In a couple of the videos I watched, Cam was wearing a lacy top. Even the sweater she’s wearing has a lacy texture to it. I chose this lace shirt from April Cornell. At first, I did the mismatch the button up trick, but that didn’t work. Then, I tied it. Didn’t like that, either. So, I decided to just tie knots in the ends of each side. I kinda like that. I added an olive green skirt from J Jill and a super old tank from Talbots. When I first started shopping at Talbots, Michael Smaldone was the creative mind behind so many of their looks. It wasn’t the preppy look Talbots is known for, but it was an elevated style. This tank is from that era. I really, really, really wish they’d entice him back because the pieces I have from that era are incredible.

The Lewk!

I had to wear these Galop Boots by L’Artiste because they’re the closest thing I have to cowboy boots! They have so many more colors of them, but I’m not going to buy another pair unless there is a huge, and I mean huge sale on them! I was rummaging around in my jewelry chest and found this beautiful necklace. I had actually bought the beaded part separately from the pendant. They are both from my old eBay jewelry shopping days. I know I have a pair of rose quartz earrings, but I could not find them to save myself! I went with this pair of green (maybe malachite) earrings from who knows where!

Wrap it up, Marsha!

While I’m not a big fan of country music, I did enjoy this song. Maybe it was the video that convinced me. I think every musical genre has validity and appeals to different people. That’s a good thing, right? So, can we talk? What did you think of the meaning behind this song? Did you find the video both beautiful and a little sad? Which cover did you like best? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as soon as possible.

Thank you!

Thank you so very much for reading today’s post. I hope you enjoyed it. I also very much appreciate those of you who comment, email and/or subscribe. It’s what keeps me going! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.

Affiliate links, discount codes, and such:

Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. I am an April Cornell Brand Ambassador for another season. You can use my code, MARSHA15, for $15 off any order over $100. Use Marsha12 for 12% off any order of $65 or more at Buykud. I also have an affiliate code for Kantha Bae! Use MarshaintheMiddle in the promo code box for $5 off any order (excluding Bestie restocks)! I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off any purchase. I am also an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo. You can use my code, MARSHA10, for 10% off your entire order. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post

Where you can find me:

Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style,  Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World and A Fresh Cup of Coffee. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop (Esme’s Salon) and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, and Sue. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!

And, now, it’s your turn!

Please link up your favorite posts, DIY, baking, gardening, fashion…you name it…as long as it’s family friendly! Link up with me, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment or two! No worries if you don’t have a blog, just look around! You may find a new blog just waiting for you!

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