I’m Changin’ the Lock on My Heart (studio recording)

Patrick Brennan—producer, keyboards
Gerald Brennan—composer, lyricist, singer
Garrett Schmittling—guitarist
Kevin Floyd—bass
Bobby Meyers—drums

This song is a country waltz, a song form that occurs to me frequently. They’re all in triple time, usually sweet-tempered, and always with the traditional country feel and subject matter.
When the idea for this song found me, I was amazed that no one (that I know of, anyway) had ever had a go at this theme. It seemed a no-brainer and wrote itself.
A bad breakup, your ex still has a key to your place, and you need to not only close your home to them, but to symbolize the closure of the entire deal — you change the locks.
But not just the ones on the doors.
Like in the musical South Pacific when Nellie decides to “wash that man right out of my hair.” It’s the symbol of bigger things being dealt with.

I’m changin’ the locks on my door.
Your old key won’t work here anymore.
Don’t even try, the years have torn us apart,
so I’m changin’ the lock on my heart.

I loved you so I gave you the key
to my new apartment, and to me.
You were the one, that was so clear at the start.
Now I’m changin’ the lock on my heart.

You opened up all my dreams and my fears,
then all my passion you changed into tears.
I never dreamed that you would hurt me so deep.
Faithful love is a vow you won’t keep.

It hurts me to see in your eyes,
deceptions, excuses and lies.
I used to cry, and watch them all fade away,
but that’s changin’ — and you shall not stay.

I’m changin’ the locks on my door.
Your old key won’t work here anymore.
Don’t even try, the years have torn us apart,
so I’m changin’,
I’m re-arrangin’,
so I can finally make a new start,
I’m changin’ the lock on my heart.