The lyrics to Cole Swindell’s new song “Make Heaven Crowded” were inspired by a speech made by Charlie Kirk‘s widow, but the ballad is bigger than a reaction to tragedy.
Swindell’s simple suggestion is what many Americans are calling for and perhaps even what the country needs: a little less rhetoric, a lot less yelling and some sustained effort to find similarities, not differences.
- Swindell wrote “Make Heaven Crowded” with Greylan James, Joel Hutsell and Blake Pendergrass.
- He says the seed was planted when he heard this speech from Kirk’s widow, Erika.
- Earlier this month, Swindell began the Happy Hour Sad Tour. He’ll be on the road through October.
To date, Swindell’s biggest hits have been brought party vibes (“Chillin’ It,” “She Had Me at Heads Carolina”) or breakup vibes (“Ain’t Worth the Whiskey,” “Break Up In the End”). He’s very good at finding the center of an emotional issue others struggle to sing about.
The best example is “You Should Be Here,” written about his success in the wake of losing his father. Another James co-write called “Dale Jr.” also nods to dad, as well as late NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt. He’s fearless in the most unassuming way.
During “Make Heaven Crowded,” the hitmaker is simply imagining a world that paid a little more attention to God and values taught in the Bible. It’s apolitical and unassailable and perhaps something we should all consider.
Warner Music Nashville
Cole Swindell, “Make Heaven Crowded” Lyrics
I’ve blamed my sinning on I ain’t no saint / I’ve bit my tongue, said that it ain’t my place / And I’ve kept Jesus in the backseat, but I can’t longer / After what we all saw last week / I can’t help but wonder.
Chorus:
What if churches had a longer line outside than all them bars on Friday night / What if people prayed for people who ain’t on their side / What if good ran off the bad, them streets of gold up there’d be packed / This whole world would look a lot better than we found it / If we make heaven crowded.
What would the headlines and TV man say / If we didn’t give them no bad news to break / We all quit throwing punches and held out a helping hand / That devil couldn’t touch us, no he wouldn’t stand a chance.
Repeat Chorus
What if we all talk Jesus like a friend / Talk to our friends about him and didn’t stop until we got everybody in.
What if churches had a longer line outside than all them bars on Friday night / What if people prayed for people who ain’t on their side / What if good ran off the bad, them streets of gold up there’d be packed / You and me could be the reason could be the reason that somebody found it / If we make heaven crowded.
If we make heave crowded.
11 Country Stars Who Speak Out About Their Faith
When it comes to country music, you don’t have to search for too hard to find songs that bring Jesus in.
Country stars tend to be bold in speaking out about their faith and the struggles they’ve had trying to walk that straight and narrow path to find God.
It’s also no surprise that many of fans’ favorite artists have either released Christian-leaning songs or have collaborated with gospel-singing neighbors.
We’ve rounded up several country singers who have unapologetically spoken to their faith for the world to see and who spread the Gospel, one song at a time.
Gallery Credit: Jess Rose
11 Country Songs That Mention Jesus by Name
Country music has its themes of drinking and carousing sometimes, but the genre is also rooted deeply in the Christian faith. Some of the biggest stars in country music have recorded songs that mention Jesus by name, as you’ll see in the list below.
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker
