You’re The Reason Our World is Warmin’

‘You’re the Reason Our World is Warmin’ is a lyrical adaptation of ‘You’re the Reason Our Kids are Ugly’ originally recorded and released by Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty in 1977, and written by L.E. White and Lola Jean Fawbush a few years previous.
When Loretta died in 2022, a friend of mine sent me a list of her more controversial song titles. One song in particular caught my eye ‘You’re the reason Our Kids are Ugly’. Who could pass over that!! I listened and found the song had such charm that I couldn’t stop myself singing the chorus over and over.

For many years, I’d been encouraged to write a climate song and I do believe in the power of the arts to sway public opinion.
But I resisted. My attempts at song writing within the constraints of the jargon (of climate change) just wouldn’t sit right.

‘Honey, what in god’s name rhymes with sequestration?!!

But in one of those rare moments where ideas collide, I began singing ‘You’re the reason our world is warmin’ instead of ‘You’re the reason our kids are ugly’. And from there, I completed the song with new words referencing the everyday choices we make that affect our collective carbon footprint, while keeping the laid back charm of Loretta and Conway, poking fun at each other’s imperfections!
With the new version recorded, featuring the inimitably evergreen Fiachna Ó Braonáin as ‘Conrad’ I began the process of getting clearance from the respective record companies to release the song as a lyrical adaptation.

Not so straight forward as one might think! Eight months later, I finally got the email I’d been waiting for, with permission to release the song, all royalties being retained by the original writers.

So here it is, the most light hearted song about the most serious of issues.

You’ll find references to high carbon modes of transport (flygskam), high carbon foods, fast fashion, cloud storage, composting, palm oil shampoo, recycling duties – it’s all there:)

Enjoy, carbon neutrally!

‘You’re the Reason Our World is Warmin’ is out this coming Earth Day April 22nd 2024.

Sincerely, Vyvienne Long

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