“I Wanna Go Home”
By Trey Hill & Ryan Corn (Younger Sun)
Interview by American Songwriter
Trey Hill & Ryan Corn (Younger Sun) are the American Songwriter Home Sweet Home Song Contest Promotion winners for their song “I Wanna Go Home.” American Songwriter caught up with them to get the story behind their song.
How long have you been songwriting?
Trey: I’ve been writing music since I was 12. I started on guitar with middle school and high school bands and started dabbling with singing and writing lyrics sometime in college. All in all, about 25 years of songwriting in some form or fashion.
Ryan: I started writing songs when I learned how to play just a few guitar chords at age 15. I never intentionally thought to become a songwriter… the act just came as natural as breathing. That was 25 years ago and career or no career, I don’t think I’ll ever stop.
Why did you enter American Songwriter’s Home Sweet Home Promotion?
Trey: I’ve followed American Songwriter for a long time and have entered several contests over the years. I was in the middle of trying to do some production for a new song I was working on and needed to take a break, so I checked my email and saw the promotion for this month was “Home Sweet Home.” I thought “hey, wait a minute, we have a song that might fit this one pretty well” and decided to enter. However, I neglected to tell Ryan I was entering this song, so he didn’t know about it until after we won. My bad, Ryan. That’s on me.
Ryan: Trey doesn’t tell me anything.
What was the inspiration behind your song, “I Wanna Go Home”?
Trey: I really enjoy writing with Ryan and I feel like our process complements each of our strengths. For the most part, we are able to finish writing a song and start a recording all in one day, which I think keeps the magic of the specific session intact. “I Wanna Go Home” started as a voice memo that Ryan sent me that had the formation of the chorus melody over the chorus chords. It just kind of had a sweet longing to it that I thought was really interesting. We got together the next day and crafted the direction for the lyrics that I think the melody was pointing towards. I think most everyone can relate to that ache you feel when you have been gone from whatever person or place you consider home for just a little too long. Prodigal stories have stuck around in our collective culture for a long time for a reason, I think.
Ryan: While, like most people, the idea of “home” had always resonated with me it took on a new meaning a couple years ago when I became a father. Life is so good and I just long for more of the uninhibited moments when I can be with the ones I love. These thoughts were near the front of my mind when tinkering around on the piano one day. This along with the warm chords and melody basically informed the lyrical content. It all came together pretty quickly.
Who are your all-time favorite songwriters and why?
Trey: I’m a big melody guy, and I’m constantly listening for people who can do interesting things with melodies. I am impressed with anyone who can come up with a creative melody that has worldwide appeal, so Max Martin, Ryan Tedder, Chris Martin, Sia, Taylor Swift – all incredible and interesting melody writers. But honestly the only songwriter I actually care about is Prince. The influence doesn’t come through in my music at all but that’s because I think he was such a singular talent that I don’t know if it can be replicated.
Ryan: I consider myself more of a producer than songwriter. I tend to listen to the vibe, sonic textures and melody of a song before I really hear lyrics. Some of my favorite song writers say just as much if not more with their non-lyrical music than they do with their words. I’m a fan of Michael Jackson, John Mayer, Michael Kiwanuka, Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes) and Chris Martin to name a few.
Are you planning to release any new music this year?
Trey: The name of our band is Younger Sun and we just released an EP at the beginning of September entitled Beautiful Life, a collection of five songs including “I Wanna Go Home.” We also have several more songs coming out over the next few months. I feel like what Ryan and I do best is writing songs that are hopeful and joyful and feel like something that could be a soundtrack for your favorite moments. It’s always a blast to see people use our songs for reels and TikToks in a way that matches exactly what we had in mind when we wrote it. I love being alive in an era where artists can see, almost in real time, how their art is being consumed and utilized in everyday life.
What would you tell other artists who are considering entering the contest?
Trey: Do it! I don’t think art needs to justify itself by any sort of external measure but I will say, it is nice to get affirmation every now and again that you are going down a good path.
Ryan: Put yourself and your art out there as often as possible! Enter contests, play shows, record and release songs. It’s a great way to find out what resonates with listeners. Art is about human connection… it’s meant to be shared
Check out the winning song below:
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.