Introduction
“Building Bridges” began as a heartfelt country ballad penned and first recorded by singer-songwriter Larry Willoughby, co-written with Hank DeVito. Released in 1984, Willoughby’s original version saw modest chart success, peaking at #55 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart .
A year later, in 1985, Nicolette Larson offered her own rendition of the song on the album …Say When, reaching #72 on the same country chart . Although Larson’s take didn’t make a major commercial impact, it helped to broaden the song’s exposure.
The song’s most prominent transformation came nearly two decades later when Brooks & Dunn recorded it for their 2005 album Hillbilly Deluxe. Their version, released as the album’s third single in 2006, featured high-profile guest vocals from Sheryl Crow and Vince Gill, lending a rich, collaborative texture to the arrangement .
Brooks & Dunn’s rendition achieved substantial commercial and critical acclaim. It climbed to #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and performed even better in Canada, where it reached #2 . The song was also part of an award-nominated musical event: it earned a nomination for Musical Event of the Year at the 2006 Country Music Association Awards . The accompanying music video—shot in a striking desert setting—was directed by Shaun Silva, adding a visually compelling dimension to the song’s emotional resonance .
In essence, “Building Bridges” represents a rare country song that has successfully spanned generations—from its origins in the mid-1980s to a resounding revival in the mid-2000s—enriched by evolving interpretations and celebrated collaborations.
Video
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Since you’ve gone, my heart said something’s wrong
How long can this keep going on?
I’m still blue over losing you
What else am I going to do?
[Chorus]
I’m building bridges straight to your heart
An’ all of this distance won’t keep us apart
Won’t keep us apart
[Verse 2]
Talk to me, talk to me about sympathy
Don’t leave me begging on my knees
Since you’ve gone, my heart says something’s wrong
How long can this keep going on?
[Chorus]
I’m building bridges straight to your heart
An’ all of this distance won’t keep us apart
Won’t keep us apart
[Chorus]
I’m building bridges straight to your heart
An’ all of this distance won’t keep us apart
Won’t keep us apart
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[Chorus]
I’m building bridges straight to your heart
An’ all of this distance won’t keep us apart
Won’t keep us apart
[Chorus]
I’m building bridges straight to your heart
An’ all of this distance won’t keep us apart
Won’t keep us apart