Introduction:
Build My Mansion, released in 2017, is a gospel-infused country song by seasoned American musician Gene Watson. The song leans on the thematic cornerstones of traditional country music, while infusing it with a spiritual yearning for a reward beyond material possessions.
While not originally released in the 1970s alongside Watson’s other outlaw country hits, Build My Mansion captures the essence of that subgenre’s rebellious spirit. Here, however, the rebellion is not against societal norms or the law, but against the allure of earthly riches. The song finds Watson contemplating the impermanence of material wealth and expressing a desire for a more lasting reward in the afterlife.
Build My Mansion is featured on Watson’s album My Gospel Roots, a collection of hymns and gospel-inspired songs. This particular track stands out due to its country instrumentation and thematic connection to Watson’s earlier outlaw country persona. The song was not written by Watson himself, but by songwriter and musician Jimmy Bryant. Country music veteran Billy Sherrill, who produced many of Watson’s hit songs in the 1970s, did not produce Build My Mansion. Instead, the production duties for My Gospel Roots were taken over by Kerry Collard.
Despite not being released as a single or receiving the same level of promotion as Watson’s earlier hits, Build My Mansion has resonated with fans and become a staple in his live performances, particularly those geared towards a more mature audience. The song can be found on YouTube , both in lyric video and performance formats.