Rachael Lampa - Rubber House Lyrics
Lyrics
Tommy Sims/Rachael Lampa/Ruby Amanfu/Randy Crawford
We can take a groove make it move we can prove
That we're for real this time we got nothing to hide
We can work the room make a boom turn it into
A place where future finds something from our time
All we have to do is come into a place anew
where we can blur the lines elevate our minds
In my head I see a kinda dream a place where we
Can live, move, have our being give take it one step higher
Please we can make it better I know it really matters
Wouldn't it be a trip to live in such a place you and I
Been trying to build a rubber house so we all can live together
Been trying to build a rubber house so we all can live together
Don't you wanna put the hammer down take a break from all the pressure
Be whatever whatever whatever whatever
Hands up in the air if you dare we don't care
If it brings you to your knees it's alright by me
Love will find you still it's in His will for us to build
One voice one single gift and lift it down from here
We gotta get together, we really gotta get there
I could betcha I'll be telling you again and again
Been trying to build a rubber house so we all can live together
Been trying to build a rubber house so we all can live together
Come and go with me to my Father's house take a break from all the pressure
Whatever whatever whatever whatever
Video
Rubber House
Meaning & Inspiration
Rachael Lampa's "Rubber House," released on July 27, 2004, from her self-titled album *Rachael Lampa*, emerges as a profound exploration of community, unity, and the divine call to build a more inclusive world. Far from a simple pop track, the song unpacks a vibrant vision, urging a collective shift in perspective and action, all rooted deeply in biblical principles.
The essence of "Rubber House" lies in its imaginative metaphor for a resilient, flexible, and welcoming dwelling where all can coexist harmoniously. The song opens with a call for authenticity and impact, suggesting a time for humanity to be "for real" and to make a lasting mark on the future. This resonates with the biblical imperative for believers to be light and salt in the world, to live lives of integrity that point others toward truth (Matthew 5:13-16). Lampa's dream of blurring lines and elevating minds speaks to a spiritual transformation, a shedding of worldly divisions to embrace a higher way of thinking and relating, mirroring Paul's instruction in Romans 12:2 to be transformed by the renewal of our minds, no longer conforming to the patterns of this world. The profound line, "live, move, have our being," is a direct echo of Acts 17:28, grounding the very concept of human existence and purpose within the divine, suggesting that this ideal community is not merely a human endeavor but a spiritual one, found within God's presence.
The chorus introduces the central imagery of "building a rubber house so we all can live together." This "rubber house" symbolizes a community characterized by adaptability, forgiveness, and an unwavering capacity to make space for everyone, regardless of background or difference. It stands in stark contrast to rigid structures that often exclude and divide. This vision aligns perfectly with the New Testament's portrayal of the Church as the body of Christ, where every member, though diverse, is essential and united (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). The invitation to "put the hammer down" is a powerful plea to cease the ceaseless toil, conflict, and judgment that so often define human interaction. It's a call to find rest, to lay down the heavy burdens of self-righteousness and strife, echoing Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28 to come to Him and find rest for our souls. To "be whatever" in this context is not about moral relativism, but about accepting one another in grace, allowing individuals to flourish in their God-given identities within the embrace of a unified spiritual home, and perhaps even to surrender our own agendas to God's overarching will.
As the song progresses, the spiritual implications deepen. The imagery of "hands up in the air" and being brought "to your knees" signifies surrender, worship, and profound humility before God. It's a recognition that true unity and peace begin not with human effort alone, but with a humble submission to the divine will. The lyric "Love will find you still it's in His will for us to build" directly confirms that this aspiration for unity is not just a human desire, but a divine mandate. God's unwavering love actively seeks us out, and it is His divine purpose that we engage in this transformative work of building His kingdom on earth, a kingdom characterized by reconciliation and peace (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). The call to lift "one voice one single gift" suggests a collective offering of praise, a unified testimony, or the harmonious deployment of diverse spiritual gifts working together for a common purpose, as described in Romans 12:4-8 and 1 Peter 4:10.
The ultimate revelation arrives in the second chorus, which transcends the earthly metaphor of the "rubber house" by directly referencing "my Father's house." This profound connection immediately elevates the song's message from a mere aspiration for human unity to a heavenly promise. It unmistakably calls to mind Jesus' words in John 14:2-3, "In My Father’s house are many rooms... I am going there to prepare a place for you." The "rubber house" becomes a temporal reflection, a prefiguring, of the eternal dwelling where all God’s children will ultimately reside together in perfect unity and unending peace, free from the "pressure" of this world. Rachael Lampa’s "Rubber House" therefore serves as both an inspiring vision for how we ought to live together here and now, fostering flexibility, acceptance, and love, and a hopeful declaration of the ultimate spiritual home that awaits all who embrace God's reconciling love. It is a powerful anthem encouraging us to actively pursue the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3), knowing that our efforts on earth are preparing us for and reflecting the eternal reality of our Father's house.