Cole Swindell recently performed his new song, “Make Heaven Crowded,” on FOX & Friends. The Georgia native sang the song on October 14, which would have been Charlie Kirk’s 32nd birthday. Swindell was inspired to write “Make Heaven Crowded” after after hearing a speech given by Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk.

Swindell wrote “Make Heaven Crowded” with Greylan James, Joel Hutsell, and Blake Pendergrass.

 

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The Story Behind Cole Swindell’s “Make Heaven Crowded”

Erika Kirk spoke shortly after her husband was assassinated. As part of her emotional tribute to her late husband, the mother of two said, “I am so humbled to witness Charlie, you alongside Jesus right now, doing what you always wanted to do, making heaven crowded, right? That’s what it’s all about. Making heaven crowded. I can’t wait to see you again one day.”

Her speech had a profound effect on Swindell, who recently welcomed his first child into the world.

“Being a new dad with a fresh perspective on the world, I was inspired by Erika’s speech,” Swindell says. “A phrase I had heard before, but I hadn’t heard it in a moment like that. It literally stopped me in my tracks, and ultimately moved me to write ‘Make Heaven Crowded.’ The heartbreak I felt, and still feel, for her and their kids was so heavy, thinking about my wife and baby girl. I knew I had to get those feelings out of my heart and head and down on paper.

“But when I released a social clip of performing a few of the lyrics, the response was unlike any reaction I’ve ever had to a song,” he continues. “It’s truly amazing what music is able to do, especially when real life inspires it. Writing songs has always been something that has helped me express thoughts and feelings, and I don’t know if folks know how much it helps me when it connects, and I know I am not alone in those same fears and feelings. This may be the most important song of my career, and I’m okay with that.”

The Lyric For Cole Swindell’s “Make Heaven Crowded”

See the lyrics for “Make Heaven Crowded” below. The song is available now on all streaming platforms.

I’ve blamed my sinning on “I ain’t no saint”
I’ve bit my tongue, said that it ain’t my place
I’ve kept Jesus in the backseat, but I can’t any longer
After what we all saw last week
I can’t help but wonder

What if churches had a longer line outside?
Than all them bars on Friday night?
What if people prayed for people who ain’t on their side?
What if good ran off the bad?
Them streets of gold up there’d be packed
This whole world would look a lot better
Than we found it
If we make heaven crowded

What would the headlines and TV man say
If we didn’t give them no bad news to break?
We all quit throwing punches and held out a helping hand
That devil couldn’t touch us
No, he wouldn’t stand a chance of falling

If churches had a longer line outside
Than all them bars on Friday night
What if people prayed for people who ain’t on their side?
What if good ran off the bad?
Them streets of gold up there’d be packed
This whole world would look a lot better
Than we found it
If we make heaven crowded

What if we all talked to Jesus like a friend?
Talk to our friends about Him
Didn’t stop ’til we got everybody in

What if churches had a longer line outside?
Than all them bars on Friday night?
What if people prayed for people who ain’t on their side?
What if good ran off the bad?
Them streets of gold up there’d be packed
You and me could be the reason that somebody found it
If we make heaven crowded
If we make heaven crowded