About the song
John Denver’s Back Home Again. A folksy anthem that resonates deeply with anyone who’s ever felt the tug of familiarity, the comfort of returning to one’s roots. Released in 1974 as the title track of Denver’s eighth studio album, the song became an instant classic, reaching number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and solidifying Denver’s status as a folk icon.
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But Back Home Again is more than just a catchy tune. It’s a carefully crafted exploration of a universal human experience – the yearning for home. Denver, with his signature gentle voice and introspective lyrics, paints a picture of homecoming that’s both heartwarming and relatable.
The song opens with a simple declaration: “Hey, it’s good to be back home again.” This isn’t a triumphant return from a grand adventure; it’s the quiet satisfaction of stepping back onto familiar ground. The “old farm” becomes a metaphor for comfort and security.
Denver doesn’t dwell on the specifics of this place, but lets the listener fill in the details – the creaking porch swing, the scent of freshly baked bread, the worn grooves on a favorite record. It’s a place where memories reside, a refuge from the outside world.
Back Home Again isn’t just about physical location, though. It’s also about a sense of belonging. The lyrics hint at the weariness of travel, the constant movement that can leave one feeling unmoored. Home, in this context, becomes a symbol of stability and acceptance. It’s where you can shed the burdens of the world and simply be yourself.
Denver’s masterful use of imagery further enriches the song. He compares the farm to “a long lost friend,” suggesting a deep and enduring connection. The recurring refrain, “Yes, and hey, it’s good to be back home again,” reinforces the sentiment of relief and contentment. The song’s gentle melody, punctuated by acoustic guitar and banjo, further evokes a sense of rural simplicity and warmth.
Back Home Again wasn’t just a hit for Denver; it resonated with a generation yearning for a simpler time. Released during the height of the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War, the song offered a nostalgic escape, a reminder of the enduring power of home and community. It continues to resonate today, a timeless ballad that speaks to the universal human desire for comfort, belonging, and a place to call our own.
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Lyrics
There’s a storm across the valley, clouds are rolling in
The afternoon is heavy on your shoulders
There’s a truck out on the four lane, a mile or more away
The whining of his wheels just makes it colder
He’s an hour away from riding on your prayers up in the sky
And ten days on the road are barely gone
There’s a fire softly burning, supper’s on the stove
But it’s the light in your eyes that makes him warm
Hey, it’s good to be back home again
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long lost friend
Yes, and hey, it’s good to be back home again
There’s all the news to tell him, how’d you spend your time
And what’s the latest thing the neighbors say?
And your mother called last Friday, “Sunshine” made her cry
And you felt the baby move just yesterday
Hey, it’s good to be back home again
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long lost friend
Yes, and hey, it’s good to be back home again
Oh, the time that I can lay this tired old body down
And feel your fingers feather soft upon me
The kisses that I live for, the love that lights my way
The happiness that living with you brings me
It’s the sweetest thing I know of, just spending time with you
It’s the little things that make a house a home
Like a fire softly burning and supper on the stove
The light in your eyes that makes me warm
Hey, it’s good to be back home again
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long lost friend
Yes, and hey, it’s good to be back home again
Hey, it’s good to be back home again
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long lost friend
Yes, and hey, it’s good to be back home again
I said hey, it’s good to be back home again