On your way to the best years of your life
Everyone's banging on their gongs
The sooner you leave the sooner you're home
Back in Massachusetts
To your golden age where they tuck you in at night
You didn't see it coming
Now who you gonna wave to?
This time you're not homecoming king
Did you hear that?
Have you heard that sound before?
Do you even know where it is coming from?
Its getting too loud
It keeps on pushing you out
Into the arms of 1994
You didn't see it coming
Now who you gonna wave to?
You're not homecoming king
You stand on your own
wasn't what you hoped at all
Do you still recall it,
giving dead-arms in the hall?
Stay right where you are
You'll be half of who you were
When you always would win
So count the days till you give in
Back to Massachusetts
To your golden age where your crown is shining bright
You didn't see it coming
Now who you gonna wave to?
This time you're not homecoming king
Did you see it coming?
Now who you gonna wave to?
This time you're not homecoming king

Overall Meaning

The song "Homecoming King" by Guster explores the theme of nostalgia and the weight of expectations. The lyrics describe the experience of someone who has left their hometown and achieved some level of success or glory, only to return and find that things are not how they remembered. The imagery of "banging on their gongs" suggests a celebratory atmosphere, but the singer is unable to fully participate in it. They feel like an outsider looking in, and the refrain "you're not homecoming king" reinforces this sense of loss and disappointment. The repeated question "who you gonna wave to?" also highlights the loneliness and alienation of the singer, who feels disconnected from their past and unsure of their future.

The lyrics also contain references to specific time periods ("1994"), places ("Massachusetts"), and experiences ("giving dead-arms in the hall") that add to the sense of nostalgia and specificity. The use of first-person perspective also makes the song feel personal and relatable, as the listener can imagine themselves in the singer's shoes.

Overall, "Homecoming King" is a poignant and introspective song that touches on universal emotions of longing, regret, and uncertainty. It captures the bittersweet nature of returning to one's roots and realizing that things have changed, both inside and outside oneself.

Line by Line Meaning

On your way to the best years of your life
You are heading towards the most enjoyable phase of your life.

Everyone's banging on their gongs
Everyone is celebrating their achievements and success.

The sooner you leave the sooner you're home
The earlier you leave, the quicker you reach your destination.

Back in Massachusetts
Returning to the state of Massachusetts.

To your golden age where they tuck you in at night
Returning to a place where you were treated with utmost care and love.

You didn't see it coming
You were not anticipating what happened next.

Now who you gonna wave to?
Who are you going to greet and acknowledge?

This time you're not homecoming king
You are not the most important person in this situation anymore.

Did you hear that?
Were you listening to what was being said or played?

Have you heard that sound before?
Have you experienced this situation before?

Do you even know where it is coming from?
Are you aware of the source of the sound or the situation?

Its getting too loud
The situation is becoming unbearable or too intense.

It keeps on pushing you out
The situation is making you feel uncomfortable or trying to move you out of your comfort zone.

Into the arms of 1994
Into a nostalgic period of time.

You stand on your own
You are standing alone and independent now.

wasn't what you hoped at all
The situation did not meet your expectations.

Do you still recall it, giving dead-arms in the hall?
Do you remember the fun times you had, like giving your friends friendly punches in the hallway?

Stay right where you are
Don't move from where you are currently standing.

You'll be half of who you were
You will lose some part of yourself or a part of your identity.

When you always would win
When you were always successful or never lost.

So count the days till you give in
Prepare yourself to lose or compromise eventually.

To your golden age where your crown is shining bright
Going back to a place where you were successful and highly regarded.

Did you see it coming?
Were you prepared for what just happened?

Now who you gonna wave to?
Who are you going to acknowledge or greet next?

This time you're not homecoming king
You are not going to be the center of attention or the most important person in this situation.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Adam Gardner, Brian Rosenworcel, Ryan Miller

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@mahdmahd1718

4y↑7

Man, if this doesn’t speak to the almost inevitable return home after coming of age and college-era adventuring. It sure isn’t the same second swing at bat. Lots to appreciate, just in different things. Big nostalgia Guster 🙏🏽❤️