While ARS would never reach the commercial success of Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Marshall Tucker Band, the group had a strong following in the south and charted a number of hits such as "Imaginary Lover," "I'm Not Going to Let it Bother Me Tonight," "Champagne Jam," "So Into You," and a remake of a Classics IV hit, "Spooky."
The band also influenced a number of rock and country artists, notably Travis Tritt, who recorded a cover of the ARS songs, "Back Up Against the Wall" and "Homesick." The group Shudder to Think covered "So Into You."
I'm Going Back
Atlanta Rhythm Section Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While a plane flies overhead
Visions of my hometown running through my head
I remember wanting to leave it so bad
Went searching for something I already had
Last night I looked in the mirror and this is what I said
I'm going back
One of these days someday soon
I'm going back home
I get a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat
Every time I hear that train
Moaning in the distance it seems to call my name
Someday soon I'll catch the next plane out,
My mind's made up beyond a shadow of a doubt
I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna break these chains
I'm going back (they say you can never go back)
I'm going back (oh no, you can never go back)
One of these days someday soon
I'm going back home
There are millions of people in far off places
Homesick written across their faces
They're looking for something that's real
That's the way I feel
I miss that hometown feeling
I miss the simple joys
I miss the emphasis of simplicity
And the lack of noise
I'm going back (they say you can never go back)
I'm going back (oh no, you can never go back)
One of these days someday soon
I'm going back home
The lyrics of Atlanta Rhythm Section's song "I'm Going Back" evoke themes of nostalgia and longing for one's hometown. The singer stands listening to a distant train while a plane flies overhead, evoking feelings of being far from home. The singer recalls wanting to leave their hometown and searching for something they already had, only to find themselves longing to return home again. The chorus of the song emphasizes this desire to return home, with the repetition of "I'm going back" serving as a refrain throughout.
The second verse of the song builds on this theme, with the singer expressing a sense of certainty that they will return home. They are going to "break these chains" and catch the next plane out, with their mind made up "beyond a shadow of a doubt." The bridge of the song brings in a universal quality to the singer's longing, noting that there are millions of people in far-off places who feel the same way. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the singer's desire to return home.
Overall, "I'm Going Back" is a song that speaks to the universal desire to find a place to call home. The lyrics evoke the sense of longing that many people feel when they are far from home or searching for something that they can't quite name. The repetition of the chorus serves to reinforce this desire, making the song both poignant and memorable.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing here listening to a distant train
I am currently standing in a place where I can hear the sound of a train that is far away from me
While a plane flies overhead
At the same time, there is a plane flying above me
Visions of my hometown running through my head
Thoughts of my hometown are constantly on my mind, and I see them vividly in my imagination
I remember wanting to leave it so bad
I recall feeling a strong desire to leave my hometown in the past
Went searching for something I already had
I embarked on a search for something new and exciting, not realizing that the thing I was looking for was already within my grasp
Last night I looked in the mirror and this is what I said
During a recent moment of introspection, I expressed the following insight
I'm going back
I have decided that I will return to my hometown
One of these days someday soon
In the very near future, I will carry out my plan to go back home
I'm going back home
I will specifically be returning to my place of origin and childhood home
I get a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat
Whenever I hear the sound of the train that reminds me of home, I become emotional and teary-eyed
Every time I hear that train
The triggering stimulus for my nostalgic reaction is hearing the sound of the faraway train
Moaning in the distance it seems to call my name
The train's hoarse and distant sound somehow feels personal and like a beckoning call to me
Someday soon I'll catch the next plane out,
I will soon purchase a plane ticket for travel to my hometown
My mind's made up beyond a shadow of a doubt
I have resolved firmly and absolutely that I will return home
I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna break these chains
I will follow through with my decision and override any obstacles or doubts that might try to hold me back
There are millions of people in far off places
Across the world, there are a great many people who live at a distance from their hometowns
Homesick written across their faces
These individuals wear their homesickness visibly and in their expressions
They're looking for something that's real
The common thread that links these homesick individuals is their search for something authentic and true
That's the way I feel
I identify deeply with these people and share their sense of longing for authenticity
I miss that hometown feeling
I feel an absence of the sense of home and belonging that I associate with my native town
I miss the simple joys
I long for the simple, elemental pleasure and happiness that can be found in a hometown
I miss the emphasis of simplicity
I am nostalgic for a way of life that prioritizes and values simplicity and uncomplicatedness
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Terry Vinson
Love this tune. Ronnie Hammond's voice was so distinctive no matter the era of ARS.
TDJ
This is one of ARS very best songs - IMO.
oldguy2598
awesome song , thanks for posting
Randy Carlisle
Ronnie and the guys have some awesome songs!!
Randy A Carlsle / Real Oldies Show / KSGV