Homesick
Big Heavy Stuff Lyrics

The song "Homesick" by Australian band Big Heavy Stuff is a poignant reflection on the complexities of leaving home, while simultaneously feeling disconnected from the places or people we encounter when we're away. The first verse begins with a yearning for normalcy, illustrated by the singer's longing for birthday cake. But as the song progresses, we see that this desire for normalcy is quickly stifled by the overwhelming sense of disorientation that comes from being away. The repeated mantra of "Every breath that I take, takes me" underscores the paradox of feeling homesick while traveling. The singer can't escape their own thoughts, their own memories, and their own nostalgia, even as they move further and further away from the place they call home.

The second verse reinforces this sense of isolation and disconnection. The singer admits to forgetting people's names, suggesting that their social circles are constantly shifting and changing. They mention being on a need-to-know basis, as if they're constantly guarding themselves against forming attachments that will only lead to more heartache when they inevitably have to say goodbye. The line "It's just here where I ache" is particularly poignant, as it highlights the fact that homesickness is not just a physical longing for a place or a person, but an emotional ache that can't be shaken off.

The chorus is a repeated mantra of "Away from here, I just keep getting homesick. Does that make any sense?" This seems like a rhetorical question - of course it makes sense - but it's a question we've all asked ourselves at some point. Why do we feel such a strong pull to a place or a person that we've left behind? Why do we feel so disconnected from the people and places we encounter in our travels? The song doesn't provide any easy answers, but it does capture the complex emotions that come with leaving home.