The BoDeans worked with T-Bone Burnett on their debut album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, which appeared in 1986 to warm reviews. They recruited another big-name producer, Talking Head Jerry Harrison, to helm 1987's Outside Looking In, which found the band reduced to a trio after the departure of Hoffman. Outside Looking In broke into the Billboard Top 100, and the BoDeans grew their audience by touring alongside U2, appearing on Robbie Robertson's self-titled solo album, and receiving the honor of Best New Band by Rolling Stone magazine. By the time they released their third album, Home, in 1989, keyboardist Michael Ramos and drummer Danny Gayol had joined. This lineup stayed intact for the release of 1991's Black and White, but the BoDeans went without a drummer once again on their next recording, Go Slow Down.
Following the release of a double-disc live album, Joe Dirt Car, the band returned in 1996 with Blend. Around the time of Blend's release, "Closer to Free" -- a song that had originally appeared on 1993's Go Slow Down -- became a hit, due in large part to its exposure as the theme song for the TV show Party of Five. "Closer to Free" eventually cracked the Top 20, becoming the most successful single of the band's career. The BoDeans were arguably more popular than ever, but the band took a break during the late '90s, with both frontmen devoting time to their solo careers.
By 2004, the band had reconvened and signed with a new label, Zoe. Resolution was released that year, followed in 2005 by Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst. Griffin left the group in 2006 and was replaced by Eric Holden, who appeared on 2008's Still. By this point, the bandmates had found a new home on 429 Records, and they remained with that label for the release of Mr. Sad Clown in 2010 and Indigo Dreams in 2011. That same year saw the departure of Llanas, citing "differences of opinion." The band's 11th studio album, American Made, arrived the following year on the band's own Free & Alive label, and was the first with Neumann as sole leader. The BoDeans toured extensively in support of the release, and in 2014 began work on their next studio project. Released in 2015, I Cant Stop featured a new BoDeans lineup anchored by Neumann, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Sam Hawksley, bassist Eric Holden, and drummer Kenny Aronoff, the latter a well-respected journeyman musician who had played on several BoDeans recording sessions in the '90s. In June 2016, the BoDeans brought out a single, "My Hometown," with the release benefiting the Milwaukee County Historical Society. The single was a preview of the group's next album; titled Thirteen, the 11-song set was released in April 2017.
Going Home
BoDeans Lyrics
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And left their humble homes behind
They'd heard about a chance up north
Amidst the noise and dirt and fire
And on the way they prayed to God
"Have mercy send us down a light"
And when the babies cried they told them close
"Mi hijo (my son) everything is alright"
Going home
On the wings of angels
Going home
On the wings of a snow white dove
Going home
On the wings of angels
Going home
On the wings of love
One walked his way around the town
The other took the name of Rose
They both never had much wealth
But each one knew how a flower grows
And they spoke a language in new ways
And raised their familes true to heart
Their blood runs through my veins so deep
I know they could never tear us apart
Yeah, they broke their backs just trying to stake a place
That they could call their own
And as we lay them down to sleep
I know in my heart that they're going home
The BoDeans' song "Going Home" is rooted in the human experience of leaving home to try to make a better life for oneself and one's family. The lyrics describe the journey of two individuals who left behind their humble homes and friends to pursue a chance up north, amidst the noise, dirt, and fire. Along the way, they prayed for a sign of hope and light, and when their babies cried, they reassured them that everything is alright.
The chorus of the song speaks to the idea of going home not just physically but also spiritually. The wings of angels and white doves represent the spiritual journey of going home with love and peace. The second verse tells the story of two people who started with nothing but their own knowledge and skills, and built a life for themselves and their families. These people spoke a language in new ways and raised their families "true to heart" as the blood that runs through the singer's veins. The song concludes with the idea that even though these individuals broke their backs trying to stake a place that they could call their own, they will ultimately find peace and comfort when they are laid to rest.
Overall, "Going Home" is a stirring tribute to the human condition of trying to find a better life for oneself and one's loved ones. The lyrics evoke a sense of hope and peace, even in the face of adversity and hardship.
Line by Line Meaning
They said good-bye to all their friends
They bid farewell to their acquaintances
And left their humble homes behind
They departed from their simple abodes
They'd heard about a chance up north
They got to know about an opportunity in the north
Amidst the noise and dirt and fire
In the middle of the clamor, grime, and flames
And on the way they prayed to God
Along the journey, they implored God
"Have mercy send us down a light"
"Show us mercy and illuminate the way"
And when the babies cried they told them close
Whenever the infants wailed, they comforted them
"Mi hijo (my son) everything is alright"
"My child, everything is okay"
Going home
Returning home
On the wings of angels
Guided by divine intervention
Going home
Going back home
On the wings of a snow white dove
Assisted by a pure white bird
Going home
Returning to their place of origin
On the wings of angels
Supported by heavenly beings
Going home
Going back to their homeland
On the wings of love
Powered by love
One walked his way around the town
One person sauntered in the city
The other took the name of Rose
The other adopted the moniker 'Rose'
They both never had much wealth
Neither of them possessed great riches
But each one knew how a flower grows
However, both had knowledge of plant cultivation
And they spoke a language in new ways
They communicated differently
And raised their familes true to heart
And reared their families with sincerity
Their blood runs through my veins so deep
Their lineage is deeply rooted within me
I know they could never tear us apart
I'm confident that nobody could sever our connection
Yeah, they broke their backs just trying to stake a place
Indeed, they labored tirelessly to secure their spot
That they could call their own
Which they could claim as their property
And as we lay them down to sleep
As we lay them to rest
I know in my heart that they're going home
I'm certain deep in my heart that they're returning to their homeland
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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