Simon's career began with a short-lived music group with her sister Lucy as The Simon Sisters. They had a minor hit in 1964 called "Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod", and made three albums together before Lucy left to get married and start a family. Later, Carly Simon collaborated with eclectic New York rockers Elephant's Memory for about six months. She also appeared in the 1971 Milos Forman movie Taking Off, playing an auditioning singer, and sang "Long Term Physical Effects", which was included in Taking Off, the 1971 soundtrack for the movie.
Simon's major breakthrough was 1972's No Secrets. The album spawned several successful singles, including Simon's biggest hit, "You're So Vain". Simon continued to produce successful albums through the 1970s and early 1980s, moving into film scores after she was dropped by her record label in 1985. She performed the main title song for the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me - "Nobody Does It Better" which was a worldwide hit in 1977.
Come Back Home
Carly Simon Lyrics
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We were up on the roof laughing at the heat
That was the last I ever saw of you
Now it's December, cold and dark
No more rainbows over Central Park
In this house no window has a view
There's no love here without you
[Chorus]
When you gonna come back home
When you gonna see it's been too long
When you gonna come back home to me
Standin' at the door and I turn the key
I'm holding my breath half expecting to see
You lyin' on the bed, smilin' up at me
I'm goin' crazy 'cause I just don't know
Which way your heart's gonna go
I only pray it leads you back to me
Darlin' let your heart
Lead you back to me
The above lyrics depict a nostalgic longing for someone who was once a part of the singer's life. The song begins with fond memories of spending time with this person on the rooftop during the summer months, laughing at the heat. However, the mood quickly turns melancholy as Carly Simon describes the present state of things: it is now December, cold and dark, with no rainbows over Central Park. The singer is in a loveless household and yearns for the return of this person who brought meaning and happiness to her life. The chorus of the song is a plea for this person to return home, come back to the singer, and make things right again.
The second half of the song reveals deeper emotions as Carly Simon remains uncertain about the nature of this person's return. She stands at the door holding her breath, half expecting to see the person lying on the bed and smiling up at her. However, the singer's inability to predict which way the person's heart will go drives her crazy. In the final lines, she implores the person to let their heart lead them back to her.
Overall, "Come Back Home" is a poignant reflection on lost love and the desire for reconciliation with someone who was once a significant part of the singer's life. The lyrics convey a sense of longing, coupled with desperation, as Carly Simon begs for this person's return, despite acknowledging the uncertainty that comes with such a choice.
Line by Line Meaning
Summer time, kids in the street
It was summertime and children playing on the street.
We were up on the roof laughing at the heat
We were on the roof, laughing at how hot it was outside.
That was the last I ever saw of you
That was the last time I saw you.
Now it's December, cold and dark
It's now December and it's cold and dark.
No more rainbows over Central Park
There are no more rainbows over Central Park anymore.
In this house no window has a view
There is no view from any window in this house.
There's no love here without you
I can't find love here without you.
When you gonna come back home
When are you going to come back home?
When you gonna see it's been too long
When will you realize it's been too long?
When you gonna come back home to me
When will you come back home to me?
Standin' at the door and I turn the key
I'm standing at the door and turning the key.
I'm holding my breath half expecting to see
I'm holding my breath and expecting to see you.
You lyin' on the bed, smilin' up at me
You're lying on the bed, smiling at me.
I'm goin' crazy 'cause I just don't know
I'm going crazy because I don't know.
Which way your heart's gonna go
I don't know which way your heart is going to go.
I only pray it leads you back to me
I only pray it leads you back to me.
Darlin' let your heart
My love, let your heart
Lead you back to me
Lead you back to me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JACOB BRACKMAN, JASON SCHIFF, CARLY SIMON, GUY THOMAS, AARON LAEL ZIGMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind