He made his theatrical debut this summer in the film Girl Most Likely, opposite Kristen Wiig, Annett Benning and Matt Dillon. The film follows a semi-successful playwright (Wiig) who fakes a suicide attempt to get her ex-boyfriend’s attention. After her plan is foiled, she moves back to New Jersey with her drug addict mom (Benning). When she returns home, she falls for the younger boy band wannabe Lee (Criss).
Criss is quickly becoming one of the most sought after actors and musicians of his generation. He has gone from YouTube sensation to a six‐time Billboard charting musician and composer, who currently stars as Blaine Anderson on Fox's Emmy and Golden Globe Award‐winning series Glee. Criss made his Broadway debut last January as J. Pierrepont Finch in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. With Criss as the leading man, the revival made just under $4 million – the most lucrative three weeks of its 11‐month run.
After making a splash as a guest star on the second season of Glee, Criss was quickly promoted to a series regular. His breakout performance of Katy Perry's “Teenage Dream” in his first episode set a milestone for Glee. The song debuted at #1 on Billboard for the first time in the show’s history and sold over 200,000 tracks in its first week. Criss made his first major television appearance in 2009 as Josh Burton on ABC’s Eastwick, with Rebecca Romijn, Lindsay Price and Jaime Ray Newman, and also appeared in CBS’ Cold Case.
Prior to his television career, the San Francisco native pursued his acting degree at the University of Michigan. In his senior year, Criss and his friends created a Harry Potter musical parody entitled, A Very Potter Musical as a fun project for their classmates, friends and other Harry Potter fans. Along with starring as the boy wizard himself, Criss also lent several of his songs to be used in the show. Within weeks of posting the musical online, it became a YouTube hit, garnering millions of views and musical theater‐world attention.
Using A Very Potter Musical as a springboard, Criss and his writing partners started StarKid Productions. Within a year, they wrote and produced subsequent online hits, Me and My Dick and A Very Potter Sequel, the latter of which he wrote all the music and lyrics for. As a result, the StarKid brand has grown to become just as popular as the shows themselves, spawning an enormous cult following from all over the world. Having established their home base in Chicago, StarKid Productions wrapped their latest original musical comedy with a two‐week sold out run in February 2012. Entitled Starship, Criss was responsible for the music and lyrics.
Criss and StarKid Productions appeared on the Billboard charts through four separate releases – all within the year 2012. These include the #1 spot on Billboard’s Top Cast Album for “Starship,” the #11 spot on Billboard's Top Cast Albums with their cast soundtrack for the original musical “Me and My Dick,” along with the #19 spot on the Top Compilations chart for “A Very StarKid Album,” and the #30 spot on Billboard's Heatseekers chart with Criss’ self‐released EP “Human.” With overwhelming success on the music charts, Criss has defied what many try to achieve under various music genres. “Human” was released as an acoustic collection of 5 original songs, differing greatly from the more Broadway‐esque music found on “Me and My Dick” and the pop‐rock stylings featured on “A Very Starkid Album.”
Welcome Home
Darren Criss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As I hurry on my way
Welcome home sings the gate like a song
Welcome home says the door
Glad to feel your hand once more
Now you're back where you belong
Welcome home says the chair
Welcome home says the bed, rest on me
Now you're back where you should be
Close your eyes, close your eyes
And the world settle down to size
Welcome home says the lamp
Lighting up familiar things
Look around at your friends good and true
Get your cares all untied
While you're warming up inside
Welcome home to you, welcome home to you
Welcome home ticks the clock
Now it's time to get undressed
Welcome home says the floor to your shoes
When you turn out the light and the darkness says goodnight
Welcome home to you, welcome home to you
In these lyrics, Darren Criss describes the warm and comforting feeling of returning home after being away for some time. He personifies various objects in the home, such as the street, gate, door, chair, bed, lamp, and clock, as they all collectively welcome the singer back.
The street welcomes the singer with open arms, eager for their return, while the gate sings a melodic welcome, making the entrance feel inviting and cheerful. The door expresses its joy at feeling the singer's hand on its handle once again, signaling that they have finally arrived where they belong.
The chair extends its friendly arms, symbolizing the embrace of a loved one, inviting the singer to take a seat and relax. Similarly, the bed welcomes them, urging them to rest and find comfort in its embrace. The lyrics convey a sense of physical and emotional comfort, as the singer is back where they should be, surrounded by familiar objects that bring a sense of peace.
The lamp shines its light on familiar things, symbolizing the illumination of the singer's life and surroundings. It encourages them to take a moment to appreciate their friends who have remained loyal and true during their absence. The lyrics suggest that the singer can confide in these friends, letting go of their worries and finding solace while warming up inside.
The clock signals the end of the day, reminding the singer to get undressed and prepare for a moment of relaxation. The floor bids farewell to their shoes as the singer turns off the light, implying the transition into a peaceful and restful night. Finally, the darkness itself extends a silent but gentle goodnight.
Overall, these lyrics paint a picture of a warm and inviting home, highlighting the comfort and familiarity that comes with returning to a place of belonging. They also emphasize the importance of reconnecting with loved ones, finding solace in the presence of friends, and allowing oneself to unwind and find peace in the sanctuary of home.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome home says the street
The familiar street greets you with open arms and a warm welcome
Welcome home sings the gate like a song
The gate joyfully welcomes you back, as if it were singing a happy tune
Welcome home says the door
The door expresses its happiness at feeling your touch once again
Glad to feel your hand once more
The door is relieved and delighted to have your presence again
Now you're back where you belong
You have returned to the place that truly belongs to you
Welcome home says the chair
The chair eagerly extends its friendly arms, inviting you to sit and relax
Holding out its friendly arms
The chair is welcoming and embracing, providing comfort and support
Welcome home says the bed, rest on me
The bed invites you to find solace and rest, offering itself as a place of relaxation
Now you're back where you should be
You have returned to the place where you rightfully belong
Close your eyes, close your eyes
Let go of your worries and distractions, allow yourself to find inner peace and tranquility
And the world settle down to size
As you calm yourself, the overwhelming world around you becomes more manageable and less imposing
Welcome home says the lamp
The lamp illuminates familiar objects, creating a sense of warmth and familiarity
Lighting up familiar things
The lamp brings attention to the comforting and recognizable items in your surroundings
Look around at your friends good and true
Take a moment to appreciate the presence of your loyal and genuine friends
Get your cares all untied
Release and let go of all your worries and concerns
While you're warming up inside
As you find comfort and solace, you also find a sense of internal warmth and contentment
Welcome home to you, welcome home to you
A heartfelt welcome is extended to you, emphasizing your importance and belonging
Welcome home ticks the clock
The ticking clock signifies that it is time for you to unwind and relax after your return
Now it's time to get undressed
The clock indicates that it is the moment to remove your outer layers and find comfort
Welcome home says the floor to your shoes
The floor greets your shoes, acknowledging your arrival and the need to settle down
When you turn out the light and the darkness says goodnight
As you extinguish the light, the darkness symbolically bids you goodnight and signifies the end of the day
Welcome home to you, welcome home to you
A warm and sincere welcome is extended to you once again
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Rome
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sofia Escobar
this song for me is that one hug that you need when you’re really sad but you don’t wanna tell anyone, so thank you darren for giving me that <3
Bernadette Bauer
I love it. It’s so beautiful and full of emotions. Thank you Darren!! Sending you love from Germany 💜💜
Kasandra Alvarez
I’ve been a fan of Darren for 4 years now and I can say he’s doing an amazing job. His music and acting has changed my life and I thank him for it💜
Meryem B.
Omg I think it's my favorite so sweet ! Love you ! Kiss from France ❤🇨🇵
Yanina Nieto Felipetti
My favourite! I love you!❤
pheebs
ok but just imagine arriving at your house and having darren sayig "welcome home".
narimane nemesis
I don't know a raison but I find this song make me sad
But I like it 😍
Swapna
All the love from India Darren💞
Tracy McGwier
Amazing
carlotta.hen.
❤❤❤