Going Back Home
Dr. Feelgood Lyrics


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(Wilko Johnson/Mick Green)

I wanna live the way I like
Sleep all the morning
Goin' get my fun at night
Things ain't like that here
Workin' just to keep my payments clear
I bought a brand new motor

And I'm waitin' for a loan
So I can fill her up and start her
Then I'm going back home

I got a girl a man's best friend
I'd have her now if she'd just come back again
But she left me in the fog
Told me that I treat her like a dog
The last time that I saw her she was buryin' a bone
I'm tired of whistlin' for her

Then I'm going back home

Old Johnny Green he asked me in
We watched his TV and we drank a little gin
Then I float on down the street
Smilin' at the faces that I meet
That was back this morning
Now I'm dizzy sick and stoned




When the world stops turning
Then I'm going back home

Overall Meaning

In Dr. Feelgood's Going Back Home, the singer sings about his desire to live life on his own terms, free from the drudgery of work and the monotony of his current lifestyle. He longs for the freedom to sleep in every morning and enjoy himself at night, without the constant pressure of having to work to stay afloat. He has purchased a new car, but is waiting for a loan to fill it up and take it out for a spin. The car represents his freedom and the possibility of a future that he can control. The singer also talks about a girl who he loves deeply, but who has left him because he has mistreated her. He longs to be reunited with her and to regain her trust. He is tired of feeling lost without her and is frustrated by his inability to bring her back into his life.


The second verse of the song sees the singer hanging out with his friend John Green. They watch TV and drink some gin before the singer walks down the street, smiling at people he meets. This scene represents a brief moment of joy and connection in his otherwise bleak and lonely life. However, the song ends on a somber note, with the singer feeling sick and high, waiting for the world to stop turning so he can finally go back home.


Overall, Going Back Home is a powerful song that speaks to the human desire for freedom, love, and connection. Despite the singer's struggles and setbacks, the song ultimately ends on a note of hope, reminding listeners that no matter how lost we may feel, there is always a way to find our way back home.


Line by Line Meaning

I wanna live the way I like
I want to live my life on my own terms


Sleep all the morning
I want to sleep in and start my day leisurely


Goin' get my fun at night
I want to enjoy myself and have fun in the evenings


Things ain't like that here
Things are not the way I want them in this place


Workin' just to keep my payments clear
I am working only to pay off my debts


I bought a brand new motor
I bought a new car


And I'm waitin' for a loan
I am waiting for a loan to fill up the gas tank of my new car


So I can fill her up and start her
So I can fill up the gas tank and start my car


Then I'm going back home
I am planning to go back to my hometown


I got a girl a man's best friend
I have a girlfriend who means a lot to me


I'd have her now if she'd just come back again
I wish my girlfriend would come back to me


But she left me in the fog
My girlfriend left me without giving a proper explanation


Told me that I treat her like a dog
She accused me of treating her badly


The last time that I saw her she was buryin' a bone
The last time I saw her, she was busy doing something else


I'm tired of whistlin' for her
I am tired of waiting for her


Then I'm going back home
I am planning to go back to my hometown


Old Johnny Green he asked me in
My friend Johnny Green invited me into his house


We watched his TV and we drank a little gin
We watched TV and had some drinks


Then I float on down the street
Later on, I walked down the street feeling carefree


Smilin' at the faces that I meet
I smiled at the people I passed by on the street


That was back this morning
All that happened this morning


Now I'm dizzy sick and stoned
Now I am feeling dizzy, sick, and high


When the world stops turning
Whenever I feel like everything has come to a stop


Then I'm going back home
I am planning to go back to my hometown




Contributed by Matthew W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

maxinepaul2

The harmonica playing by Lee is top notch.

Laurie Davies

damn right.

Carlos Nells

he also played some nice slide guitar.

Invasion Extraterrestre

I still listen my vinyls of these guys.. Great band, authentic, raw sound.. Old bands becomes every day greater
.. R.I.P Wilko

VyrissDev

And Lee😢

Rob Jones

Wilco isn't dead, he's just Going Back Home......


He was a class act who influenced generations of guitarists, that's the best tribute of all.

Colin Peck

Better than the Stones,
Status Quo, Dire Straights..
Underrated, great, honest musicians, will be playing them at my funeral..

matafuko

I saw Wilko on his farewell tour 10 years ago - then he had a miraculous recovery! What a dude. RIP

Marian Lenehan

He’s ‘recovery’ was down to the fact that, at that time, he had a rare, neuroendocrine tumour (NET) that grows slowly and is not always malignant. I’m so pleased that he had those extra years… what a talent 👍🎶🙏

Tony James

The last truly great, home-grown, hard rocking blues band. RIP

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