When I'm Gone
Gary Clark Jr. Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I'm gone
I hope that everything in your world is right
When you're lost
I pray that everything that I taught you
Can turn you right back around
When you need me
I will always be by your side
Oh baby, oh baby
Just know everything is gonna be alright

When I get home
I'm gonna hold you just a little bit closer
Until I'm gone
I'm gonna love you just a little bit longer

Been around the world and back
Daddy's a country boy just tryna make it in the city
And I don't know when I'm comin' back
I'd never seen you underneath the sky, lookin' so pretty
'Til I packed up my Cadillac
Me and the boys got some work, it's about to get busy
Turn up the radio
Step on the gas now, baby, gotta go, gotta go, yeah

But when I get home
I'm gonna hold you just a little bit closer
Until I'm gone, yeah
I'm gonna love you just a little bit longer, yeah
Just a little bit longer, yeah
I'm gonna love you just a little bit longer
I'm gonna be your, oh, oh, man

When I get home
I gotta hold you just a little bit closer
Until I'm gone
I'm gonna love you just a little bit longer, yeah

(When I get home) when I'm home
I wanna hold you a little bit closer, yeah
(Until I'm home) when I'm home
(I'm gonna love you just a little bit longer) I can't wait just to hold you, love you
(When I get home) a little bit longer, oh yeah
(I'm gonna hold you just a little bit closer) oh baby, baby




(Until I'm home) oh yeah, yeah, baby
I wanna love you just a little bit longer

Overall Meaning

The song "When I'm Gone" by Gary Clark Jr. describes the difficulties of being away from loved ones and leaving them behind. The lyrics convey a message of hope and reassurance that everything will be alright in the end. The song is sung from the perspective of a man who is leaving home for work, and he knows that his absence will be felt by the people he cares about. The chorus suggests that he's hoping to make up for his time away when he returns.


The lyrics reveal that the singer has been around the world and back, and he's still "just tryna make it in the city." He seems to have a tough life, especially with leaving loved ones behind. When he gets home, he promises to hold and love his family members more closely to make up for lost time. The message is sincere and dire and emphasizes the importance of relationships over material success.


The song tells a personal story of struggle and perseverance from the vocalist’s life. It has a relatable theme of the challenges faced in a long-distance relationship, and although parts of the lyrics are sad, it is filled with hope and love. The song has a bluesy tone and highlights the artist’s exceptional guitar-playing skills. Gary Clark Jr.'s "When I'm Gone" is a moving ballad that reminds people of the importance of keeping their loved ones close.




Line by Line Meaning

When I'm gone
The singer hopes that everything is good for the listener after he leaves.


I hope that everything in your world is right
The singer wants everything to be good for the listener.


When you're lost
The singer acknowledges that there will be times when the listener is lost.


I pray that everything that I taught you
The artist wishes that his teachings will guide the listener when they are lost.


Can turn you right back around
The artist trusts that his teachings can help the listener find their way back.


When you need me
The singer assures the listener that he will always be there for them.


I will always be by your side
The singer emphasizes that he will never abandon the listener.


Oh baby, oh baby
The artist speaks to the listener in a loving, tender manner.


Just know everything is gonna be alright
The artist wants the listener to be confident that everything will work out.


When I get home
The artist is referring to his eventual return home.


I'm gonna hold you just a little bit closer
The singer promises to show the listener more affection when he returns home.


Until I'm gone
The artist emphasizes that he will love the listener until he has to leave again.


I'm gonna love you just a little bit longer
The singer wants to love the listener for an extended period.


Been around the world and back
The singer has traveled extensively.


Daddy's a country boy just tryna make it in the city
The singer is attempting to succeed in the city as a man from the countryside.


And I don't know when I'm comin' back
The artist does not know when he will return home.


I'd never seen you underneath the sky, lookin' so pretty
The artist is admiring the listener's beauty under the sky.


Til I packed up my Cadillac
The singer is using his Cadillac to travel.


Me and the boys got some work, it's about to get busy
The singer and his friends have work to do.


Turn up the radio
The artist wants to listen to music.


Step on the gas now, baby, gotta go, gotta go, yeah
The artist expresses his desire to start driving.


I'm gonna be your, oh, oh, man
The artist wants to continue being the listener's man.


I gotta hold you just a little bit closer
The singer repeats his desire to hug the listener.


I'm gonna love you just a little bit longer, yeah
The artist pledges to extend his love for the listener.


(When I get home) when I'm home
The singer refers to his eventual return home again.


(I'm gonna love you just a little bit longer) I can't wait just to hold you, love you
The singer reiterates his desire to love and hug the listener.


(I'm gonna hold you just a little bit closer) oh baby, baby
The singer repeats his desire to hug the listener affectionately.


(Until I'm home) oh yeah, yeah, baby
The artist stresses that he will love the listener until he comes home again.


I wanna love you just a little bit longer
The artist once again pledges to love the listener for an extended period.




Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gary Clark Jr.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Bigtos60

When I'm gone
I hope that everything in your world is right
When you're lost
I pray that everything that I taught you
Can turn you right back around
When you need me
I will always be by your side
Oh baby, oh baby
Just know everything is gonna be alright

When I get home
I'm gonna hold you just a little bit closer
Until I'm gone
I'm gonna love you just a little bit longer

Been around the world and back
Daddy's a country boy just trying to make it in the city
And I don't know when I'm coming back
I'd never seen you underneath the sky, looking so pretty
'Til I pack up my Cadillac
Me and the boys got some work, it's about to get busy
Turn up the radio
Step on the gas now, baby, gotta go, gotta go, yeah

But when I get home
I'm gonna…

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All comments from YouTube:

@billk9856

How the hell was this never released as a single ..... it's an absolute banger!

@chemako67

What an album! listening to all these different songs and amazed by the quality of his art!

@maxkol4380

If you like this check out Eric Gales and also Marcus King jr. There's quite a few young, up and coming contemporary blues musicians out there. It's a very cool scene.

@kimandtim3103

Tab Benoit is another good one

@josephfelix8239

The fact that he wrote this for his daughter ❤️ 💪 makes it even better 🤟

@joelpaniagua2024

Really?

@josephfelix8239

@@joelpaniagua2024 yes sir 👍

@uniqueone3770

Just heard this on Love & Hip Hop Atlanta I ❤❤❤❤ this song 👍🏾👍🏾

@DEBRAH31

me too

@leticiathornton7050

Me to

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